By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

A slight dip in the mercury brought everyone out in their “winter’s finest” to an outdoor vestibule outside of the new Rolex boutique (Miami’s first) in the Design District on January 16 in celebration of the flagship’s opening. Over 250 stylish guests mixed and mingled excitedly, sipping Champagne and martinis while toasting to boutique owner, Seymour Holtzman and Stewart Wicht, President of Rolex:  the evening’s hosts.  Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, the Rolex boutique’s front-door neighbor, catered the evening affair with in-season passed hors d’oeuvres including chorizo croquettes, deviled eggs, pigs in a blanket, and stracciatella crispini. Partygoers also danced to live music by the talented, Jenene Caramielo who performed throughout the evening.  Inside the shop, a luxury watchmaker was on-hand to demonstrate the intricacies of creating the Rolex masterpieces.  Notable guests included:  Alison Weiss Brady, Lisa Petrillo & Bill McCue, Hadley & Yannick Henriette, Tara Solomon, Nick D’Annunzio, John Lin, Suzy Buckley, Criselda Breene, Siri Willoch, Lily Zanardi, Jennifer Valoppi, Drs. Claudia Martinez & Juan Carlos Londono, Marcella & Daniel Novela, Eduardo Montefusco, Nadine Curmi Borgomanero & Daniel Borgomanero, Martina Borgomanero & Fabian Basabe, Adriana de Moura & Frederic Marq and El Gordo y La Flaca’s Raúl De Molina, to name a few.  Each guest was gifted a customized box of Swiss chocolates created to resemble the faces of the watches.

Photo Courtesy: World Red Eye

Party for a Rock Star 

Turns out Ciro Campagnoli, owner of the chic Sense hotel on South Beach, is as talented as he is charming. A hundred or so of Campagnoli’s close friends turned out for his Rockstar-themed birthday party on Thursday night, for a party filled with music. Not only were there long-haired wigs, guitars, tambourines, and electric-guitar sun-glasses for guests to don and enjoy, there was also a full blown Karaoke machine.  The Sense hotel’s general manager, Patricia Trias surprised Campagnoli with the “Rockstar Bash” because Ciro is actually a Rock Star! Who knew?! During the party, as an homage to his Italian roots, Ciro was serenaded atop a Gondola (o.k.-  technically a paddle board) with a rendition of Sono Veloce, a beautiful song he wrote and recorded (check it out on YouTube).  During the serenade, a montage of birthday wishes by his family in Bologna and friends throughout the world played on a flat-screen, bringing the handsome Italian to tears.  The video was followed by a spirited singing of “Tanti Auguri.” Guests enjoyed copious amounts of fun and food from the Sense hotel’s incredible restaurant, The Local House- if you haven’t been- go now!  When asked about the party, Trias said, “Ciro truly is an inspiration to all of us…makes this hospitality business a pleasure.”