Mari Alarcon-Grimalt
Founder and Owner of hip.e boutique

Mari Alarcon-Grimalt, a Connecticut native, began her education at Fairfield University, where she received a Bachelor’s degree in business management and a minor in communications. With big dreams of fabulous things to come, Mari set off to Los Angeles to attend the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, where she obtained an Associate’s degree in Interior Design in 1984.  Prior to making Miami Beach her permanent home, Mari also resided in Long Island and Manhattan.

Mari always had an eye for stylized living, whether it was fashion or interiors, and knew she wanted to play an influence in the way women felt about themselves and their environment.  “I think the creativity of working in interior decorating is similar to the fashion industry; both fields involve putting ideas and trends together for a beautiful, well-styled, final product,” states Mari.

With her love for aesthetics, Mari decided to open the boutique on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, a perfect location for society people to shop for the most desirable clothing collections in the fashion scene.

Mari’s daughter, Ali, created the name “hip.e” to represent the boutique’s overall trendy presence yet relaxed personality.  Mari’s main focus to maintaining her high fashion boutique is the philosophy, “do what you love and don’t sweat the small stuff.”