By Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

Downtown Miami Security Building Launch 

Two fabulous events took over the historic Downtown Security Building, drawing more than 400 lovers of art and fashion on Thursday, June 27.  The Miami-based KIWI Arts Group inaugurated its new Project Space, expanding from Wynwood with this second location, opening with the public premiere of William John Kennedy: The Warhol Museum Edition portfolio.  The collection of five photographs reveal a young Warhol on the cusp of fame and was created to raise funds for The Andy Warhol Museum. Eric Shiner, the museum’s director, states, “With this rare body of work, Kennedy has given us some of the most joyous and insightful images of Andy Warhol ever created.”  Serving as a looking glass into pop culture, both past and present, the event also launched Perrier’s limited edition Warhol bottles, presented with the support of Herradura and Chambord vodka.   Read the rest of this entry »

Reuters

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

When our beloved Miami Heat won the NBA Championship, for the SECOND time, (by the skin of their teeth after a grueling game 6) Miami as a whole shared a cathartic joy- as we are all once again, on some level, champions. Nowhere was this more evident than at Story nightclub, just a few hours before dawn, on Friday morning, at various nightclubs throughout the weekend and on the streets during the championship parade and at the American Airlines Arena (AAA) during the championship celebration on Monday. 

“We are the Champions” blared through the speakers at Story nightclub (the sister club to LIV, where the champs celebrated last year) at around 3 a.m. on Friday morning, as the Miami HEAT players, once again World Champions, fresh from winning one of the most exciting games in NBA history, entered the massive nightclub through the secret back entrance for their official victory party, to the ecstatic chants of thrilled fans, who shouted, “Let’s go Heat!”    Read the rest of this entry »

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

One of the best parts about staying in town for the summer, as the social season slows down, is that we get to experience what it’s like to vacation in paradise, without leaving home.  Just last week we got the chance to “stay-cation” at the Sense Beach House which felt like our very own beach house.  Possibly Miami Beach’s closest interpretation of a “bed and breakfast,” this 18- room luxury boutique hotel offers a casually sophisticated atmosphere, just steps from the ocean, and a personalized guest experience that feels more like a private Hamptons retreat than a hotel on Ocean Drive. Furnished exactly in the manner in which we would decorate our own beach house- in shades of blue and white with natural sea glass and bleached wood, the boutique hotel utilizes natural light to create a casual, beach chic ambiance while still offering the most up-to-date, modern amenities. Read the rest of this entry »

By: Mary Jo Almeida-Shore
Hermès promised, and delivered to Miami, “A Journey into the Extraordinary” for its third A Man’s World  event – previously in Beijing and Paris – an art-fashion happening on May 31 – a party, like none the Magic City has ever seen, filled with multi-sensory experiences and illusions designed to deeply penetrate, and somewhat overwhelm one’s senses.  Over 600 guests were in town for the unprecedented event that took place at the iconic Moore Building, the 1921 architectural monument of Miami’s Design District, a few doors down from the Hermès boutique – utilizing the building’s fascinating interior structure as a backdrop for 11 human-experience art installations that allowed audiences to connect to each one. Read the rest of this entry »

Haute Living magazine editor, Hadley Henriette and her verrry French, husband, Yannick threw a tres magnifique soiree in their lovely Miami Beach home for the launch of Jac Henri Designs’ Slim Wallet, Yannick’s passion project- an innovative Italian leather wallet, designed and hand-crafted by Yannick himself. The Henriettes treated guests to a French-themed spread, of cheeses and delectable bites, drinks by trendy French liqueur St. Germain, tequila infused cocktails and a whimsical wallet-themed cake.  

Despite the multitude of events occurring simultaneously the same night, scads of fashionable friends stopped by to support this power couple and were excited about the Jac Henri line and the Kickstarter project. The lizard-skinned wallets were among the top sellers.  

Guests included stylist Rachael Russel, fashion designers Julian Chang, Karelle Levy and Tara Sokolow and artist Erin Parish. Jeff and Valentina Gutchess, Daniel and Marcella Novela as well as Pamela Jones, Suzy Buckley-Woodward and Dirk Goldwasser, owner of The Betsy Hotel. Read the rest of this entry »

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

FedEx/St. Jude Angels & Stars Gala

Latin Grammy Award-winning singer and multi-platinum artist Carlos Vives brought down the house at the 11th annual FedEx/St. Jude Angels & Stars Gala presented by Manuel and Mercedes Mosteiro at the JW Marriott Marquis in Miami on May 18. Vives performed all of his most famous songs, getting the crowd of 700 on the dance floor to celebrate the achievements of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  Prior to Vives’ exciting concert,  Gala honoree, Hall of Famer, Don Shula, who is among the most “winningest coaches” in NFL history was granted the 2013 “St. Jude Al-Rashid Hope Award” for his life-long commitment to helping the community and his unparalleled contributions to the NFL.

“St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a special place for children with cancer, and I was honored to be a part of such an exceptional night celebrating the work of this hospital in the U.S. and around the world,” said Shula. “I have been involved with St. Jude over the years, and I am proud to support this winning team of doctors and nurses who dedicate their lives to saving children who are so in need.”

Gala co-founder Daisy Fuentes emceed the star-studded event, joined by award presenters Pamela Silva Conde, Alberto Sardinas, Julian Gil, Raul Gonzalez and Sonya Smith. Other Latin artists and celebrities in attendance included: Luis Fonsi, Agueda Lopez, Alejandro Chaban, Alexandra Pomales, Ambar, Andrea Chediak, Candela Ferro, Claudia Helena Vasquez, Felicia Mercado, Irma Martinez, Khotan, Leslie Grace, Maripily Rivera, Mauricio Henao, Mauro Mendez, Dr. Nancy Alvarez, Rashel Diaz, Ricardo Chavez, Roberto Manrique, Roberto Tapia, Rodner Figueroa, Vanessa Hauc, among others. Read the rest of this entry »