Bal Harbour

G U T T E R C R E D I T T E E K AY Like a captivating old flame, Bal Harbour Shops holds a special spot in many hearts. Since 1965, it's been a cherished destination for generations of patrons who have fond memories of shopping and dining at the glamorous tropical oasis, shaded by palm trees and dotted with koi ponds. So in honor of its diamond jubilee, a short film was developed to visually share this love story. Directed by photographer Andrés Oyuela, An Affair to Remember stars Karolina Kurkova as a stylish young woman who is having a dalliance— but is it with fashion or a fellow? "This was a labor of love," says Shana Kaufman, director of brand media and content at Bal Harbour Shops, who wrote the screenplay. "It's the first time we've done a campaign of this magnitude or in this medium." The film starts with the male protagonist (model Arthur Kulkov) catching a glimpse of his girlfriend (Kurkova) embracing a mystery man, who then hands her a card to which she smiles flirtatiously. She joins her boyfriend for lunch, but ducks out to take a call, forgetting the card on the table. His worst suspicions are confirmed when he reads the heart-stopping inscription: Afternoons with you are a delight! Love, B. Cut to Kurkova's character strolling around the Shops toting shopping bags, and trying on an exquisite diamond necklace. During her spree, she receives more cards, reading them with a knowing smile. Her concerned partner hurriedly arrives at the Shops, sprints up an escalator, and spots her walking below. He rushes down and bumps into her, causing her bags and cards to scatter. He picks up a note and reads: It was love at first visit—Bal Harbour Shops. His rival, he discovers, is her beloved BHS. "As the story unfolds, he realizes that he's not losing her to another love interest, he just has to share her with Bal Harbour Shops," says Kaufman. "Whenever you speak to anyone about the Shops, there's an affinity there. It's a true love affair!" From its inception, guests have treasured their time at the luxurious, high-end fashion hub on Collins Avenue. "Our vision was then—as it is now—to create unique, meaningful experiences and special places that endure," says Matthew Whitman Lazenby, the fourth-generation owner (and third-generation manager) of the business founded by his grandfather, Stanley Whitman, on the site of a former World War II army barracks. "Bal Harbour Shops was the first all-luxury fashion center to make lush landscaping essential to its design. My grandfather realized the compelling emotional connection of creating a relaxing and inviting atmosphere… a place to see and be seen while enjoying the high-end retail, and a collection of enticing restaurants that are destinations in themselves," says Lazenby. As for the curation of stores, Lazenby notes that his grandfather "advocated ferociously for a mix of tenants responsive to his customers' needs, even where a tenant less responsive to those needs might have offered better rent." That meant a unique array of shops, from European haute couture salon Martha to toy bazaar FAO Schwarz. In 1971, Whitman persuaded Neiman Marcus to open its first location outside of Texas, followed by a branch of Saks Fifth Avenue. Next, he welcomed high-profile European brands, such as Courrèges, Dana Cote d'Azur, and Gucci. Clad in exuberantly patterned silks, Gianni and Donatella Versace partied at the launch of their marble, mosaic, and mirror–lined flagship in 1991. Like its tropical gardens that reach for the skies, the designer shopping oasis continues to grow. Loewe, Silvia Tcherassi, and Elisabetta Franchi introduced outposts in 2024, while Tiffany & Co. unveiled a new space by famed architect Peter Marino (which next year will expand to two stories). Meanwhile, Brunello Cucinelli is busy adding another level to its cashmere emporium, and an ambitious new wing that will house an additional 35 stores is slated to open in 2026, nearly doubling the size of the Shops' footprint. Just imagine all the new opportunities for retail romance. AFTERNOON DELIGHTS Bal Harbour Shops kicks off its 60th-anniversary celebrations with an original short film. BY ALEV AKTAR PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDRÉS OYUELA

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