Lifestyle Management Showcase at Luxury Living/Fendi Casa

Florida’s premier residential property management company, FirstService Residential, co-hosted a groundbreaking event for the luxury condominium management community on Thursday, March 26, 2014 at the Luxury Living/Fendi Casa showroom in the Miami Design District, in partnership with Le City deluxe Magazine. For the first time in the history of the company, FirstService Residential lined up with leading luxury brands to showcase products and services in front of a select group of property managers and concierges from some of their most luxurious condominiums, such as IL Villaggio, Apogee, Icon South Beach, Murano Grande, Continuum, Paramount Bay, Jade Ocean and Jade Beach, just to name a few. 

The event was co-hosted by the Luxury Concierge Network which brought onboard its portfolio of luxury brands which were strategically placed throughout the multi-space showroom to create an intimate environment for attending guests to learn about their respective products and services, with the objective to expose these distinguished group of professionals to the luxury lifestyle that their residents enjoy. 

Star Services Events & Public Relations was in charge of the conceptualization, planning, coordination and management of the event, where we had a chance to work with multiple clients in one event.

The participating luxury brands included Fendi Casa, Bentley Home, Heritage, Ferretti Group, Bang & Olufsen, Markowicz Fine Art, Lou La Vie Members Club, QA Jet, Orianne Collins Jewelry, ONE Sotheby's International Realty and Sojo Design.

Photo Credit: Stephane Chiche

CLICK HERE TO VIEW EVENT PHOTOS

Luxury Concierge Network by Le City deluxe Magazine

We are grateful to Le City deluxe Magazine for the great article that they published in their February/March 2014 issue. Below you will find the transcribed content, we hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

"As a former concierge of one of the premier residential communities in Miami, I had the opportunity to cater to a very discerning and affluent clientele by handling lifestyle and sometimes personal matters to make their lives easier. Such experience gave me a unique perspective of the relationship between the consumers of luxury products and services, and those who cater to them. A few years passed and I founded Star Services, a boutique events and public relations agency, and eventually resigned from my position as a concierge to work full time in my company. One of the many things I learned those years is that many (if not most) of luxury brands do not see the concierge professionals as the gatekeepers to entire communities of potential clients. Since most of those companies didn’t have an established strategy or effective program in place targeting concierges of luxury condominiums, I decided to create one. Thus, The Luxury Concierge Network was born.

After spending 2 years building relationships with concierges from some of the most exclusive condominiums in Miami, while approaching and pitching this new concept to potential clients, I learned that most luxury brands focus on that personal touch, the one - on - one connection with their consumers. While I had a solid platform of effective marketing and branding tools in place, I was missing that special component. Soon enough, with the support of some of my concierge friends I was launching the “Luxury Lifestyle Showcase”, a series of events exclusive for residents of luxury condominiums where brands have direct visibility to their audience - an opportunity to meet, mingle and socialize with potential clients, in the comfort of their home. 

Concierges of upscale residential communities represent a wealth of opportunities for those who learn how to work with them, appreciate them, and respect them as the professionals that they are. The trust that they build from their clients is a very valuable asset, and becoming a preferred brand or vendor of any of these concierges should be part of every marketing and branding strategy. As new luxury condominiums open up, and we expand our network, we will continue catering to these elite concierges, and connecting them with some of the best brands and services in town."

Jade Ocean Event by Le City deluxe Magazine

If you checked out the February/March 2014 issue of Le City deluxe Magazine, you probably came across the awesome coverage they did on the Luxury Lifestyle Showcase Event that we did for residents of Jade Ocean.

In the link at the bottom, you can see the online version including a photo album from the event.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PHOTO ALBUM OF THE EVENT

Connie McSilver Opening Exhibit at Markowicz Fine Art

On Thursday, January 30 2014 the worlds of psychology, social work and art collided into a crescendo of exceptional art as mixed media artist, Connie McSilver, presented her unique series at one of South Florida’s top art galleries. An opening exhibit event was held at Markowicz Fine Art Gallery at 114 Northeast 40^th Street in the Miami Design District.

Connie McSilver showcased her latest series of sculptures and paintings at the event; her works include pieces such as: “Big Umbrella Man”, “Mama Best”, “Split Personality” and “Mother Totem”, all of them made of fiberglass and brought to life in living colors with automotive paint. 

McSilver is a highly respected social worker and retired psychoanalyst who holds a PhD, and is a board member of a prestigious university and founder of the McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research. She evokes the upheavals, triumphs and sorrows of her professional experiences as inspiration in her passion for art. Her work is mostly three dimensional in the form of brash and brightly colored sculptures, but also includes two dimensional paintings that follow the same style.

McSilver’s works are bold, vivid and often whimsical. She pours her passion for helping others into her artwork, which often shows in camouflaged and masked human figures that transcend into a fantasy world. Each piece delves into the intricacies of the human psyche, but with a humorous twist. In addition, Connie McSilver donates proceeds of her sales to a university scholarship fund.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW EVENT PHOTOS

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HER ART CLICK HERE

Luxury Concierge Network: Jade Ocean 2014

 

Our first “Luxury Lifestyle Showcase” of 2014 was hosted at the fabulous Jade Ocean in Sunny Isles. We created a fantastic experience for over 80 residents who descended from their oceanfront homes to the Fendi Room, by the pool deck overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and champagne were served, as guests enjoyed visually stimulating vignettes from luxury brands and services such as Ferretti Yachts, Markowicz Fine Art, Lou La Vie Members Club, Odubers Italy, Barone Antica Sartoria, and Bang & Olufsen.

 

We made sure all guests went back home with gift bags, and some of our brands gave away fantastic gifts to raffle, which included a $700 value car experience from Lou La Vie, a $350 leather purse from Odubers Italy, a Dinner/Show for 2 from Tatiana Restaurant, and tickets for “Assassins” from Adrienne Arsht Center for Performing Arts.

 

 

Exquisite food was passed butler style, courtesy of Fascino’s Restaurant and Soho Asian Grill; Casa Botran Rum and Monte Carlo Vodka were in charge of the bars, and Tatiana restaurant provided with the fabulous champagne tree. Despite of the low temperatures (upper 50’s) our DJ Tavin Raiter played the sexiest tunes of his career from the pool deck.

 

Special thanks to our media partners Le City deluxe Magazine, and of course to the amazing management and staff at Jade Ocean, including star Concierge John Lenis, who is always a gentleman and outstanding professional.



Photo credits: Stephane Chiche / Le City deluxe Magazine

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Phil MacQuet’s “Art/Digital” During Art Basel Week Miami 2014

 



From street art to avant-garde, digital age artist Phil MacQuet’s unique and interactive art uses high definition images combined with digital screens to make his pieces come alive through the interaction with a mobile device. His never before seen work, “street / digital” made its world premiere at Markowicz Fine Art in Miami on Saturday, December 7^th during Art Basel Week Miami 2013.

 

 

Phil MacQuet has been using the computer as a means of expression for more than 20 years, as he witnessed its birth and took an interest in the advent of the sophisticated machines. MacQuet has taken art and technology one step further by developing a smart phone application which scans digital stencils from specific pieces of his art. The application then takes the user to an online video or images, sometimes with sound, that describe the meaning of that particular image within the context of the art piece, allowing the observer to experience a vivid and breathtaking view of the art.

 



The grand opening exhibit gathered a great crowd of art connoisseurs, collectors and enthusiasts who admired the innovative mind-blowing series, as the artist Phil MacQuet and gallery owner Bernard Markowicz, engaged guest with personal demonstrations with iPad devices.





CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON PHIL MACQUET






"Born Wild" by Richard Orlinski/Markowicz Fine Art - Art Basel Week 2013

Markowicz Fine Art hosted an exclusive exhibit of sculptures by French artist Richard Orlinski on Friday, December 6th, 2013 at Villa Azur Restaurant, during Art Basel Week 2013.

A series of magnificent art pieces from the “Born Wild” series where showcased throughout the upscale lounge and restaurant, revealing works that illustrate the passage of vital impulses; negative to positive emotions depicted in animals from popular imagery, film, and the wilderness.

 

Guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as they mingled and admired the exceptional pieces of art.

 

 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW EVENT PHOTOS

 WWW.MARKOWICZFINEART.COM

"The Art Garden" by Idan Zareski/Markowicz Fine Art - Art Basel Week 2013

 

As the fence on 85 NE 40^th Street, in the Miami Design District, was moved out on Tuesday morning, what before was an empty lot with uneven grass and patches of concrete, this time emerged as temporary home for a very peculiar family: The Big Foot Family series by Israeli-French artist Idan Zareski. The public installation was kicked off with a private event on Tuesday, December 3^rd, 2013, co-hosted by Idan Zareski and gallery owner Bernard Markowicz.

 

 

Zaresky’s original “Big Foot” was joined by a quite big “Lady Foot” and super-sized “Baby Foot”, as the centers of the installation; on one of the walls a colorful image of a granny escorted by four Elvis Presley’s images popped up a few days ago, created by celebrity street artist Bambi who flew from London, to collaborate with the message of peace and tolerance that The Big Foot Family series spreads around the world, by naming the mural “Make Love Not War”.



Tents, large screens, projectors and strategically positioned bright lights were part of the components that transformed the site into The Art Garden, which was conceptualized and designed by high-end interior designer David Landau.

 

 

Exquisite hors d’oeuvres, champagne, scotch, wines and great music truly made up a delightful evening for guests that included art collectors, socialites, clients and friends of the event hosts, including Adriana de Moura, one of Bravo’s Miami Real Housewives of Miami, Maurice Renoma, internationally renowned French designer and photographer, and Connie McSilver, philanthropist and artist, to name a few.

 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW EVENT PHOTOS

WWW.MARKOWICZFINEART.COM

WWW.DAVIDLANDAUDESIGNS.COM

Bright Minds Film Festival

A group of talented and pioneering film and entertainment professionals presented a series of short independent films they produced on location in South Florida at the inaugural “Bright Minds Film Festival”. The new film showcase opened at The Colony Theater on Lincoln Road on Tuesday, November 26^th at 7:00 pm with a cocktail reception and private screening of the six short films: “Alone”, “Eternal Emotions”, “Happiness”, “One Life”, “The Perfect Stroke” and “Cueva de Ilusiones”.

The leading team of filmmakers includes: Jose Alexzander, Carola Parmejano, Omar Jimenez, Elda Medina, Gui Agustini and Christina Jolie Breza, all of whom played different roles in the production of the six films.

The evening started with the arrival of VIP guests, filmmakers, actors and actresses through the red carpet, who immediately after gathered for a cocktail reception at the foyer and lobby areas at The Colony Theater. At 8:30pm over 300 seats were filled in the auditorium for the beginning of the program which was hosted by Mexican actress Rosalinda Rodriguez and Cuban actor Carlos Garin.

Recognition awards were given to actors, actresses, directors and other professionals who were part of the production teams that made possible the filming of the featured short films. As one of the highlights of the evening the first “Bright Minds Film Festival Life Achievement Award” was given to internationally renowned Mexican television and film actress and director Adriana Barraza. The evening included a live music performance by artist Grethel Ortiz, in collaboration with Latin Grammy Award winner Tony Tahan and Gibson Guitars’ artist Luis Gomez.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW EVENT PHOTOS

WWW.BRIGHTMINDSFILMFESTIVAL.COM

Luxury Concierge Network: Jade Beach 2013



On November 7th, 2013, Jade Beach, one of the premier residential communities in Sunny Isles,  partnered up with  us and The Luxury Concierge Network to host a wonderful private event for their residents and guests.

 

 

Jade Beach’s ocean front pool deck was the perfect venue for the Luxury Lifestyle Showcase event, co-hosted by Billy Blanco Design and Lou La Vie Members Club; featuring fabulous brands such as Santa Maria de Novella (Bal Harbour), Kiehl’s (Aventura), Sol Filippi Jewelry and Elevee Lifestyle.

 

 

 A fine art exhibit was presented by our friends from Robin Rile Fine Art who displayed sculptures by Rainer Lagemann, Richard McDonald and Salvador Dali. The wine bar was sponsored by RoboVault, and cocktails were courtesy of Russian Standard Vodka. El Gran Inka and Red Velvet Restaurant were in charge of providing exquisite hors d’oeuvres.

 

 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE EVENT PHOTOS

WWW.BILLYBLANCODESIGNS.COM

WWW.LOULAVIE.COM