Events

A Night of Decadence: Desserts, Duff and Delicious Stories

Published

4 months ago

February 26, 2025

Ian Charles

Sweet Dreams Are Made of This: Duff Goldman, Decadent Desserts, and a Dash of Nostalgia at SOBE Fest.

February 22nd, 2025

The Miami Beach Bandshell was the perfect, intimate location for Duff Goldman‘s singular event. From 9-9:30pm, before Duff took the stage, attendees strolled around sampling drinks and some wonderfully decadent desserts.

Some of the late-night bites were an absolute mastery of blending multi-layered flavors and textures at a high-end level. The best was created by Culinary Director Mercedes Kozlowski from Prime One Twelve (who even saved Duff Goldman with her paring knife as he was having difficulty peeling apples). Her dessert was a coconut custard mixed with a purple Ube purée, complemented by a mango sauce, whipped cream, and an Ube crunch reminiscent of a graham cracker crumble. It was truly next level, as is everything you find at Prime One Twelve.

Mercedes Kozlowski at Dessert Party with Duff Goldman

A close second was literally art on a plate. It was called Sunset Passion and was made by Angelica Lenox from Sweet Guilt. This creation featured a coconut cake infused with passion fruit reduction and St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur, then topped with a tiny, perfect gold macaron.

Other notable treats included the Scotch Tiramisu Cake by Cakeology, served in a small jar, the (so good it should be outlawed) Mini Churrocone filled with Dulce de Leche Ice Cream, and Cry Baby Creamery’s S’more Baked Alaska which featured a Graham Cracker sponge cake, milk chocolate ice cream, and a torched meringue on top.

The next two hours were all about Duff Goldman and his ‘One Man Show.’ He spent the time making his Grandma Esther’s (or Mamo’s, as he called her) secret Apple Strudel recipe, while sharing stories of his life and culinary journey. Celebrity Chef Duff Goldman is one of the most beloved personalities on the Food Network. His down-to-earth, humble nature really draws you in like a friend.

It was this stylistic nature (or lack thereof) that set him apart from other one-man shows I had seen before with Alton Brown and Guy Fieri. Duff Goldman just walked onto the amphitheater stage, casually donning a pair of camo shorts and a Lego t-shirt. Even with so many television shows under his belt, like Ace of Cakes, Charm City Cakes, Kids Baking Championship, and Buddy vs Duff, stardom never went to his head like other celebrity chefs. He is just a simple Jewish man who plays bass guitar and loves to bake.

Tonight, he was making his Grandma Esther’s secret Apple Strudel. He went through the process of peeling and cooking down apples, stretching the dough as thin as humanly possible, and adding a little bit of this and that to the mix. This could have been epically boring, but Duff kept the audience entertained through hilarious stories of his life and his Mamo Esther’s.

He recounted a story of how Esther once owned a successful hat shop and opened a second hat shop right across the street from the first one. If a person came into the store and said the hat was too expensive, Esther would tell them to go to the other hat store across the street.

Duff Goldman shared many stories about himself as well. One in particular was about a low-production cooking show that had him strip down to just wearing a mask and a cup as the small audience threw eggs at him. Duff then went through a string of failed cake baking competitions, but the camera loved him, and he built up an extremely talented bunch of artists who were now making cakes.

The Food Network hired Duff Goldman and his crew for the show Ace of Cakes, and the rest was history. Duff told us of one proud record he achieved from the network: he was the first person to ever get bleeped on one of their shows. Duff mentioned that whenever he misbehaved, fellow Food Network judge Nancy Fuller would tell on him, as she was actually a good friend of Duff’s mother.

with Antonia Lofaso at Dessert Party with Duff Goldman

Nancy was there for Duff Goldman’s One Man Show, as was a host of other celebrity chefs to support him and hang out. Some of them included Alex Guarnaschelli, Antonia Lofaso, Aarti Sequeira, Jet Tila and Amanda Freitag. They all stayed until the end and, of course, left with some of his Apple Strudel.

with Alex Guarnaschelli at Dessert Party with Duff Goldman

The event was casually fun, intimate and a great send-off to Saturday night. Sobe Fest is loaded with expensive, formal, packed events, so Duff Goldman’s event was the perfectly placed balance to all of that.

with Aarti Sequeira at Dessert Party with Duff Goldman

Dessert Party with Duff Goldman
Mercedes Kozlowski at Dessert Party with Duff Goldman
with Alex Guarnaschelli at Dessert Party with Duff Goldman
with Antonia Lofaso at Dessert Party with Duff Goldman
Dessert Party with Duff Goldman
Dessert Party with Duff Goldman
with Aarti Sequeira at Dessert Party with Duff Goldman

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Art Hearts Fashion Took the Lead at Swim Week

Published

2 weeks ago

June 3, 2025

McKaela Lulic

From bird queens to body glitter, Art Hearts Fashion lit up Eden Roc with unapologetic flair.

June 2nd, 2025

If the ballroom at Eden Roc Miami Beach could talk, it would still be catching its breath after a weekend of bold designs, wild performances, and unapologetically fabulous fashion. Art Hearts Fashion hosted two back-to-back nights of Swim Week magic that reminded everyone why Miami is that girl when it comes to turning a runway into a full-on experience.

From house music inspired graphics and metallic fringe to upcycled couture and belly dancing drama, here’s what went down and why it worked.

Friday: Neon, Nightlife, and Not-So-Innocent Swimwear

Friday’s vibe was “don’t call us subtle.” The ballroom pulsed like an underground club-meets-art gallery, and the fashion matched the mood.

Pia Bolte kicked things off with chaos in the best way: think animal prints, bedazzled corsets, and a general sense that anything could (and maybe did) happen.
CA RIO CA, Cirone SwimLingerie, and Coyote Jocks blurred swimwear and nightlife so thoroughly that no one was sure if they were headed to the beach or the DJ booth—and that was the point.
Slay Swimwear and Papi Swim closed the night with all gas, no breaks. The prints were loud, the cuts were daring, and the confidence was contagious.

By the end of the night, the ballroom was less fashion show and more electric playground and, nobody wanted to leave.

: Papi Swim

: Pia Bolt

: Slay Swimwear

Saturday: Birds, Bells, and Beautiful Intentions

Saturday brought just as much energy, but with a little more soul. There was a clear shift toward statement-making fashion—with a few theatrical surprises thrown in for good measure.

Love for Upcycling opened with a collection made entirely from repurposed materials. Between the animal-inspired silhouettes and a model literally carrying a live parrot, it was giving eco-warrior chic and the crowd was living.
David Tupaz followed with floaty, toned down resort looks that whispered elegance..
Caroline Derpienski turned the tempo right back up with a Snake Collection that sparkled, shimmied, and swayed. It was all hips, gold, and glitter. Basically, fashion you don’t just wear, you perform.
Later acts from Joseph Auren, Henri Costa, BFyne, and Bad Pink brought metallics, fringe, futuristic cuts, and everything in between.

Each designer delivered something distinct, and yet the night felt beautifully cohesive. Everyone had a point of view, and nobody was playing it safe.

: Caroline Derpienski

: Love For Upcycling

: David Tupaz

Nestled right along the glittering coastline, the Eden Roc Miami Beach proved to be more than just a backdrop. It was a co-star. With its mix of vintage Miami glamour and modern luxury, the hotel set the perfect tone for a weekend that celebrated both bold innovation and timeless flair. Walking into the ballroom felt like stepping into a curated dreamscape: sleek lighting, high-gloss floors, and enough air-kissed hellos to fill a red carpet.

The space struck a rare balance, intimate enough to feel exclusive yet grand enough to hold the weight of real fashion moments. The ocean breeze just outside the lobby, the iconic palm-lined drive, and the buzz of camera crews and couture-wrapped guests moving between hotel suites and the show floor gave everything the feel of an extended editorial shoot. It wasn’t just where the shows happened. It was where the weekend happened.

During intermissions, guests floated through the venue, cocktails in hand, mingling beneath chandeliers and recapping standout looks like seasoned fashion editors. With mezcal in one corner and mojitos in another, the space felt alive with conversation and camera flashes. There was a sparkle in the air, a vibe that made it feel like you weren’t just attending Swim Week. You were part of something cinematic.

Let’s be real. Swim Week at Eden Roc was a full-on vibe. It wasn’t just a series of fashion shows. It was a living mood board, a love letter to individuality, and a dance party dressed in metallic fringe. From the moment the first heel hit the runway to the final twirl on Saturday night, the energy was electric. You didn’t just watch the shows. You felt them.

Each designer brought their own version of bold, from recycled fabrics and resort-wear minimalism to glitter-drenched snake goddesses and futuristic jockstraps. It was a reminder that swimwear can be art, identity, celebration, and rebellion all at once. The crowd reflected that too, creative, expressive, and fully dressed for the moment.

While the runway looks took center stage, the heart behind Art Hearts Fashion quietly grounded the entire experience. The platform isn’t just about putting beautiful people in beautiful clothing. It’s about using the power of fashion to drive change, lift voices, and give back. With partnerships like Make-A-Wish®, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, and Project Cancerland, Art Hearts proves that fashion can and should do more than just look good.

What makes it all feel different is the sincerity. There’s no preachy undertone, no performance for clout, just an honest integration of purpose and creativity. From inclusive casting and emerging voices to boundary-pushing collections like Love for Upcycling, the message was clear. Impact isn’t the accessory. It’s the outfit.

If this weekend had a dress code, it would be “Come exactly as you are, but make it fabulous.” And that ethos carried into every detail, the drinks, the dancing, the applause, the backstage selfies, the whispered “who’s that designer?” conversations.

Swim Week wasn’t just fun. It was freeing.

Events

Miami Swim Week’s Kick-Off

Published

3 weeks ago

June 2, 2025

ELLE Swimwear Opened Miami Swim Week with Poolside Glam and Sunset Soundtracks.

May 28th, 2025

Leave it to ELLE Swimwear and Miami Swim Week® The Shows to throw the kind of party that sets the tone for the entire season: chic, sun-soaked and just the right amount of extra. On Tuesday night, the who’s who of fashionistas, influencers and perfectly tanned creatives gathered to celebrate the official kickoff of Miami Swim Week 2025, and let’s just say, the bar has been set high.

Tucked away on the ultra-exclusive Venetian Islands, the private waterfront villa felt more like a fashion fantasy than a party venue. Imagine stepping into a space where every palm is lit just right, the pool reflects the skyline like a high-gloss editorial, and the whole place hums with that “something fabulous is about to happen” feeling. It wasn’t just a backdrop, it was the mood.

And speaking of moods, let’s talk sushi. Sushi by Yasu was the evening’s culinary crown jewel. Each roll was a tiny masterpiece: fresh and delicate. Light enough to keep guests grazing, but satisfying enough to feel like a moment, the bites kept flowing all night, paired perfectly with champagne and curated cocktails.

The soundtrack of the night? DJ Brooke Brazelton spun a set that floated perfectly between rooftop lounge and full-body groove. Think vibey house, remixed classics, and the kind of bassline that makes strangers become dance partners. It wasn’t just background music—it moved the night along like a perfectly timed runway show. The crowd swayed, sipped and sparkled, and by midnight, the villa felt like the heartbeat of Swim Week itself.

As for the crowd, it was Miami at its best. A stunning blend of models, stylists, editors and locals who looked like they walked straight off a set. There were breezy linens, sheer mesh, bold swimwear, and sunglasses that stayed on long after the sun went down. The fashion was fearless, the conversation flowed, and every corner of the villa buzzed with excitement and ambition.

Somewhere between the third glass of prosecco and the fifth compliment on someone’s outfit, it became clear, Miami Swim Week 2025 wasn’t just starting. It had arrived. And if this kick-off party was just the beginning, we’re all in for a summer of serious style.