Base-Miami

For better or worse, the Lincoln Road Mall on South Miami Beach is quite reminiscent of New York's 7th Avenue in the West Village. One shop however, Base, stands out from the rest by offering an exceptionally curated suite of both products and services.

Owner Steven Giles says "we're less about labels and more about the ongoing (and less easily defined) culture of the store, but amongst the labels we’re most proud to be associated with would definitely include Isabella Capetto, Nice Collective, Lemar and Dauley, Maharishi, Martin Margiela and Comme Des Garcons."

"Base is not a specific need-based store, like Sears. Your reasons are less clearly defined. One of my little secret ambitions is to redefine the concept of a department store. By and large, the concept hasn’t changed in the past 100 years. I like to find the unseen links between things. Base has its finger on the pulse of modern cultural living: it’s part of a tribe.

I say to my buying team, ‘Don’t think competitively; think creatively.’ We are selling the mix as DJs sell theirs. I recently read the book, Pattern Recognition, in which the central character seeks cool. That is the job I would love to have. She’s label-phobic, I love that! Over a period of time, my assistant and I have developed a scanning process: this is from laid-down patterns over time that are recognized by your brain. "

But it's not just about clothing and accessories, there's a service slant at Base. An in-house salon, Snip, and a CD Bar offer visitors style and satisfaction on a more soulful level. And the folks at Base have also been known to publish music, design resort uniforms and produce events.

Information about the store and several items for sale can be found on their site, baseworld.com.