Just in time for F1 Miami Race weekend, we caught up with Gigi Vogel, the founder and CEO of de la heart, the Miami-based lifestyle brand, for some of her top picks around Magic City. Vogel first came on our radar when wellness warrior Melissa Wood Tepperberg gave everyone a tutorial on the brand’s lymphatic oils and paddle. Now, skin-smart Miamians are spotted all around town wearing de la heart’s oversized visor.
So how did de la heart come about? “I’m a Colombia native raised in Miami,” Vogel tells GRAZIA USA. “I moved to the Magic City in the early 2000s and was seduced by its colorful, magnetic and vibrant energy. My career started in the rough-and-tumble fashion realm, finance and international business. After years of paying a fast-paced industry’s toll, I looked for accessible and natural alternative practices to restore balance in my life.”
This began Vogel’s own wellness exploration. “I started a journey of self-discovery, exploring natural health alternatives and innovative wellness rituals,” she says. “Diving deep into different theories and wellness approaches, I quickly became the number one source for all things health, wellness, and natural beauty, spearheading the wellness movement in Miami. Now, I am the founder and CEO of de la heart — a wellness and beauty brand offering ancestral beauty and wellness rituals for the modern woman.”
Whether it’s the best place for a facial, a date night recommendation or a hidden gem, Vogel’s guide to the city is everything you need for the quintessential Miami weekend.
Restaurant:
LPM Restaurant & Bar celebrates the simplicity of light French Mediterranean cuisine (one of my favorites) by serving elegant and beautifully executed dishes signature of the Côte d’Azur. Hard to pick one, but some of my go-to dishes are the endives salad, quinoa taboule, green lentil salad and the Niçoise salad.
Beauty treatments:
My dermatologist Dr. Stacy Chimento has been in charge of my skin for years. She’s incredibly knowledgeable and talented. I see her and her team at Diane Walder Dermatology for all my skin concerns — from facials to Botox! I go to @skinlocal for holistic Hydrafacials and Morpheus 8 and see Franck @IGKsalons in MDD for a “je ne sais quoi” French haircut and Mathias for an effortlessly chic and humidity-proof blow dry. Also, if you’re in Miami, treat yourself to a Brazilian lymphatic drainage massage at Ultra Shape in Miami Beach @ultrashapemiami.
Workout:
I’m a low-impact workout kind of girl. Modo Yoga with Dan Phalen for an advanced hot-vinyasa flow, Sol Yoga with Cristina for sweaty power yoga, and Pilathon for traditional and effective pilates.
Shopping:
Visit the iconic Miami Design District for an innovative experience of fashion, design, architecture and dining.
Hidden Gem:
Sushi Yasu Tanaka is a fantastic walk-up sushi counter inside Miami Design District’s Mia Market, serving high-quality Japanese traditional options at a reasonable price. Think 10 piece nigiri omakase for $59.
Date Night Spot:
Casa Tua is the sexiest restaurant in Miami. An iconic destination in a historic villa in the heart of Miami Beach, hosting delicious Italian fine dining, a boutique hotel and an exclusive members-only lounge. Cozy, intimate and timeless.
