Fashion Through the Ages: Downtown Miami’s Influence on the Retail Scene
From historic shopping districts to its rise as a modern fashion hub, Downtown Miami’s style evolution reflects its rich history and creative spirit.
Feb 10, 2025 · 2 Minute Read 
Downtown Miami has long been a cornerstone of style, shaping the city’s fashion identity and spotlighting influential designers. Once a go-to shopping district, it has transformed into a thriving fashion hub where heritage and innovation intersect to define the industry’s future.
The downtown Miami location of Burdines played a pivotal role in shaping the retailer’s history.
By the mid-20th century, Flagler Street was the beating heart of Miami’s retail scene, home to legendary department stores like Burdines and La Época. Burdines, often called the “Macy’s of the South,” started as a small dry goods store in 1898 before expanding into a Florida retail powerhouse. Its flagship Downtown location, which opened in 1912, helped define Miami’s fashion landscape—introducing resort wear and curating collections that embodied the city’s tropical, cosmopolitan aesthetic. With innovations like air conditioning and a renowned rooftop restaurant, Burdines elevated the shopping experience and solidified downtown Miami as a major retail destination.
La Época was located on 200 E Flagler, now home to Julia & Henry’s.
After the Cuban Revolution, Havana’s famed department store La Época found a new home in downtown Miami, becoming a staple of Flagler Street’s retail history in the 1960s. The family-owned store was known for its high-end fashion and personalized service, catering to Miami’s growing Latin American population. Though the store has since closed, its legacy lives on at Julia & Henry’s, where a bar on the main floor pays tribute to its iconic past.
As downtown Miami evolves into a fashion hub, Mana Fashion is leading the charge. By developing state-of-the-art showrooms and fashion suites, it has cultivated a dynamic hub where designers, tailors, seamstresses, and artisans can flourish. More than traditional studios, these spaces serve as collaborative environments that inspire creativity and connection. Mana Fashion also functions as a comprehensive resource center, hosting networking events and workshops that equip professionals with the tools to navigate an ever-changing market.
Explore Downtown Miami’s fashion legacy at manacommon.com and stay updated on the city’s evolving style scene by following Mana Fashion on Instagram.
