Words: Dr. Cybil Bonhomme | @cybil.007 Photography: Richard Lecoin | @richardlecoin_photography
Videography: Viktoria Skalko | @torimiami, Aleksandra Arenas | @aleksa.miami
Featured Talent: Matt Dillon | @mattdillon1983 Grooming: Julia Brig | @juliabrigmua Stylist: Ines Bastie | @inesbastie Location: Mon Petit Garden
Get ready, fashion lovers! Miami Fashion Week is right around the corner, and who better to guide us through the season's hottest trends than the one and only Matt Dillon. From ruling the front rows at fashion shows worldwide to delivering trendsetting insights on TV, Matt has become the name in Miami's style scene. Now, as Chief Engagement Officer of Miami Vibes Magazine, he's taking his fashion expertise to new heights—mixing Miami's vibrant energy with global influences. With a new book in the works and a PR firm that's all the buzz, it’s clear that Matt Dillon is
just getting started, and we can't wait to see what he serves up next!
With Miami Fashion Week coming up, what are you most excited to see this year? Any trends or designers you’re particularly looking forward to? Miami is a city that truly has an open playing field in fashion and can in my opinion as a style forecaster break the trends as we have more fun in the sun even when the temps are cooler – we can truly play in a paradise of color all year long. That doesn’t mean as Miami locals we won’t serve you up a fall look even in the heat – fashion is about risk and those who know go that extra mile for the look.
This month’s Miami Fashion Week I’m truly excited to see the fusion of US and Latin Flavor once again take center stage on the runway and it’s always amazing watching the mix of up-and-coming designers take to the stages alongside the likes of Missoni who I fondly remember watching Front Row alongside my friend Real Housewife of Miami Star Guerdy Abraira in the famed Vizcaya Museum & Gardens.
How do you think Miami Fashion Week has evolved over the years, and what makes it stand out compared to other fashion weeks around the world? It very much stands on its own as it brings a cultural flair to it fusing the Latin heartbeat of Miami in with the Fashion crowd who travel the globe each season.
Its location cannot be beaten and for that reason even though it does come after the official end of fashion month – it feels like the perfect reason to continue to play in your closet and come out and support the vibrancy that is Miami Fashion.
As a trend’s commentator, what do you predict will be the standout trends emerging from this year’s Miami Fashion Week? I love for this season a playful take on Ruffles, Colorful Layered Pieces and yes always available for a Leopard moment – so mark my words you will be seeing these and more on this season’s runways. My take on trends is to pick one and make it your own – wear those clothes and don’t let them wear you.
How does your role as a fashion and style trends commentator on television influence your perspective on what’s happening in the fashion world, especially in Miami? My TV work is my favorite part of fashion as I can translate what I see in the Front Row and bring it to the masses both here in Miami and nationally when I talk about taking the Runway and making it your reality.
Whether I am watching from the front row, observing while walking my dog Mama on the beach – the city is not lacking in colorful characters, so I am constantly inspired and never low on inspiration for my TV segments.
We all can appreciate the glamour and mystique of a runway show but consumers want to invest in timeless pieces, and I am proponent of mixing high and low – to complete your perfect look.
How do you balance your work as a fashion commentator with your passion for attending fashion events like Miami Fashion Week? Do the two roles complement each other? The two truly go hand in hand – and keep me busier than ever – wouldn’t have it any other way.
I just returned from New York Fashion Week and have begun my Fall TV tour across the country and kicked it off with the launch our October Issue with Kristin Sanchez on NBC 6’ South Florida Live – and have pulled inspiration for what is trending this season from both the runways, Kristin’ shoot and from my day-to-day life in Miami Beach.
What do you think resonates most with your audience when discussing fashion trends on TV? Is there a certain aspect of fashion that viewers seem to connect with more? I feel like I resonate with a wide audience as I truly believe in the fusion of luxe meets low vibe – just like in life I can play in the designer crowd but also bring you that new age cutting edge street vibe – people want variety, and I live and breath everyone being able to express themselves in whatever way fashion wise they choose.
One of my biggest points I always make is that even that ‘worst dressed’ celebrity had a vision, design and style team that executed the look so while it may not be everyone’s cup of tea – fashion is for you first and foremost and don’t forget it.
What’s your take on the current fashion scene in Miami, and how do you think it’s reflected in mainstream media? I love my city, but we have become widely known for swim and resort and there is so much more to us then just that fun in the sun vibe. Our women are spicy and our men are some of the hottest in the world – so don’t count out Miami as a fashion capital just yet – we are just warming up.
As Chief Engagement Officer of Miami Vibes Magazine, what’s your vision for creating experiences that resonate with readers and event attendees? Working alongside my sister in all things Founder and CEO Cybil Bonhomme makes it all seem not like work but two minds coming together to create experiences that can change lives and connect our community of Miami in a more impactful and long-lasting way.
We are aligned in our love of community and with Miami as our backdrop the possibilities to shine a light on the people and business’ who are the pulse of the city I am forever honored to be at the forefront of the community and providing a platform to amplify their voices.
Videography: Aleksandra Arenas | @aleksa.miami
How does your role at Miami Vibes Magazine complement your work in fashion, and what strategies do you use to keep the content fresh, relevant, and engaging? Fusing my work in fashion and my role as Chief Engagement Officer at Miami Vibes Magazine has been the perfect relationship and one that has allowed me to elevate to a whole new level and bring along a slew of my fashionable friends in the business.
I am a born storyteller – so being able to bring fresh faces to the magazine audience and share their stories via TV work has been a dream come true. It’s just the beginning, stay tuned for all that is to come.
As both a commentator and a key leader at Miami Vibes Magazine, what are your aspirations for the future of fashion in Miami, and what role do you see yourself playing in that future?
I truly believe I live and breathe fashion in a way that is accessible for our readers. I am the one they can turn to as I am willing to try anything, and test run the trend for them. I’m like the best friend they can turn to and ask any fashion and style questions and if I don’t know the answer will call on my little black book of fashionable friends to get them the answer.
In saying all that stay tuned as I am working on a little black book of style hacks that will hit shelves in 2025 – and have some notable names attached to it – which I am very excited about.
Videography: Viktoria Skalko | @torimiami
Follow Matt Dillon @mattdillon1983 on Instagram and check out his Style Trends at TheMDEffect.com.
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