By: Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Solange Knowles, Emily Ratajkowski, Jamie Chung, Padma Lakshmi, William Levy, Chelsea Leyland, Brendan Fallis, Kelly Framel, Gala Gonzalez, Hassan Pierre, Chef Carla Pellegrino and a few hundred of Miami’s influencers joined Veuve Clicquot champagne for a beautiful brunch on Saturday, February 7 at The Thompson Hotel in Miami Beach. The celebrities and socialites celebrated Clicquot Carnaval complete with a multi-course dining experience, Carnaval games and dancers and of course, lots and lots of bubbles. The action-packed afternoon started with a sophisticated Brazilian-inspired brunch followed by Carnaval entertainment including Samba dancers, steel drum bands, and capoeira performers, accompanied by seemingly endless flutes of Veuve Clicquot champagne. The crowd was dressed to impress in chic resort wear as they enjoyed music by DJ Brendan Fallis and played lawn games including corn hole, pineapple bowling, ring toss, and ping pong on a customized, state-of-the-art Veuve Clicquot table.

Solange Knowles, dressed in a blush-colored Ellery top and skirt, Manolo Blahnik strappy sandals and Jennifer Fisher jewelry, was the epitome of resort chic as she danced to the beats of the steel drummers and snapped photos of the Samba dancers. Jamie Chung paired a red BCBG jumpsuit with a bright embroidered jacket, while Padma Lakshmi donned a flowing Pucci caftan, which showed off her incredible legs with the help of a little wind. Jamie Chung played beach paddle ball with a girlfriend and enjoyed the festivities in a poolside cabana. Dressed in a cream midriff-baring top with matching pants by Parker, Emily Ratajkowski stayed close to her boyfriend’s side, showing him pictures on her iPhone and sipping glasses of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label. Telenovela star William Levy spent the afternoon mingling with guests, while sipping on Veuve.