Bass Museum x Roger Vivier Luncheon

The subject of what to wear is a common one — and probably the most popular subject of texts from girlfriends. What to wear to a luncheon… are we doing fancy with hair jewelry or more business-y, or more casual, a la St. Tropez? What to wear to a cocktail party… is it outside in the dreaded Miami humidity or inside, where it’s notoriously frigid and requires a summer fur?

And of course, what to wear to a dinner party… is it seated with “glamour” being the key word, or is everyone wearing a boho maxi with layers of Carole Seikaly crystal and artifact necklaces?

The answer I always give: Wear whatever you want, as long as it’s fabulous. And relatively comfortable. Especially if it’s going to be a long day/night.

For the recent Roger Vivier Luncheon at Bass Museum in Miami Beach — which was both fabulous and educational, my favorite kind of event — it was all about shoes, with Bass Museum Executive Director and Chief Curator Silvia Karman Cubina narrating a slide show of iconic shoes over the centuries in art, film, and modern culture.

Dorothy’s ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz” were included, of course, as were Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation shoes from 1953 — metallic gold leather with crystal embellishment and a crystal-studded sensible heel, designed by Roger Vivier, who was dubbed “The Fragonard of Footwear.”

How fitting that Roger Vivier’s current Creative Director Gherado Felloni is inspired by a love of film, music, and super-femmes, as well as an architectural foundation. For the luncheon, I chose one of Felloni’s modern classics: a Roger Vivier black leather platform combat boot with signature crystal Strass buckle — the shoe I wore to last year’s Vizcaya Ball when the weather forecast was heavy rain; not only did I easily navigate the uneven limestone pavers but the hem of my gown emerged unscathed, even after a few intense shimmies with Mr. D’ on the very wet dance floor.

Best looks at the luncheon included blogger and influencer Luli Ballestrin in a leopard shirt dress over which she wore a lavender marabou — we repeat: LAVENDER MARABOU — strapless crop top for an effect that was truly swoon-worthy. Creative wardrobing at its best!

Joana Marquez was sublime in a Gucci oatmeal-hued cotton eyelet frock from the Gucci “Chateau Marmont” Collection, spring 2019, which she paired with a Richardson x Olympia Le-Tan “Heavenly Bodies” book clutch — the latter named for the late sexploitation director Russ Meyer’s 1963 film.

A limited edition — one of three, yet, a fact noted by fashionista and table mate Dana Shear — the clutch’s theme was the brainchild of creative multihyphenate Andrew Richardson, who publishes the cult magazine Richardson. We didn’t know any of this until being politely schooled by Marquez, who owns the Miami-based creative fashion agency DEVOUR.

Miami Founder’s Award Ceremony for Miami Girls Foundation

Staying on the topic of footwear, no one could take her eyes off Miami Girls Foundation founder Ekaterina Juskowski in her very dominatrix black patent boots with cutouts by Liudmila, which she rocked under a burgundy stretch-velvet midi dress by Christopher Kane that fit the way every dress should fit — flawlessly. With a pair of Thom Browne glasses that looked like old-world spectacles.

Such a fabulous look, especially when you are the event’s organizer and will be speaking on stage and being photographed all night. The look itself was not sexualized — the dress was modest, even — but when all the elements were combined, it was the perfect storm.

The occasion was an awards ceremony where 30 women founders of businesses and not-for-profits were honored, presented by Miami Girls Foundation, which Juskowski founded. A room full of accomplished women attended the event held in the Miami Design District, including my Slavic Sister Iva Kosovic, who wore a vintage burgundy jacket by Thierry Mugler (over the shoulders, my favorite way to wear most jackets) over a tweed midi skirt and matching bandeau top. Another incredible look.

Best bag went to philanthropist and fashion mommy Ariel Penzer Milgroom’s life-sized pink poodle minaudiere with shoulder strap — designed by Timothy Woods for Patricia Field 20 years ago, which just reinforces our closet motto to Never Throw Anything Out.

Women of Tomorrow Graduation Luncheon

The importance of style and personal presentation are among the subjects the mentees of Women of Tomorrow Mentoring and Scholarship Foundation get to hear me prattle on about. Together with my co-mentor, celeb stylist Elysze Held, we mentor 30 students at Norland Senior High in Miami Gardens once a month during the school year, in addition to creating some fun field trips such as recent thrifting Power Shop field trip with Goodwill South Florida.

It was all joy to watch the lucky Women of Tomorrow seniors be awarded scholarships at last week’s graduation luncheon at Jungle Island. Women of Tomorrow cofounder Jennifer Valoppi gave the best speech on positive thinking — including scientific evidence of how it affects both our happiness and long-term success.

The swans at my table — in addition to being poster girls for the Positive Thinking posse — all served up their own version of Graduation Luncheon Realness, including real estate goddess Nicole Gary in a ruffled cap-sleeved, full-skirted fuchsia dress by Brazilian designer Franchesca, with gold-and-bling Miu Miu shoes and a neutral Chanel chain-strap bag… tropical glamour at its best.