Miami Shoot

Art Basel

MSM Online, Shows & Events

MIAMI 2020 Calendar of Events

We at Miami Shoot Magazine wish you and your families great health, happiness and prosperity in 2020! Check out our Miami 2020 calendar of events that you may want to consider attending throughout the year. Yr. 2020 JAN 01-05      ROALD DAHL’S CHARLEY and the CHOCOLATE FACTORY at Adrienne Arsht Center JAN 02            MIAMI HEAT VS. TORONTO RAPTORS at the American Airlines Arena JAN 30-           BUD LIGHT SUPER BOWL MUSIC FEST at the American Airlines Arena FEB 01 JAN-DEC        ON GOING EXHIBITS at Pérez Art Museum Miami  FEB 02            SUPER BOWL LIV at the Hard Rock Stadium FEB 14-18       MIAMI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW at the Miami Marine Stadium FEB 20-24      SOUTH BEACH WINE and FOOD FESTIVAL in Miami Beach MAR 18-31     MIAMI OPEN in Key Biscayne MAR 27           JULIO IGLESIAS JR TIMELESS at the Flamingo Theatre Bar in Brickell MAR 29- APRIL 01        ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL location TBA MAY 25-26     MEMORIAL DAY AIR and SEA SHOW in Miami Beach MAY 30           ELTON JOHN at the American Airlines Arena JUNE 21          SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS VS. MIAMI MARLINS at Marlins Park JULY 11-16     MIAMI SWIM WEEK in Miami Beach AUG 01-30     MIAMI SPICE (Various participating restaurants across Miami) AUG 17           COCONUT GROVE FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL in Coconut Grove’s Regatta Park AUG 30- SEP 02            HOME DESIGN & REMODELING SHOW at Mana Wynwood Convention Center SEP 27-29      WYNWOOD’S OCTOBERFEST Presented by Samuel Adams in Wynwood OCT 19-20     SOUTH FLORIDA SEAFOOD FESTIVAL at Miami Marine Stadium OCT 31           HALLOWEEN ON THE MILE in Coral Gables NOV 01-10     MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW at Miami Beach Convention Center NOV 23          VIZCAYA BALL at Vizcaya Museum & Gardens DEC 04-08     ART BASEL, DESIGN MIAMI at Miami Beach Convention Center DEC 02-06     RED DOT ART FAIR, SPECTRUM at Mana Wynwood Convention Center *All information deemed accurate with no guarantees. Subject to change without notice.  

Arts, Fashion, MSM Online

Fall Outfit Ideas with Karen Huggins

  By Karen Huggins / @Karenhuggins_blog Christmas is around the corner and many of us are running around making plans and buying gifts. It is always a good time to share a few gorgeous fall pieces that are perfect for fall outfit ideas. I hope you like them ! Black Jumpsuit and strass earrings are always a good idea. A black or white jumpsuit is a basic that could be worn in the summer with flat sandals or in the fall with high heels, strass earrings and a blazer or coat.  Osklen Jumpsuit / @osklen Sometimes we have many options in our closet that is difficult to come up with an outfit. When you are in doubt, select a basic like a black mini dress, add a classic pair of boots and a cute or statement cardigan. This outfit will make you look stylish.  Geegeebae Cardigan / @shopgeegeebae On a daily basis we want to look casual and effortless chic, right? But what about those days when we feel bold and what to make a statement?  Mixing patterns is perfect for those days. Last week in Miami was Art Basel week. It is an art fair staged annually in Miami Beach, selling the works of established and emerging artists. Everything is not about art during Art Basel, there are also many parties and fashion events. It was the perfect excuse to wear bold outfits like this one:  Geegeebae Coat / @shopgeegeebae  After a busy Art Basel week my plans are to have a casual brunch with friends and walk with Teddy and my husband. What do you think about this outfit, casual and cute, right?  Macy’s Ralph Lauren Shorts / @macys @ralphlauren outfit  Coffee with friends is always a good idea. My favorite place to go for a coffee is the Miami Design District: Designer stores and coffee places such as Pura Vida and OTL. Macy’s Ralph Lauren Coat with Vanessa / @macys @ralphlauren @karenhuggins_blog and @vanessarosetilley We can’t forget that Fall in Miami is also the Gala season. I had the opportunity to meet Mark Badgley and James Mischka of Badgley Mischka designers and enjoyed a beautiful presentation of their new collection. It was a dream come true, I felt like a princess for one day with their gorgeous dresses.  Gown Badgley Mischka, Mark Badgley and James Mischka / @badgleymischka designers  This was the second outfit, perfect for Art Basel: lots of sparkling and statement boots. Ready to be seen at Art Basel LOL.  Jacket and pants Badgley Mischka / @badgleymischka outfits @karenhuggins_blog and @vanessarosetilley  We can’t forget animal print, it was the main attraction at the catwalks this year. If you also want to start with the mixing prints trend but want to be safe at the same time, this outfit could be a good idea (mixing same color prints):  Good American outfit / @goodamerican  Besides Galas, parties and events; I also work from 9 to 5 so I can’t forget the office outfits (I need to afford clothing and trips ?). This Escada suit is the perfect option to look great at the office. Escada Suit / @escadaofficial 

Arts, MSM Online

Tonight in Wynwood: Only Art Can Save Us – Moi Berlanga

By MSM Staff / Cover Photo by Andrés Iglesias With Art Basel upon us, get your creative appetite on by checking out “The New Spaniard International Sensation Artist – Moi Berlanga” Friday November 30th 2018 from 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM located at 10 NE 27th St., in Wynwood, Miami Florida. Moi who started painting as a child sees art as a healing process. The opening show, “Only Art Can Save Us” was founded on the belief that art and its expressions can improve the quality of our daily life. Moi currently has murals in Wynwood and Ibiza and has clients globally as well as art behind the doors of many private residences here in Miami, Florida. 

Culture, Entertainment, Fashion, MSM Online, The Issue

My Miami: Nicole Williams

Photography by Ace Amir (NYC) Nicole Williams has been busy lately. The gorgeous Canadian-born top model–of both British and Native Indian descent–does not stop to bedazzle us in countless ad campaigns. An instant classic is the current TV commercial with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Amy Poehler for Old Navy. Meanwhile, Nicole shows tons of glamour and personality while starring on the E! hit reality TV show WAGS. The show gives a look inside the world of today’s hottest professional athletes from the perspective of the women inside the exclusive club of spouses and girlfriends. Williams is dating Larry English, a defensive end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The show just got picked up for another season and as always there will be plenty of glamour, laughs and, of course, drama. Being a constant jet setter across the world, Williams has fallen in love with Miami where she has found the perfect combination of relaxation and fun. We were eager to learn a bit more about “her” Miami. When in Miami you can catch me… At Miami’s top annual events like Art Basel, Miami Swim Week, or Ultra, since I love art, fashion, and music. Or you can see me at one of those cool places in Wynwood, like Wood Tavern, where I relax while eating their delicious Bok Choy and sip on their famous white Sangria. The biggest misconception about Miami is… The biggest misconception about Miami is that it has no real culture. Miami has so much more to offer especially when one takes the time to get to know the midtown area and Wynwood! The last restaurant I enjoyed in Miami was… Prime 112! It’s the hottest restaurant in Miami–in my opinion. Not only is the food delicious but also a lot of eye candy, especially for the guys–beautiful girls everywhere! It’s definitely a scene! And I do enjoy some good people watching with my meal. What surprised me most about Miami was… That if you leave South Beach and explore Brickell, Midtown Miami and even North Miami, there is a lot of art and culture. Not to mention better shopping and a completely different crowd than on the beach. It’s a lot less touristy! Aside from the weather, the best reason to return to Miami is… There are several equally good reasons to come back again and again: beautiful scenery of the people, of course Art Basel, and the other events I mentioned before. Just the whole vibe, diversity, and the incredible party life that Miami has to offer. Where else can you have this much fun by night? The first time I became really curious about Miami was… When I signed with my first Miami agency, Elite! They asked me to come and spend a couple months here to get to know the city and to see if it’s a good fit for me, so I did! It was such a pleasant experience that I fell instantly in love with the city. What happens in Miami stays in Miami…and in MSM. Any secret or funny moment you’d like to share about you and this city? What happens in Miami stays in Miami it’s true! I’m afraid I can’t spill the beans on a few Miami adventures. But, I will say I spent one New Year’s Eve there and a certain friend of mine insisted on lying down behind the Fontainebleau sign in front of the hotel to take a nap in the bushes. That’s all I can say about it [laughs]. Use your imagination… Click here to view this post in the MSM January/February 2016 digital issue

Arts, Culture, MSM Online

Red Dot Art Fair: One of Miami’s Leading Art Fairs

By Alyse Mier Red Dot Art Fair, one of Art Basel and Miami Art Week’s leading shows, returned to Miami this past weekend for its 9th edition. Its new location in the Arts and Entertainment District served as the temporary home for modern and contemporary works of art. This event has served as a platform to introduce enthusiasts and collectors to established, mid-career and emerging artists, much like Benjamin Edelstein. Edelstein, a Miami native, specializes in both fine art and commercial photography. His work has been published in several advertising campaigns, and graced the pages of leading magazines such as Vogue. Red Dot gave Edelstein the opportunity to present his work side-by-side to exquisite and sometimes bizarre works of art. “I’ve seen some pretty cool contemporary work around here. I’m a fan of mixed media. Anything that has to do with more than just photography or painting, or finding ways to incorporate both I’m usually a pretty big fan of,” said Edelstein. Red Dot’s vast collection of modern and contemporary art did not disappoint as fairgoers made their way through the over 70 galleries that exhibited numerous sculptures, paintings and photographs. “This is my second year here at Red Dot and it’s been a bit of a whirlwind. Long days, long hours, but what I appreciate most about being here is that I not only get to see a lot of the galleries that are present, but I get to meet a lot of the artists that aren’t from around here,” said Edelstein. For more information on Red Dot Art Fair, visit www.reddotfair.com For more information on Benjamin Edelstein’s artwork, visit www.benjaminedelstein.com

Arts, Culture, MSM Online

The Miami River Art Fair Showcases in its Fourth Edition

By Justina Coronel Inside the James L. Knight Center located in the Downtown Miami Convention Center, the colorful Miami River Art Fair 2015 appeared in its fourth annual edition. During the week of Art Basel, this experience was the only one as the riverfront art fair overlooking the one-of-a-kind outdoor Riverwalk Sculpture Mall, which is an 800 linear foot public sculpture setting. The fair was co-sponsored by MSM and showcased a variety of talented world-class artists and gorgeous galleries in an indoor booth setting. From artists painting exquisite pieces to live performances showcasing a display of art in music, the Miami River Art Fair was able to exhibit all aspects of artistic value. In addition, this international and contemporary art fair has the revitalizations efforts of the Lower Miami River at its core. The fair will feature the Miami River as the main attention of all of its programming and events. Due to the partnership with the City of Miami and the Miami River Commission, the fair has been a great tool for the revitalization efforts coming through for the Downtown Miami/Brickell areas and the Lower Miami River. Not only does the Miami River Art fair showcase a true form of art, but also the true beauty of the area at heart. For more information, please visit www.miamiriverartfair.com

Culture, Entertainment, MSM Online

SWAY: A Dance Trilogy

By Alyse Mier Photography by Stefania Orru Latin ballroom dancing champion Maksim Chmerkovskiy, known by millions for his performances on Dancing With the Stars, brought some ballroom dancing heat to Miami this week with the opening of SWAY: A Dance Trilogy. Maksim and Valentin Chmerkovskiy, and Tony Dovolani were joined by DWTS professional Peta Murgatroyd, Olympian Meryl Davis and actress Rumer Willis for a five-show run at the historic Olympia Theater in downtown Miami. SWAY gave the audience a glimpse into the lives of Maks, Val and Dovolani and their varied talents in dance genres such as conventional ballroom, hip-hop, rumba, salsa and cha cha. “SWAY was born because we had the opportunity to do it. It was choreographed in-house by two of our Dance With Me choreographers and the cast was made up of over 70 employees from our six locations. It quickly became a show that was bigger than us and we decided to do it two more times. Now we’re in Miami performing only five shows during Art Basel,” said Maks. Maks and Dance With Me Studios have partnered with Alfalit in efforts to eradicate human suffering caused by illiteracy. Dance With Me Studios has used its platform with SWAY to help create awareness for this cause. A percentage of ticket sales from SWAY, associated golf tournament and dance camp benefitted Alfalit International. “Without education we wouldn’t be able to do what we do, so I wanted to be able to give back to people who don’t have that opportunity themselves,” said Maks. For more information, visit swayshow.com

Entertainment, Film, The Issue

My Miami: Natalie Gal

November-December Issue 2015 Photographed by Catherine Asanov Natalie Gal is an American actress and model. She was born in 1989 to the family of an opera singer and a poet. Not surprisingly, she started studying ballet, gymnastics, arts, along with playing piano, singing, and performing in a theatre at the age of six. She is often compared to a young Angelina Jolie, considered to be a very promising young actress by media and magazines. She studied acting at NYU and speaks four languages fluently. Not only is Natalie represented by top model agencies around the world, but is also actively involved in various charities that are near to her heart, such as Artists for Peace and Justice and has done several campaigns for PETA. In September 2010, she was chosen to be the chairman of People Power Progress (PPP). She lives between NYC and LA, produces her TV show Fashion Destinations (airing on FashionTV), hosts a show on NEWTV, produces projects in Los Angeles and frequently travels to several cities around the world for work. She has starred in different movie productions and modeled for different brands such as Chanel, Cavalli, Alexander Wang, Prada, CoverGirl, Guess, Diesel, Alexander McQueen, and Revlon. She’s been on the covers of Grazia, Mademoiselle, Madam Figaro, and Modern Luxury to name a few. Currently she made a switch from modeling to acting, while still being an ambassador for many brands. She produces and stars in features with actors such as Samuel Jackson, Lindsay Lohan, Amber Heard and Kelan Lutz. Natalie recently hit the big screen in Jobs and Syrup. She is currently in the process of filming Enter The Fist with Danny Trejo. Since she is a self-proclaimed Miami lover, we couldn’t wait to hear the details… When in Miami you can catch me… Usually shopping! I enjoy all the Miami stores, little boutiques in all corners of the city, vintage shops in Wynwood Art District, or outside of SoBe. Of course, you also have to hit the big fancy ones, like Bal Harbour. After the shopping, I’m usually poolside at the Delano Hotel. I cannot tell you how many celebrities I spot during my visits there – so if you care for high-end people watching, then this is your place to stay. The biggest misconception about Miami is… That South Beach is the only place to be. I love Wynwood, Little Havana, Coral Gables, the Design District, and Coconut Grove. I am a big location junkie for my photo shoots and I typically ask a photographer or art director if we can shoot somewhere interesting, old, weird, or local. So I personally check out those locations on the mission to find interesting places to shoot, and Miami has so many! The last restaurant I enjoyed in Miami was… Juvia and Zuma all the way! I fell in love with Zuma when I first visited in London. It’s a hot spot for very attractive people (in case you want to meet a few wink-wink!). If you haven’t already, I dare you to order a few cocktails there, they are outstanding. Aside from the weather, the best reason to return to Miami is… There’s always something happening, music, art, fashion, and with new people. Of course, for me it’s Art Basel and Miami Fashion Week. Soho House is swarmed with people and hot outfits during MFW. I usually stay at SLS for MFW and get the most fantastic experience! For Art Basel, people come from all over the world to buy and celebrate art – its the best time to meet someone fun and interesting and get inspired by their talents. The first time I became really curious about Miami was… It was during my time as an up-and-coming, fresh-out-of-old-Europe model. I was instantly in love! I remember I went to the local coffee shop and everyone spoke Spanish there, which made the city appeal even worldlier to me. Then I was bedazzled by the Art Deco style, the atmosphere, the people, and then of course the hot nightlife. Miami felt instantly like the total package. Click here to view this post in MSM’s November/December 2015 digital issue

Living, Luxury, MSM Online, Real Estate, The Issue

Living with Style – FENDI Château Residences

  By Angela Betancourt 9365 Collins Ave in Surfside will soon be the home to FENDI Château Residences, a 12 story condominium building with 58 exclusive waterfront residences that feature uninterrupted views along 300-linear feet of pristine beachfront. Miami luxury developer Château Group and FENDI, the Italian luxury house, have joined forces to build this new high-end development located just a few blocks south of the world renowned Bal Harbour Shops. Slated to be completed in the summer of 2016, FENDI Château Residences is the first branded real estate project globally for the FENDI Company, and as of December, is already 50% sold. “We are pleased to bring FENDI Château Residences to the Miami market place. The residences will allow residents to savor the pulsating life of Miami with its avant-garde art and design culture, as well as its sandy beaches and lush surroundings,” said Manuel Grosskopf, Château Group President. On December 2nd during Art Basel, the building ’s sales center held a special event to showcase a full model residence where invited guests had the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the FENDI Château living experience. Every single detail was accounted for; the ultra modern kitchen with Gaggenau appliances, the elegant accessories, and the Italian marble finished bathrooms, were all depicted exactly as they will be when the building is complete. Grosskopf and FENDI Chairman and CEO Pietro Beccari were both in attendance to provide additional project insight and share their excitement to create this luxury project that will be unlike anything else in the community. “This has been a successful and enjoyable partnership. Both Château Group and FENDI share an unwavering passion for producing high quality products with an acute focus on design and creativity, underscored by the art of excellence,” said Grosskopf. The residences and penthouses range from 3,000 square feet to more than 7,000 square feet with prices ranging from $5 million to $25 million. Each unit comes equipped with plush amenity areas designed by FENDI and decorated with FENDI Casa fixtures and fittings. The building’s common areas include a library, business center, ballroom, kid’s club, reflective ponds, a relaxation terrace with aromatherapy, private cinema, lounge with gourmet kitchen, restaurant, a state-of-the-art fitness center overlooking the ocean, bicycle storage, multiple beachfront pools with cabanas, and numerous other lavish amenities. Residents will also have access to “white glove” services, including a 24-hour multi-lingual concierge staff, beachfront and poolside service, and a doorman and valet. “This is a very important project for us,” said Beccari. Together with the Château Group, FENDI Château Residences further establishes the FENDI brand within the luxury private home sector. When the FENDI Château Residences are complete, it will add an entire new dimension of luxury living to the Bal Harbour and Surfside communities. Photography Courtesy of FENDI CHÂTEAU RESIDENCES Click here to view post on the January/February 2015 Issue.

Living, Luxury, The Issue

Artefacto Debuts Its First Fabric Collection During Art Basel

By Angela Betancourt Celebrating 35 years of design and innovation, Artefacto has established itself as one of the world’s leading creators of contemporary furnishings. At the helm is Artefacto’s CEO Paulo Bacchi whose vision made the company the preferred choice for designers, developers, and South Florida residents. Their continued success is a reflection of their ability to stay relevant and always on the cutting edge of the interior design industry. During Art Basel and Miami Art Week, Artefacto debuted its first-ever fabric collection titled Animal Prints by Lais Bacchi, a collection of three bold neutral prints in five original fabrics presented on natural velvets designed by Paulo’s wife Lais. A jewelry designer and fashion icon, Lais Bacchi has already gained a lot of recognition for her company LB designs, a hand crafted jewelry line manufactured by artisans in her native Brazil. With Animal Prints, Lais had the opportunity to apply her vibrant sense of style in a new way: making her and her husband a power couple of interior design. “I drew from my background as a stylist and a jewelry designer to envision Artefacto’s first fabric collection, Animal Prints. The punchy patterns add a little bit of flair to Artefacto’s usually neutral palette of light woods, whites and chrome by virtue of their rich, luxurious texture and versatile nature.” The fabrics will add an additional element to Artefacto’s design style with upholstered and decorative accent pieces. In addition to the launch of Animal Prints, Artefacto also unveiled the Projecto Cubos exhibit, a series of custom acrylic art pieces created by 10 celebrated Brazilian artists. The exhibit will run until the end of January and will then be donated for auction at the IV Gala Brazil Foundation in Miami. Artefacto also showcased the work of Miami photographer Daniel Azoulay who presented an exclusive collection of new work inspired by the movement of ballet dancers. The photographs were displayed throughout the entire showroom. To celebrate the launch of Animal Prints, Projecto Cubos, and Azoulay’s work, Artefacto hosted an invitation only champagne brunch and exhibition at their main showroom in Aventura. More than 100 guests were in attendance, among them the “who’s-who” of Brazilian interior designers, architects, artists, and stylists, who are some of Artefacto’s most important clients. Guests showed excitement as they admired the new fabrics and exhibits. They sipped on endless champagne and delectable bites, and networked amongst each other. Overall the launch proved to be an exciting affair. Artefacto’s ability to partner with artists, who so well complement the company’s aesthetics, is just another sign that they are on the right track to continued to success. Photography by BRETT HUFZIGER Click here to view post on the January/February 2015 issue.

Arts, The Issue

Cirque du Soleil Partners with Spectrum Miami During Art Basel Week

By Angela Betancourt During Art Basel and Miami Art Week, Cirque Du Soleil partnered with the contemporary art show SPECTRUM Miami in the Wynwood Design District, to promote its new show Amaluna directed by Tony Award Winning Director Diane Paulus. Amaluna, will be touring around the world this year and saw Art Basel and Miami Art Week, as the perfect time and setting to launch the first performance. The show premiered to the general public on December 11, 2014 at the iconic blue and yellow Big Top at Sun Life Stadium. However, SPECTRUM attendees were privy to a sneak peak of the performance and a behind-the-scenes look at the extraordinary show. Amaluna is a story that celebrates women and femininity. It takes place on the mysterious island of Amaluna that is governed by Goddesses and guided by the cycles of the moon. Overcoming adversity, spiritual renewal, family, and love are all themes that play a role in the show. In true spirit of the performance, SPECTRUM “captured” a Cirque du Soleil artist, from the island of Amaluna, for the purposes of public observation. They recreated her natural habitat at the fair and dazzled guests as they witnessed the exclusive look at how the artist prepared for the show. She effortlessly moved her body from one mind blowing position into another as she demonstrated her graceful strength and control. Fair goers were also able to observe the “Crystal Goddess” and her porcelain-like disposition before she was shared with the rest of the world. SPECTRUM Miami is one of the largest shows, at 350,000 square feet, during Art Basel and Miami Art Week. Its growth and success is in part due to its reputation for incorporating these types of performances and artistic components. This partnership between Cirque du Soleil and SPECTRUM attracted thousands of visitors that wanted to see the extensive collection of art and partake in all the excitement being generated by Amaluna, while simultaneously drawing a lot of attention to some of SPECTRUM’s other exhibits. In addition to showcasing a collection of contemporary artworks from artists around the world, SPECTRUM puts a lot of emphasis on bringing in the local art community. During the fair they introduced a special curated Art Labs Series that featured educational projects and seminars by leading Miami-based art institutions. They also presented Yo Miami, a live invitational mural painting collaboration by veteran artists and up-and-comers. The fusion of these different artistic elements has made SPECTRUM a leading fair during the art-filled week and will continue to make SPECTRUM one of the most anticipated fairs for many years to come. Photography Courtesy of RED WOOD MEDIA GROUP Click here to view post on the January/February 2015 issue.

Culinary, The Issue

Michelle Bernstein: Girl Boss de Cuisine

By Nycole Sariol To most, she’s revered as Michelle Bernstein, James Beard Award Winning Chef and reality TV show regular. But to the voracious diners of South Florida who know her best, she goes by simply Michy. And while Bernstein has continuously wowed the nation with her deft cooking repertoire and covetable line-up of restaurants, it’s her most recent dining concept, Seagrape, showering the top toque with mass acclaim and etching yet another notch in her belt of world-class menus as of late. Taking precious time from her back-to-back schedule, we fiendishly chatted up Michelle about her newest brassier-turned-baby to hit Miami Beach’s Thompson hotel, Michy’s renovations, and how she manages to defend her title as the ultimate girl boss of the kitchen. MSM sits down with Michy to find out what she’s been up to: MSM: Let’s talk about your newest venture on the Miami Beach dining scene: Seagrape and it’s menu. What are some coveted plates that will whet our appetites there? MB: Seagrape at Thompson Miami Beach has really been an exciting project for David – my husband and business partner – and I. The menu is inspired by everything that makes Florida so wonderful like fresh seafood and beautiful produce. Some of our top-selling dishes since opening have been the Crispy Skin Florida Snapper, Braised Short Rib, Spanish Octopus a la Plancha, and the Ellensburg Lamb Chops. MSM: Seagrape is now ripe for the pickin’, having opened its doors late last month. What’s the crowd been like? Garnering any local love, or has it all been the jet-setting type? Reveal. MB: We’re thrilled that we’ve had such a successful opening. During Art Basel we were slammed with visitors in town as well as locals who were out and about checking out all of the fun events. We see a little bit of everything being on Collins, we love all of our guests and are happy to warmly welcome them! MSM: What of Michy’s? It’s temporarily closed due to its face-lift-heard-round-the-world. What sort of face-lifts are we talking about: drastic Joan Rivers style, or subtle like Christie Brinkley? There’s a difference. MB: Joan Rivers if she had fixed her feet up! It’s a new kitchen for me, new dining room for my husband and guests; new pipes, new walls, new everything! MSM: Random question time: Isn’t it ironic how society has always pegged women as laborers in the kitchen, yet men arguably have been recognized for dominating the modern- day culinary scene as Chefs de Cuisine? What’s it like being a woman cooking in a man’s kitchen? MB: I can’t speak for other women in the industry. The ratio of women I’ve seen in culinary schools is around 50%, but the actual percentage that becomes or remains a chef is pretty low. MSM: Speaking of being a lady within a testosterone driven industry: you’ve been knighted with a James Beard Award for Best Chef in South Florida; judged and mentored on Bravo’s Top Chef; and come on, how could we forget that one time when you slayed Bobby Flay on Iron Chef – truly a wonder to behold. What is the impetus behind such vociferous success? What’s your next plan of attack? MB: I figure its 50% luck and 50% good timing! I am driven, passionate and very, very disciplined but if it weren’t for my family and my amazing staff I wouldn’t be very successful! Photography Courtesy of THOMPSON MIAMI BEACH   Click here to view post on the January/February 2015 issue.

Scroll to Top