Sebastian Grey
Tell us about yourself and what you do for a living?
I was born and raised in Cali, Colombia and studied ballet for 12 years before fashion took a hold of me. I’ve been in fashion for 18 years. While in Colombia, I was lucky enough to work on projects with Jean Paul Gaultier, Roberto Cavalli, and Johanna Ortiz. I finished my master’s degree in Luxury Brand Management at Istituto Marangoni Miami in 2022. At my husband’s urging and my trepidation, in 2019 I applied to be on Bravo’s hit TV show Project Runway. Little did I anticipate or expect, I would end up winning the competition and taking home the prize. Since then, I have held runway shows in Miami, New York City, Santo Domingo, and Latin America. I have been blessed to partner with SIX the Broadway production in NYC, Disney’s motion picture Mulan on a warrior inspired dress, and Bluprint, where I created a 10-part series on fashion construction. I continue to work on my own brand JhoanSebastianGrey.com, where my biggest sellers are my leather products.
How long have you been living in Fort Lauderdale, and what influenced your decision to move here?
I’ve lived in Fort Lauderdale for seven years. When I decided to pick up and leave Colombia for a life change it was either two choices: Fort Lauderdale or Italy. I had friends in both locations and Fort Lauderdale worked out best for me. I was here for three months and met my soon to be husband, Matthew. I guess it was fate! We lived in Fort Lauderdale’s gayborhood, Wilton Manors, for the first five years, then ended up buying a home two miles away and added two fur babies to our family, two French Bulldogs named Uva Patricia and Moolah Leilani.
Sebastian Grey (Photo by Dale Stine, courtesy of Hotspots Magazine)
What are your favorite places to go for cocktails and/or dinner?
Cocktails at DrYnk Bar & Lounge. They are renowned for their craft cocktails, intimate lounge feel, and great staff. Their backyard is awesome. It transports you to a garden oasis with a laid back vibe. Dinner would be a few blocks down the road at Ethos Greek Bistro. If you’re a fan of Greek cuisine this is the place to be. They have a contemporary ambiance and their cooking style is based on the island of Crete. Off the Drive, on Fort Lauderdale Beach, is the gay owned and operated Parrot Lounge. It’s been around since the 1970’s and the ambiance hasn’t changed a bit. You have to check out the photos on the walls of the landmark Fort Lauderdale restaurant and bar tucked away in a little seaside nabe on the corner of A1A and Sunrise Boulevard. Underneath banks of flat-screen TVs, and spread in and around other mounted memorabilia, there are photos of fans from all over the globe. This is probably Matthew’s and my favorite place. It’s totally casual, no frills, and the staff is phenomenal. They are also dog friendly. Moolah (Moo-Moo) and Uva are treated like rock stars when we go. It’s probably the last of the original bars on Fort Lauderdale Beach. They serve up drinks, cocktails, and awesome food!
What cultural attractions or events are a must see for visitors?
Broward Center for the Performing Arts. It’s a large multi-level performing arts center located in downtown Fort Lauderdale that features a wide selection of live music, operas, and plays. The Seminole Hard Rock Casino and Resort is also must. We have some awesome yearly events too that you simply can’t miss, these include Pride Fort Lauderdale; Las Olas Art Fair; Tortuga Music Festival; Las Olas Wine & Food Festival; The Stonewall Parade and Festival: International Boat Show; the Wicked Manors Halloween experience: and Viva Fort Lauderdale, where you can celebrate Hispanic art & culture in Fort Lauderdale.
A friend is coming to Fort Lauderdale for the first time. Please describe the perfect weekend.
After Saturday morning breakfast at O-B House for skillet pancakes and bottomless coffee, we would hop on the water taxi and cruise a portion of the 300-plus miles of inland waterways to see the multimillion-dollar homes. We’d then head down the New River to the Historic Stranahan House Museum. Afterwards, it’s time to wander down Las Olas Boulevard, the heart and soul of Fort Lauderdale, known for its restaurants, shopping, art galleries, and people-watching. For dinner, Sweet Nectar has great al fresco dining and some pretty amazing craft cocktails. On Sunday we’d head to Lona for breakfast. Regarded as one of the best breakfast spots in Fort Lauderdale, the Tinta breakfast at Lona is famous.
Following breakfast, we’d explore Fort Lauderdale’s history at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, the estate that once belonged to great American artists Frederic and Evelyn Bartlett. The historic 1920s home and 35-acre estate is one of South Florida’s final patches of native habitat (thank you Florida Trust for Historic Preservation!). For dinner, we’d head to Steak 954, a Stephen Starr restaurant that delivers on surf as well as its turf; the lobster and crab coconut ceviche and the butter-poached Maine lobster are both perfection. We would end Sunday night with a trip to Hunters Night Club and experience “Studio 54” night where you can dance the night away enjoying those disco hits from yesteryear.
What are the best places to truly enjoy the natural beauty of the area?
Hands down Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. Smack in the middle of the city is this 180-acre park, which offers a respite from city life with picnicking, camping, swimming, and canoeing, and a chance to tour the home of the generous man who donated his lovely estate to Florida. I love seeing the tortoises, the beautiful trees, and the meditation garden! You even get to enjoy a view of the water and watch the yachts and boats go by.
Please finish this sentence: Don’t leave Fort Lauderdale without…
A trip to the Everglades for an airboat adventure. You get to travel through a cypress forest on a swamp buggy and see some incredible Florida wildlife such as alligators, birds, and more.
Discover more at visitlauderdale.com
