16 June 18–24, 2026 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES June 18–24, 2026 miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES BEST ºf MIAMI ® 2026 BEST EVENT CURATOR Carolina Toledo instagram.com/carotoledo In a city known for spectacle, Carolina To- ledo stands out by mastering something far more difficult: intimacy. Toledo built her rep- utation on events people remember. With more than a decade of experience in South Florida, she specializes in comprehensive, design-forward celebrations that feel deeply personal whether it’s a bridal shower, engage- ment party, rehearsal dinner or full-scale wedding. Her work is rooted in understand- ing her clients and translating their vision into something tangible through thoughtful layouts, layered textures and a strong sense of atmosphere. Frequent collaborations with creative partners, including Micu Design, al- low her to transform even the simplest spaces into something elevated and immersive. While Miami’s event scene often leans to- ward large-scale productions and high-pro- file activations, Toledo’s strength is in restraint. She knows when to let details speak for themselves. The result is a seamless plan- ning process and an end product that feels in- tentional rather than overdone. Her events are not about spectacle for the sake of it. They are about creating moments that feel effort- less, refined and genuinely special. BEST FASHION DESIGNER Karelle Levy krelwear.com Karelle Levy has been making Miami weirder and better-dressed for nearly three decades. The Paris-born, Miami-raised designer started her label straight out of school in the late 1990s, cutting her teeth as an artist at the Bakehouse Art Complex in 2001 before build- ing a studio presence in Wynwood, then the Art Center South Beach, and eventually a de- cade-long home at Miami Ironside. She founded KRELwear after studying textile de- sign at RISD, where the costumes she knit for her own art performances became the seed of a full fashion label. Her process is unlike most: garments are digitally programmed and knit on Maggie, a Shima Seiki industrial ma- chine, then hand-finished in-house using mill-end yarns and zero-waste ethics using colors that run from sun-bleached tropical to glow-in-the-dark. The result is one-of-a- kind, inclusive knitwear with her signature “Toobular” construction designed to fit a wide range of bodies without compromise. Her creations have adorned the likes of Nicki Minaj, Alanis Morissette and Latin Grammy performers over the years. She also launched her Stitch N Bitch community gatherings at The Standard in 2009, turning her studio into a creative hub as much as a shop. Though re- cently relocated to Savannah, she remains a fixture in the city’s creative life and continues to come back regularly. Miami fashion hasn’t quite caught up with her yet. BEST FLACK Rachel Pinzur pinzurpr.com Great flacks respond to media requests quickly, but the best flacks anticipate needs before reporters even reach out. That’s ex- actly how Rachel Pinzur’s eponymous PR agency operates, with her talented stable of reps — mostly women — getting well ahead of announcements, providing all the materials journalists need to deliver news to readers in a timely and accurate fashion. That’s espe- cially important when your agency works with some of the most vital cultural spaces and organizations in the city, from Oolite Arts to Pinecrest Gardens and the Miami Film Festival. Not bad for an agency Pinzur founded 12 years ago after getting laid off from a longtime job. BEST INSTAGRAM KidFlamess instagram.com/kidflamess Four years ago, Jordon King arrived in South Florida as a graduate student with a passion for wildlife. Today, he has become one of the region’s most engaging voices for the Ever- glades. The Kingston, Jamaica, na- tive makes science feel accessible and exciting. With his signature style, vine-wrapped gold grill, pet chameleon named Krome and deep knowl- edge of Florida’s ecosys- tems, King has built a loyal audience eager to learn about the natural world. His path to Florida began through a research fellowship studying Everglades wildlife and continued at Florida International University where he pursued a Master of Science in Environmen- tal Biology. When he’s not working as an en- vironmental scientist, King shares educational videos that spotlight South Flori- da’s native species and fragile habitats. Since late 2025, he’s amassed more than 120,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok, turn- ing everyday encounters with wildlife into lessons on conservation. King regularly visits Miami-area schools, inspiring students to see science as a career path. The overwhelming response to his New Times April cover story made one thing clear: South Floridians can’t get enough of what he’s teaching. BEST ART INSTAGRAM François Piacente instagram.com/scaleton_ François Piacente doesn’t consider himself a content creator. He’s a miniatures artist who happens to document his work, and that dis- tinction (subjective as it might be) is exactly why @scaleton_ is worth following. Piacente, who is based in Coral Gables, has spent eight years building scaled-down reproductions of buildings, street scenes and everyday objects, approaching each piece the same way: site vis- its, precise measurements, geometry, logic and a deep flow state with zero distractions. His aesthetic is realism with a layer of patina: the rusted AC unit, the patch of grass breaking through concrete, the worn details most peo- ple walk past without paying attention. His approach to the content relies more on intu- ition than anything else, thinking about how to document an angle or a moment in the process when it feels right. His feed feels more like a studio visit with someone who is genuinely obsessed with what they’re making, and that’s the kind of positive creativity that makes your doomscrolling feel a little bit more joyful. BEST INFLUENCER Jess Judith instagram.com/jess.judith If you do anything within the sphere of Latin culture, chances are you’ve already encoun- tered Jess Judith. The Dominican girly won over the Latino market by turning Miami into her playground, moving through the city’s music, fashion, nightlife and entertainment scenes with the kind of ease that makes her feel like part of the moment. Her collabora- tions and cultural touchpoints stretch from Quevedo and J Balvin to the World Baseball Classic, but that only scratches the surface. She has danced with Bad Bunny, eaten sushi with Álvaro Díaz, shown up at nearly every Latin show and party worth know- ing about, and still found room to level up beyond the usual influencer lane with red carpet reporting at the Oscars and brand work with InStyle and other out- lets. At her core, Jess is just a girl, but at this point, she’s also the people’s princess; a Dominican “It Girl” who has proved she is a cut above the rest. Her content stands out because it’s never just something cute for the ’gram. She connects with artists, music and culture in a way that feels genuine, appreciative and distinctly Miami. BEST LOCAL TIKTOKER Annie Kimmelman tiktok.com/@theplantcollective Annie Kimmelman has created a corner of Tik- Tok that feels both aspirational and entirely real. As the face behind @ThePlantCollective, she shares plant-forward recipes, wellness tips and glimpses into a lifestyle rooted in intention — but never in a way that feels restrictive or preachy. Her content invites viewers in, whether she’s cooking with ingredients from her backyard, breaking down a simple recipe or sharing quiet moments at home with her wife, their three dogs and newborn son. What sets Kimmelman apart is how her platform has evolved alongside her life. She has documented deeply personal chapters, including her story- book St. Tropez wedding, IVF journey, preg- nancy and the transition into motherhood with a level of openness that resonates without feel- ing performative. There is polish in the visuals, but the storytelling remains grounded. She is not chasing trends or curating a version of Mi- ami centered on exclusivity. Instead, she offers something softer and more enduring; a look at everyday life that feels full, thoughtful and gen- uinely lived. BEST LOCAL TIKTOKER (COMEDY) DaleStefunny tiktok.com/@dalestefunny Miami has never been afraid of being loud, weird or deeply online; three tenets that co- median Stephanie Perez embodies daily. Known as DaleStefunny on TikTok, she uses her platform to share her whimsy through makeup routines, OOTDs and unhinged bits. A comedian, improviser and producer who sharpened her skills at Chicago’s legendary iO Theater before returning home to Miami, she brings her unique POV to videos that feel authentic and chaotic in a landscape of over- curated personas. More than anything, Stephanie’s TikToks make a strong case for embracing joy without the fear of being cringe — a true embodiment of the “2016 in 2026” trend we’re all grasping for these days. BEST MEME “Larping in Brickell.” Larping, or live-action role-playing, is a phrase from the gaming world that went mainstream this year thanks to an only-in-Miami type of character. The “larping in Brickell” meme took over Instagram and TikTok, uniting the city in its lighthearted mockery of theatrics we’ve all seen — and heard — in the streets. If you don’t drive a luxury car, live in a high rise overlook- ing Biscayne Bay or drop thousands of dollars while shopping and dining downtown, you can at least pretend to. People are ditching their modest Hondas and Toyotas for the day, renting Lamborghinis or Ferraris and revving their engines to draw attention. They’re going to parties in downtown apartments and post- ing balcony views as if it’s just another day at home. They’re posting selfies in designer stores and upscale restaurants — then leaving empty-handed and hungry. If it’s not too much to ask, locals have just one request for Brickell larpers: please stop revving your engines so loudly that no one can hear the person they’re standing next to. BEST TREND Zombie Miami Venues Like it or not, Miami is in a constant state of flux, and the conventional wisdom goes that once your favorite third space or watering hole is gone, it’s gone for good. That changed in late 2025 and 2026, when several hallowed community spaces rose from the dead to the surprise of every jaded local. First came Ve- netian Pool, the Gilded Age Gables gem Classic, but that only scratches the surface. She has danced with Bad Bunny, eaten sushi with Álvaro Díaz, shown up at nearly every Latin show and party worth know- ing about, and still found room to level up beyond the usual influencer lane with red carpet reporting at the lets. At her core, Jess is just a Arts & EntertAinment
