For Art Basel, Hublot and its CEO, Ricardo Guadalupe, hosted their Art of Fusion party at a Star Island manse to launch their Caviar Tutti Fruitti watch and as a benefit for the Mourning Family Foundation. The ambiance was ultra-glam with long red carpet, multi-color sparkling Caviar Tutti Frutti watches, an installation by famed Chicago artist Hebru Brantley (curated by Haute Living San Francisco cover boy Swizz Beatz) and shiny Ferraris by The Collection. FFs, a 458 Spider and F12berlinetta dotted the waterfront property made waves while standing still.
Celebrity chef Todd English, made a dramatic entrance on Hublot’s “Art of Fusion” helicopter, which landed in the back of the house next to stunning Pershing 82 and Riva 52 yachts that were docked behind the home, which were open for VIP’s to sip Dom Pérignon.
English created a complete menu for what he called “quite a fancy party” that started with pork belly BLT and Fois Gras Crostinis canapés in addition to a full caviar bar, a nod to the Hublot watch of honor that was on view. Dinner guests included Jonathan Cheban, Lee Schrager, Amber Ridinger, Stewart Rahr, James Goldstein, Rick and Martha de la Croix, newly appointed commissioner Michael Grieco and mayor Philip Levine, Haute Living Publisher Kamal Hotchandani and The Collection’s Ken Gorin, who were treated to a three-course seated dinner by the chef which boasted an adventurous appetizer of Sesame Uni, Curry Maine Lobster, ceviche scallops and Avocado Oli Panna Cotta. Other menu highlights by the talented chef were Salt Baked Black Grouper and Warm Chocolate Pudding Cake.
After dinner, Rick de la Croix of Hublot and basketball great Alonzo Mourning hosted an auction of two works of art to benefit his Mourning Family Foundation. “This organization has the power to change the lives of the kids in our community. Those kids are the next generation of Americans, ” said Mourning encouraging VIPs to bid. The first item was a Hebru Brantley tableau called “Shark-like” that sold for $70,000, it’s approximate gallery value. The second was an adorned Domingo Zapata bolero jacket which was valued at $90,000 and went to one very generous bidder. Both artists were on hand personally thank the buyers and tell them about the pieces.
After donations were made, DJ Trey Smith turned the music up and celebrities Lenny Kravitz, Jared Leto, China Chow, Eva Longoria, Serena Williams, Loren and JR Ridinger, Mike Piazza and Stephen Dorff came by to enjoy the night under the stars which wouldn’t have been possible without sponsors Hublot, Ferretti Group, The Collection, Haute Living Magazine and of course, Dom Pérignon. See all photos here.
Haute Scene
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