Art Basel 2012: Cartier Miami Design District

A couple of months ago the Cartier boutique in Bal Harbor closed shop in order to transfer to Miami's Design District.  Last week, our city played host to Art Basel, an art event and fair that has gained so much popularity in the last five years or so, that people from all parts of the world attend.  Art Basel brings multiple nightly parties to Miami.  Not one to be outdone (ever), Cartier hosted a series of Basel fetes; one of them being a cocktail party showcasing some of their most coveted pieces.

On Thursday night, I attended this event at the Cartier Boutique, Miami, located at 151 NE 40th street (near Michael's Genuine), in the Design District.

The event was perfectly executed, from the mouth-watering light bites that were passed, down to the Cartier champagne that kept making the rounds.

The store aesthetic was ultra-luxe - plush purple carpet and orchids throughout the space, coupled with a really unique display of baby's breath, clustered in the center of the room.  I'd never seen baby's breath look this chic. Honestly, it looked like a cloud.

The jewels were arranged throughout the space in glass display cases, like a museum, and I made my way throughout the store, picking my favorites out and even trying some of them on.  Everyone on staff was so polite and indulged my every whim.  You would like to try on the new ring from the Caresse D'Orchidees Par Cartier collection? Oh, no problem! Let me take it out of the display case with my gloved hand and pour you a glass while you wait.  Nice.

{PS click this link to enter the current giveaway that I'm hosting with Teeology}

Left: pink gold, diamonds, and colored stones.  Right - top ring: Opal, Pink gold and diamonds. Bottom - same ring as photo on left.

Despite leaving the boutique without a purchase in a token red Cartier bag,  I really enjoyed myself and look forward to other events like this. Thank you for the invite!

Clockwise: bracelet from the Flora & Fauna "High Jewelry" selection, another bracelet from the same collection, large white panther on display.

Clockwise: Panthere necklace, jewels in their display cases, various Cartier books, and a bracelet from the Fauna & Flora collection (similar here)

Similar necklace here

Clockwise: Stunning emerald ring; Panthere de Cartier necklace, ring & bracelet;  Panthere de Cartier cuff

What I wore: 
Black Lace Dress: D&G (similar here), obsessed with this one from Milly with a scalloped back and exposed zipper. Gorgeous!
Black Silk pumps with Acrylic Bow Details: BCBG
Clutch: Tory Burch Resin Logo Clutch (soldout)
Necklace: Cartier
Silver Cuff: Vintage
Watch: Cartier Tank Francais Medium