Dreaming up and making reality a concept long overdue, Susana Baker, president and CEO of the new “Design District and Midtown Experience,” hosted an Oct. 12 Red Carpet Night preview soiree for the launch of the unique year-round tour created exclusively for the exploration and rediscovery of the Design District and Midtown.
Offering a sneak peek into the tour and community, for the first time ever, Design District celebrity chefs, renowned art galleries, top designers and elite fashion houses came together for a collaborative showcase held at the historic Moore Building that welcomed in and provided the red carpet treatment to more than 300 guests including members of the Southern Florida Concierge Association for an evening of divine tastes and distinct sophistication.
An elaborate reception took place throughout three floors of the historic architectural structure dedicated to the tour concept of “Dine, Design and Explore.” While taking a journey through custom-designed vignettes, guests enjoyed flirty cocktails and signature tastings from Design District’s top restaurants; toured unique designer boutiques and showrooms featuring world famous designs of jewelry, clothing and furniture, and immersed in striking art exhibits by the areas finest art galleries.
Participating “Design District and Midtown Experience” Red Carpet Night featured sponsors included restaurants Pizza Volante by Chef Jonathan Eismann, Sra. Martinez by Chef Michelle Bernstein, Fratelli Lyon by Chef Ken Lyon, Vino & Olio with world renowned Executive Chef Andrea Menichetti and Mamushka’s Made in Havana Arts Café by Chef Mamushka; art galleries Markowicz Fine Art, Ricart Gallery and Avant Gallery; designers Luminaire Lab, The Rug Company, NIBA Home, Carpet Creations, Emilio Robba Sculpture of Flowers, Glottman design company, Marimekko and Turchin Love and Light Jewelry.
Some of the featured vignettes included Markowicz Fine Art, which showcased a collection of prints by the Mourlot Estate of Chagall, Picasso, Matisse and many others. They originally were created to advertise upcoming exhibits and cultural events and often designed by the artists themselves and produced under the direction of master printers in limited numbers using the process of lithography.
International floral sculptor and home furnishings designer Emilio Robba displayed his new Art Photography collection. Resolutely abstract, Emilio Robba photos capture the essence of nature and reveal its perfect beauty, sensuality and mystery. Each limited edition photograph is a chromogenic print on Diasec and will be distributed through his retail locations in Miami and Paris. Avant Gallery displayed a unique collection of fine art and design, including paintings by Arno Elias and Alejandro Vigilante, LEGO sculptures by Nathan Sawaya, limited edition photography by Marc Baptiste and illusion-filled accent chairs by Douglas Homer & Magali Jeambrun.
The Unique Tour Experience will include roundtrip transportation via the 29-passenger Design District custom design “Shuttle” bus to and from hotel; a three-course, prix fixe, lunch or dinner “Dining Certificate;” a Design District “Passport,” an exclusive directory that boasts “Design, Dine and Explore” maps, participating sponsor advertisements, area points of interest and incentives with savings up to $500.
Through a partnership with the Southern Florida Concierge Association, the “Design District and Midtown Experience” will be available at exclusive hotels such as WSouth Beach and W Fort Lauderdale, Fontainebleau Hotel and Spa, Delano Hotel, The Lowe’s Hotel, Mandarin Oriental, Trump International Hotel, Mondrian, and more.
Now available to the public, the Unique Tour Experience will be sold by hotel concierges, tourist information centers, and free standing kiosks manned by employees of “Design District and Midtown Experience,” priced at $59 and $69.
“The Design District and Midtown Experience” also is available to local companies, condo associations and groups. “The Design District and Midtown Experience” reservations, sponsorship and advertising information, call Susana Baker, president and CEO, at 305-722-4540 or send email to designandmidtownexperience@gmail.com.
