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:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week took over New York City from September 8-15, with a line-up of 99 designers showing their spring 2012 collections in Lincoln Center and various other venues throughout Manhattan.  Amid the silks, chiffons, organza,  floral prints, neon colors, geometrical shapes, and pastel prints that graced the runways, Mercedes-Benz showcased its latest fashion statement, the 2012 SLS AMG Roadster (think Barbie DREAM CAR on steroids) and C63 AMG Coupe, two all new models available later this year. Our favorite designers this season included Mercedes-Benz presents designer, Derek Lam; Carolina Herrera, Diane von Furstenberg, Nanette Lepore, Pamela Rolland, Milly by Michelle Smith and Diesel Black Gold (especially since Gerard Butler! was sitting front row).   Enjoy our stories about a few of the stellar parties we attended and a little bit about the lounges- the other side of Fashion Week. Read the rest of this entry »