By:  Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore Haute Living magazine kicked off Art Basel with an event Vogue called one of the most anticipated of the week. The dinner party hosted by Daphne Guinness, Dom Pérignon and Roger Dubuis in celebration of Guinness’ collaboration with Swiss watchmaker Roger Dubuis called The Velvet Collection, which was Haute Living’s Basel Issue Cover story. Sixty guests gathered in the courtyard of the posh Villa Azur restaurant on December 5, at a table covered with violet roses to matched Guinness’ Haute Living cover shot taken by Nick Knight. Even Martha Stewart could resist snapping a few photos of the table. The elegant party was crawling with celebrities, VIPs and A listers as guests included Martha Stewart, Karolina Kurkova, Russell Simmons, Ray Allen, Lea Black, Marysol Patton, Stephen Dorff, IWC President Gianfranco D’Attis,street artist, Alec Monopoly, DJ Irie and, of course,Ms. Guinness herself. Dom Pérignon showed off a bottle with a glowing label by fellow creative soul, David Lynch. Earlier in the day, Diane von Furstenberg’s launched her limited edition Evian bottle at a lunch at Soho Beach House alongside guests Russell Simmons, Chelsea Handler and Andre Balazs.

By:  Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

Arguably the best week of the year in South Florida, what began as a four-day extension of the Basel, Switzerland fair, Art Basel Miami has grown in scope, style and fashion in its 11 year history.  The festivities surrounding the most important art show in the world have expanded to include celebrations extending to magnificent proportions filling the dance cards of internationally renowned art collectors, enthusiasts, celebrities, fashion stalwarts and socialites for a 10-day weekend second-to-none in the Magic City.  While we proudly wear our Swarovski Crystal encrusted “I survived Art Basel” badges we share a few of our favorite events and experiences below.  Be sure to check back next week for more of the celebrations, celebrity sightings and sheer joy of this, most wonderful time of the year. Read the rest of this entry »

By:  Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore and Maryanne Salvat

Art Basel, the Mecca for art collectors and enthusiasts will take over Miami from December 6 through 9, 2012.  In its 11^th season, the most prestigious art show in the Americas will feature more than 260 leading galleries from North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa, among the most respected in the world that will showcase works by more than 2,000 artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.  Special exhibition sections feature young galleries, performance art, public art projects and video art and musical experiences. Art Basel will provide a vital platform for art lovers, allowing them to both discover new developments in contemporary art and experience rare museum-caliber artworks.  In addition to the actual show at the Miami Beach Convention Center, art museums throughout South Florida, satellite art fairs, and events for and by curators provide the perfect forum for encountering and experiencing art and design. Every year, a greater number of art collectors, artists, dealers, curators, critics and art enthusiasts from around the world participate in Art Basel – and the requisite parties keep the locals and the visitors in an art-induced state of bliss.  Without a doubt, sunny Miami is the favorite winter meeting place for the international art world.  Below, we have highlighted just a few of the major events that are scheduled this year, and are sure to make Art Basel 2012 the best to date.  Be sure to visit Passport Miami for the latest updates. Read the rest of this entry »

Tom Brokaw, Marc and Nick Buoniconti of the The Buoniconti Fund

By:  Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Destination Fashion

Destination Fashion took over Bal Harbour Shops on November 10, with a star-studded, over-the-top party three years in the making. NFL Hall of Famer Nick Buoniconti and his son Marc of the The Buoniconti Fund (the fundraising arm of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis) hosted the fantastic event, for which Barton G. transformed the luxury mall into a themed celebration, spotlighting “The Destinations” of locations from around the world such as Asia, Africa and the Americas, for over 2, 000 fashion-forward VIPs including celebrities, sports stars and philanthropists.  Guests enjoyed an Emilio Pucci’s Spring 2013 Fashion Show designed by Peter Dundas, a gourmet dinner, interactive destination party experience and private concert by Enrique Iglesias.  The successful fundraiser got off to a running start when long-time Buoniconti Fund Board Member and supporter, Christine E. Lynn, who was being presented with the Humanitarian Award, announced a gift of $25 million.  This staggering amount contributed in large part to the $31 million raised throughout the evening.  Micky and Madeleine Arison, received the Inspiration Award; Edie Laquer and the Laquer Foundation, received the Champion for a Cure Award; The Buoniconti Fund Award was granted to Paul and Swanee DiMare, and the Philanthropist Award was presented to Beatrice and Dr. Sanford Ziff. Read the rest of this entry »

By:   Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

The InterContinental Miami, awash in fuchsia lighting, became a colorful scene out of a Bollywood movie on Saturday, November 3, for the 18th Annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball, complete with gigantic murals of Buddha, an authentic, New Delhi-style Indian street-market, filled with  baskets of spices, fruits, and vegetables (intermingled with silent-auction stands); lavishly, costumed dancers, ornate parasols, brilliantly hued flowing fabrics and an elaborate Indian street parade, led by an elephant, which escorted guests into the main ballroom- a kaleidoscope of colors, resembling a massive, traditional Indian tent.   Think:  Indian wedding meets Bollywood movie. Read the rest of this entry »

By: Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

Jelsomino Combines Cabaret and Karaoke 

A dapper, Michael Capponi, recently hosted the opening night party for Jelsomino, Miami Beach’s opulent, new upscale theatrical karaoke concept- (70% cabaret, 20% Burlesque, 10% karaoke).  Think: the Moulin Rouge meets Chicago, In fact, both of those movies were being projected on large screens in between numbers. Capponi, (channeling his elegant Italian nightclub owner/ restaurateur father, Feffo Capponi) unveiled the new club, for which he is promoting special nights each week with a private, VIP opening for 400 guests who gathered to join the nightlife impresario/entrepreneur/philanthropist in welcoming the Ginza Project and Jelsomino founder Tatiana Brunetti in their first South Florida venture.  Read the rest of this entry »