Christopher Raessler

Christopher Raessler, class of 1992, graduated with a degree in Interior Design and went on to further his education at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. He preceded his education by co-founding the South Beach Design Group. His design partnership focuses on high-end residential projects as well as corporate and commercial projects from traditional to contemporary styles. He followed the success of his initial venture by opening a 3,500 square foot showroom on the South Beach hotspot, Lincoln Road.

Christopher currently has projects underway throughout the U.S., Latin America, and the Caribbean. He has been published nationally and internationally and has done work for high profile celebrities such as Patti LaBelle, Creed, Bob Green and Danny Glover.

As an owner and designer, his job duties include: marketing both the interior design department and showroom, signing new clients, making client presentations, overseeing design staff and design jobs, follow-up with clients, merchandising and buying, as well as overall operations. Christopher plans on expanding into other areas of interest, such as product design, in the future.

Christopher believes that education and licensing are a crucial part of becoming a successful designer. “As in any discipline, a formal education creates the foundation that one builds a successful career upon,” says Raessler. “To become licensed in most states you must have received a degree from an accredited university, such as Miami International University, in order to become state certified and licensed. Without a license in Interior Design, one will find it very hard to achieve most of what this field has to offer.”

Michelle Garrote

Michelle Garrote was born in Venezuela and moved to Miami when she was young. After high school, Michelle attended Miami International University of Art & Design and pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Interior Design, graduating March of 2004.

Since graduation, Michelle has worked with Hospitality Purveyors. Hospitality Purveyors, Inc. is a company that Sandals and Beaches Resorts created as their design team. Throughout the years that Sandals and Beaches Resorts have been in business they have grown to 20 different properties around the globe.

Michelle started at Hospitality Purveyors as a Junior Interior Designer. She worked with a design team selecting fabrics and finishes as well as furnishings. Michelle was also involved with space planning and furniture design.

As of April 2005, Michelle was promoted to Interior Designer. Michelle is now in charge for Beaches: Turks and Caicos, which is a family resort. This property has 476 rooms, ten restaurants, five bars, a kids’ club, a game room, a fitness center and spa, and much more. Michelle selects fabrics, finishes, furnishings, and designs custom furniture as well as space planning and working with Architects and AutoCAD operators to complete construction drawings. At this time, Beaches: Turks and Caicos is expanding which means 180 more rooms, as well as ten new retail shops, four new restaurants, new game rooms, new arts and craft building, as well as other expansions to existing restaurants.