‘Tis the season. Once again thousands of art enthusiasts, celebrities and socialites from around the world gathered in Miami to celebrate Art Basel 2023: the art, the fashion, the lifestyle and the experiences. We spent the whole week in south Florida to bring you all the VIP access and the most exclusive and sought-after events and parties.
Art Basel Exhibition at the South Beach Convention Center
277 galleries and over 79,000 attendees visited the convention center for this year’s Art Basel Miami Beach – more than ever before. If you are fortunate enough to receive a VIP invite, you can escape the weekend crowd by going to the fair on Tuesday or Wednesday. And you may even spot your favorite celebrity among the crowd. During our visit of the exhibition, we spotted Shakira, Cindy Crawford and Serena Williams among others. The latter also made headlines by driving around Miami with her husband Alexis Ohanian in a Tesla Cybertruck.
Among our favorite pieces of this year’s Art Basel was the yellow Cracked Egg by Jeff Koons, which is one of five unique versions (each has a different color). The egg is made from mirror-polished stainless steel with transparent color coating. Andy Warhol is also among our favorite artists. Van de Weghe Fine Art displayed this stunning 1981 Dollar Sign by Warhol at Art Basel.
Seaspice 10 Year Anniversary Party
When you think about iconic restaurants in Miami, Seaspice is definitely on top of the list. During Art Week, Seaspice Brasserie and Lounge toasted to a decade of culinary innovation, waterfront charm, and unforgettable moments. A gathering of artists, tastemakers, and influentials came together to revel in an evening adorned with a champagne tower and a captivating array of performances, including vocalist and songwriter EnVee. Elaborate-costumed dancers gracefully moved among attendees, while skilled trumpet players, and rhythmic drummers filled the air with soulful melodies and vibrant beats. Among the notable guests in attendance were fashion models Yvesmark Chery and Selah Marley as well as reality TV stars Alexia Nepola and Corrine Olympios.
Images courtesy of World Red Eye
Mickalene Thomas’ Celebration of Miami Art Week
Mickalene Thomas in partnership with Shop with Google and The Miami Beach EDITION hosted a star-studded event in celebration of Miami Art Week with a special performance by Janelle Monáe. The evening in the magic city welcomed art-world luminaries, friends and fans including Stephanie Horton, Frank Roberts, Isolde Brielmaier, Hank Willis Thomas, Kimberly Drew and Edvin Thompson among others. One of the most influential artists in the world today, Mickalene Thomas’ innovative practice has yielded instantly recognizable and celebrated aesthetic languages within contemporary visual culture. She is known for her elaborate paintings composed of rhinestones, acrylic, and enamel. Her masterful mixed-media paintings, photographs, films and installations command space and dissect the complexities of Black and female identity within the Western canon.
Images courtesy of BFA / Photo: Shane Drummond
Hublot Big Bang Unico Magic City
Hublot revealed its new limited edition Big Bang Unico Magic City during Art Basel. The watch is made from microblasted and polished black ceramic. The movement is a self-winding chronograph flyback movement with column wheel. To celebrate the occasion, Hublot hosted a dinner which was attended by CEO Ricardo Guadalupe. The dinner was followed by an after-party at Queen Miami. Guests were dancing all night to free-flowing cocktails and champagne.
Maxim Magazine 5th Annual Art Week Celebration
MAXIM ignited the Miami Art Week scene and took center stage with an immersive event that merged the worlds of art and entertainment during a one-night-only extravaganza. Celebrating its final issue of 2023 and cover star Charly Arnolt on Saturday, December 9th at Hyde Beach at SLS South Beach, the poolside soiree was the ultimate destination for music and art enthusiasts, celebrities, and partygoers alike. A star-studded affair, featuring an electrifying soundtrack by renowned DJ James Hype and head turning guests including Rich The Kid, Tori Hughes, Skillibeng, Jay Critch, among others, attendees enveloped into a transformative world of light, movement and sound. The luxurious atmosphere featured a captivating light show, hanging art installations, awe-inspiring dance showcases, curated cocktails, and a pulsating ambiance exuding vibrant energy that kept the party going all night long.
Images courtesy of BFA
Alec Monopoly’s Urban Utopia Celebration
Eden Gallery Miami and Alec Monopoly had an electrifying evening where the serene beauty of nature collides with the vibrant pulse of the city. In this unique setting, ivy and graffiti dance together, creating a dynamic concrete jungle amidst EDEN’s tranquil paradise. Known for his boundary-pushing creativity and promotion of individual expression, Monopoly’s work frequently incorporates iconic characters like Uncle Pennybags and Richie Rich. He employs bold and innovative techniques to explore themes of opulence and extravagance.
Victoria Beckham x Vogue100 Luncheon
Victoria Beckham and Vogue100 celebrate Miami Art Week with an exclusive luncheon hosted by LPM Miami, the beloved restaurant known for its French-Riviera inspired cuisine and elegant atmosphere. Victoria and friends from the fashion, beauty, and art industries gathered for a buzzy cocktail hour before enjoying a multi-course lunch featuring LPM’s classic dishes. Among the guests in attendance were Antonela Roccuzzo, Elena Galera, Isabela Grutman, Nadia Ferreira, Anastasi Soare, Amber Ridinger, Loren Ridinger, Laure Heriard Dubreuil.
Images courtesy of Hippolyte Petit/BFA
Silvia Tcherassi x Mr. C Miami Pool Takeover
To inaugurate the limited-time pool takeover, Mr. C Miami – Coconut Grove and Silvia Tcherassi hosted an intimate cocktail hour flowing with bellini’s and light bites from the hotel’s iconic Italian restaurant, Bellini, celebrating the evening at the hotel’s rooftop pool overlooking the moonlit waters of Miami’s Biscayne Bay. Silvia Tcherassi showcased her signature style and prints at the sun-drenched rooftop pool at Mr. C Miami – Coconut Grove, outfitting the pool deck with monogrammed motifs from her latest Resort 2023 collection. Designed exclusively for Mr. C Miami – Coconut Grove and inspired by her travels to Capri this past summer, Miami-based fashion designer, Silvia Tcherassi, curated custom pool towels and lounge cushions that seamlessly blend the brand’s effortless elegance with Mr. C’s Italian coastal style, bringing a touch of Tscherassi to the heart of Coconut Grove.
Images courtesy of Jeff Thibodeau
HUGO x Bloody Osiris
HUGO put on a night to remember in partnership with Bloody Osiris, a friend of the brand and acclaimed celebrity stylist at the forefront of fashion. The event was hosted to preview a not-yet-released, striking sneaker: the HUGO GO-2. The celebrations kicked off with private cocktail event at Miami hotspot Swan restaurant and lounge – famously owned by hospitality mavens Pharrell Williams and David Grutman – in the bustling, creative heart of the city’s Design District. A$ap Ferg, Young Paris, Brandon Almengo, Jeremy Pope, Victor Cruz, Alton Mason, Jnr Choi, Ian Connor, Clermont twins, Trippie Red, Note Mercato, Kenny Rebel, Rich the Kid, Tank Sinatra, Reese Laflare, and more turned up to party with Bloody Osiris and HUGO.
Images courtesy of Hugo Boss
Alessandro Florio x Casa Faena
Gitano Miami Beach celebrated Art Week Miami 2023 in style with a stunning installation from Sicilian painter Alessandro Florio. Guests entered through the Casa Faena Lobby where they were greeted with a vibrant display of Florio’s work, and the artist himself conducting a live painting throughout the evening. After taking in the chic work, they made their way up to the Gitano Rooftop where they were able to enjoy cocktails on the glamorous rooftop and a live DJ performance from iconic band Hercules and Love Affair as a kickoff to Thursday of Art Week.
Images courtesy of Purple PR
