Page 24 - Layout 1

LOBI1120_PRESS.qxp_Layout 1 10/24/20 12:51 PM Page 22

Legends of Las Olas

THE END OF AN ERA

Moda Mario

By James Martin Fletcher

here are just a handful of businesses on Las Olas Beginning in the late 1970s, Mario became known as the
Boulevard which are defined as legends, and Moda go-to guru of menswear on the boulevard, famous for
TMario is one of them. For the past 45 years, this selecting the finest fabrics from Europe and custom-
esteemed clothier has been revered as a pinnacle of good creating elegant ensembles, always tailored specifically to
taste and European refinement, while offering the most his clientele, their lifestyles and tastes. He later opened a
elegant of fashions, exquisite fabrics, bespoke tailoring and popular women’s boutique in a separate location on Las
the gregariousness of its owner, Mario Argiro. Olas, called Prima Donna.

Moda Mario opened its doors on Las Olas in 1975, the Moda Mario’s clientele grew exponentially with each year
year Mario arrived from New York City, where he had in business. It includes an A-list of local attorneys and
owned an upscale men’s store on the upper east side of successful businessmen in the downtown area, as well as
Manhattan. He came to South Florida and settled in Fort throughout the country, many with their measurements on
Lauderdale with his young family, new to the area, while file for Mario to use in creating custom pieces, business
bringing with him a superior knowledge of clothing and suits and fashionable casual wear using exquisite fabrics
an innately sophisticated fashion sense. with European design elements.

22 LAS OLAS BOULEVARD & ISLES