Dancing through Vizcaya

It was almost like dancing through Italy on Tuesday at the Vizcayan's Preservation Luncheon. I got to wear one of my hats from Lyon and one of my vintage necklaces…how fun! To give myself an additional treat I also got my makeup done. So, feeling like a million bucks, I drove away in our black limousine (aka the mini-van) up the scenic and historic Bayshore Drive to Vizcaya. I had a wonderful time sipping champagne and eating lobster! I felt like I had boarded a plane, flown through time and place, and arrived at this carefree moment, however brief it was. I even sat with some French and Italian speakers and got the opportunity to practice a little of both. My only complaint is that I didn’t win the Ferragamo bag and shoes that were raffled off. I don’t think I’ve ever won anything in a raffle. The odds seem to be against me, maybe this means I’m due soon and will shortly win the lottery. Wouldn’t that be nice?

I was quite impressed with the attendance and lovely selection of hats at the event. My favorite hat belonged to Kira Flanzraich, who was wearing a hat especially made for her that resembled the onion domes of the Kremlin, in honor of her Russian heritage.

Fantastic! Kira with jewelry designer Mish Tworkowski

Another treat was the group of models wearing the new Ferragamo spring collection. I was glad I didn’t have to stand still for 2 hours wearing very high heels. I've noticed some of the fashions this season are quite Grecian in style.

There were lots of photographers and I just had to take a photo of this one.

Norma Quintero in Oscar de la Renta.

Interior designer Fernando Sanchez with one his clients, Lydia Prio-Touzet in Christian Dior.

My friend Coco Palenque Torre who told me she wasn't going and then pleasantly surprised me!

At the end of the luncheon, a few of us stuck around to toast our gracious hostess, Norma Quintero, and to thank her for establishing this wonderful tradition, hopefully for many years to come.

Vizcayans Treasurer Bill Jones.

Marysol Patton, Norma Quintero, and Ana Moran Varela.

Some gentlemen did attend...Alvaro Varela, Edgar Lozano, Richard Tasca, Tom Wood, and Luis Quintero.

Upon my return to the store (after a brief flight back to reality), my husband, a talented photographer, took this photo of me in his studio. The dress is rendition of an Yves Saint Laurent design. Thank you, D! You make me feel beautiful.

Italian Fashion, Hats, and Vizcaya

One of my favorite hidden treasures in Miami is the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens on Bayshore Drive. Built by James Deering to be used as his winter residence from 1916 until 1925, it is a magnificent Italian Villa transplanted from Europe to sunny South Florida. Eventually being acquired by the county, the house was opened as a public museum in 1955. As maintenance and restoration of property are costly and funding from the county is limited, a philanthropic group known as The Vizcayans was formed early on to raise additional funds to preserve this unique piece of Miami history. A few years ago, a friend invited us to join the James Deering Society, a group within the Vizcayans dedicated to building the endowment fund, and we became "trustees" of this group.
Next week, the current president of the Vizcayans, Norma Quintero is hosting the First Annual Preservation Luncheon, in the spirit of the famous Central Park Conservancy's Annual FLO Awards Luncheon. She has requested that everyone wear a hat. There is no shortage of hats in my closet, as it is my favorite fashion accessory to buy when I'm in France. The question is of course which hat will I wear?! I promise to post photos next week.
The event is sponsored by Ferragamo, and so they had a kick-off cocktail for us and for the Grand Opening of their new Bal Harbour store last week. Here's a photo of some of the usual suspects:

Karla Ferguson of Yeelen Art Gallery, Carlton and Andrea Cole (Vizcaya Trust Board of Directors), Joel Hoffman, executive director of Vizcaya, and Ian Simpkins, horticulturist of Vizcaya.

Enjoy the virtual visit to Vizcaya: Photo credits © Bill Sumner for Vizcaya Museum