Adrienne Williams, Chris Bosh, and Gabrielle Anwar

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

So here it is- part two of the great, the better and the even better of Art Basel, the one week love-fest that celebrates the social side of art.  And what better side is there, after all? 

Interview and Ferrari Party 

Interview magazine’s Peter M. Brant and Sotheby’s Tobias Meyer, took over the cutting edge parking garage at 1111 Lincoln Road, bathing it in red light, in honor of Ferrari’s Chairman, Luca di Montezemolo, for one of the hottest parties of Basel week on Tuesday, November 29.  Ferrari filled 6 floors of the garage, with rare vintage and concept cars, including the new Ferrari 458 Spider which was unveiled at the party, as was the 3D film by Marco Brambilia, RPM.

Hundreds of A-listers, from around the globe donned Ferrari-red Pashminas which they received upon arrival to the party for protection against the chilly weather.  Le Basque catering provided signature bites while guests admired the cars and danced to music spun by Solange Knowles. Late in the evening, R&B star Janelle Monae, wearing her signature tuxedo and bouffant hair-do, gave a surprise performance onstage with her band. Read the rest of this entry »

Pharrell Williams and Seth Browarnik

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

Art of Night 

We’ve said it time and time again:  navigating the nightlife on South Beach and surviving to tell about it, particularly during a party marathon week such as Art Basel is an art form.  Documenting it for posterity- is for the masters.  Speaking of such, no one shines a light on the art of the social scene like celebrity lens man, Seth Browarnik, whose aptly named, Art of Night exhibit (his first ever) drew the who’s who of the local, national and international social sets to the newly remodeled Shelborne South Beach on Wednesday, November 30.  The evening started with an intimate VIP dinner hosted by media mogul Jason Binn and his wife Haley at Vesper American Brasserie, sponsored by Dom Perignon.   Read the rest of this entry »

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Art Basel, the “catnip” for those obsessed with art and the social scene has arrived bringing with it the stress and exhaustion resulting from the attempt to cram hundreds of events into one’s social calendar in a seven day period.  And while the actual showcase technically runs from December 1-4 (what we like to call the “100 hour day”) the requisite art celebrations and inebriation have been going strong FOR DAYS- think of this as “the column that almost wasn’t.”  Much to my delight and dismay, the fabulous fun is just getting started.  And because this week marks the three year anniversary of my taking over the 411 column, I’ve compiled a very short list of some of my most memorable Basel moments.  Enjoy!

2010

 For two years in a row (including 2011), London’s White Cube party has taken over the Soho Beach House’s pool area and Tiki bar on the Tuesday night of Basel Week- banishing even its top-tier members to the eighth floor and restaurant.  The party, comprised mostly of jet-set billionaire art collectors and their offspring and pretty people, has proven to be a gluttonous Bacchanal with free flowing champagne and liquor, extensive raw bar and a grill on at the Tiki Bar featuring limitless grilled meats and seafood.

Jeffrey Deitch, director of LA’s MOCA hosted one of the biggest musical events during Basel week last year- a concert by LCD Soundsystem in keeping with a tradition he formed at Deitch Projects. The Grey Goose sponsored concert on the sand at the Raleigh drew the one of largest crowds of the week- a mob scene with throngs of VIPs (or those who perceive themselves as such) clamoring to get past security. Artist/collector Johnny Pigozzi was reportedly seen trying to scale the back fence to gain access but was turned away. Read the rest of this entry »

Derek Blasberg, Loren Ridinger, JR Ridinger, Lauren Santo Domingo, & Andres Santo Domingo

 By:  Mary Jo Almeida Shore

With Art Basel looming in the no-so-distant horizon, we are especially thankful this Thanksgiving for a couple of days of rest before the hectic week ahead.  Last week provided for much excitement and varied forms of entertainment and celebrity sightings a-go-go, although, many a socialite, when asked about their plans during the week, simply replied, “I’m resting up for Basel.”   

The Ridingers Host a Very Classy Affair

Last Wednesday, fashion writer, editor and New York Times bestseller, Derek Blasberg celebrated his book launch, VERY CLASSY: Even More Exceptional Advice for the Extremely Modern Lady with an affair to match the book’s title, at the stunning estate of JR and Loren Ridinger, aptly named, Casa de Suenos.  The trés chic soiree at the Ridingers’ “Dream House” was co-hosted by “extremely modern ladies,” Inés Rivero, Loren Ridinger, Vivian Duenas and Lauren Santo Domingo in conjunction with Moda Operandi, (www.modaoperandi.com) the first online luxury fashion retailer to provide access to complete collections from the world’s top designers immediately following their runway shows.  Read the rest of this entry »

Doug Scott and Olga Granda-Scott

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

Wolfsonian Visionaries 11:11:11

Every now and then all of the ingredients that make for a perfect evening come together in one delicious bite- resulting in magic.  Such was the case last Friday night during the Wolfsonian Visionaries’ 11:11:11 party, where hundreds of the “fabulartsy” gathered in the garage bearing the address to match the party’s unique date, the landmark 1111 Lincoln Road garage, transformed into the ideal venue, by an array of white linens, furnishings and bunches and bunches of flowers from top-to-bottom- even the bars were made to resemble bushes. The gusty, chilly winds that enhanced the panoramic views had the already stylish group, with a flair for the fabulous, donning fancy furs (sorry PETA), colorful scarves and warm, winter garb reserved for such incredible nights in New York City this time of year, just adding to the already dramatic landscape of the evening.  

The magnificent affair was held in honor of the Wolfsonian’s 16th anniversary, and featured signature dishes from Miami’s top restaurants and caterers, who served up cold weather comfort food such as Michelle Areces & Nima Vandy’s Petit Pois’ truffle polenta served in miniature pots and chocolate truffle pearls (that left green glitter dust all over the guests’ faces); Jim Mozina of Le Basque’s seared tuna on a bed of mashed potatoes;  Lyon + Lyon’s (which is now open at the Wolfsonian) grilled cheese sandwiches and watercress soup and ooohhhhhh! those piping hot Shake Shack burgers!  Guests also enjoyed top shelf Bacardi cocktails, music by DJ Mauricio Parra and the images of artist Emilio Chapela which were on display in a site-specific installation.  Read the rest of this entry »

Shareef Malnik, Gabrielle Anwar, Nancy and Al Malnik

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Last Saturday night we were thrilled once again to attend one of our favorite events every season, the Annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball, along with 900 A-list VIPs, socialites, philanthropists and celebrities, dressed to the nines in black and white, for this year’s Ball dubbed, “The Party of the Century” in homage to Truman Capote’s A-list-only vanity affair at New York’s Plaza Hotel in 1966.  Guests were welcomed to the black and white avant-garde masquerade at the InterContinental Hotel by “living chandeliers” and led to the white carpet, where they transcended into a glamorous, glowing realm of fantasy featuring psychedelic black and white art installations on the mezzanine which were brought to life by camouflaged performers.

While enjoying the Ball’s much buzzed-about hors d’oeuvre stations, which included a raw bar including lobster and stone crabs and a full sushi bar and passed delights created by InterContinental Miami’s celebrated Executive Chef Alexander Feher, guests bid on more than 125 premier items including a South African safari, children’s ride-on Mercedes SUV and Goodyear Blimp, a voice-activated interactive R2D2 replica from Star Wars; and numerous works of art and vacation packages, to name a few, raising close to $108, 000.  Following the reception, resident Ball and Miami Heat celebrity disc jockey, DJ Irie summoned everyone into the main ballroom for a decadent three-course meal of Sturgeon Mousse with Caviar, Gorgonzola Stuffed Tenderloin, and delicious desserts.

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