Art in all its forms has been the theme of the week. Whether film, sculpture, light installation, music or fashion, art is art and finding that piece that makes you say "oh wow," is pretty cool. We have come across a relatively new fashion designer that is worth mentioning because, well, we thought "oh wow." Barbara à Gongini turns her inspirations into art and functional fashion pieces. The Danish designer has gone avant-garde with black wedding dresses and knits that seem so simple yet brilliant. Like a bug attracted to the light, it is hard to look away from the collection.
Barbara is fascinated with graphic forms and primitive silhouettes, but she is forward thinking. The nouveau designer uses eco-friendly jersey and has a strong belief in helping the environment through sustainable products. Barbara is not in the business of mass production but rather a high level of quality and innovation. She divides her collection into two extreme pointsof view. I-rEguLar is the inventive side, where Barbara plays around with sundry themes of art and design. REguLar is the more basic side of I-rEguLar, both ahering to Barbara’s personal expression on form.
Her take on fashion, and life is elitist, bold, daring and eloquent. Barbara à Gongini should make no apologies but rather continue to design because this is what high society is all about. Stylists, keep Barbara i Gongini’s line in mind for the next Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. If you are unclear as to what the Gala at the MET is then we don’t know who you are, but you’re probably nobody. The Costume Institute Gala is only the most elite fashion gathering, in New York City, of A-list celebrities and designers on the globe. Celebrities wear avant-garde and futuristic fashions ever pushing the artistic envelope and we respect it all. Barbara i Gongini is looking to expand her collection into high end bags, jewelry and shoes, you go girl! […]
Art Basel Miami Beach kicks off this Thursday, December 4th but in a fitting fashion, there is, of course the pre-pre-openings, pre-parties, and pre-events. Last night was Tuesday, December 2nd and the unofficial beginning of Art Basel this year. It was also the coldest night in Miami yet, it wasn’t pleasant. Aside from the weather, all in all it was a fantastic kick-off.
We first were driven downtown to the Galerie Bertin-Toublanc, 2534 North Miami Avenue. The Parisian gallery has come to light in Miami triumphantly. The Galeri Bertin-Toublanc was a perfect first glimpse into Art Basel, classy, hip and sophisticated. Moneyed suits and fashionable woman wandered throughout the gallery rooms sipping on Champagne. There were photographers and film crew to capture the contemporary scene. Artists from around the world were in attendance to show off their avant-garde works. Plus, newcomer, Miami scene-local Alexis Mincolla debuted a few intriguing pieces. Our presence was felt and we slipped out quietly to move on.
Our driver took us a few minutes away to the next gallery, Our House West of Wynwood. O.H.W.O.W had an expansive collections of artists, musicians and weirdos brought by gallery owners Aaron Bondaroff and Al Moran. What the gallery calls "It Aint’s Fair," will feature Deitch Projects, peres Projects, Nueva Galeria De La Barra, A.S.S Gallery, AMP, Picturebox and TV Books curators Tim Barber, Kathy Grayson, Terence Koh, Andreas Melas and others this week. "It Ain’t Fair" had a very downtown New York vibe with a special musical performance by A.R.E Weapons. Open bar was stocked by Campari and Grolsch and although it was a wood table in the middle of a parking lot outside of the gallery, it was entertaining. In fact, it was a totally different seen than the first gallery, O.H.W.O.W was ultra-layed back, featuring art for arts sake. Waiting on the bathroom line for 30 minutes, wet paint and graffitied walls brought us back to our keg stand, college frat partying days. With that we left downtown to head back to Miami Beach.
We went straight for the Florida Room which is the best Tuesday night pre-party, the Big Bounce was performing and sensational. The DJ started spinning at midnight and it was Miami Beach with Art Basel energy, pretty fantastic. Around 1 a.m we headed to Mokai as is our usual Tuesday night tradition. The music was blase but the real problem was that the door guy let the whole world in. Mokai was sweaty, way overcrowded to the point of nausea and smelled funny in a bad way. We stuck around for a few horrible minutes and then peaced to Bella Rose. The little rock bar that could was taken over by bohemian New Yorkers and the lower East side came back to us. Around 3 a.m little Mary-Kate Olsen walked in with boyfriend and bodyguard in tote. She was wearing what looked like crocs or flat clogs so she was three heads shorter than anyone in the bar. She had on an oversized, black monstrosity and a huge black hat with a white feather pulled down over her face. We know she is all about being fashion forward but that was tragic, you wouldn’t have been able to pick her out on a street of bums. She was very sweet ,though, and we spoke about her new fashion book "Influence" with twin sister Ashley. The book would look great on a coffee table and for the fashion darlings out there, it is a must buy. Bella Rose began to die down around 5 a.m, we could believe how another night had just flown by. Most of us went home to bed to get prepared for Art Basel day 2. Â
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Shaken not stirred, drop-dead gorgeous women and, of course, Aston Martins are just a few of our favorite James Bond things. Bond and Martin have been kindred spirits since Goldfinger hit the big screen. They are both British, good looking and have a high performance classification. Â
Following tradition, James Bond should get the newest Aston Martin next go around. We did say new, Aston Martin has a new luxury supercar in the works and she is called One-77. This will be the first all-new sports car from Aston Martin since the brand was sold away by Ford, and will fittingly become Aston Martin’s new flagship line. The One-77 will retail for $1.5 million, plus, but unless you pre-ordered you’re not getting one. The Aston Martin One-77 is a special edition limited run, and only 77 units will be made. Rumor has it that Aston Martin has already sold out, the brand received at least 100 pre-orders so they are gone ya’ll.
This is what you won’t be sitting behind, a 7.3 liter V12 engine, 700 horsepower knockout. The Aston Martin One-77 will feature signature rear mounted six-speed auto manual transition, an active aerodynamic system, hand crafted aluminum body panels, and a carbon fiber body. The body design will guarantee as low of a curb weight as possible and the car will be available in both right and left hand drive. Righty or lefty will do zero to 60 in 3.5 seconds and exceed the speed limit at 200 plus miles per hour. Wait there’s more, the moneyed 77 will each go through an exclusive and extensive customization program with Aston Martin. This means that each owner will get to pick out every detail on their new luxury One-77. Thus, each owner will have a truly one-of-a-kind Aston Martin, in short, there will be no duplicates. All interior trim facets will be singular from the gearbox down to the custom fit driver seat. The driver seat will be one hundred percent tailored to the owner’s body, the One-77 will fit you like a really au courant glove. Furthermore, keeping obnoxious people out of "your" driver’s seat. You’re most likely not a 007 agent but if you were quick on the up-take and managed to finagle an Aston Martin One-77, then go ahead and pretend to be whatever you want. You just afforded yourself space to do whatever you want because you have a really sick car!
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This week some 50,000 plus people will show up for the sixth annual Art Basel event in Miami. If you’re not sure which hotels to frequent, parties to hit up or people to see, let us guide you towards your scene.
For the next-generation art amassers and John Currins of the world, hole-up downtown at the Four Seasons Hotel. You will be in good art collecting company with the likes of Jerry Speyer, Asher Edelman, Michael Lynne, Eli Broad, Beth Rudin De Woody, Steve Cohen, and Peter Brant. Go to the New Art Dealers Alliance fair, which opens this Friday through the weekend. The NADA fair will have stellar exhibits from hot young galleries like New York’s Rivington Arms and Daniel Reich. The fair will host a mega-benefit for the New Museum on New York’s Bowery, which will include a performance by San Fran- rockers Deerhoof. Art collector’s should be seen at the after-party for the private screening of the Lou Reed film Berlin, directed by Julian Schnabel.
The actual artists will headquarter at the Raleigh Hotel which is party central. Don’t look shocked if you see epic names of the art world like Damien Hirst, David LaChapelle, Jack Pierson, Aaron Young, Kehinde Wiley, Terence Koh, and Doug Aitken partying impromtu throughout the hotel. Paper Magazine is hosting the party at Raleigh Oasis on Decemeber 4th and the next night, Deitch Projects will kick off at the Raleigh with a concert by CoCo Rosie. The same night D.J Spooky will perform during the Rubell Family Collection dinner which commences the SCOPE fair film and lecture series. SCOPE celebrates the as-yet-uncelebrated and provocative artists, the fair has discounted exhibition space for new galleries in its ‘Breeders’ section. On December 6th, the Raleigh will hold the book launch party for Bob Colacello’s OUT. Then on the 7th,Tamara Mellon will host a dinner at the Raleigh Ballroom to toast the limited edition handbags designed by Jimmy Choo and artist Richard Phillips.
If you’re more into star gazing then gazing at art then join celebrities at the Setai Hotel, up the street from the Raleigh. Rumored to be in Miami this week is Dennis Hopper, David Byrne, Steve Martin, Lou Reed, maybe Keanu Reeves and Russell Simmons. We bumped into Russell Simmons and girlfriend/ model Porschia Coleman last Wednesday at Nobu. Russell told us he loves the Setai and is staying in town for his December 8th soiree with Allison Weiss Brady at Intermix. The party benefits Simmons’ charity Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation. A tip to the paparazzi, be at the Sotheby’s dinner made by French chef Pierre Gagnaire which will honor contemporary Asian art. Celebrities will also hide away in Lenny Kravitz’s underground, speakeasy the Florida Room in the Delano Hotel.
The Fashionistas will takeover the Ritz-Carlton. Fashion people like Donna Karan, Laudomia Pucci, Vivienne Tam, Kenzo, Calvin Klein, Nadia Swarovski, and Tamara Mellon should be seen at the Cartier crystal Dome. The Cartier Dôme features the brand’s most celebrated jewelry collection and rarest time pieces. Sip champagne and gawk at the gems from Wednesday to Sunday, 2-8pm and Thursday, 2-4pm. Spot fashion people frequenting Prime One Twelve, South of Fifth Street and Blade restaurant in the Fontainebleau Hotel.
Members of the suits like UBS’s Karl Schweizer; Citicorp’s Mary Hoeveler; execs of Campari, Cartier, and BMW will be working over the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on Biscayne. Look for these high profile people at the UBS banquet where there will be tons of free food and drinks ya’ll. You will be able to pick the suits out by the looks on their sad little facing saying, "can I afford this art and will I even be able to afford food next year?"
As for the locals, this is your domain so spread out and suck it in. Over 200 galleries will be here personifying the biggest names in contemporary art. The Art Positions section will features 20 art projects exhibited in shipping containers on the beach at Collins Park. Do not miss the Cartier Art Guest Lounge and Dome, designed by architecht Jean Nouvel. Definitely don’t miss the Visionaire SOUND lounge at the Raleigh Hotel Thursday night, it will be one of the biggest parties of the week. You will be able to listen to audio works done by David Byrne, Robert Wilson, Cat Power, Cindy Sherman, U2, and Courtney Love. If your head is spinning that sucks, but get it together because there is much more than this going on. Like we said it’s an epic week in Miami so we will say it again, get it together and get out there, explore the wonderment of Art Basel. Oh and drink up, liquor companies sponsor most events and it’s on the house.Â
Expensive handbags are essential, especially if they are Hermes. The preeminent art business and fine arts auction house Christie’s proves that handbags can be an investment worth making. On December 9th during the Jewels sale, Christie’s will auction off 23 Hermes handbags at their South Kensington, London house. Included in the lot is the Hermes Mini Kelly bag in forest green and the Sac Malette bag in brown which once belonged to Charlie Chaplin’s wife. Plus, the recherche Haut a Courroies bag which was designed by Hermes circa 1900 and became a sought-after travel bag. There are only five Haut a Courroies, large crocodile bags made per year. The one in the Christie’s auction is estimated to go for $19,000-22,850.
During the interiors sale in New York on December 18th and 19th, Christie’s will also be auctioning off a bright orange Hermes Kelly bag. The estimated auction price for the Kelly bag is $4,000-$6,000. Hermes bags like the Kelly Bag have been made popular by high-profile clientele who carried them around like Princess Grace Kelly. The Constance shoulder bag with a double strap and large H clasp was a Jacqueline Bouvier Onassis favorite. Today, the Kelly and Constance bag are still in such high demand that there is about a one year waiting list just to get one.Â
The other famous Hermes bag worth mentioning is the Birkin Bag which was named for actress Jane Birkin. The bag is still one of the most sought-after luxury items by Hermes and you could be on a waiting list for up to six years before you get yours, based on the type of leather requested. The Birkin Bag typically sells for around $6,000 but ranges up to $10,000 easily, sometimes reaching into the six digit realm. Yes, $100,000 for a Birkin but imagine how that might auction off at Christie’s someday. Hermes bags haven’t gone out of style in the last century so we are pretty sure the classic fashion will be fashionable for a few more decades, at least. Check out Hermes scarves too, they are probably more popular than the bags.
The luxury market has become a hunting ground for the bargain savvy. Thanks to really bad financial times which the whole world seems to finally be feeling, luxury prices are dropping. From the cost of prime real estate, to new Aston Martins and even fine wine, has gone way down. The Liv-Ex 100 lists the prices of the top 100 most coveted luxury wines and since last October there has been a 12.4% drop. Bad news for the wineries but if you’re looking to fill your wine cellar with some luxe bottles of Dom. Romane Conti 1997, $1,540, Petrus Pomerol 1998, $1,459, or Chteau Le Pin Pomerol 1999, $908 now would be a good time. The wine market is a buyers market so let your collection begin. […]
Formula one mogul Flavio Briatore has linked up with designer Angelo Galasso to launch a luxurious clothing line for men. The pair aren’t playing around. The exclusive brand is called Billionaire Couture and apparently it’s exclusively for billionaires. One line item worth mentioning would be their black, water resistant crocodile umbrella. Why mention an umbrella? Because it’s the world’s most expensive umbrella at $50,000. The umbrella is available by special order from the Billionaire Couture flagship boutique on Sloane Street, London. We figure London is as fitting a place as any to buy a $50,000 umbrella, at least it will get good use. Check out the rest of the Billionaire Couture line, that is, if you can afford it.
Thanksgiving is a day of thanks and giving and Kim Karashian actually seems be doing both. The reality-tv buxom beauty, ex- Paris Hilton bff, Playboy girl and step sister of Brody Jenner, is auctioning off her stuff on eBay for charity.
Her charity of choice is the Dream foundation, which is an organization that grants wishes to terminally-ill adults, very similar to the Make A Wish Foundation for children. Kim volunteers for the organization and a portion of all her eBay proceeds will go to the charity.
Kim will be auctioning off her designer clothes, shoes, bags and even a Range Rover, Mercedes, and Maserati from her car collection. Plus, Kim’s convinced her two sisters Kourtney and Kloe, along with boyfriend Reggie Bush to auction off their belongings too. Kim Kardashian’s charity auctions are running on eBay now and will be up through Decemeber 3rd. So if you have a Kardashian obsession, want something pricey at discount or just like giving back too, go to eBay right now and bid. No matter how small the feat, every little piece helps so thank you Kim. It is kind of cool to see the famous and rich doing their part and giving back. Happy Thanksgiving ya’ll and Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year so help our economy out and go spend money!
 Classic jeweler Harry Winston, has finally joined the 21st century with an online salon. Next time you’re in the mood for something Harry Winston you can buy it on the World Wide Web. The Harry Winston online salon features a very small collection of diamond rings, earring, bracelets, necklaces, pendants, timepieces and cufflinks. The Harry Winston website gives a full on education about a diamond’s cut, carat, clarity and color. Harry Winston, as always, adheres to the highest diamond standards. Plus, read blurbs about some seriously legendary stones and the generations of starlets and royalty who have worn them. Queen Elizabeth, Princess Diana, Madonna, Scarlett Johansson, and most recently, Blake Lively, are just a few who have sparkled in Harry Winston.
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The most expensive necklace offered online is the Harry Winston 25.8 carat, platinum set necklace from the Sunflower collection. The center stone of each little flower is encircled by eight round brilliant diamonds and is, now, a mouse-click away for $135,000. The Sunflower pendant, which is just one flower on a 16 inch platinum chain is less glam but, still, gorgeous and $16,000. The necklace and pendant together would be a cute set, think necklace by night and pendant by day, or necklace for wife and pendant for daughter. With the holidays looming close, more gift ideas don’t hurt and you can never go wrong with Harry Winston. Whatever you decide, the point is that Harry Winston just got a whole heck of a lot more accessible.
Thanksgiving is this Thursday and will kick off a full-fledged luxurious holiday season. For those Americans who have forgotten, Thanksgiving is meant for giving thanks and being grateful. Thanksgiving should not be a prodigal holiday of gluttonous proportions but the world isn’t perfect yet, so this year change it up. Like President-elect Barack Obama says, "yes we can!" This Thanksgiving can still be lavish and chic but by taking action to change a few things, your gratitude will be tangible. Host a "green" Thanksgiving holiday and you can feel good about helping your country rather than helping destroy it.
First things, first, go local! If you don’t know what this means, no offense, but that’s really pathetic. Find locally grown foods and find out what foods are in season around you. Locally grown is fresher and healthier sans the preservation checimcals for transport. If you live in the south use fresh pecans or peaches for pie and make more sweet potatoes. If you’re in the northeast use more seasonal vegetables like beets, broccoli and Brussels sprouts and local apples. When it comes to the Turkey, look for the words organic, free-range and locally grown. Organic, free-range, local Turkey’s have not been caged in horrendous, maggot infested conditions. If you don’t give a crap about PETA then thats your prerogative but think of your family’s health at least. That regular stuffed Turkey on your table was, just a few days before, rolling around in it’s own feces while being injected with cancer-causing hormones, mmm eat up!
Next forego plastic and paper to reduce excess waste. Yes, it means more dishes but you can break out the good china, flaunt the expensive stuff. If you don’t have fancy china then get some. Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus department stores have gorgeous chinaware collections. You might have more to wash but you have a dishwasher so pack it full and run it as little as possible. Plus, most of you have chefs, maids and or catering companies doing the dirty work.
Go green with your drinks and buy locally fermented booze. If you can’t get locally made wine or beer, then the next best thing is to buy organic alcohol. Limit the bottled water and use tap water. No, tap water won’t kill you and it looks more elegant in a glass pitcher with fresh fruit.
Then be really thankful and in exchange for the air you breathe every second of everyday, go out back and plant a tree or two. The winter season is one of the best times to plant trees or shrubs, it’s an activity the kids will love, a good lesson to teach and you can feel better about helping to reduce your carbon footprint. Face it, pollution will continue unless we all play part and do our part. It’s not about preaching, just don’t be stupid this Thanksgiving, do the next right thing and make it greener.
Her take on fashion, and life is elitist, bold, daring and eloquent. Barbara à Gongini should make no apologies but rather continue to design because this is what high society is all about. Stylists, keep Barbara i Gongini’s line in mind for the next Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. If you are unclear as to what the Gala at the MET is then we don’t know who you are, but you’re probably nobody. The Costume Institute Gala is only the most elite fashion gathering, in New York City, of A-list celebrities and designers on the globe. Celebrities wear avant-garde and futuristic fashions ever pushing the artistic envelope and we respect it all. Barbara i Gongini is looking to expand her collection into high end bags, jewelry and shoes, you go girl! 
This week some 50,000 plus people will show up for the sixth annual Art Basel event in Miami. If you’re not sure which hotels to frequent, parties to hit up or people to see, let us guide you towards your scene. 
