Boys of Miami, you've been searching for somewhere to get desired brands that you see on all the hip dudes in other cities and scratching your head about where to get them - I know you have. No worries, there's an answer to your dillema that just opened in the ultra-hip, but-still-very-local Sunset Harbour, the area that was sparked by the Pubbelly restaurants is the incubator for some of the best indie businesses in town. Find labels like APC, Saturdays Surf NYC, Band of Outsiders and more at Cottage the newly opened hub for the stylish Boys of Miami.

Hi Ariel, Cottage is a brand new menswear boutique. Can you tell me a little bit about you and a little bit about the store?

Cottage is a men's lifestyle boutique. We curate what I call the prep-surf aesthetic with clothing, shoes, accessories, grooming products, and books.

Why the Sunset Harbour area? What was your process like finding a space and committing to it? Were you set on that neighborhood from the beginning? Frankly, I think it's the hippest hood around right now.

To be honest, when I started my search last October, Sunset Harbour had never crossed my mind. I had only been living in Miami a few months and only knew about the area because of the Pubbelly restaurants. When I started my search I was committed to finding something with some rear outdoor space. When I realized that was a futile search, I started to zero in on specific areas. I thought south of 5th would be a good spot for my store, in that it has a very wide demographic of people and there is a lot of growth in that neighborhood. I ended up finding an amazing space there, but the owner of the building had just bought the building I'm currently in and though this would be a better fit. Once I saw this space and learned what was going on in the neighborhood it took about two seconds to get the paperwork going. This neighborhood is one of the only true "local" areas on the beach. From the fitness options, the cafes, restaurants, grocery stores, boutiques - it makes for a very intimate atmosphere where compared to other areas of the beach.

You carry designers that have major cred within the fashion world and really culty-followings, but aren't easy to find around here. How did you nail down what you wanted to concept of the store to be?

The concept really came from me thinking, "this is what I love to wear, these are brands I love, and this is vibe I dig - and Miami doesn't have anything that comes close to offering it". It was really as simple as that.

Is the merchandise you have mostly just stuff you wish you had in your closet? How do you keep from buying everything?

Everything I buy for the store is something similar to what I have, or what I wish I had. My style, and what I like to buy, are really wearable clothes, but that look good, cool if you will. When you see the Cottage guy, you're going to think that he looks cool, and has style, but is not trying too hard and not over the top. It works in Miami, it works in the Hamptons, it works in New York, it works in LA.

Cottage has a kind of beachy, nautical vibe. There's even a giant - rowboat? Is that a rowboat? – hanging from the ceiling. What's the inspiration ?

It's a canoe, although I'm not sure if it still floats, I'll keep you posted.

I also wanted the store to to have a cohesive vibe, so the design needed to match the style of the merchandise. That meant giving the store a very beachy look. Luckily I really love a beachy, shabby chic vide - a lot of whites and blues, so designing the store easily fell into place.

You're originally from the Boca area and now living in Miami. What would you say the biggest differences are?

There's a lot more culture in Miami, a lot more art and design inspiration. From the Bass Art Museum, PAMM, NEW World Symphony, Adrian Arsht Center, Art Basel. There's also a great up and coming dining scene in Miami.

Miami has some pretty serious high-end independent shopping destinations like The Webster and Alchemist. How do you see Cottage fitting in?

I see Cottage offering something different. Our style, and price point for that matter, is completely different than the Webster and Alchemist. So I don't see Cottage necessarily competing with those other boutiques - we all offer something different.

Do you have a single favorite item in stock right now?

I know this sounds like the politically correct answer, but I really don't. There a bunch of pieces in the store that I absolutely love. All the brands I carry are really good at making signature pieces in their collections.

Can you forecast and trends or changes in style for menswear for the next few seasons?

I'm not really so worried about trend changes in menswear. You get a lot of trends and changes from European designers, but I like to focus on style and brands that are effortless; luxurious but unfussy and laid back - what I'm selling is always in style and will always look good -wardrobe staples.

So, I'm a girl, not really your target market, but I found myself wanting a bunch of stuff from Cottage. Oxford shirts, Stubs, leather bags. I even ended up leaving with the Saturdays Magazine. Have you had this reaction a lot?

I have been getting that reaction quite a bit. Girls love a great oxford shirt, they love a tshirt, even if it's a bit over-sized. It's very attractive, and that idea of a woman wearing an oversized button down is timeless. Stubbs shoes, leather accessories, great tshirts (especially from Saturdays) is something that a girl will want to wear, even if that specific piece is made for a guy. I try to offer casual, effortless style - and I think that is appealing to woman who come in the store.

Would you guys ever consider producing a house line? I'm sure you see stuff and wish you could tweak it this way or that way to be just right....

A house line is definitely in the works, stay tuned....

Do you have any secret spots in your neighborhood that you can let us in on? Lunch spots, drink dives, shopping spaces?

Icebox Cafe is my go to for breakfast and lunch. When I'm looking for something different, theres a great small French cafe on Purdy and Dade - A la Folie Cafie

For shopping spaces, TKS (The Kite Shop) just opened their new retail shop in the area. They did an incredible design job and they're the go to shop for active lifestyle goods and kite surfing/paddle board gear.

mi cottage es tu cottage,a nice boutique for men