MIAMI - Petit Pois designer Viviana Gabeiras (also known as Viviana G.) received the Best Pret-A-Porter (Ready-to-Wear) Style Award at the 2012 Miami Beach International Fashion Week Miami Moda & Music Awards. Gabeiras debuted the brand’s stunning 2012 Fall Collection of signature mesh fabrics and vibrant colors during the Miami Style Showcase March 21.

 

“The Fall collection was particularly inspired by Florence Welsh, the lead singer of Florence + the Machine who has worn some of my outfits already,” said Gabeiras. “She is a free spirit, ageless, and bohemian – that’s what Petit Pois by Viviana G. is all about. What I love about Florence is she delivers many messages through her unique stage presence, poignant lyrics and ethereal vocal performance. We captured her ingenious essence throughout our new collection.”

 

Gabeiras, a Venezuelan native, launched the brand Petit Pois by Viviana G. with her partner and husband Rafael 12 years ago. The 2012 Fall Collections features mosaic “art‐like” prints that help her original designs radiate a soft, sexy flair.

 

“The signature colors of this collection are fuchsia, maroon, and terra cotta,” said Gabeiras. “The distinctive dyes are very strong and make a bold statement for any modern woman who wears these elegant clothes.”

 

In attendance for the Petit Pois by Viviana G. show were fashion elite from around the world including legendary singer Dionne Warwick, Grammy Award-winning music producer Damon Elliot, CSI Miami television actor Wes Ramsey, actor Vincent De Paul of the award-winning feature film “The Silver Case,” and Lancome supermodel Dasha of Russia, whom walked the runway in a stylish Petit Pois by Viviana G. dress.

 

Gabeiras added that the Petit Pois by Viviana G. brand is proudly designed and manufactured in the United States.

 

“We want to promote that quality products are still ‘Made in U.S.A.,’” said Gabeiras. “We want to bring manufacturing jobs back to this county, which graciously embraced my family and Petit Pois by Viviana G. We want to encourage job growth and to help revitalize the economy across the nation.”

 

Gabeiras moved to New York City after owning her own boutique in Venezuela and studying in Paris at the Parsons School of Design. While at Parsons, she graduated among luminary names such as Marc Jacobs, Isaac Mizrahi and Tracy Reese, today known as some of the world's top designers. As a student she won Honorable Mention from the Rayon Council during the New York Fashion Design Competition. While attending Parson’s, she worked beside Michaele Vollbratch, Ann Crimms, and the Embroidery Council of America.

 

After launching one of the first mesh lines in the USA under the name Sweet Pea in 1996, Gabeiras decided to gain her independence in 2000 and created a more fresh and contemporary approach with Petit Pois by Viviana G. Gabeiras’ designs have routinely been featured in many fashion publications including the cover of Women’s Wear Daily.

 

In 2007 Gabeiras won the CILA award for “Best Coordinate Moderate” in New York City. Petit Pois by Viviana G. has also received recognition from high profile celebrities such as Shakira, recording artist Mya, and super model Heidi Lindgren.

 

Gabeiras continues to design and manufacture her premium luxury knit collections at her Miami headquarters. In recent years she has received even more notoriety by participating as one of Miami Beach International Fashion Week’s top designers showcasing her latest collection annually while her runway shows continue to set trends and inspire designers all over. She has also made guest appearances on dozens of television shows including the NBC South Florida morning show as well as Univision’s Despierta America, one of the most popular Hispanic morning shows. Today, Gabeiras experiences and life‐style have influenced her brand, as have her ever‐evolving consumer.