Our Haute 100 list details the accomplishments of the most influential people in each of our markets—Miami, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. These people continue to make moves, so rather than waiting for the next Haute 100 issue to come out, we thought we’d provide you with regular updates on those Haute 100 members who are making headlines. Hugh Hefner pulls a Santa Clause/Williy Wonka this year with a mega art auction and a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-like contest give away.
Hugh Hefner
Category: Thinkers
Company: Playboy
Industry: Publishers
What Makes Him Haute: This 82-year-old built the Playboy empire from the ground up, and is still going strong. Need we say more?
What Makes Him Haute Now: In true holiday spirit, December will be a merry month of giving at the Playboy mansion. On Dec. 8 Christies will hold an auction titled “The year of the Rabbit” where 125 exclusive works of art from the Playboy mansion will be auctioned off. Included in the selection is a Dali watercolor of a reclining nude titled “playmate” that hung in Hugh Hefner’s bedroom. “I’m a fan of Dali’s and I’m happy to be sharing it” said Hefner. The Dali piece is estimated to bring in $100,000 to $150,000, but the main attraction of the auction is Wesselmann’s “Mouth No. 8.” The iconic 1966 art piece is expected to bring in up to $3 million. Other auction items include 80 photographs, over a dozen contemporary works, and 24 cartoons.
As if that weren’t enough holiday cheer, Hefner is also doing a Will Wonka-inspired give away. Among the 200,000 copies of December’s Playboy issue will be 10 golden tickets, along with one additional online giveaway with an invitation to the mansion’s Midsummer Night’s Dream party in August 2011. In addition to special access to the party, each winner and a guest will get complimentary airline tickets, hotel accommodation and dinner at Sofitel’s LA Simon restaurant. Hefner was indeed in a jolly good mood this year.
News
November 30, 2010Haute 100 San Francisco Update: Ron Conway
