Haute Living Celebrates Cover Girl India Hicks with Vhernier and Ruinart

The Miami Design District’s Palm Court set the scene on Tuesday night for Haute Living’s dinner to celebrate “royal rebel” India Hicks, the cover girl of the magazine’s October-November Design Issue. The dinner was hosted by Haute Living editor Hadley Henriette and sponsored by Ruinart and Italian jewelry brand Vhernier, known for their clean, modern design.

A reception by Ruinart, one of the oldest, and highest rated French Champagne brands, kicked off the evening in Vhernier’s cozy Palm Court boutique.

As VIP guests sipped Ruinart’s Blanc de Blancs, they also had the chance to try on the brand’s new titanium collection, and meet Ms. Hicks, who flew into Miami for the occasion. Also in town for the event was Vhernier’s North American CEO, Michele Heary, and head of communication, Christiana Vigano, who were on hand to help celebrate.

In atypical Miami fashion, guests sat down for dinner at 8pm on the dot, including Don and Michele Soffer, Kristen and Chapman Ducote, Daniela Swaebe, Jennifer Valopi, Mike and Alicia Piazza, as well as Ferne and Marisa Toccin, sat down to enjoy dinner under the stars.

It was a 4-course dinner by Food Network star, Chef Dena Marino from MC Kitchen. The outstanding meal began with Yellowfin Tuna Crudo, served with cucumbers and avocado, moved onto Roasted Pear and Cheese Fiocchi pasta with shaved white alba truffles, offered Hertage Breed Poulet Rouge with spicy Italian sausage  and caramelized onions followed by a dessert of Valrhona Triple Dark Chocolate Mousse.  Guests marveled at the meal’s outstanding quality. Even Don Soffer wanted to know, “Who is this caterer and where is this restaurant?”

The crowd was excited to learn from Moët & Chandon’s Trisha Cancilla, about the different cuvee’s of Ruinart Champagne each course was paired with. These included a Dom Ruinart form 2002, and a Dom Ruinart Rosé also from 2002. The bubbly, some of the best in the world, was served out of white wine glasses, the way aficionados feel fine Champagne should be.

Enthused from the Champagne, the evening’s guest of honor gave a few witty words, thanking Haute Living for being on the cover, Vhernier for lending her beautiful earrings, and about her own new direct sales venture, India Hicks London-Harbour Island.

She focused on how the company will help women who can work for themselves from home, and that their new Casaurina Hand Cream and Wild Spiderlily perfume was in the gift bags, along with a Vhernier tea set and copies of Haute Living.

Photos by World Red Eye