By: Dr. Mary Jo Shore
Melissa Molson, Mary Jo Shore, Michael Kirkland, Iran Issa-Khan, Zachary Scott, Aleks DeCarvalho, Dawidh Orlando at Issa-Khan’s NYE Party
Iran Issa-Khan’s New Year’s Eve Bash
“…burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow Roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars” quoted from Kerouac only begins to touch one of the most astounding evenings in Miami history: world renowned artist, photographer, reluctant icon, Iran Issa-Khan’s New Year’s Eve party.
Eighty five guests from Issa-Khan‘s magnificent and coveted ‘list’ that spans the world-over, arrived between 10 pm and the midnight explosion of grand fireworks over a magnificent Miami skyline. Ebullient guests did not stop dancing from the second they set foot in Issa-Khan’s stunning home, with views of the ocean and all of Miami, but for brief intervals to engage in spirited chatter. Dinner was served promptly at 12:15 in the early morning. This in itself was FABULOUS, as Issa-Khan herself unplugged the power cord to the DJ’s turntable to make the first toast of the night as guests listened in total silence and awe to her wise advice for the New Year: She spoke of love, harmony, light and prosperity, but most of all of being true to oneself and going forward with one’s inner secret desires for personal achievement and… Yes! PLEASURE! She referred to Kerouac’s words: “the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn…” as were those at her fabulous fete-from multiple realms of creativity and all corners of the globe.
Guests including: Dame Zaha Hadid, Myra & Don Rubell, Michele Oka Doner & Fredrick Doner, Athina Klioumi & Eduardo Marturet, Barbara Becker, Michael Kirkland, Melissa Molson, Dawidh Orlando, Aleks DeCarvalho, Sam Robin, Cathy Leff, Maria Jose Acosta-Almeida, Tui Pranich, Michael Shore, Zachary Scott, Santiago Yñigo, Marwin Ospina, the Preuss-Kühne sisters – Laura & Lavinia, Susie & Walid Wahab, Brandi Reddick & Ali Mahallati,Martina Borgomanero Basabe & Fabian Basabe, Tara Solomon & Nick D’Annunzio, Padma & Raj Vattikuti among many-many others who burned brightly into the early morning, heralding in the new year with the zeal for living that characterizes Issa-Khan, who fills every room she enters with intoxicating light, laughter and most importantly, love.
Susie Wahab, Iran Issa-Khan, Dame Zaha Hadid, and Michael Leondas Kirkland
Michael Kirkland honors Dame Zaha Hadid
Just before Christmas, my “Swiss-army-knife” of friends, and most charming Southern gentleman, Michael Kirkland invited me and 21 other close friends to his art and antique filled Miami bungalow for a New Orleans Gumbo ‘secret supper’. Little did we know that rock-star architect Dame Zaha Hadid would be his honored guest. Earlier that day Hadid had announced plans for her first skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere at 1000 Biscayne Boulevard – to be her second addition to the Miami and Miami Beach skylines. Perhaps the most diverse, yet perfectly woven international guest list of the holiday season thus far, Kirkland included friends from sixteen countries – artists, gallerists, writers, entrepreneurs, socialites, a prince and a dame: Iran Issa-Khan, Criselda & Jonathan Breen, Susie & Walid Wahab, Robert Peter Miller, Hugh Bush, Emily Wilkins & Zachary Scott, Anastasia Koutsioukis & Ahmet Erkaya, Marnie Howard & Philippe Larmier, Ashlee Harrison, Jordan Silva, Santiago Yñigo, Denis Hé, João Lucas Id, Maria Jose Almeida, Dame Hadidand Prince Mishal al Faisal. While Hadid held court in one of Kirkland’s prized period Louis XIV carved armchairs, conversation was enjoyed long after midnight following huge portions of his famously addictive Gumbo, Southern Cracklin’ Bread and Issa-Khan’s Parmesan-Arugula Salad… then Bourbon Bread Pudding and Egg Nog! Dame Hadid was indeed a secret surprise! Kirkland’s last fete of 2012 has left guests talking long into the New Year.
New Year, Different Story
Story nightclub opened during the week leading up to New Year’s Eve with world class DJs spinning every night. Celebrities spotted enjoying the state-of-the-art nightclub, housed in the space formerly occupied by Amnesia included: Sofia Vergara, Pharrell Williams, Michael Bay, Pauly Shore, and the Hilton sisters to name a few. The incredible club, with the coolest light show in town is a collaboration between seasoned nightlife impresarios, Chris Paciello LIV/Arkadia owner David Grutman, and Nicola Siervo and Karim Masri, owners of Wall at W South Beach – who drew in top talent such as Sebastian Ingrosso, Avicii, Steve Angello, Axwell, Tiesto, Kaskade, and Deadmau5 who spun on New Year’s Day.
