Laure Heriard Dubreuil, Barbara Becker, and Frederic Dechnik

The Webster boutique’s first runway show featuring men and women’s spring and summer 2010 collections took place Thursday night at the posh store. Overall, the show was a good first effort, (the fabulous boutique has been open less than a year), presenting dozens of stunning pieces, despite a few mishaps with the show notes. According to a local fashion editor, “the Webster is an excellent purveyor of the best that fashion has to offer. The styling was done in-house, which sends a clear message regarding the owners’ aesthetic: so it’s an interesting approach to presenting the season’s looks while infusing the Webster’s personality.”

Well-heeled guests joining Webster co-owners Frederic Dechnik and Laure Heriard Dubreuil for the fashion celebration included: Zaha Hadid, Pharrell Williams, Barbara Becker, Tracy Mourning, Iran Issa-Khan, Susie and Walid Wahab, Criselda and Jonathan Breene, Richard Martin, Suzy Buckley, Jilian Sanz, Princess Firyal of Jordan, Sam Robin, Gingi Beltran, Leonardo Davalos, Pedro Maal, Glenn Albin, Susanne Birbragher, Terry Zucker, Naeem and Ranjana Khan, Louis Aguirre, Belkys Nerey, Luis Pons, Loren and JR Ridinger, Richie Rich, Cathy Leff, Christina Getty-Maercks, Michael Comras, Tara Solomon, Nick D’Annunzio, Rene Gonzalez, Nicola Siervo, and Lana Bernstein.

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

More than two hundred guests braved a monsoon on Sunday to attend one of the premiere events of the year: the InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball Garden Party at Al and Nancy Malnik’s, oceanfront estate in Palm Beach. Not sure if the monsoon was in keeping with this year’s Asian theme- we wouldn’t put it past them. But despite the rain, guests were in good spirits, some joking about getting splashed by the mermaid in the fountain on the way in. The intimate gathering was the first event of the year in honor of the highly anticipated annual ball, to be held Saturday, November 6, 2010.

Adding some “Hooo-aah!” to this year’s garden party was Burn Notice star, Gabrielle Anwar, who originally gained fame for her Tango scene alongside Al Pacino in the Golden Globe winning film, Scent of A Woman. Anwar was canoodling with Shareef Malnik and playing with her son and daughter and the clan of Malnik children throughout the afternoon. When the party was over, Anwar and Shareef left together, schlepping a car seat and stroller for Shareef’s 9 month-old grandson, whom Shareef kept on his hip the entire day. Talk about “doting”-very endearing indeed. (Incidentally, Shareef has six siblings ages 11 and under- among the world’s youngest “great aunts and uncles!”) The youngest Malnik was enthralled with the gorgeous Geisha girls at the party. That’s one fruit that’s fallen close to home.

Also adding flair to the party was a flamboyant (and frisky) Don King, who delightfully posed for photos with several female attendees. Other notable party guests included Norman Wedderburn, President/CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida; Robert Hill, Gala Host and General Manager of InterContinental Miami, Rene Ruiz, Brad Rosenblatt, Jillian Jacobson, Erika Shriftman Koopman, Tara Solomon and Nick D’Annunzio. Guests were treated to Rising Suns, a specialty cocktail designed by The Forge Restaurant & Wine Bar’s mixologist; hors d’oeuvres; beats by DJ Joe Dert and a performance by Japanese Taiko drummers Fushu Daiko. This year’s goal is to grant 525 wishes. You can help make that happen by contacting the Foundation at (888) 773-WISH or visiting:

The Art of Partnering Miami City Ballet presents The Art of Partnering on April 23 from 6-10:30 p.m., offering singles a unique opportunity to create their own “pas de deux” at a glamorous event at Miami City Ballet studios featuring a cocktail reception, an intimate performance and talk about the ‘The Art of Partnering’ by Miami City Ballet Founding Director Edward Villella; and an after party immediately following at Grove, W South Beach. Miami City Ballet is located at 2200 Liberty Ave., Miami Beach. Tickets cost $100. For more information, email rrobinson@miamicityballet.org or call 305-929-7017.
Barton G. Kids Hear Now Foundation Gala
On Saturday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m., Barton G. Weiss will host his annual gala for the Kids Hear Now Foundation at his latest venue, The Villa By Barton G., formerly the Versace Mansion (1116 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach). The gala’s theme will be “An Evening of Grand Splendor” with proceeds going towards funding further research technology and treatment in the field of cochlear implants for the thousands of newborns born each year with profound hearing loss. Kids Hear Now provides cochlear implants for the underprivileged as well. Cocktail attire is requested for the party. Tickets cost $1, 250 per person. For more information contact 305.576.3006 or email: foundationevents@kidshearnow.org.

Miami Children’s Museum Gala

The Miami Children’s Museum celebrates its 25th Anniversary with a gala on April 24 at the museum (980 MacArthur Causeway). The celebration includes a reception at 6:30 pm, which will take place throughout the museum’s 14 galleries, dinner outside at 8:00 catered by the Ritz Carlton South Beach and a concert by the Average White Band. Tickets cost $500 per person/ $5, 000 for tables of ten. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. To RSVP for the event, contact Kelly Bresnahan at 305.373.KIDS (5437), ext. 142 or email kelly@miamichildrensmuseum.org.

Bastos Design and D.Stern at Club 50

Luxury jewelry brands Francisca Bastos Design and D. Stern Jewelers will present their latest pieces at an exclusive showcase on Tuesday, April 27 at Club 50 at Viceroy Miami, from 5 pm to 7:30 pm with a portion of the jewelry sales benefitting the Humane Society of Greater Miami Adopt-A-Pet. Guests can enjoy well drinks, beer and wine for only $5 until 10 pm. The event is free and open to the public. RSVP is a must to 305.777.2340 x1042 or rsvp@getinkpr.com.

Paulina Rubio

On Friday, Haute Living magazine, hosted its second annual “Haute 100” issue release party celebrating Miami’s most influential people at the Mondrian South Beach. The “hot” list included Emilio Estefan, Paulina Rubio, JR & Loren Ridinger, Jorge Perez, Keith Menin, Marc Roberts, Lea Black, James Ferraro, Jerry & Sandi Powers, Ricky Arriola, Sean Wolfington, Raul Casares, Brenda Nestor & Robert Castellano, Don & Katrina Peebles, and Mike & Alicia Piazza to name a few.

At LIV at the Fontainebleau on Saturday night, former President, Bill Clinton kicked off his third annual Clinton Global Initiative. Clinton socialized with top donors and VIPs, including Pharrell, gave an inspiring speech, and introduced N.E.R.D., who performed for the event. Clinton had previously hosted a private dinner for 50 guests at Scarpetta, including UM president and former Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala and Hangover star Heather Graham. Clinton was quite the gentleman, despite his playboy reputation, sipping nothing but water and Diet Coke all night.

Also on Saturday night, Tinsley Mortimer was spotted at Coco de Ville dancing with friends.
On Sunday, President Clinton along with Alonzo Mourning, Patrick Cobbs, Lousaka Polite, Nat Moore, Nnamdi Asomugha, Kacey Rogers, and Greg Camarillo assisted in revamping the Homestead Homeless Complex, a transitional housing facility, with the aid of 100 University of Miami Students.
Lil Jon, who has apparently become an STK regular, was spotted at the steakhouse over the weekend with a party of 8. Also at STK was Miami’s own DJ Irie.

Michael Capponi celebrated his 38th birthday with an Alice in Wonderland-themed bash on Star Island on Friday night which raised over $30, 000 for the United Way. Dressed as the Mad Hatter, Capponi welcomed his 2, 300 guests all outfitted from head-to-toe in Wonderland attire (costumes were required) with his girlfriend, blonde bombshell, Taylor Erickson, at his side, who personified the perennial “Alice,” and his mother, Danoushka disguised as the White Queen.
Enormous, whimsical inflatable flowers were wrapped around the Royal Palms throughout the property and a huge rabbit clock, and images of the Tweedles and Cheshire cat surprised guests who wandered amid giant rose bushes and mushrooms, dancing to the music of DJ John Cash. Eric Milon, Rich Santelises, Tamar Burton, Ira Lang, David Grutman, Karelle Levy, and celebrities Michael Bay, Andre Berto, Project Runway’s Uli Herzner and Baroness Marianne von Brandstetter came out to celebrate and enjoy cocktails courtesy of Grey Goose Vodka.

So what was Capponi’s birthday wish this year? “One the biggest responsibilities I have taken on has been ‘adopting’ 3000 Haitian refugees and providing them with temporary shelter, food and water in Petionville, Haiti. With the help of Project Medishare, Miami Beach Fire Rescue, United Way and many local supporters, we have created a tent city to house these Haitian people, half of whom are under the age of 10. Feeding and providing shelter is a huge expense and I am proud that the proceeds from my birthday will be able to keep this going for at least another 6 months.” Thanks to sponsors such as: The Opium Group, Grey Goose Vodka and 3DX productions, 100% of the money donated by guests at the entrance to Capponi’s party went straight to the United Way.
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