Where the Sun Still Shines

Carla Sozzani, Julian Schnabel, and Franca Sozzani   more photos ›

In the weeks preceding Art Basel Miami Beach, many claimed that the little hiccup currently working its way through the international economy would be worst felt in the fair's social engagements, i.e., the parties that are the precise reason many fancy folk make the pilgrimage to south Florida every December. Well, if Wednesday night was any indication, those naysayers couldn't have been more wrong. Not one, not two, but three big events were on the docket: Silvia Venturini Fendi's dinner at the home of Miami Design District doyen Craig Robins, Puma's sit-down to toast its collaboration with the Rubell Family Collection on 30 Americans, and the fête that Allison Sarofim and Stuart Parr hosted at Casa Tua for Edmiston yachts (yes, apparently people are still buying, or at least looking at, yachts).

"If you're quick—in and out—you can squeeze in more than one party," said Sarofim. But being quick wasn't easy, what with the evening's many speeches. At least they were big on laughs. Raising a glass to the German shoe giant, art collector Mera Rubell said, "I love Puma. If you're going to galleries all day, you need a comfortable shoe. In fact, when people ask what you need to start a good art collection, I now always say a pair of Pumas." Back at Casa Tua, after thanking the art royals in the room (and the actual royals, if you count Princess Firyal of Jordan), Parr stood on his banquette to tell a bawdy joke involving a burka and a pear that left more than one lady blushing. Benicio Del Toro, for the record, liked it.