Miami is the Mecca for the person who has--or wants everything. An international emporium of creature comforts, Miami beckons the savvy shopper to explore the newest, finest and most luxurious, in an atmosphere as smooth as silk and rich as cashmere!

Ever-growing South Beach is a central starting point, with the recently renovated, trendy Lincoln Road as the perfect complement for the bustling traffic of Ocean Drive. The 17th Street open walkways showcase a pedestrian parade, street musicians, patio dining, and some of the finest shopping in town.

Check Starck Design for bold and modern German jewelry and watches. Sterling is featured with stones, as is titanium with gold in-lay, but the "best of show" is a special limited edition ring that circles the finger with 30 grams of 18K gold and over 3 carats of diamonds. Either the Starck signature, or your own name can be cut into the inside layers, providing a keepsake for men or women.

En Evance focuses on Italian fashion for men and women, with lines like Allesandro DelAqua and Massimo Rebecchi, and an exclusive on Paola Frani, exquisitely constructed of fine wools, mohair and cashmere. Sports celebrities favor the European cut Theory and the Tse cashmere T-shirts.

Moseley's, a Miami tradition, (also in Surfside and South Miami) is a must for the finest of custom linens, bedding and penoire sets, in silks, jacquard, and Egyptian cottons, with hand appliqués, embroidery and richelieu cut work--perfect for bridal gifts.

Lunatika's bold, European lighting draws stares and shoppers to its myriad of colorful contemporary lights and engineered time pieces. Quality, style, custom design and service are expected, and delivered--check the website, www.lunatika.com for a preview.

After picking up a few outrageous cards and gifts from Pink Palm, you'll need some refreshment--why not a latte or martini, or decadent shaved chocolate adorned pastry from Nexxt Cafe? Or a light lunch at the Van Dyke--the place to be seen, dining al fresco by day, or in the upstairs bar, where sultry jazz keeps the beat by night.

Saunter south a few blocks to Ocean Drive and 15th Street, where the new condominium, Il Villaggio, "the ultimate address" has sprouted a new neighborhood, complete with shopping to match. Joop! takes center stage, where Wolfgang Joop's first American boutique features a full collection of jeans and sweaters to evening and underwear, plus accessories and shoes. Though his perfume made Joop's introduction, stretch denim and Italian knits are now his signature.

Next door, Azure, a men's and women's collection of BC BG, Frivole, Exte and Yigal Azruel, is flanked by Macabi Cigars and Haagen Dazs, while across the street, Ocean Steps, a new boutique shopping center prepares to open, with a "Billboard Live" music and dining emporium as anchor.

For some special pampering, the neighboring Loews Hotel features Guerlain and the full line of fragrances, make up and skin care, including a reflexology treatment. This delightful respite from a day of shopping, works pressure points of the face and adds a heated hand and upper body massage. Ahhh! Now you're ready for more shopping! And just across the street in the new Anchor Shops is Absolutely Suitable, a chicly designed boutique for everything under the sun. Designer swimsuits from La Perla, Herve Leger, and Calvin Klein are accessorized with hats, shoes and sunglasses from Oliver Peoples, Armani, Gucci and Web. From tankini's to little wrap skirts, women are outfitted for the beach, joined by men in Moschino, Shan and Sauvage, juniors in XOXO and Swim Systems, and even children in La Perla. Signature sunscreens range from SPF 4 "Most Daring" to SPF 30, "Total Domination."

Need a coffee break? "You'll always remember your first kiss," make that a mocha kiss, blending Kahlua, Irish Creme, Grand Marnier and espresso, says Xando, a coffee bar by day and liquor bar by night. An array of snacks, sandwiches and salads are offered, along with sinfully rich desserts.

Then rev-up your engines and image with Biker's Image, carrying both Harley Davidson licensed goods and custom leathers and helmets--must haves for motorcycle riders cruising South Beach!

No visit to Miami would be complete without visiting Versace. The 7th and Washington Avenue store reflects the SoBe scene with sheers, textures and hot black silhouettes, shoes and accessories, accented with bright blues, reds and yellows, ready for the night life. The Versus line and decor items are also featured, and for a full line collection, visit the Bal Harbour salon

Next door, Donald J. Pliner adds a store to complement his Aventura location, while Preview One for women and Concept International for men, bring Hugo Boss to the beach. The stores feature Red and Black Boss collections, and Sport shows the finest selections of street fashion, classics and body-conscious knits. You can also catch Hugo Boss at Bal Harbour.

Before returning to South Beach for late-night dining and carousing, venture further south to Coconut Grove, where the Streets of Mayfair are a retail institution. Though renovated into a mall, there are a few notable luxury stores like Enzo Angiolini leathers, also in The Falls and Aventura, and new-comer, Jiki, Monte Carlo Creations. Jiki's French designs embrace a woman's body. Elegant gowns with sheer inserts and hand-finished jeweled and lace accents are crowd-stoppers and pleasers, as evidenced by Princess Stephanie of Monaco choosing Jiki for her ball wardrobe. While the couture line exudes class, the Ikito line has a young and casual appeal. Accessories, shoes and jewelry are designed around the line. Bal Harbour hosts the only other American store.

Valerio Art Deco echoes Mayfair's legend of luxury. For 17 years, its antique art glass, from Tiffany and Lalique, art nouveau, furnishings, and the country's largest selection of bronze and ivory figures from Chiparus and Preiss have maintained Valerio's reputation and place in Miami's luxury retail.

Coco Lunette, also a long-time Grove favorite, with locations in Aventura and South Miami, features designer eyewear from Web, Paul Smith, Oliver Peoples and Lunor, with a celebrity following for the platinum and gold telescoping temples. Keiselstine Cord, known for its jewelry inspired looks, with silver and gold moon, crocodile or frog adornments, also make a strong fashion statement. See clearly with the signature Edward Beiner Lunettes Collection, featuring in-laid designs, laminated fashion colors, and twisted marbleized and wood grains.

Like to mix entertainment with your shopping? The new Shops at Sunset Place, in South Miami is ideal. With many mall tenants, the IMAX Theater, AMC 24 Screens, Rain Forest Restaurant and Disney Store, this plaza provides a perfect atmosphere for kids to roam, while you visit Swing Golf. This country club pro shop atmosphere features an array of men's and women's apparel from Bobby Jones, Como, Tommy Bahama, Tommy Hilfiger and Leon Levin Play, as well as golf accessories and gifts. People's Pottery also offers an impressive showing of work from over 700 national artists, from fine jewelry to art glass, metal sculpture and of course, artistic and useful pottery.

Rendezvous with the kids at FAO Schwartz (also at Bal Harbour and Aventura), where Bob Mackie's Barbie Fantasy Goddess, the first of the International Beauty Collection is available at $240, or where you can order a custom kid sized Testarosa or Countach for $40,000. Better yet, meet at the Virgin Megastore, where 35,000 s.f. of pulsating sound and scenery, offers 30 music video TV screens, and 375 listening stations, with selections from World Music to Classical to Hip Hop. This store has the largest selection of DVD's, CD's, videos and books anywhere in South Florida, and also has a logo line of Virgin clothing.

Armani Exchange, Polo Jeans and Steve Madden shoes offer teens some alternatives at The Shops at Sunset, then you can drop them off at Cocowalk for their other mall favorites, while you head north to Bal Harbour.

Before entering the mall, if a new watch is on your list, stop across the street at Gray & Sons "Inspired Jewelers and Watch Specialists." A 20-year institution, Gray & Sons carries the highest quality watches from a Patek Philippe Minute Repeater/Tourbillon at $260,000, to a popular Rolex Datejust at $2,000. If you are tired of your current watch, they will take it in trade for a new one, and can handle much of your shopping via internet, given their on-line catalog of over 2,000 watches. Estate watches and jewelry are also a specialty at Gray & Sons, as are one-of-a-kind diamonds that make memorable gifts--or South Florida souvenirs.

Once enveloped in the tropical atmosphere of Bal Harbour, you may never want to leave! Two floors of world-class shopping and dining provide the ultimate who's who designer list, from A-Z--That is Giorgio Armani to Ermenegildo Zegna.

Unusual must see stores include J.W. Cooper for custom cowboy boots in everything from Sting Ray to Full-Horn Alligator, and a huge selection of hand-made traditional and contemporary buckles, belts, and turquoise jewelry.

Oxygene breathes new life into Italian designs for "bebe" and "mini" and mothers too, while Oilily dresses mothers and children with a fashion flair from Holland.

Recent additions include Dolce & Gabbano, the only full-collection store outside of New York, and Petrossian, where a sampler of classic caviar and contemporary French cuisine, may provide a boost to continue on! Visit Galtrucco for the finest men's suits and tuxedos from Brioni and Steffano Ricci, and silk shirts in rich new paisley jewel tones. Chanel Cruise 2000 takes a fresh new fashion course, and Flash Lingerie is guaranteed to start fires with La Perla, Cosabella, Aubade and Moschino bustiers, bodysuits and sexy thongs. Also visit Flash Swim--another steamy stop for cool beach dressing.

Coco Paris brings sexy, classy and hot fashions from Tark, Vertigo and Ticci Tonetto as well as evening wear from Juan Carlos Pineros, while Caron Cherry shows sophisticated Herve Leger's clingy knits, Ann Demeulemeester leathers, and Narciso Rodriquez' feminine, body-hugging knits.

Hurry to Neiman Marcus for an exclusive limited edition--a collector's dream. There are only 500 exclusive Faberge Imperial Millenium Eggs, in hand-painted Limoges porcelain. When opened, a sterling silver Globe, plated with 24k gold is revealed, and inside the globe is a diamond-studded Millennium pin.

Save energy for one more stop--Aventura's newly remodeled mall is nearby! Plein Sud made its U.S. entrance with an exclusive signature collection of unique French fashion. Tube dresses and sweaters, with separate sleeves and cape tops, offer multiple varieties in layered looks. A stretch jean line dresses up denim, with different cuts of skirts, pants, bustiers and jackets. Faux pony skin and environmentally correct "pleather" create a funkier look, but all is fittingly French. Another new store, Anika, caters to the junior crowd with Miu Miu, Paul & Joe, NY Industrie and Alberta Ferretti, featuring animal prints, beads, florals and appliqués, as well as shoes, handbags and accessories.

Men can't miss Studio Raffaello (brother to Bal Harbor's Metropolis and American Great Outdoors), for Thierry Mugler, Gianfranco Ferre and Pancaldi. Leathers--a must for the season, are soft and supple and gray of all shades is prevalent in silk shirts and straight, unpleated, western pocket slacks.

Designer shoes for all are at Battaglia and Balizza, offering the broadest selection from Bruno Magli to Vera Wang, from dressy, sexy sandals to the finest in outdoor boots. Bally bags, accessories and signature Italian Barioni jackets cover the leather spectrum at these two family owned stores.

Keep in touch with quality writing instruments from St. Hubert Fine Stationers, who carries Cartier to Cross and the new Porsche Design pen in stainless and gold.

After all this shopping, come home with a Bang--a Bang & Olufsen custom designed sound system, all hand-made in Denmark and installed for single or multi-room listening. The BeoSound 9000 boasts a radio and six-CD changer that plays up to 12 hours of continuous tunes--now that's music to your ears!