86 1/2

     In the summer of '86, I gave up my East Village studio in New York to the drummer of The Ramones and moved to South Beach.

    It was time. I had my Masters in Writing from Columbia, wrote the fashionista handbook, Wild Style (Simon & Schuster), and published a book of poems & short stories, cir’cum•nav’i•ga’tion.

    South Beach was a ghost town, a gleam in director Michael Mann's eye. For my first job, I played a hooker on Miami Vice -- I was working undercover for The Village Voice as an extra. The next day I taught journalism at Florida International University. As associate editor of South Florida magazine, I covered the celebrity beat (& shopping). I soon found my true calling when The Miami News hired me as their society columnist. Suzy (Knickerbocker) was their first; I was their last.

     In 1993, I created the South Beach scene column, UpLate, for startup glossy, Ocean Drive. Ditto for my monthly 24-7 chronicle in channels. I also launched Real Life, the first luxury real-estate column in The Miami Herald. I wrote for Interview, Us, Elle Australia, Elle Decoration UK, The Real Guides, dailycandy.com; wrote-produced in-flight travelogues for Virgin Air and celebrity features for InStyle Weddings.

     I created and edited the blogzine, babalubuzz.com, for South Beach luxe boutique Babalu Miami on Lincoln Road. As a social media brandsmith for private clients in New York & Miami, I build websites and blogs filled with lively photos and copy -- Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, youtube. As a consulting publicist, I liaise with local & national media to promote brands and special events.

     For photography bookings, click www.cynzarco.com.