By Cece Feinberg
Columnist

 
I’m so happy to relay to you that one of my favorite people will be getting a much deserved honor this evening. Steven Giles, the visionary founder and co-owner of BASE is being awarded with the VOX/Out Voices of Style+Design Award. The highly respected industry award, created in 2001 by VOX Vodka and Out magazine, honors openly gay and lesbian individuals whose works have come to signify style, vision and design. 
Steven is the mastermind behind BASE, one of the country’s leading exponents of “lifestyle” retailing, featuring everything from modern, versatile clothing to a wide range of home, gift, footwear and accessory items. Founded in 1989 in Antigua, with partner Bruce Canella, BASE mushroomed from a small wooden frame store – where Steven and Bruce cut, made and sold everything on the same premises – to the substantial enterprise it is today. 
A self-described “curator,” Steven has created a fluid environment – a cultural touch-point where the one constant is change. Customers from Usher to Calvin Klein draw inspiration from the eclectic and painstakingly edited selection of items ranging from music and media to home collections and rare edition footwear.  

In addition to leading the way in the retail industry, Giles is also a leader in the Miami community. He has made ongoing donations to the World AIDS Day campaign, an organization dedicated to raising awareness and preventing AIDS. Giles also supports numerous local organizations, including CHARLEE Homes, a not-for-profit agency that assists severely abused and neglected children in the foster care system of Miami-Dade County. In addition, he recently donated the equivalent of an entire design room – including machines, fabrics, and patterns – to the Miami University International University of Art and Design. 

“Giles is considered to be one of the top designers of our time and his constantly evolving selection and style has made him a legend among the perennially hip,” said Mary Therese Kraft, associate brand manager for VOX Vodka. “VOX prides itself on quality and style, so we are pleased to recognize Giles for his visionary designs.”

“We’re proud to honor Giles with the VOX/Out Voices of Style+Design Award,” said Joe Landry, publisher of Out magazine. “When it comes to style and aesthetics, Out’s readers are passionate and extremely involved; Steven Giles’ unique vision continues to be an inspiration.”

The VOX/Out Voices of Style+Design Awards were created by VOX Vodka and Out magazine in 2001 to honor openly gay individuals whose works have come to signify American style. The honorees are selected each year by the editors of Out. Past recipients have included Todd Oldham (New York), David Kaufman and Tom Segal (Chicago), Greg Gorman (Los Angeles), and Chip Conley (San Francisco).