By Nicole Kasak
Hublot’s Bal Harbour Boutique Transformed by Chicago-based Artist
VIP Clients and Celebrities Enjoy a Private Dinner and After Party on Star Island
Luxury Swiss watchmaker, Hublot, participated in this year’s Art Week Miami with famed Chicago-based artist, Hebru Brantley, known for his unique art style that draws from pop culture icons and themes from his childhood in the 1980’s. The artist is transformed Hublot’s Bal Harbour Boutique with a special art installation that was on display at the boutique from Tuesday, December 3 through Sunday, December 8.
During a private cocktail at the Bal Harbour Boutique on Friday, December 6, Brantley presented and donated an original work to Tracy and Alonzo Mourning to auction at a later date with proceeds benefitting Mourning Family Foundation. The reception featured champagne from Moet, passed hors d’oeuvres, art work from Brantley and several limited edition timepiece collections on display.
In conjunction with the art installation, the boutique unveiled and displayed for the first time in Miami, “Shawn Carter by Hublot” timepiece designed in collaboration with Jay Z. This timepiece collection is limited to 250 numbered pieces in black ceramic and 100 numbered pieces in 18k yellow gold, and both timepieces have a cutaway dial depicting the Shawn Carter logo. At last year’s Art Basel, Brantley made a huge splash and attracted the attention of several high-profile and celebrity art collectors, including a painting purchased by Jay-Z. Additional limited edition series’ displayed also included the Ferrari collection, the recently launched Big Bang Caviar “Lady 305” series and Big Bang UNICO timepieces.
Following the event at the boutique, select clients and guests of Hublot and Haute Living magazine, along with Hebru Brantley, were invited to a private dinner and after party on Star Island. The seated dinner, catered by celebrity chef, restaurateur and television personality, Todd English, included a live auction, a toast from Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot, Rick De La Croix, representing Hublot in the Americas and Kamal Hotchandani, CEO with Haute Media Group.
The after party featured a special Dom Perignon Champagne and Caviar lounge with free-flowing champagne and a display of Hublot’s Big Bang Caviar timepieces, a display of Hublot’s Ferrari timepiece collection and music by DJs Trey Smith and Michelle Pooch.
The after party event was attended by many clients and friends of the brands, including: Stephen Dorff, Lenny Kravitz, Eva Longoria, Jared Leto, Tracy and Alonzo Mourning, Lenny and Lisa Hochstein, Jeremy Shockey, Kenny Burns, Lea Black, Domingo Zapata, Loren Ridinger, Serena Williams, Jill Zarin, Alicia and Mike Piazza and more!
Hebru Brantley has received significant praise and support from several A-list celebrity friends and entertainers. His art explores personal or cultural memories and depict a range of political and social issues with a focus on optimism and the possibilities of youth. Brantley has exhibited in San Francisco, Atlanta, Miami, Seattle, Los Angeles, New York and solo shows in Chicago. He was the winner of the Redbull Curates Chicago contest, created the Lollapalooza poster for the 25th anniversary of the festival in 2011 and has been commissioned by Skyy Vodka, Nike and Tyra Banks.
Last month Hublot opened its 10th boutique in the United States in the Houston market with a ribbon cutting ceremony and appearance by Scuderia Ferrari pilot, Felipe Massa. The luxury brand also celebrated its two-year partnership with Ferrari and launched a special edition Big Bang Caviar “Lady 305” timepiece series in Miami.
About Mourning Family Foundation
Mourning Family Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Alonzo and Tracy Mourning, provides a multitude of opportunities to enhance the lives of children and families in the South Florida community through education, enrichment and advocacy. Presently, the Mourning Family Foundation supports over a thousand youth and families through the Overtown Youth Center and Honey Shine programs. For more information, visit www.mourningfamilyfoundation.org.
About Hublot
Hublot’s Chairman, Jean-Claude Biver, along with CEO, Ricardo Guadalupe, are responsible for turning the Hublot brand into a genuine success story in which the Big Bang, King Power, Classic Fusion and Masterpieces collections represent the symbols of a constantly evolving tradition. A champion of innovation, Hublot revolutionized the watch industry with the introduction of the Big Bang, a multiple award winning timepiece created using a combination of precious metals with rubber. Since then, the Swiss brand has become universally known for the concept, “Art of Fusion.” From in-house watch complications to world-class collaborations such as Ferrari, FIFA Football World Cup™, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers, Hublot is constantly evolving and looking to the future. Hublot is available at 750 points of sale and has over 65 boutiques around the world including New York, Miami, Palm Beach, Orlando, Beverly Hills, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Houston, among others.
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