Enter: Art Basel, more than just an art fair. Every year, thousands of celebrities, artists and socialites from all around the world travel to Miami in the week after Thanksgiving not only to celebrate art but also to party, network, mix and mingle, make business deals and enjoy the beautiful weather in South Florida. It usually is the last true event in a billionaire’s annual calendar before the New Year’s parties. Major international brands use Art Basel as an opportunity to present themselves to the world on a global stage. There are many ways to experience Art Basel: from visiting the exhibition and immersing yourself in even more art by visiting the numerous off-site galleries to networking and partying on yachts and mega mansions. Global Glam has spent the last week in Miami to give you access to the ultimate VIP parties so you don’t miss out on them.
Monday
Saatchi Yates Gallery Champagne Tea Party
The day before Art Basel opened its doors to VIP clientele started with a champagne tea party by London-based gallery Saatchi Yates which opened a month-long pop-up gallery in the heart of the Design District. The gallery presented the works of Ethiopian-born artist Tesfaye Urgessa. We enjoyed a glass champagne and a slice of cake in the beautiful front yard of the gallery. We definitely hope that Saatchi Yates decides to establish a gallery at this location for the longer term.
Istituto Marangoni VIP Fashion Show And With Love Halston Contest
Istituto Marangoni Miami hosted a Studio 54 inspired fashion event attended by over 700 guests, celebrities and fashion industry leaders. A centerpiece of the high-energy fete was the announcement of the With Love Halston student scholarship contest winner. Special guests included Halston’s Niece and Founder of With Love Halston, Lesley Frowick, Halston Creative Director, Ken Downing and Istituto Marangoni Miami CEO, Hakan Bakyam. The winner of the With Love Halston student design contest was Ryan Anthony Hamilton who created a Halston inspired jumpsuit with splatter paint design.
Bob Zangrillo x Zero-G Mansion Party
In collaboration with Zero-G, Bob Zangrillo, the Chairman and CEO of Dragon Global hosted a memorable party at his Miami mansion on the Venetian Islands. From hedge fund managers, to supermodels, to tennis players and entrepreneurs, the crowd was dancing all night long while enjoying champagne and cocktails on the pool terrace with beautiful views over Hibiscus and Star Island.
Tuesday
Porsche Breakfast
Outside the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), Porsche hosted a VIP breakfast to present an immersive installation, ‘Dream Big,’ by Scottish artist Chris Labrooy. The initiative illuminates the topic of dreams with temporary works of art in major cultural centers. Labrooy’s sculpture (a white Porsche 911 Carrera in the hand of a larger-than-life figure with a racing driver’s helmet) addresses the child in every one of us and challenges beholders to dream big. It forms a physical anchor point to a project by Porsche in the virtual world that will be presented in the near future. Guests were able to enjoy coffee, pastries and bespoke cocktails while examining the sculpture in detail.
La Prairie Cobalt Club
Back to the Venetian Islands. This time at The Standard hotel. La Prairie celebrated 40 years of the brand’s bond with the late artist Niki de Saint Phalle and her favorite color Cobalt Blue, “the color of joy and luck.” Guests were treated to champagne, caviar and hors d’oeuvre. At the same time, there was much more to explore. Hand and arm massages showcased La Prairie’s latest product offerings. Bespoke manicures were available to attendees so they didn’t have to worry about looking great for the rest of the night. Tarot card readers were on site to read what the future holds for you. It was one of the few times where guests could actually slow down, re-charge their batteries and enjoy the spa and Miami’s beautiful weather in a perfect setting.
The Ritz-Carlton’s ‘A Concert of The Seven Decades & Beyond’
How can you stand out from other events hosted at Art Basel? How about a black tie concert at the iconic Ritz Carlton?! As a continuation of the hotel’s Art For Good program, the resort partnered with Miami Symphony Orchestra, Miami City Ballet, MONAD Studio, and FL Fuoriserie to celebrate the 70 years since the Morris Lapidus landmark was erected on South Beach and all the history, art, and culture that flourished in those seven decades.
The evening began with a red carpet and crisp sparkling wine from FL Fuoriserie as guests arrived. After a champagne toast with Fabio Lamborghini and sparkling wine flowing from a champagne tower, dancers from the Miami City Ballet performed a contemporary routine amongst the guests in an immersive performance. Attendees then transitioned to the grand concert space in the hotel’s ballroom where the world-renowned Miami Symphony Orchestra performed a specially curated collection of locally significant music as a moving musical tribute to the last seven decades of Miami’s one-of-a-kind history, art, and culture using MONAD Studio 3-D printed sonic sculptures. Among the celebrities in attendance were Miami Beach mayor Dan Gelber, Eric Goldenberg, DJ Irie, Maestro Eduardo Marture, Fabio Lamborghini and many more.
Giorgio Armani LOVE
The evening finished off with a party at the Giorgio Armani store in Miami’s Design District. Giorgio Armani LOVE is an exciting new project combining fashion, art and technology. To mark the occasion, Giorgio Armani debuted an exclusive collection with a gender-fluid aesthetic, which plays with street-style elements and soft, casual lines, while retaining the brand’s signature sophistication. The LOVE project also includes new work by Italian artist Marcantonio, who explores the theme of love through nature.
Wednesday
Ruinart x Jeppe Hein
What could be better than kicking off a Wednesday afternoon with unlimited, free-flowing champagne? The Miami Beach EDITION hosted Ruinart and artist Jeppe Hein at the lobby bar for a signing for his book Right Here Right Now that highlighted his latest work. As part of the Carte Blanche program, Jeppe Hein imagined an artistic installation that translated his sensorial journey at Maison Ruinart in Champagne. To renew the experience of nature and bring it into our daily life, Jeppe Hein uses “fragments of matter and emotion” that awaken our senses and connect us to ourselves and the world. Right Here, Right Now is a participatory installation that summons the four elements – earth/soil, water/rain, air/wind and fire/sun – essential to champagne making. To make this experience accessible to all, Ruinart imagined a digital extension to it. Among the many guests were Fabien Vallerian (Ruinart’s Director of Arts and Culture) as well as Olivier Livoir (Head of Hospitality).
Palmer x Etro
While we certainly did a fair bit of walking and driving in between events, the Palmer x Etro party was conveniently located at the lobby bar of the EDITION as well. The hotel just knows how to host a great event! Palmer editorial director Stefano Tonchi and Etro CEO of the Americas Marco Felci welcomed guests for a cocktail event to celebrate Miami Art Week’s 20th anniversary and Palmer Volume 2.
Lamborghini x Roger Dubuis
Roger Dubuis unveiled a new Lamborghini-inspired Excalibur Spider Huracán Serrato and to celebrate the occasion guests were invited to the beach club at Miami Beach’s 1 Hotel. The watch was as much of a focus for guests as taking pictures in front of the two Huracán Serratos that Lamborghini sponsored for the event.
Images courtesy of Lamborghini
Thursday
Rhude x Lamborghini
Another day, another Lamborghini event – again to celebrate the Huracán Serrato. Los Angeles-based fashion label Rhude recently launched a capsule collection in collaboration with Lamborghini. Stephan Winkelmann, Chairman and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini along with Rhude’s Founder and Creative Director, Rhuigi Villaseñor, joined VIPs and tastemakers for an evening to celebrate the launch. Among the many celebrities in attendance were Rajon Rondo, James Goldstein and Jerome Boateng
Images courtesy of Lamborghini
Hublot Loves Football
Given the soccer world cup is going on at the moment, it is no surprise that its official timekeeper, Hublot, decided to join the Art Basel frenzy as well. CEO Ricardo Guadalupe welcomed the likes of Kendrick Sampson, Tyreek Hill and Dustin Johnson to the W Hotel where guests celebrated “Hublot Loves Football.” 15 soccer balls reimagined by Mira Mikati were the centerpiece of the exhibition. Guests also enjoyed oysters and seafood for dinner and bottomless champagne while hitting the dancefloor late into the night.
Madonna x YSL
When the Queen of Pop calls, everyone answers the call. Zoë Kravitz, Laura Harrier and Hailey Bieber were just a few of the notable guests who made it to the beach between 16th and 17th Street to celebrate Steve Miesel’s iconic 1992 photography book “Sex,” featuring numerous photographs of Madonna. After we arrived, we were driven to a secret location on the beach in golf carts. The space had a unique vibe, something of a blend between nightclub and candlelight atmosphere. Madonna herself made it to the dancefloor and was clearly enjoying herself – as much as her guests did.
Friday
NYLON House
It was one of the most anticipated events of the week. Even before the party officially begun, a line longer than an entire block had formed to get in. NYLON House celebrated Art Week with an evening dedicated to music, art, culture, and beauty for the second consecutive year. Hosted in partnership with globally renowned innovator, David Grutman of Groot Hospitality, and BMW, the event was held at Strawberry Moon at the goodtime hotel. Plenty of mind-blowing activations from BMW, Samsung, e.l.f. Cosmetics, Soulboost, Calzedonia, and Keys Soulcare entertained the guests. Among the celebrities we spotted were Paul Pogba, Blaise Matuidi, Victor Cruz, Floyd Mayweather, Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian and Serena Williams. This was truly a party worth remembering!
Alexander Wang
Fashion designer Alexander Wang opened a temporary pop-up store in the heart of Miami’s Design District. If you would like to check out the store, it is now open until the end of January. To celebrate the occasion, Wang invited guests to the restaurant Raspoutine. Just like the color of his pop-up store, the theme was bright red. As with other Wang parties we attended in the past, eccentric outfits dominated the scene. Attendees were treated to cocktails and the DJ had the crowd dancing until the early morning hours.
Saturday
Alec Monopoly x Eden Gallery
No Art Basel would be complete without an event by famous artist Alec Monopoly. Together with Jake Paul and David Einhorn, he took over Eden Gallery for an exclusive party. Champagne was flowing, guests were dancing and everyone was watching Monopoly signing signature pieces. Among the items were pieces from the skateboard series. Long after him and Einhorn had raced away in their Monopoly-inspired Rolls-Royce, guests were still dancing and celebrating the close of what has been another memorable Art Basel.
