Art Basel Miami Beach week started this year with yesterday’s Design Miami opening. Swiss Messe, ABMB’s parent company, is part owner of DM and decided to let the little sister bow first. It made for a lively day at the fair, however some of the celebrities that fly into town just in time for the ABMB opening seemed to be missing. The only star spotting at DM — other than the band OK Go, which was performing at the fair — was Naomi Campbell, although we later crossed paths with Pharrell Williams at the opening for Friends With You’s new shop in the Miami Design District.
What’s art without design? The two pursuits go hand in hand, and when Design Miami began five years ago, it was the perfect compliment to Art Basel Miami Beach. The two fairs work in harmony, but this year, Design Miami takes the lead by starting a day earlier than its bigger brother. Featuring modern and contemporary design objects from dealers from around the world, as well as solo displays, satellite exhibitions, pop-up shows, panel discussions, performances, and the designer of the year award, Design Miami transforms the already vital Miami Design District into the go-to place for international design enlightenment.
