Miami is developing itself into a fashion force to be reckoned with. Attending FUNKSHION for the first time was an enlightening experience where fashion prevailed. A delightful blend of casual, urban, trendy, Avant-Garde, and business casual looks sashayed down the runway. Models such as Eva Jay, Lee, Keola, and Bobby strutted their stuff for designers including Puma, Akademiks, Sweetface (by Jennifer Lopez), Marceau + D’Amore, Girbaud, William Rast (by Justin Timberlake shown above), Jockstarzz, Heatherette, and Russell Simmons’s Argyle Culture.

Russell Simmons’ new line, Argyle Culture (above), stood out in terms of colors, fabrics, and style. The line appeals to a sophisticated yet trendy audience, maintaining both a contemporary and timeless essence.

Noticeable as well was the Marceau + D’ Amore line (above) ; Marceau presented men’s and women’s jeans, bathing suits, and dresses reminiscent of Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct: fun, sexy, and provocative.

Naturally, Puma, Akademiks (above), and Girbaud’s work solidified their favorable position within the fashion industry.

Leave it to Heatherette (above) to spice it up and stand out from the other shows. Remaining true to their innovative ways, the duo presented a different approach to their show. Richie and Traver shot the full runway version of the fashion show earlier in the day with just the press as live audience.

Later on that evening, as the public arrived, the set was full of models, make-up artists, hair stylists, and the designers themselves getting busy and “ready” for their fashion show. In other words, the public thought they were backstage and took quite an interest at the fashion madness developing in front of them. As Traver and Richie displayed the runway show on big screens, the audience realized they were getting a close up view of both the backstage and the final product for the price of one.

FUNKSHION’s final surprise, however, was Kevin Everett (above). Everett, a former Buffalo Bills football player, who, in September 2007 dislocated and fractured his cervical spine, walked down the runway during the Jockstarzz fashion show. The Jockstarzz show benefited the Kevin Everett Foundation and featured a blend of models and pro-players such as Roscoe Parrish (Buffalo Bills), Bryant McKinnie (Minnesota Vikings), and Lauryn Williams (2004 Olympic silver medalist). Nadia Turner (American Idol contestant) opened the show singing the Star Spangled Banner while Cool (Cool & Dre) and K. Foxx (99. Jamz) walked down the runway. Kudos!!!!