Daniela. Mom. Fashion Designer. Miami. August 2014.

Daniela has been on Haute Drop-Off before – our kids attended the same school in Miami, so I had the pleasure of checking out her style most mornings and became quick friends..I mean I pretty much darted after her weekly, so it was just a “natural” connection!! I love her designs, and the soft fabrics feel so good against your skin.

Daniela’s clothing company, www.pureofheart.me was started after she finally let herself be herself – if that makes any sense. “I found myself feeling like I was in a cage, and separate from others,” she says. But it was through this self discovery, that Daniela created clothing with affirmations to remind herself and others to live their truth.

In addition to spreading hope through words and fashion, Pure of Heart remains aligned with its truth by using eco-friendly fabric. The 100-percent Tencel jersey is not only deliciously soft, but it is also completely biodegradable and good for the earth. 

Fashion Notes: Boots: Sam Edelman, Top: Pure of Heart, Sunglasses: San Francisco Vintage store, Cut off’s: True Religion, Fringe Bag: Z&L

Daniela was just visiting San Francisco for work, and we got to have a fun night out.  We met at a bar at a friend’s record release party – I already looked out of place in a sea of black clothing, thick “hipster” glasses and Converse.

“Why did everyone look so much alike?”, I asked myself. And I was wearing a short, flared skirt, socks, ankle boots and lots of big earrings- I promise you, my legs were the only ones on display in this area of San Francisco.

I waited for Daniela and Nathalie to show up, and assumed it would be late – after all, in Miami everything starts late and I told them to meet me at 8:00 p.m. (that’s practically lunch time in Miami).  I was hoping they would balance out the place with their style..but when they finally arrived, they were covered up like it was Alaska – “When in Rome?”, I asked my friends, “No Mara, It’s freezing in San Francisco!”.

My point is different cities have different styles, and I get to see the specific city style when I take photos of parents. Daniela sent me this photo, as she was leaving to drop her daughters off at school. I love that in Miami, moms look like Shakira (well Daniela does) and look sexy and stylish – if Daniela wore this look in some other cities, she would get lots of looks – kind of like what I get sometimes.

Daniela is a great balancer – she knows how to look funky, sexy and fashionable .  The issue is some people “don’t get it”, they may not be into fashion, and see short shorts and heels, and think “inappropriate”, but all that matters is you guys “get it”…and that we can appreciate other people, and the way in which they express themselves artistically.