Visual artist Shawn Kolodny partners with renowned fragrance brand House of Creed on New Sculptural Installations During Miami Art Week 2023

Last week the revered The House of Creed and leading visual artist Shawn Kolodny celebrated their creative collaboration with a private event at the Esmé Miami Beach Hotel. The event was in celebration of Kolodny’s striking installations for the House of Creed’s holiday window displays in over 30 locations worldwide, including Creed’s Miami Design District Store.  The event also featured the unveiling of a new public sculpture by Kolodny, scented by Creed, on Española Way and Drexel Avenue near Miami Beach. The artist and Creed team celebrated with guests including Jordan Watts of Love Watts, artist Olive Allen, model Ellen Alexander, artist Talia Zoref, and Zach Iser. Guests enjoyed music by DJ Anna de Ferran.  

Kolodny says “Creed is undoubtedly a brand that I revere for its craftsmanship, history  and values. Being an artist, I know how many years of dedication it takes to perfect your craft. This is where I feel a synergy with the House of Creed and the 7 generations of tailors and perfumers that have perfected time and time again the scents that we experience now.” 

Kolodny partnered with the City of Miami Beach, The House of Creed and the Esmé Miami Beach Hotel to present a new, large scale public sculpture on Española Way and Drexel Avenue near Miami Beach. This dynamic sculpture evokes the vibrancy and movement of our ever-changing natural world and invites viewers to become a part of the art amidst their own reflection. To add further dimension to the installation, the public sculpture is scented by The House of Creed’s Carmina fragrance. The  public sculpture will be on view until May 10, 2024.  

Husband-Wife Duo Behind Miami's Iconic Mandolin Aegean Bistro Open The Drexel Coastal Mediterranean Eatery In Miami Beach

Anastasia Koutsioukis and Ahmet Erkaya, the husband-wife duo behind Miami’s iconic Mandolin Aegean Bistro, have opened The Drexel in Miami Beach. Since Mandolin’s initial opening, the couple have expanded the Mandolin brand to include homeware store Mrs. Mandolin; fast-casual gyros and kebab house, Mr. Mandolin; Mandolin Taverna in Los Angeles; and The Drexel in the heart of Miami Beach.

The Drexel, a Coastal Mediterranean eatery nestled in the historic Española Way, marks the duo’s latest endeavor in Miami. Helmed at the culinary hands of Chef Nano Crespo, and his wife formerly of Quinto La Huella, and his wife Tamara Magalhaes, formerly of Mandolin Aegean Bistro, Soho House, and Thompson Hospitality; The Drexel serves elevated yet classic Mediterranean dishes. The beverage program is curated by Founding Partner Ahmet Erkaya and features extensive cocktail offerings and rare boutique wines sourced from Greece, France, Spain, and Italy.

Characterized by its understated elegance and refined Mediterranean dishes, The Drexel is a hidden gem designed to elevate Miami Beach’s dining scene. The restaurant transports guests to the Coastal European towns along the Riviera through its favorable food and inimitable atmosphere. Drawing inspiration from old world cooking techniques to ideate fresh, innovative recipes, The Drexel’s culinary offerings and vision are influenced by the couples’ travels throughout Southern Europe and Chef Crespo’s expertise on the grill and Mediterranean cooking. Offering clean, light and bright flavors from the charcoal grill and wood oven, the menu also includes housemade pasta and pizza with a heavy emphasis on locally sourced seafood and an entire section dedicated to vegetable-forward dishes.

The Drexel is found on the corner of the first floor of Casa Matanza at the Esmé Hotel. Originally built in the 1920s, the historically designated building features a Mediterranean Revival architectural style. The building itself along with Española Way’s storied past is what attracted The Drexel’s Co-Founder and designer, Anastasia Koutsioukis to the project. Koutsioukis has an instinct and passion for preserving the history and cultural significance of an area, as well as identifying architecturally significant properties and transforming them into fixtures in Miami’s culinary landscape, as she did when designing Mandolin Aegean Bistro. Koutsioukis creates warm and understated environments that feel like they have been there for years in an effortless design style that’s distinctive to her projects. Koutsioukis was inspired by the natural and neutral palette that’s found throughout European coastal towns. The Drexel’s minimalist decor is characterized by earthy hand plastered walls, a bleached oak bar and stunning wall unit displaying antique ceramic vessels that have been collected during Koutsioukis’ travels. The calming space is punctuated with pops of light green marble on the bar and sage banquettes. The original arched windows set the tone for the arches throughout the space. The lighting and furniture is a mixture of French mid century pendants and linen upholstered chairs, along with plenty of rattan seating and raffia sconces lending to its Coastal Mediterranean feel. Additional personal touches include an art wall installation from the Owner’s collection, and plenty of natural palms, flowers and fruit bowls

The Drexel is open for dinner Monday thru Friday 6pm - 11pm; Saturday 5 pm - 11 pm; Sunday 5 pm - 10 pm. The Drexel also has a Sundowner Happy Hour daily at the bar from 5:30 pm - 7 pm and Brunch on Saturday's and Sunday's 11am - 4 pm.