Miami Art Week has come to another ceremonious close, and Whitewall is bringing you radiant highlights from last week’s Best Miami Parties. From unforgettable debuts and festivities like Langosteria’s Pop-up at The Raleigh, to the annual Abloh Skateboarding Invitational, we share highlights like Delilah Miami’s grand opening, and more.
Courtesy of Langosteria and The Raleigh.
Best Miami Parties: Langosteria at The Raleigh
Last week on Tuesday, December 5, and Wednesday, December 6, on the jubilant occasion of Art Basel Miami Beach, restaurateur Enrico Buonocore of globally-renowned Langosteria, joined luxury real estate developer Michael Shvo, distinguished architect Peter Marino, and Rosewood Hotel Group President Radha Arora in a succession of two private dinners ushering in a new era of Langosteria at The Raleigh. In celebration of the pasta and seafood haven’s upcoming, inaugural U.S. locale and exclusive club opening (the restaurant is already a glittering success in Milan, Paris, and St. Mortiz), as well as The Raleigh’s recent revitalization as a five-star resort and opulent residence, a euphoric cocktail party and dreamlike supper ensued. A star-studded array of guests including Tommy and Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger, Daniel Boulud, Vito Schnabel, Karolína Kurková, Jane Holzer, Rohan Marley, and Daniel Arsham basked in the vibrant pavilion and sensuous gardens of the iconic Art Deco gem, before reclining at a utopian tablescape where delectable Langosteria dishes were served.
Courtesy of Gagosian, Le Sirenuse, and Franco’s Bar, Positano.
Best Miami Parties: Gagosian with Le Sirenuse and Franco’s Bar at The Broken Shaker
Tuesday evening proved to be a night to remember as Gagosian gallery raised a toast to Art Basel Miami Beach with the exemplary boutique hotel of Italy’s Amalfi coast, Le Sirenuse, and the dashing Franco’s Bar of Positano (also of the Le Sirenuse family) at The Broken Shaker. VIP attendees including Chloe Wise, Jack Siebert, Nikolai Haas, Esthella Provas, Lawrence van Hagen, and Carla Sersale were treated to a night of la dolce vita under the stars. The esteemed Valentino Longo and fellow Franco’s Bar mixologists recreated their iconic Bellini Margaritas and Watermelon Palomas, along with delectable taco and ceviche bars. Guests danced the night away to the musical stylings of Arman Nafée in a serene poolside setting, set aglow with celestial string lights and a hypnotic neon installation.
Photo by Atiba Jefferson, courtesy of Virgil Abloh Securities and Architecture c/o Virgil Abloh™ and Nike.
Second Annual Abloh Skateboarding Invitational with Atiba Jefferson
Continuing the festivities on Wednesday, Virgil Abloh Securities and Architecture c/o Virgil Abloh™ and Nike presented the second annual Abloh Skateboarding Invitational alongside the “Atiba Jefferson: Skate Photography” exhibition, curated by Architecture in partnership with OTW by Vans. Through December 10, the revered sport and cultural event embraced the late visionary’s passion for the skate community, bringing together an exuberant best trick competition, live DJ performance, and “FREE GAME” initiative,” offering skateboarding training sessions, workshops, and panel discussions with industry leaders to local youth. Skateboarding icon Nicole Hause joined Miami-based skate shop Andrew and a myriad of cross-generational athletes and spectators to take part in the momentous event, as well as rejoice in Jefferson’s first career retrospective, a profound show encompassing 25 years of the artist’s documentation of contemporary legends—as well as close collaborators and friends of Abloh—including Tyshawn Jones, Kareem Campbell, Andrew Reynolds, Tony Hawk, and Kareem Campbell.
Courtesy of Delilah Miami.
Best Miami Parties: Delilah Miami Unveiling
Also that evening, Brian Toll and John Terzian, Co-Founders of The h.wood Group, hosted a wondrous evening in celebration of the new Delilah Miami, unveiled alongside leading fashion house BOSS and cutting-edge cookware brand Hexclad. Joining the Group’s notable 15 hospitality concepts throughout North America and the Middle East, the inaugural East Coast location, officially opening on December 15, brings the vivacious 1920’s-inspired supper club to the heart of Brickell. Prestigious guests including Sophia Bush, Shakira, Leonardo DiCaprio, Pierce Brosnan, Diplo, Gucci Westman, Jnr Choi, and Zana White gathered at the memorable oceanside affair, indulging in heavenly cocktails and American fare while enjoying beats by DJ Zack Bia and surprise shows by Janelle Monae, Tyga, and Dj Khaled.
Photo by Thalia Gochez, courtesy of Felipe Pantone and Tequila Don Julio.
Felipe Pantone and Tequila Don Julio at The Temple House
On Thursday, December 7, Tequila Don Julio debuted an exceptional collaboration with prominent multidisciplinary artist Felipe Pantone at The Temple House during Miami Art Week. Titled “Por Amor,” the poetic “love letter to Mexico” united fellow Mexican artists, including photographer Thalia Gochez, in a visual symphony of digital and kinetic artworks. “My art has always been a way for me to express what is going on in the world around me, and to highlight the people and places that inspire me,” explained Pantone. “As Mexican culture has influenced so many aspects of the art world and beyond, my partnership with Tequila Don Julio has given me the opportunity to celebrate the energy of modern Mexico through the lens of their new visual world—Por Amor —in a truly unprecedented way that I’m thrilled for everyone to see in Miami.”
Lior Zohar, Erica Zohar, Bradley Theodore, and Ting Ting Zhao; photo by Charles Roussel, courtesy of Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle and The Bass.
Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle at The Bass
That evening, singular fragrance house Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle joined with The Bass Museum for Miami Art Week, bringing together an impressive roster of international tastemakers in honor of the admired brand’s newest scent: Heaven Can Wait. Guests including Lane Nieset, Afro Child, Trudy Cejas, Lior Zohar, Ting Ting Zhao, and Polina Meshkova enjoyed an elegant dinner at the storied Art Deco space, relishing in the original perfume’s delicate beauty—a beguiling mystery spotlighting clove, vetiver, and peach, spun deftly by Jean-Claude Ellena.
Terrence J. Offest; photo by Shane Drummond, courtesy of D’USSE Cognac and Eden Roc Hotel.
D’USSE Cognac and Offset at Eden Roc
On Friday, December 8, D’USSE Cognac partnered with Terrence J. Offset in a lively toast to Art Basel Miami Beach at the glorious Eden Roc Hotel. A charismatic beachside soiree unfolded as host Offset—GQ Man of the Year issue notable—kicked off his pre-birthday festivities with a mesmeric performance for friends and international glitterati including Chanel Iman, Leon Bridges, Rich The Kid, Chance The Rapper, Lakeyah, and Ja Rule.
Victoria Monét; photo by Daniel Perez, courtesy of Meta and Gallery Art House.
Meta with Rayban and PATRÓN at Gallery Art House
On Saturday, December 9, Meta held a dynamic Mixed Reality party at Gallery Art House on the picturesque Venetian Islands. VIP guests including Victoria Monét, Rickey Thompson, and Austin Millz soaked in the Miami sunshine beneath innovative Meta x Ray-Ban sunglasses. Enchanting PATRÓN cocktails were served—notably the Spicy Margarita and Reposado Espresso Martini, while attendees danced to effervescent live musical performances and DJ sets within the ethereal, tropical landscape.
