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 multi-color sparkling Caviar Tutti Frutti watches, long red carpet, 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–it landed in the back of the house next to amazing Pershing 82 and Riva 52 yachts docked behind the home and open for VIP’s to sip Dom Pérignon.
Chef English created a complete menu for what he called “quite a fancy party.” It 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 Lee Schrager, Jonathan Cheban, Amber Ridinger, James Goldstein, Stewart Rahr, Rick and Martha de la Croix, newly appointed commissioner Michael Grieco, mayor Philip Levine, Haute Living Publisher Kamal Hotchandani, and The Collection’s Ken Gorin. They were treated to a three-course seated dinner which boasted an adventurous appetizer of Sesame Uni, Curry Maine Lobster, Avocado Oli Panna Cotta, and ceviche scallops. Other menu specialties were Salt Baked Black Grouper and Warm Chocolate Pudding Cake.
After dinner, Rick de la Croix of Hublot and basketball star Alonzo Mourning hosted an art auction to benefit the 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. The first item was a Hebru Brantley tableau entitled “Shark-like,” and it sold for $70,000, roughly its gallery value. The second was an adorned Domingo Zapata bolero jacket valued at $90,000. It went to one very generous bidder. Both artists were there to thank the buyers and tell them about the pieces.
After donations were made, DJ Trey Smith turned the music up. Celebrities Jared Leto, Lenny Kravitz, China Chow, Serena Williams, Eva Longoria, Loren and JR Ridinger, Stephen Dorff and Mike Piazza came by to enjoy the night under the stars. This would not have been possible without sponsors Hublot, Haute Living Magazine, Ferretti Group, The Collection, and of course, Dom Pérignon.