Over 300 of Miami society’s finest ladies who lunch attended Vizcaya Museum and Garden’s 8^th Annual Preservation Luncheon, the ultimate lunch, to raise funds for ongoing conservation of Villa Vizcaya, the historic architectural treasure and its surrounding gardens. The event is known informally as the ‘hat luncheon’ because all who attend absolutely must wear spectacular hats or fascinators.

It’s more fashion extravaganza than luncheon. No, dear readers, not because there’s a formal fashion show, but because of the ladies who attend. Miami society women are not playing when it comes to the thought put into what they wear, especially at this luncheon. This is serious stuff. One outfit is more gorgeous than the next and there’s genuine delight when you spot an over-the-top hat!

We saw many more fresh flowers, headbands and amazingly sculptural creations in brilliant colors with the requisite haute designer bag to match. According to my informal poll, many of the most unique hats were purchased at Shapoh.com, the online hat company founded by Miamian, Suzy Buckley Woodward. The idea came when she couldn’t find a fashionable-enough headpiece to wear to Vizcaya and the Kentucky Derby a few years ago. Suzy searches for designers from all over the world — from England, Ireland, Germany and even Thailand — and most of the pieces are one of a kind. She also keeps track of who bought which hat and for what event so there are no awkward fashion moments!

The luncheon always begins with beaucoup bubbly during a cocktail reception in one of the immaculately-landscaped areas of the estate. They keep us guessing, changing the location every year. Elegant models glided through the crowd, wearing the latest styles from fashion sponsor Neiman Marcus. The day’s festivities also included a silent auction featuring luxury items.

This al fresco luncheon is one of my faves because no other location can capture the natural beauty of this European-style villa on Biscayne Bay. It takes you back in time to what it must have been to be a special guest of James Deering, the dashing, multi-millionaire industrialist who built Vizcaya in the early 1900s, specifically for entertaining his VIP guests from around the world. Sigh! Catering was by Thierry Isambert Culinary and Event Design with a delightful menu that included chilled watermelon gazpacho, local corvina en papillote and chocolate hazelnut mousse. Deering Wine provided Grenache Blanc during the meal.

The hat contest, which was gone for a couple of years, was brought back to the delight of the attendees. The very fashionable judges were Lesli Ann Brown, fashion illustrator and former director at W, Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar; Elysze Held, stylist, Style Out of the City; and Tara Solomon, founder, co-principal of TARA, Ink. Public Relations and Events. The judges selected three winners: Dana Shear for Best Hat; Marile Lopez for Most Elegant Ensemble, wearing an Ivonne de la Vega dress and floral crown by Maria Elena Headpieces; and Alexa Wolman for Most Avant Garde Look.

The 8^th Annual Vizcaya Preservation Luncheon’s Honorary Chair was Swanee DiMare, Co-Chairs were Eilah Campbell-Beavers, Sonia Gibson, Linda Levy Goldberg, Barbara Hevia, Daysi Johansson, Nicole Lozano, Christy Martin and Laura C. Munilla. Committee members were Lesli Ann Brown, Suzy Buckley Woodward, Ana Hernandez, Carol Iacovelli, Marile Lopez, Bronwyn Miller, Marisa Toccin and Alexa Wolman. 

For more information visit www.vizcaya.org

PHOTOS: Olga Miljko OlgaMiljko.com

It’s known as one of the most prestigious events of the Miami society season and this year did not disappoint! A group of socially prominent women volunteers started this annual ball in 1982 and their tradition continues today with a committee of leaders who work tirelessly to support and deliver the American Red Cross mission. This year’s ball was chaired by Linda Levy Goldberg and Sid Goldberg and held at the beautiful Ritz Carlton on Key Biscayne. Over 325 of Miami’s elite and from the worlds of society, business and the arts, attended to support the fundraising event focused on building awareness to help the South Florida community prevent and prepare for disaster.

What adds to the glam factor at this ball is that most of the ladies who attend, dress in red. It’s a tradition that’s fabulous, especially with so many galas awash in a sea of black gowns. The entertainment included an impressive color guard by the JROTC from G. Holmes Braddock Senior High School and the national anthem sung by renowned mezzo-soprano Amanda Crider. Many special items were featured in the silent auction, such as a painting valued at $16,000, donated by Argentine artist Alejandro Vigilante (who flew back from Venice, Italy to attend the ball); a $4500 trip to Alaska on Celebrity and an exquisite pearl and diamond necklace worth $5,700 from Yvel.

The bar was sponsored by Bacardi USA and Dobel Tequila, the prosecco by the Dall’Armellina vineyards. Petal Productions created a magical ambiance in the ballroom with table centerpieces made of tall sprays of fresh cherry blossoms surrounded by red roses and white votive candles. The Steve Chase Band kept everyone dancing late into the night, then DJ Coco kicked in for the after party.

About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. The fire preparedness program is trying to cut down deaths by fire by 25% by teaching simple things for people to learn fire prevention and installing smoke alarms in under-served neighborhoods.

For more information, please visit redcross.org/southflorida or cruzrojaamericana.org or on Twitter at @SFLRedCross 

PHOTOS: ZOLTAN PREPSZENT

The kickoff cocktail for the upcoming APRIL 29 Miracle Makers Luncheon was hosted by the Women’s Committee of Big Brothers Big Sisters at the Coral Gables atelier of couturier Mayda Cisneros, who will be presenting a full runway show the day of the luncheon. Not to be missed! Her latest collection is to die for. There was plenty of shopping going on during the cocktail and 10% of proceeds were donated to the organization. The Miracle Makers tradition is to honor philanthropists who give so much to our community during this lively, highly-attended luncheon where the honorees also have to walk the runway when they accept their award!

This year’s honorees are Stephanie and Toby Ansin, Steve Arch, Natalie Beasley, Eilah Beavers, James Ferraro, Carol Iacovelli, Laura Munilla, Penny Stamps, Vivian Williams and Power Couple, Jon and Nancy Batchelor. The event also features a VIP cocktail reception, a silent auction and gourmet menu. Co-Chairs for the luncheon are Alexis Calleja, Irene Korge, Bronwyn Miller and Migna Sanchez-Llorens.

MIRACLE MAKERS LUNCHEON 2016

Friday, April 29, 2016 — 11:00 AM

The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne

455 Grand Bay Drive, Key Biscayne

Tickets start at $200 per person. Tables of ten are available starting at $2,000.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please contact contact Marisol Garcia at 305-644-7060 OR  rsvp@bbbsmiami.org

PHOTOS: The Daisy Column

The moment Miami’s art-savvy supporters received the Bass Museum of Art’s The Bass Ball invitation calling for Whimsical Black Tie attire, it no doubt, created a collective flashback to December 1972 — a definitive night in international high society when Baron Guy and Baroness Marie-Hélène de Rothschild held the famous Surrealist Ball at their Château de Ferrières outside Paris. The select guest list included Audrey Hepburn, Salvador Dali, assorted royals and aristos, all of whom went to great lengths to wear outlandishly creative, Surrealist costumes as dictated by the grand hostess.

Likewise, The Bass Ball has set a precedent in Miami society — I’m calling it our own version of New York’s MET Ball — with many guests in over-the-top ensembles. But more on my Best-Dressed at the Bass Ball later in this post.

Over 350 patrons attended the $1000 a ticket, black tie dinner and the ‘keep The Ball rolling’ after party. The unique decor and exquisite menu by Le Basque Catering — helmed by the divine Alejandro Muguerza — was inspired by South African artist Athi-Patra Ruga, who premiered a new work at the gala, in which dancers covered in multi-colored balloons portrayed a new humanity. In 2015, Louis Vuitton commissioned the artist to create a huge tapestry that was displayed in the windows of its Champs-Élysées flagship store in Paris.

The performance piece inspired the décor, starting in the dinner tent with an illuminated wall glowing with hot pink, orange and red lanterns. Guests were seated at long royal tables with tablescapes of glass globes, bud vases and hot pink and orange garden blossoms surrounded by candles. A truly magical ambience. Colorful cuisine that matched the décor, was accompanied by wines by Chateau D’ESCLANS, with the first course being an orange, pink and green beetroot salad. Then a Concord grape-glazed, slow braised short rib over a sweet potato purée and grilled hearts of baby Bok Choy. The sweet finish was an apricot butter cream Pavlova with roasted apricots and berries. To. Die.

Three major gifts announced that night totaling over $2 million will go to the museum’s endowment. Ambassador Paul and Trudy Cejas donated $1 million as did Bass Museum Board President George Lindemann. Silvia Karman Cubiñá, Executive Director and Chief Curator, also revealed that an anonymous donor made an additional gift of an undisclosed amount.

A large part of what made this night so enchanting was the enthusiastic crowd who went to new heights to wear some of the most creative costumes I’ve seen, so I had to find out the inspiration, process and effort behind each of The Daisy Column’s “Best-Dressed At The Bass Ball” winners.

BEST DRESSED AT THE BASS BALL:

INÉS RIVERO: Supermodel Inés (from Argentina) who is one of the most down-to earth girls you’ll ever meet, wore a show-stopper gown by pal Naeem Khan, who was also at the ball. The headpiece was made by Paloma Teppa, Argentine artist and industrial designer, founder of Plant the Future. Inés found the white peacock feathers and gave Teppa carte blanche. She included real air plants and tiny, gilded antlers a la Marie-Hélène de Rothschild.

MARIA BEGUIRISTAIN: Maria’s favorite Surrealist painter, Magritte, was the inspiration for her full makeup and cloud headpiece — a wig that just did not exist — so she had to find time to make it, creating it with a sturdy straw hat as the base. Jessica Concepcion from Neiman Marcus Merrick Park did her makeup but Maria went to La Casa de los Trucos, which, she says, never fails on the costume front, to find the perfect shade of blue. She was confident until Jeff Berkowitz asked if she was a cotton ball.

CRISELDA BREENE: She wore a one-of-a-kind cape that was also designed by pal, Naeem Khan. It was only worn once at the MET Gala by Linda Fargo (the legendary senior VP of Bergdorf Goodman’s fashion office), the year Surrealism was the theme. The cape was displayed in Bergdorf’s holiday window and locked away in the archival closet until the Bass Ball! The cape depicts Apollo on his chariot and Khan was inspired by 1920s designer Elsa Schiaparelli, whose debut collection of sweaters featured Surrealist trompe l’oeil images.

SUZY BUCKLEY WOODWARD: The founder of Shapoh.com (the online hat company) wore a mint green, sparkly Dennis Basso tulle gown with a stunning, mirrored fascinator designed in London. She says she was going for an over-the-top, “fairy tale” look, like something that would twirl around in a music box or look good on top of a cake! It worked!

ALEXA WOLMAN: Alexa, who is always a fashion surprise, topped herself! She was in a hot-pink neoprene and plastic creation from Paris-based couturier Oscar Carvallo, accessorized with 40 tiny MP3 speakers individually playing disparate versions of La Vie en Rose. It was inspired by his love of Paris and Grace Jones. The music was on disks inside each speaker and each turned on independently, so the songs played at different intervals creating a chaotic, haunting effect.

LESLI ANN BROWN: Lesli reflected on the Rothschild Surrealist Ball in 1972 and among the fanciful guests was one of her ultimate style icons, Brigitte Bardot, dressed head-to-toe in white and explains that Bardot was also a Bohemian queen of sorts in the Paris art world. Lesli decided to go the route of a ‘dreamlike fairytale empress of romanticism’ look instead of the dark side of surrealism and found a fantastic costume designer in LA who made the headpiece to compliment her sleek Calvin Klein gown!

HADLEY HENRIETTE: Points for beyond-chic recycling! Hadley glimmered in the Swarovski crystal-trimmed, Vera Wang gown she wore 15 years ago at her wedding. Her husband created the bubble effect by tying a blue Tiffany ribbon around the skirt and together they fabricated the silver lobster headpiece. Sheenon at ATMA Beauty did her hair and Hadley felt that the “do” created the real transformation. Movie star glam!

JOHN LIN: John, who is no stranger to a dramatic statement — wore a looong, gold-dotted, black chiffon cape with a 10-foot long train, adorned with multiple, twisted gold ropes. It was inspired by the melting clocks in Salvador Dali’s painting, The Persistence of Memory. He topped off the look with a daring “Disco ball” fascinator from Shapoh.com just because it was fabulous.

SAM ROBIN: Art imitates life! Sam ordered her cheeky, ‘gloved hand with cigarette and sparkly cuff’ fascinator from FabHatters.com which, she says, was the crucial touch for her entire ensemble comprised of a vintage, green satin coat and also very vintage, Charles Jourdan green satin shoes and matching bag!

ADRIENNE BON HAES: Artist Adrienne constructed her costume from 16 gauge vinyl with 23 darts at the neck — a draping challenge that required pliers. She titled it, “The Some of its Parts” playing off the phrase “sum of its parts.” Powered by 50 AA batteries and 25 switches, it was quite heavy. Electro-luminescent wire, which she bent into words, created the neon effect. The word ‘some,’ she adds, ‘denotes the minimizing quantity of partial value but in the context.’ Placed on the front of the garment, where it said SOMETIME, SOMEWHERE, SOMEHOW, SOMEDAY. The possibilities of SOME, she says, are infinite.

BEST DRESSED COUPLES AT THE BASS BALL: 

ALAN FAENA & XIMENA CAMINOS: Alan, our Miami Gatsby who always wears white head-to-toe, added some color with a dramatic, Spanish Manton de Manila. His wife Ximena, in capelet covered with red roses and headpiece to match, explains, the concept was inspired by the ancient symbol for love and beauty and also as an homage to Frida Kahlo.

CAROLE & OSCAR SEIKALY: Their ensembles were inspired by the performance artist of the night. Carole wore a dress from Italian designer, Gem, from En Avance, covered with multi-color beads that looked like tiny balloons and added over it, an “old” long Yves St. Laurent skirt. To create Oscar’s towering hat and bow tie, Carole contracted a children’s balloon company to execute her design.

LISA & ADAM KOFFLER: Lisa was the third glam girl wearing Naeem Khan, a 2007 classic that the designer, a close pal, had given her. The birdcage headpiece, which Lisa designed and made herself, was inspired by the spectacular 1972 Rothschild Surrealist Ball and the birdcage headpieces that Marisa Berenson and Audrey Hepburn wore. Husband Adam sported a spiffy bowler hat (a nod to Magritte) topped with a real Bonsai tree by FabHatters.com

Co-chairs of The Bass Ball were Criselda Breene, Diane Lieberman, Soledad Pićon, Tui Pranich and Inés Rivero.  At the keep The Ball rolling after party, celebrity DJ Mauricio Parra made sure the dance floor was packed. So much fun, that the after party co-chairs, Malena Assing, Clara Bullrich, Nathan Lieberman, John Lin, Adriana Vergara and Alexa Wolman decided to extend the party an extra hour.  At the end of the night, guests received gift bags compliments of TOD’S. The Bass Ball was presented by Italian luxury brand TOD’S and sponsored by Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate. For more info bassmuseum.org

This is the type of glamorous fun you will be having (like we did last year!) when you attend the 34th Annual American Red Cross Ball, Saturday, April 2, 2016 at the elegant Ritz Carlton on Key Biscayne. I’m thrilled and honored to be on the Red Cross Ball planning committee this year with our divine ball chair Linda Levy Goldberg. Although not mandatory, ladies attending the ball are encouraged to wear red in support of the ball. Although, I don’t need prompting to wear my favorite color and darlings, take it from someone who’s been editing photos for decades, everyone looks better in a strong color, especially red. It’s going to be a spectacular evening of exquisite dining, gorgeous décor and dancing till the wee hours, for a very good cause that helps us all, rich or poor, after every disaster, be it a tornado, hurricane, flood or devastating fire.

WHEN: Saturday, April 2, 2016

              7:00 PM Cocktails –  8:30 PM Dinner

WHERE: The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne 

WHO: Chairs are Linda Levy Goldberg and Sid Goldberg

WHAT: The Red Cross Ball is an upscale, fundraising event that benefits the efforts of the Red Cross. It is one of South Florida’s most prestigious social events founded by a group of socially prominent women volunteers in 1982. Their tradition continues today with a committee of steadfast committee leaders who work tirelessly to support and deliver the American Red Cross mission. Every year, this event is attended by over 500 prominent and affluent leaders of the South Florida social and corporate communities. You won’t want to miss out because, of course, I’ll be covering it for Inside Society in The Daisy Column!

Individual ticket price $600.

To buy tickets or tables, for corporate sponsorships and more information about how to donate to the Red Cross contact: Kenia Tedesco (305) 728-2512 Kenia.Tedesco@redcross.org

The Red Cross Ball Miami 2016 Committee: 

Trish and Dan Bell, Swanee and Paul J. DiMare, Daisy Olivera and Bernerd Garsen, Teresa and Michael Haskett, Elysze and Jay Held, Ana and Arturo V. Hernandez, Zayda and Jose Hernandez, Barbara and Jose Hevia, Heidi and Thomas Hoersman, Carol and Marc Iacovelli, Marta Ligia and Carlos Lopez-Cantera, Marile and Jorge Luis Lopez, Esq., Betty Lopez-Castro, Natasha and Jack Lowell, Christina and David Martin, Maria Cristina Miranda, Jenny and Douglas Parker, Mari Grimalt and Rayne Rascon, Candise Shanbron and Justin Cernitz, Hayley and Jeff Sloman, Tara Solomon, Kristine and Peter Wenzel, Suzy Buckley Woodward

WHAT IS THE AMERICAN RED CROSS? It’s a non-governmental humanitarian organization, led by volunteers, that provides relief to all people impacted by disasters and helps individuals and communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Every 8 minutes the Red Cross responds to a disaster. It offers comfort and hope to victims of more than 70,000 disasters each year and prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of the volunteers and the generosity of donors. Your support makes a big difference. Thank you in advance!  redcross.org

COMMITTEE PHOTO BY: YAMILA  LOMBA

[See image gallery at thedaisycolumn.com]

With the backdrop of the majestic, Sun Splashed installation by Nari Ward, I interviewed world-renowned jewelry designer Kara Ross at the Pérez Art Museum Miami  (PAMM) before she hosted a program and conversation as part of her Diamonds Unleashed Salon Series, taking place around the world. Ross, whose fine jewelry is sold in top luxury stores from Bergdorfs to Neiman Marcus to Harrods, launched a new jewelry line — Diamonds Unleashed — a company she says creates ‘profit with a purpose.’

The Diamonds Unleashed movement features a collection of products including engagement rings, fine jewelry, accessories and tabletop; charitable partners that focus on girls’ education and employment; an event series in major cities; a powerful network of influential ambassadors who are in solidarity with the project’s mission and a robust digital presence including an informative website and social media channels.

The moderator was CBS4 entertainment reporter, Lisa Petrillo.

Panelists Lourdes Lopez, Maria Buccellati, Teresita Fernandez.

The invite only, salon-style Diamonds Unleashed events feature speakers who are disrupting their own industries — from ballet and virtual reality to wine and the film industry. The Miami conversation, “Hispanic Women Disrupting Arts and Culture,” was introduced by Darlene Boytell Perez and included panelists: artist Teresita Fernandez; designer Maria Buccellati; Lourdes Lopez, artistic director of the Miami City Ballet and was moderated by CBS4 entertainment reporter, Lisa Petrillo.

I interviewed the dynamic Kara Ross to learn more about her innovative new company.

DAISY: What inspired you to create Diamonds Unleashed?

KARA ROSS: I’ve been in the fine jewelry business 25 plus years. I’m a certified gemologist, very lucky to have been selling to top stores and even to the White House. They have pieces of mine in major museums and I love what I do. I really wanted to give back so I built this new company, Diamonds Unleashed.

DAISY: What makes this different?

KARA ROSS: It’s a company with a social purpose. All net profits will be donated to our non-profit partners who are working to educate young girls. Specifically, we’re donating to two charities that will benefit girls between the ages of 12 and 18.

DAISY: What is the parallel between diamonds and women?

KARA ROSS: What we’re doing here is taking the hardest, most beautiful substance on earth which is a diamond, and using it to symbolize women’s strength. Adjectives associated with diamonds are: beautiful, strong, multi-faceted, brilliant, unbreakable. To me that symbolizes women.  There’s nothing wrong with the association of a diamond with love and marriage but we want to extend that. The diamond is ubiquitous. Everyone in the world knows what a diamond is and this works because it’s the highest standard.

DAISY: How are you using recognized, successful women to spread your message and serve as role models, like globally-renowned architect, Zaha Hadid?

KARA ROSS: We have a few platforms of building this whole program with help from all of these high profile women that are behind us as ambassadors — from fashion, finance, sports, media, entertainment and philanthropy — spreading the word. We will go to London next year and Zaha Hadid will be on the panel at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park. We also have Serena Williams, Susan Rockefeller, Melissa Etheridge. So many women… many, the names aren’t immediately recognizable but they’ve done amazing things, like the author who wrote the book which was made into the film, “Still Alice,” starring Julianne Moore.

DAISY: How did you choose the two charities?

KARA ROSS: In deciding what to focus on, because you can’t be everything to all people, we decided to focus on education which is so important, then to focus on secondary school education for girls ages 12 to 18. We looked at a whole bunch of non-profits and vetted the scaleability of the programs. We met their founders and considered many different aspects. There are many wonderful nonprofits but you can’t pick 20. We picked two to begin with. Girls Who Code and She’s The First. Then as this scales up we’ll be able to grow more and drive more money to different and more partners.

Diamonds Unleashed necklaces designed by Kara Ross.

DAISY: What should people know when buying the jewelry and where can they find it?

KARA ROSS: By showcasing Kara Ross-designed jewelry, with each piece of the collection incorporating the Diamonds Unleashed logo and beginning at price points around $100, we will enable women in a range of demographics to participate actively in the movement and disrupt the idea of who can buy, wear or own a diamond. Our retail partners are HSN and Neiman Marcus.

DAISY: Tell me about the beautiful Diamonds Unleashed symbol that will be on all items.

KARA ROSS: It was adopted from the American Sign Language symbol for unity. Ambassadors and supporters can use it as a hand signal to show their support of the Diamonds Unleashed movement in photographs across social media platforms.

DAISY: What do you hope to achieve with the symbol itself?

KARA ROSS: The ultimate goal with this symbol — a large diamond with a smaller diamond elevating out to form a heart — is for it to represent women’s empowerment. Just like you know what the peace sign or a pink ribbon represents.

DAISY: I know you have big plans to get the word out. What’s next?

KARA ROSS: It has to do with art. The reason the peace sign became so ubiquitous is because different artists got a hold of it and did their interpretations of it. I love contemporary art and collect it. We’re approaching different artists, whether they’re painters, sculptors, jewelry designers, graffiti artists and say to them, ‘this is what we’re doing and if resonates with you take the symbol and do your interpretation.’ At the end of the year we’ll have a big auction at Sotheby’s to premiere it at Art Miami next year. It’s very exciting.

The next Diamonds Unleashed Salon Series event is in Dallas, MARCH 15^th at the Rachofsky House. Upcoming salon locations include Washington DC, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Napa Valley, Boston and London. For more information on the salon series visit: http://www.diamondsunleashed.org/events/   

For more information: diamondsunleashed.org