December with the Designers

What: High Tea at Emilio Pucci Bal Harbour
When: December 2, 2009
Who: Emilio Pucci’s Creative Director Peter Dundas, along with hosts Leticia Grendene and Elsa Benitez

While the first week of December is usually famed in Miami because of Art Basel, the Emilio Pucci label got in on the action as well, with none other than the creative director himself, Peter Dundas, swooping into town to wow the crowds who flocked to Bal Harbour to welcome him with open arms. And Peter graciously accepted everyone’s greetings, commenting that he loves the daringness and flair of Miami fashionistas because they aren’t afraid of color or flaunting their own sexuality. The beautiful Elsa Benitez was in the mix at this event, of course, as the Vogue model and host of Mexico’s Next Top Model was also one of our hosts for the tea, along with Leticia Grendene, co-owner of one of my favorite Italian restaurants Casa Tua, along with her husband Miky. Because we live here, we all know the magical power that Bal Harbour possesses as a luxury shopping destination, but it’s always nice to hear that sentiment confirmed by the elite leaders of haute couture. Peter reinforced just such an idea when he explained that Bal Harbour is known the world over as a force to be reckoned with, ranking right up there with Rodeo Drive, Madison Avenue, and Champs-Elysees.

What: Roger Vivier Bal Harbour Opening Cocktail Event
When: December 1, 2009
Who: Brand ambassador Ines de la Fressange, along with hosts Leticia Herrera Grendene, Ines Rivero, and Munisha Underhill

When I got word that Roger Vivier would be opening a boutique in Bal Harbour, I could not have been more thrilled, especially considering that the label has only landed on U.S. shores one other time to open a boutique on Madison Avenue in New York. I wasn’t the only one who carved out time during the week of Art Basel to welcome a new brand to the luxury shopping destination, as the models came out in full force to show their support. Leading the charge was the brand’s ambassador, Ines de la Fressange, whose modeling experience dates back to the heyday of Paris in the 80s, when she served as the muse for Karl Lagerfeld. At the grand opening, Ines, straight off of a flight from Paris and outfitted in classic white jeans and her belle Vivier silver buckle flats, demonstrated herself to be full of candor and avoided the pat answers that one might expect from a typical brand ambassador. She denounced the idea of luxury brands just for the sake of wearing a label, and defined true luxury as the ability to spend time with the people you love and appreciate the things in life that bring you joy.
I was thrilled to see many friendly faces in the crowd, including models Elsa Benitez and Maria Checa, Robin Thicke and Paula Patton, and a special visit from CEO Diego Della Valle. In addition to the cocktail reception that evening, there was much more fun to be had, starting later that night with a private dinner at Casa Tua, and continuing the following morning during a brunch at the boutique.

Loren Ridinger is the creative force behind Motives cosmetics line and the senior vice president of Market America