Donald and Lisa Pliner

Renowned designer, Donald J. Pliner, celebrated 20 years of groundbreaking success in the luxury footwear industry hosting a meet and greet event at his flagship store, Donald J. Pliner, in Aventura, on March 13, alongside his creative director, muse, and wife Lisa Pliner.  Pliner has established a global cult following among men and women with his fashionably chic and comfortable shoes.  His success stems from his passion for the craft.  Designing shoes for over 43 years, Pliner has been committed creating beautiful pieces that are comfortable and inspired by the world that surrounds him.  Glass beads, snake skins, suede, and elastics are the instruments he uses to interpret his inspirations.  The secret to his success lies in the mantra that is central to his fashionable, comfortable shoes:  “When the feet are uncomfortable, so is the mind, so is the body, so is the soul.”

The stylish Lisa Pliner, known as “the lady with the green-soled shoes,” debuted her 2010 spring collection “LISA” for Donald J. Pliner during the 20 year celebration.  Inspired by Starr, the Pliners’ five year old daughter, the fashionable collection incorporates a traction platform that gives height and stability for women on-the-go, who need a little extra support, especially for those chasing down toddlers at a mall or at the grocery store, to which Lisa is no stranger.

Staunch philanthropists and humanitarians, the Pliners started the PEACE for the Children Foundation, which provides safe playgrounds for children of underprivileged families.  The organization provides charitable funds in support of non-profit organizations that foster peace in the lives of children.  Proceeds from the 20 year celebratory event benefitted Jewish Adoption & Foster Care Options, Inc.

Donald J. Pliner, the man and the brand, known for quintessential elegance and perfection, puts his heart and soul into all of his “soles.”  The result:  shoes you will love to live in.

In a tent to rival those formerly in Bryant Park, Fashion Miami, presented by Chrysler, kicked off its inaugural season with over 30 designers who showcased their fall/winter 2010 collections throughout four nights of runway shows.  With an average of over 1000 guests per show (multiply that by 30 shows!) this was a fashion aficionado’s dream come true.   Celebrities such as Whitney Port (who showed her new line Whitney Eve, during Gen Art’s opening night), Jon Secada (singer), Romero Britto (artist), Ana Cristina (singer), Burn Notice’s Jeffrey Donovan and Gabrielle Anwar, Roxy Olin (MTV STAR-The City), soap star, Khotan with girlfriend Candela Ferro, Alejandro Sanz and Rony Seikaly attended Fashion Miami, some sitting front row at multiple shows.  These VIPs just added to the list of celebrity designers who were all present throughout Fashion Miami, including Custo Barcelona, Craig Signer, Red Carter, Silvia Tcherassi, Julian Chang, and Gustavo Cadile to name a few.   On opening Night MTV filmed an upcoming episode of “The City” and closing night was filmed by the Bravo Channel.   For those of us who missed NY and Paris Fashion Weeks, we were lucky to get a little taste of the excitement thanks to Fashion Miami. Read the rest here »

The landmark formerly known as the “Versace Mansion” has been transformed into Villa By Barton G, thanks to a million dollar restoration by famed restaurateur and event planner, Barton G. Weiss, whose attention to detail would make Vermeer jealous.  Weiss held an elegant cocktail party on Friday evening to showcase the Villa’s facelift. Guests at this exclusive event enjoyed music by harpists, a pianist and string quintet and signature bites by Barton G. Among the notables in attendance: Commissioner Michael Gongora, Stephanie Sayfie Aagard and Morton Aagard, Suzie Sayfie, , Ricky Arriola, WSVN anchor Diana Diaz, Vann and Parker Thomson, Barton Weiss’ parents Norman and Eleanor Weiss, Shore Club General Manager Tim Nardi and arts patrons Lenore Toby Simmons and Rhoda Leavitt. The evening’s open house celebrated the opening of The Dining Room at The Villa By Barton G., (already one of the hottest tickets in town), as well as the opening of the boutique all-suites hotel on the property. The Dining Room features refined continental cuisine elegantly styled by Barton G. served entirely on Versace place settings and fine china and is open seven nights a week from 7 p.m. until late. 

Getting a facelift of its own is the Thursday night party at Sky Bar at Shore Club which launched its new mixed “Oasis” Thursday party last week. The party brought out a terrific mixed crowd, which, in this town, could be interpreted to mean just about anything. Every week international DJ/Producer and local favorite Oren Nizri along with DJ Pocket Change will keep partygoers dancing by the hotel’s pool or grooving to their beats on Sky Bar’s numerous lounge beds while munching on Oasis’ gourmet brick oven pizza menu provided by the hotel’s renowned AGO restaurant and sipping $8 martini specials till midnight (talk about “old school” prices!). Oasis begins at 9 p.m. and goes through 2 a.m. There’s no guest list or cover charge so go as you are and enjoy!

Keeping styles fresh and new for several decades is shoe designer Donald J. Pliner, who celebrated the 20^th anniversary of his eponymous shoe line on Saturday, March 13, at his shop in Aventura mall with an all-day event to benefit Jewish Adoption & Foster Care Options, Inc alongside his wife and creative director, Lisa.  Pliner has been designing shoes since the 60s, paying close attention to the comfort of the shoe as well as style.  A comfortable designer shoe is not an oxymoron when it comes to Donald J. Pliner.  Lisa for Donald J Pliner, made its debut during the anniversary celebration, which was attended by the Pliners’ adorable daughter, Starr, and mascot, Baby Doll.

Malinka Max

 Anyone who’s been to a party at Casa Malinka knows that it’s worth the trip and price of admission.  This Saturday, the first annual Hearts and Stars Gala, a philanthropic effort benefiting the Little Lighthouse Foundation and Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida takes place there, from 7-11 p.m. and promises to be a night to remember, featuring free flowing cocktails courtesy of Grey Goose vodka, and live musical performance by Pras Michel (Grammy Award winner and original member of the Fugees), and 19 year old Israeli singing sensation Nir, who’s been compared to Justin Timberlake.  Live and silent auctions including celebrity experiences, fine jewelry, and getaways as well as dancing under the stars will add to the already exciting evening.  Casa Malinka has been the location of choice for the many over-the-top affairs. To read about Malinka Max’s outrageous circus-themed New Year’s bash visit:   https://miamisocialholic.com/. Tickets cost $125 in advance / $150 at the door.  For more information visit:  http://www.rmhcsouthflorida or contact Christin Naab at 305.585.5960; christin@rmhcsouthflorida.org.

Jennifer Valoppi

 Women of Tomorrow

 Also on Saturday, the Women of Tomorrow Mentor and Scholarship Program celebrates its spring-inspired gala at the Mandarin Oriental. The event will feature a live performance from Latin heartthrob and Billboard nominated singer/actor JenCarlos Canela, music by the Steve Chase Band and an extravagant live auction emceed by WPLG Channel 10’s Calvin Hughes and Neki Mohan, who is also a WOT mentor.  Local VIPs and tastemakers to be expected will include Founders of the Women of Tomorrow Mentor & Scholarship Program, Jennifer Valoppi and Telemundo president Don Browne; Gala Chair Marisa Toccin; WOT Vice-President and State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle; Honorary Chairmen Madeleine and Micky Arison; Legacy Builder Honorees Lora and Fred Drasner;  Empowerment Award Honorees Jason and Haley Binn and many more.  Auction items include tickets to The Jay Leno Show and to Super Bowl 2011, among other fab prizes.  For tickets or more information, call 305.371.3330 or visit www.womenoftomorrow.org.

 Heart of Gold Gala

 The Wellness Community will host their annual Heart of Gold Gala on Saturday as well at the Eden Roc Hotel.  We are buying these event planners a calendar as we speak!  This year’s theme, Monte Carlo, sets the stage for an extravagant evening which begins at 7 p.m. with cocktails and a silent auction followed by dinner and dancing. Live auctioneer CBS-TV’s chief weather-caster Lonnie Quinn will be back for his second year as emcee. The event is black-tie optional. Tickets cost $350 per guest. For more information and to buy tickets, contact the Wellness Community at 305.668.5900.

Clay Conley

Several VIPs and celebrated chefs participated in a great cause on Thursday at the InterContinental Miami for “Chefs with a Purpose: Haiti” benefiting International Firefighters Assistance (IFA). Hosted by Robert Hill, InterContinental Miami General Manager, and emcee Lissette Gonzalez, CBS 4 News Weather Anchor, along with Chef Chairs Alexander Feher of InterContinental Miami and Chef Jan Jorgenson of Two Chefs, the event drew more than 300 guests and raised $25,000 for IFA’s current and future efforts in Haiti. The culinary extravaganza offered bountiful tastings of delicious dishes by top chefs including Jonathan Eismann (Q American Barbeque, Pacific Time and Pizza Volante), Chef Clay Conley (Azul at Mandarin Oriental Miami), Chef Jeff O’Neil (Gibraltar at Grove Isle Hotel & Spa) as well as Chefs Jonathan Wright and Noah French (The Setai Miami Beach). Guests including Burn Notice actress Gabrielle Anwar; Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado; Forge proprietor Shareef Malnik; Chairman of the Performing Arts Center Trust Ricky Arriola; and Univision host Rodner Figueroa enjoyed music by DJ Joe Dert as they bid on silent auction items.