Photo courtesy of Stephen Harriman
Stephen King Harriman, 68, has called Miami Beach home since 1995. He moved there from Marblehead, Mass., with his wife, Mary, and their two young daughters — a decision he describes as “a leap of faith.”
An opening with an emerging apparel company, now known as Perry Ellis International, offered him the opportunity to launch a men’s denim, trouser and tailored-clothing division. Harriman spent 21 years building the department, eventually becoming president of men’s sportswear for the brand.
“I realized my true passion was to design and create, rather than just buy and sell,” says Harriman, who had worked as a menswear buyer prior to the move.
This philosophy continues to shape his world today, as he embraces both the creative side of retail and his lifelong involvement with music, pursuing ventures that reflect those passions. In 2016, he founded Belltone Guitars, a custom electric guitar manufacturer where musicians can work directly with skilled craftsmen to design their instruments.
“We offer a collaborative partnership with guitarists who seek to build well-crafted, affordable, cool guitars,” Harriman says. Each instrument is made to order in the U.S., reflecting the individual musician’s personal vision.
A self-taught guitarist, Harriman started playing in bands in junior high and continued through college. After years focused on career and family, he has returned to performing as part of Glass Blocs, an ’80s New Wave cover band that has built a steady following.
“We’ve been together about four years now,” he says. “The crowds really connect with the music — it’s a great energy.”
Harriman’s creative drive doesn’t stop there. On a sourcing trip to northern China while working for Perry Ellis International, he visited a friend at a small sandal factory and tried on a pair made from jute, a fiber derived from an Asian linden plant. He recognized its potential and, years later, after refining the design and testing the product, founded SolStitch. The brand offers eco-conscious sandals that balance comfort, quality and sustainability — an organic extension of Harriman’s design sensibility.
Whether in fashion, music or the way he lives his life, Harriman has trusted the instinct that brought him to South Florida more than 30 years ago.
“It’s always been about making something meaningful,” he says, “something that connects.”