MANA FASHION IS CREATING ROOM FOR MIAMI’S NEXT GENERATION OF DESIGNERS TO GROW, WITH NEW DOWNTOWN SPACES REFLECTING A BIGGER MISSION TO SUPPORT CREATIVITY AT EVERY LEVEL.
For years, Miami’s fashion ecosystem has existed in fragments—designers scattered across the city, fabric sourcing relegated to the occasional drive west, and retail dreams often uprooted to more “established” cities. But earlier this year, Mana Fashion Services officially opened its expansive Downtown spaces, offering something rare in the fashion world: room to grow. Literally.
Located at 15 West Flagler Street, in the historic Biscayne Building, the newly launched designer suites, co-working spaces, and wholesale showroom were designed with one thing in mind: accessibility. With flexible studio pricing starting at $500 a month, the offering is not just a real estate play—it’s a commitment to a larger mission.
“We needed to nurture our community,” says Aleksandra Sivokoneva, creative director of Mana Fashion. “This is not New York or Paris, where big conglomerates back young designers. In Miami, we have to build that support ourselves—and that means providing space, resources, and visibility.”
Sivokoneva’s own journey into the role mirrors the grassroots spirit of the project. A fashion designer herself, she moved to Miami from New York just as the industry froze during the pandemic. “I walked into fabric stores here and realized everything was scattered. There was no central place for designers to find what they needed,” she says. Her conversations with real estate developer and Mana Common founder Moishe Mana quickly shifted from catching up to building something transformative.
In just three years, Sivokoneva and her team have done more than launch a space—they’ve built a hub. Today, more than 20 creative tenants call the Biscayne Building home, from renowned fashion designer Gustavo Cadile to photographers, showroom operators, and even the Miami Shoe Museum. The approach is refreshingly open. “We don’t believe in exclusivity,” Sivokoneva says. “Right now, we focus on inclusivity. We welcome everyone into the space.”
The model works. Designers are not only given affordable places to create, they’re also supported through one-on-one mentorship and access to retail strategy experts. Mana’s newly launched Biscayne Showroom acts as a wholesale hub, connecting emerging brands with buyers and offering strategic support for market entry. “We work with the designers on their brand, their strategy, and making sure they have the right materials,” Sivokoneva said. “We walk them through pricing, margins, and who their customer is.”
The showroom includes a physical space as well as a digital component powered by NuORDER by Lightspeed, offering designers an elevated, professional experience whether they’re presenting in person or online.
But Mana’s vision extends far beyond the showroom floor. Through monthly programming like panel discussions, sourcing fairs, and sustainability-focused events, the team continually cultivates its creative ecosystem. Highlights include the “Business of Luxury: Women at the Helm” panel, held at The Moore Building during Women’s Month, and ongoing sourcing events featuring global textile and fabric suppliers. There’s also a strong emphasis on sustainability, including collaborations with partners like Waste Management to host Earth Day micro-forestation efforts and clean-up initiatives.
“Two of our pillars are sustainability and innovation,” Sivokoneva explains. “We want our community to stay informed and ahead of the curve—whether it’s with AI’s impact on apparel or global sourcing changes.”
Perhaps most importantly, Mana Fashion serves as a connector—not only between creatives within Miami, but also between North and Latin America. Through relationships with entities like ProColombia and ProChile, the team supports designers looking to bridge markets and build international careers from a Miami base. “Some of the most exciting talent is coming from Latin America,” says Sivokoneva. “We want to help them stay here, thrive here, and grow from here.”
For Miami-born designers, the shift feels equally transformative. For decades, local creatives had few options to stay rooted while scaling their careers. Now, they’re finding support not only through physical space, but also mentorship, exposure, and industry alignment. “The message is simple,” says Sivokoneva. “You don’t have to leave to make it in fashion.”
With a reach of more than 20,000 people across events, social media, and digital programming, Mana Fashion’s community is gaining momentum. And while the Biscayne Building is the heart of it, future plans suggest the movement will grow to include everything from textile showrooms to full-fledged manufacturing capabilities. There’s even talk of expanding into Alabama, reviving historic apparel hubs with new energy.
In a city known for its creative spirit—but often lacking infrastructure for emerging fashion talent—Mana’s fashion initiative feels like both an anchor and a launchpad.
“We’re building something that people can participate in,” Sivokoneva said. “Something that connects people and gives them a reason to stay,” Sivokoneva says. “We’re just getting started, but the goal is clear: to make Miami a true fashion capital—not by copying anyone else, but by being exactly who we are.”
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