Bal Harbour

hen sisters-in-law Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard left their respective careers in finance and fa shion to raise their g row ing families, they quickly began bonding over more than just a shared first and last name. " We found ourselves at family gatherings talking about our new favorite designers, must-have pieces, and styling hacks," says Miele Beard. "We realized that there was a void in the market for clothing that you could live in—the wardrobe MVPs that make it easy for women to get out the door looking and feeling good." The discussions turned into something more concrete, and in 2010, the New York-based duo launched their contemporar y fashion brand, aptly named Veronica Beard, with one simple item: the Dickey jacket. "It 's our take on a men's suit jacket," says Miele Beard of their now-signature blazer, which can be paired with removable or inter- changeable dickies that can be st yled in an endless variet y of ways. "Men have it easy. They throw on a suit and tie and they look polished. We wanted to create something similar. Something that can be layered over everything from jeans to dresses." The Veronicas were clearly onto something—the company took o‹, debuting at New York Fashion Week in 2012, and opening more than 20 stores over the years. Today, the Dickey jacket is available in multiple silhouettes and a menagerie of fabrics and patterns, with dickies that range from French terry hoodie to cashmere sweater to leather moto style. What's more, Veronica Beard has developed into a full lifestyle brand encompassing ready-to-wear, denim, swim, shoes, accessories and even home (they launched a tabletop collaboration with Juliska last summer). "We are obsessed with fit and construction, and we design for reality," says Swanson Beard of the key to their success. "Our pieces have been painstakingly tailored to fit the modern woman's body and life- st yle." And, as busy working mothers themselves with eight children between them, they know first- hand what multi-tasking women want. Now, following the success of a temporary store that opened in 2019, Veronica Beard has debuted a permanent boutique at the Bal Harbour Shops. "There's no other city quite like Miami," says Miele Beard of the location. "It's vibrant in every way. Urban chic meets the beach—and party. We want to o‹er the Miami woman a wardrobe for all aspects of her busy life, encompassing color, texture, versatility, and glamour." The pair par tnered with their long time interior desig ner, Carolina de Neufville, on the 1,800-square-foot space, which features rattan-covered walls and terrazzo stone f loors f lecked in pinks, mauves, and maroons. "Our Bal Harbour store has an inviting, homey feel," says Swanson Beard. "It's an eclectic mix of antiques and modern pieces. There's a Tommaso Barbi table from the seventies in one room, and a 2020 Marco Walker photograph in the next. It all comes together somehow." The store car- ries Veronica Beard's full product o‹erings, includ- ing its latest Spring 2023 collection. "Spring is all about the confidence of color, the polished versatility of monochromatic dressing and the power play of sets and suits," says Miele Beard. And, of course, the brand's signature ease and functionality, coupled with an unmistakable feminine touch. W Sisters-in-law Veronica Swanson Beard (left) and Veronica Miele Beard. LAUNCHED WITH A SINGLE LOOK, VERONICA BEARD'S FOUNDERS HAVE SET OUT TO MAKE GETTING DRESSED A JOY. THE BRAND'S NEW BAL HARBOUR SHOPS BOUTIQUE SUGGESTS THEIR MISSION HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED. BY AMANDA EBERSTEIN ONE Easy Piece W E A RE OBSESSED W ITH FIT A N D CONSTRUCTION, A N D W E DESIGN FOR REA LIT Y. —VERONICA SWANSON BEARD P H OTO CO U R T E S Y V E R O N I C A B E A R D 132 BAL HARBOUR

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