Bal Harbour

62 BAL HARBOUR "This is truly a story about a man and his creation." —Matthew Whitman Lazenby to Miami, became an inspiration for the Shops. Whitman also visited dozens of middle-of-the- road establishments in cities like Yonkers and Arlington to understand the practical concerns of building a shopping center, including the social and psychological habits of shoppers. Traversing the country by car and often staying in motels, he meticulously documented everything he saw using notecards and a Contax Model III-A V>iÀ>ÜÌÜViV>«ÌÕÀi`>ÛiÀÞëiVwV moment in American history—through images of shoppers, mannequins, sidewalks, power stations and every conceivable element necessary for the construction of a retail center. Whitman's uncompromising belief in the importance of architecture went hand-in-hand with his outlook on which brands would be able to present their styles at Bal Harbour Shops: only the best. Though it was an era when European designers opened their storefronts on only the grandest of avenues, Whitman set out to bring them to Miami. Helping him along the way was Martha Phillips, a New York-born luxury retail pioneer, whose shop—simply called Martha— was a mecca for celebrities and discerning clients. Phillips brought many European desingers to Miami, including Valentino himself on one of his wÀÃÌÌÀ«ÃÌÌi1Ìi`-Ì>Ìið Martha and F.A.O. Schwartz were among Ìi wÀÃÌ Ì «i > >ÀLÕÀ] ÜÌ ÕVV and Versace leading the way among European designers. Yves Saint Laurent, Oscar de la Renta and Prada followed in the next years; Neiman >ÀVÕÃ>ÀÀÛi`>Ã>>VÀ£Ç£Æ>`wÛi years later Saks Fifth Avenue came to the Shops as well. Today, Whitman's legacy continues as Bal Harbour Shops remains synonymous with luxury and Lazenby carries forth his grandfather's ability to stay one step ahead of the times. "Bal Harbour Shops has always been about creating something memorable," says Lazenby. "People have emotional connections to Bal Harbour, which is very unique for a shopping center. Stanley Whitman certainly set the tone for generations to come." Bill, Stanley and Dudley Whitman (left to right) with other early surfers at Daytona Beach in 1934; Theater of Shopping is out this spring from Rizzoli. COURTESY OF WHITMAN FAMILY ARCHIVES; © THEATER OF SHOPPING BY ALASTAIR GORDON AND BARBARA DE VRIES, RIZZOLI NEW YORK, 2019

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