*Islamorada Times latest ongoing feature is called “Spotlight”… Spotlight is a new series of feature stories that takes a closer look at some of our favorite outposts and the awesome locals who run them. We’re so excited to celebrate the small business owners who offer so much to enrich this thriving community. As we grow our following, we are constantly thinking of ways to use our platform to contribute to our community and we’re very proud to share the “Spotlight” with some of our favorite small businesses!
Drift
Even though I knew I was tucked away in an unassuming location off MM 86 on the familiar Overseas Highway, if you had told me I’d just been scooped up and transported back to Mykonos I may have believed you. Fresh linens and scents of natural leather mixed with sea air and handmade candles waft through the charming space spurring a sense of nostalgia for my recent trip to Greece in a way that no other place on U.S. soil has so far.
Drift boutique captures such an essence of the Mediterranean and yet still feels very in-place with a laid back, flowy atmosphere that is the spirit of the Florida Keys. It’s truly a beautiful, relaxing space with even more beautiful garments that adorn it. Lots of white, fresh linens mixed with neutrals, leather, soft blues, and other natural fabrics are not only aesthetically gorgeous but all practical for breezy, island living.
I think back to some treasured items I brought back from European vacations. A cozy, blue cotton jacket from a store in Santorini where each piece is one-of-a-kind and (according to the owner) where we had missed Katy Perry & Orlando Bloom shopping for handmade coats just an hour earlier. A hand-stitched, soft tote from a leather shop in Barcelona with mixed-neutral straps and small branded logo on the front. A cork clutch from a boutique in Lisbon that uses one of Portugal’s most abundant natural resources to hand-make bags, shoes, wallets and more. These cherished, one-of-a-kind items from my travels through the Mediterranean could have easily been seen on the shelves of Drift and would not have looked an inch out of place.
Owner, Fabiana Domiamo, is a native of Uruguay and her worldly perspective and meticulous curation of quality pieces shines from every corner of her store. As we walk through the shop, Fabiana recalls details about specific pieces, where they are sourced, notes about the materials and what makes each item special. She has blended an easy, chic European aesthetic with the lightness and practicality of Keys style in a way that is both effortless and intentional.
With everything from clothes, to accessories, to shoes, bags, and gifts, Drift truly lives up to it’s name as an “island collective”. Even more so than a shop it really does feel like that: a collection. A careful curation of Fabiana’s style that nods to chic fashions, the Keys life, and the women who enjoy it. Drift is not only one of the best shops in Islamorada, but one of our favorite shopping spots in all the Florida Keys.
Whether you’re wanting to shop with the girls, need something to do on a rainy day, or looking to pick up a special gift we highly recommend that you Drift in to enjoy Fabiana’s impressive collection and try on a piece of Keys fashion to see how it fits you – we think you’ll feel as good as you look.
If you’d like to nominate yourself or someone else to be our next “Spotlight” feature, please email chris@islamoradatimes.com.