⛱️ The #2 hotel in the world: Faena Hotel Miami Beach

AND: Product drops from Gucci & GOLF WANG

Nov 19, 2021

soiree faena miami beach — @michaelabown

Welcome to issue #049. Hey, y'all. I've been a little quiet over the last few weeks. And that's because I got engaged 💍

But that's not what today's newsletter is about.

For my engagement, I planned a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Miami, Florida... at one of the most famous hotels in the world: Faena Hotel Miami Beach. I figured you artsy and creative folks would love a birds-eye view into this Art Deco masterpiece.

Sitting in the heart of South Beach on the famous Collins Avenue, the Faena district is accented everywhere with gold, signature red, giving an over-the-top luxury 1950s feeling. All with an incredible ocean view. By the pool is the famous Damien Hirst Golden Mammoth sculpture, which is said to be worth $18M USD. The hotel is extravagant, and a must-see if you're ever planning a trip to Miami.

I'll break down why this hotel is so great: from the history, art, food, influence, and much more.

contents:

brand of the week
faena miami beach
what’s in my closet
threads
what’s on the coffee table
upcoming product drops

interested in advertising? click here

This installment of Soirée is free for everyone. I send this email every Friday. If you were forwarded this email and would like to receive it every Friday morning you can join the hundreds of other fashion enthusiasts by hitting the button below.

STUTTERHEIM

The Stutterheim story isn’t complete without talking about the country and culture that formed the foundations of they are.

They are deeply connected to the environment, it is central to their design process, and Scandinavian design in general. From the white bark of the birch tree to the deep green of towering pines, Stutterheim products are created with natural beauty in mind. They strive for quality and timelessness, but always with a willingness to grow and evolve with time. Their raincoats are made to be worn every day, aimed to effortlessly elevate any outfit.

The insistence on stylish functionality can be traced back to their roots in Stockholm. The Swedish capital is home to their HQ and it’s where they design and create; inspired by the famed sartorial streets of Östermalm to the streetwear of Södermalm.

Check em' out →

HISTORY

soiree saxony hotel — *© Bettmann/CORBIS.*

Originally named the Saxony Hotel, completed in 1948, was one of the first luxury resorts on Miami Beach. The hotel was designed by architect Roy F. France and made the Saxony Hotel famous for its luxurious rooms and exceptional views of South Beach. It was the first air-conditioned hotel on Miami Beach and was considered the most lavish hotel at the time. It was nicknamed the "Ivory Tower" after the famous nightclub on the top floor. It was later purchased by the Faena Group, which extensively renovated the hotel and opened in November 2015.

INFLUENCE

The massive project to overall the Saxony Hotel was taken up by Argentine developer Alan Faena, after his smashing success for his first Faena luxury hub in Buenos Aires. Looking to continue Faena's south American spirit, he tapped the shoulder of the Great Gatsby director Baz Luhrmann and his wife, who's an Academy Choice Awards winner, Catherine Martin. The two designed the interiors, uniforms, and cultural programming. Alan Faena tasked them with a goal of keeping the Saxony's ling history but beefing up the hotel with Miami's contemporary scene.

“We dealt with it just like we would deal with a film,” Luhrmann told Vanity Fair.“We went back to the very roots of the Saxony.”

What's unique about Luhrmann's influence, is that he lived on Collins Avenue several years ago, during a time when Gianni Versace was alive. And he described Miami as "both gritty and glamorous" and really wanted to exemplify that in this concept.

ARTS

Faena has established an arts district of its own and it's one of a kind. With the Faena Theater, Faena Bazaar, and the Faena Forum -- they boast innovative creative practices, massive murals, and immersive visual experiences that tackle the traditional boundaries of science, art, philosophy, and social practice. Their contemporary pieces act as a cultural fusion between North and South America, giving us a really unique perspective of artistic expression.

The Faena Theater was one of my favorite attractions when visiting. It's crazy sexy, with inspiration from Europe's grand opera house with an allure of Old Hollywood. The theater shows ambitious performances with highly acclaimed cabaret performances.

FOOD & DRINK

You really feel like you're traveling around the world when you enter the food scene at Faena. Los Fuegos by famed argentine chef Francis Mallmann was absolutely incredible. It's born from a passion for the ancient art of South America with open fire cooking.

Followed by Pao by Paul Qui, it's a range of international styles including Filipino, Spanish, Japanese, and & French presenting a unique brand of Asian cuisine and stunning oceanfront and bay views.

Intimate bars like the Living Room, Veranda, and the Saxony Bar are bespoke. Live music, DJ sets, Vinyl nights, unique cocktails, glitz, and glamour -- everything is on a full VIP scale.

BEACH

The beachfront was picturesque. Private, but still carrying that Faena flair -- it was extremely artsy and was a great experience to simply fall asleep, ordering something off the menu and have it delivered right to you, and much more. It was amazingly quiet too, with no hotel crowd on site. Something you rarely get when you attend a private beach.

OTHER AMENITIES

soiree tierra santa healing house — *@tierrasantahealinghouse*

The Tierra Santa Healing House was something out of a magazine. Carrying the largest hammam on the east coast (22,000 square-foot), the wet sauna and steam room created a feeling of luxurious Roman-Greco life. It blends ancient healing rituals from around the world that awakens your consciousness and restore your wellbeing.

I can't finish off without saying how amazing the concierge was. They were really one of a kind. Kind, gentle, and always with a smile, they were eager to help out with anything. From the Alfa Romeo rides to bringing you champagne wherever you were at the hotel. It was one of the best as far as service goes that I've ever been a part of.

🩴 Slides → Crocs teamed up with Pleasures to give you a pool-inspired all-terrain clog, slide, and Jibbitz™ charms. Make a splash wherever you go with this collab!

👔 Crewneck → The origin of Dime began in 2005 when a group of teenagers (Antoine Asselin, Phil Lavoie, Bob Lasalle, Hugo Balek, Charles Rivard, Eric Riedl, and Alexis Lacroix) began posting silly yet impressive skate videos to the backdrop of nostalgic 90s hip-hop beats.

👨‍💼 Work dress shirt → New name, new start since 2020- tradition and innovation are at the core of NULABEL CM1Y0K42

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