The Edit by Brett Graff | Page 4
Aqua Art Miami VIP Party
Aqua Art Miami, presented by Art Miami, kicked off its 16th edition at the Aqua Hotel in Miami Beach with a VIP opening. There, artist Patrick Church painted his signature ‘All Over You’ print artwork outside of the Aqua Hotel in an aqua blue color ahead of the show opening and also displayed some of his newer paintings on a large scale with Kyle Hamiliton Fine Art. The artwork explores human relationships and connectivity and is a signature part of his brand that he uses as his monogram. During the show, Luck, the genre-bending, multi-faceted, artist of the future, performed a 30 minute set as guests Notable galleries and artists exhibiting at Aqua Art Miami this year include, Julia Seabrook Gallery, a woman owned, black and veteran owned business; Domenico Ludovico, a artist whose work captures the sculptural act of transformation through an ongoing relationship with found and recycled raw organic materials in an active efforts to save the planet’s resources; Ukrainian artists Sonia Atlantova and Olexander Klimenko presenting “Buy An Icon, Save A Life In Ukraine”; Marie Jose Obi-Njoki whose work is mostly done in acrylic or gouache and is emotionally guided and spiritually inspired, acknowledging vulnerability in its various forms, specifically related to the Black experience and influenced by Nigerian heritage.
Aqua is known for presenting vibrant and noteworthy international art programs with a particular interest in supporting young and established galleries with strong emerging and mid-career artists. Over the years, it has become a gathering place for collectors, curators and art lovers to discover fresh talent and acquire new works while exchanging cultural ideas and forming meaningful connections. Aqua Art Miami’s diverse collective of emerging and established artists open the door to important and trending conversations through art at the intersection of traditional craft and contemporary culture.
Fabel Opens to a Fabulous Crowd
Fabel VIP Opening
In Wynwood, Fabel opened to a beautiful VIP crowd. The Mediterranean eatery had it’s waitstaff swooning the crowd in white Grecian-style frocks. Passed bites were served alongside a cocktail selection and as the night progressed, so did the entertainment. The rooftop is the latest to join the area’s dining district and is working its way to the top by offering spectacular views. That includes many of the guests in attendance.
Protesting Under the Influence of Fashion
Luxury womenswear brand House of Mua Mua hosted a boozy bus ride on an exclusive VIP party bus around Miami Beach. Attendees, including Elton Ilirjani and designer Ludovica Virga, Olga Ferrara, Renata Sanfilippo, Samir Zarrouk, Ariel Penzer Milgroom, Marilu Bello, Tatiana Teo, Coucla Papadopoulos, and Jamie Horrobin, enjoyed cocktails on the party bus before and after stopping at the Miami Convention Center for a tongue-in-chic fashion protest outside of Art Basel. The brand was born in Bali of hand-knit dolls, accessories and ready-to-wear that has been worn by famous fashionistas including Avril Lavigne, Gwen Stefani, Madonna, and Doja Cat.
Rick Ross at Soho House
Soho House hosted “Porsche Presents” series featuring a live half-hour performance by Rick Ross. The superstar performed his hits including “Hustlin,” “Purple Lamborghini,” and “B.M.F.” Guests included Doja Cat, Kelis, Sutton Stracke, Charlie Carver and Anthony Ramos. The evening ended with Soho House gifting Ross with a limited-edition Miami Dolphins jacket from local skate shop ANDREW.
Brett Graff is SocialMiami.com’s managing editor and has been a journalist covering money, people and power for over 20 years. Graff contributes to national media outlets including Reuters, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, Maxim, and the PBS show, Nightly Business Report. A former U.S. government economist, her nationally syndicated column The Home Economist is first published in The Miami Herald and then on the Tribune Content Agency, where it’s available to over 400 publications nationwide. She is broadcast weekly on two iHeartRadio news shows and is the author of “Not Buying It: Stop Overspending & Start Raising Happier, Healthier, More Successful Kids,” a parenting guide for people who might be tempted to buy their children the very obstacles they’re trying to avoid.
