On A Wing And A Prayer
The Moo Roo Designer Handbag Collection: it was the answer to a prayer. Battered by postpartum depression, diagnosed with Lupus, with no income of her own and her
marriage deep sixing, Mary Norton – who spoke at the Gulfstream Park Women’s Club Luncheon on February 7 – went to bed and prayed for help. That night she had a dream about a trio of
beautiful handbags made of flowers. Thus was born the silk flower covered handbag Seinfeld star Julia Louis-Dreyfus carried to the Emmys. These handmade purses, which often
incorporate the raw beauty of nature using cork, feathers and gemstones, sell for hundreds of dollars. Over 300 boutiques and specialty stores, among them Saks and Henri Bendel, carry the
Moo Roo line. Her celebrity following includes Sharon Stone, Courtney Cox-Arquette, Halle Berry, Queen Noor of Jordan and the Dixie Chicks. That’s a long way from the three handbags she
made on her dining room table in 1998. Her successful marketing plan consists of three elements: 1. Constantly evolve. 2. Enjoy the ride. 3. Break all the rules.
Mary attended film school at the University of Arizona and subsequently went to Hollywood where she worked behind the scenes as a production coordinator. It was
unglamorous work with no creative outlet, but she learned how to create the illusion of magic and drama, which would prove invaluable later in her business. Norton had grown up on her
mom’s teacher salary and got her fashion sense from old Tinseltown glamour films and the arty Ann-Margret-style “show girl” look. After People magazine ran the picture of
Louis-Dreyfus sporting her bag, Mary decided she needed to do a New York trade show. Due to a fluke cancellation she was able to book a space at the sold out Jacob K. Javits Convention
Center. So she traveled from Charleston, SC, where she had settled, married and had two kids, to New York City. She broke even the first day and had $65,000 in orders by the end of the
show. That’s pretty much the way it has been ever since. She has no high priced PR guru, no venture capital firm backing her, no designer or fashion background. She literally runs her
company “flying by the seat of my pants.” Her staff is all female, ranging in age from 21 – 70. She works from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. so she can spend the rest of her time with daughters
Mica and Riley, who by the way, the collection is named after. She still draws inspiration from prayer and dreams, often going to bed with pen and paper and waking up in the middle of the
night to write down an idea. Her husband Joe jokes, “it’s the only way God can get a word in edgewise.” As for her marriage, it is now “in wonderful shape,” with Norton quipping, Joe
“knows more about handbags than any straight man should.”
The Gulfstream Women’s Club Luncheon series continues with Naomi Judd’s (sold out) appearance on March 7.
Lights, Camera, Action
The wine flowed, the hors d’oeuvres kept coming, the models strutted and the men gazed. City of Excellence glitterati came out in force for the re-opening launch of
L’Estetica Salon International benefiting The Foundation Fighting Blindness on Tuesday, February 4. Statuesque models sheathed in black lycra circled the room dripping diamond necklaces,
bracelets, earrings and rings from King Jewelers worth thousands. Hired bodyguards along with Aventura’s finest guarded the latest model Warren Henry Jaguars parked in a ring outside and
the silent auction treasures inside. Teutonic “Angela” sported a 24.60 karat diamond encrusted buckle style bracelet, price tag: $20,600. Salon owner Dov Grosman, who studied hair design
in Israel and Europe, always dreamed of owning a full-service high-end salon and said he knew Aventura provided the perfect location at One Turnberry Place. He now owns three in the area
including The Salon at Turnberry Isle. Grosman holds his Aventura clientele in the highest regard, viewing them as sophisticated and knowledgeable about the latest hairstyles and products
since many come from metropolitan areas such as New York, Chicago and Europe. He employs a top international crew of stylists and technicians to keep his salon cutting edge. He was
especially grateful to his loyal clients for being patient during the over $200,000 renovation of the salon. They stayed open for business during the day. Detail work that had to be done
on premises was accomplished on weekends and holidays. His employees are equally loyal, beautician Maggie Bracha enthusing, “nobody can find a boss like Dov Grosman.” L’Estetica Salon is
located at 19495 Biscayne Blvd, Ste 101 in Aventura. 305-933-0400. (Closed Mondays.)
Patricia’s Preferred Agenda
Yes, Aventura has a traffic problem, but the way incumbent City Commissioner Patricia Rogers-Libert sees it has little to do with driver re-education and much to do
with a population explosion. In her words it is “simplistic to think traffic can be addressed simply through controlling light timing and behavior modification of drivers.” She points out
that traffic has increased because of the number of people. In 1996 the city had 17,000 residents, today she says that number has risen to roughly 28,000 – 29,000. Since most of the
property was already zoned before Aventura became a city, what she and fellow commissioners have had to look at is how they might reduce the number of units a developer could build and
rein in particular development projects. Certain developers recognize that continued high-density projects detract from the attractiveness of the city and cooperate. She further points out
that the Florida Department of Transportation does not control the traffic lights. Rather, they are owned and operated by Miami-Dade County. Aventura has requested and received a number of
additional lights and there are a few yet to be installed. One location that will be receiving a new stoplight is 213th Street and Yacht Club Drive. Ms. Rogers-Libert believes
there are some other vital needs of the city. Among them is “more green space.” As it stands, the city currently has two parks: Founders Park and Waterways Park. Founders Park sits on
about eleven acres and Waterways Park encompasses approximately one to one and a half acres. Plans are underway to expand Waterways Park to six acres and add a third park on 31st
Avenue on Williams Island. This park would serve two purposes: 1. Create a permanent dog park. 2. Create an area for children and families to gather. In Rogers-Libert’s view, “a lot of the
condos are not child friendly.”
