Miami International Film Festival will screen Far Out Isn't Far Enough: The Tomi Ungerer Story this Friday 

Sony Open Tournament Kick Off
Thursday, March 7, 5-8 p.m.
Bombay Sapphire Gin teams with db Bistro Moderne to host a happy hour kick off in anticipation of the Sony Open Tennis Tournament. Guests will enjoy specially priced cocktails and bar bites while also learning the art of mixology via Bombay Sapphire’s “Cocktail Experience.” From 6:30 p.m. on, the event will also feature a raffle for tournament tickets every 30 minutes. 255 Biscayne Blvd. Way, 305-421-8800; dbbistro.com

Far Out Isn't Far Enough: The Tomi Ungerer Story
Friday, March 8, 7:15 p.m.
The Miami International Film Festival presents a poignant and funny documentary on the life of artist Tomi Ungerer at Regal South Beach Cinemas. The film uses a mix of interviews, archival footage, and animation to portray the iconic illustrator, children's book author, and erotic art enthusiast. A discussion with director Brad Bernstein will follow the screening. General admission tickets are $12. 1110 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; miami.festivalgenius.com

Brothers Beckett Opening Night
Friday, March 8, 7:30 p.m.
The Alliance Theatre Lab's ode to family, friendship, and growing up opens at the Adrienne Arsht Center for a run through March 24. A dark comedy, Brothers Beckett follows brothers and roommates Kevin and Brad. When Brad finds out that Kevin is planning to propose to his girlfriend, he hatches plan to keep the question from being popped. Tickets are $35. 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, 305-949-6722; arshtcenter.org

Lauren Conrad looked radiant in a Cotton dress at the Cotton 24-Hour Runway Show 

This past weekend’s Cotton 24-Hour Runway Show brought celebrities, models, and fashion lovers alike to a pop-up catwalk on South Beach for a parade of 1,440 different looks—all made of versatile, comfy cotton. There to observe and commentate on the looks were Fashion Police host Giuliana Rancic and husband Bill, reality star-turned-fashion guru Lauren Conrad, actress Camilla Belle, and fashion correspondent Louise Roe, among others. In the coming weeks, fans of the 24-hour fashion show will be able to purchase looks seen on the runway at thefabricofourlives.com. In the meantime, browse this slideshow with highlights from the show: 

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Bill and Giuliana Rancic sported matching style for Cotton's "American Style" segment.

 

Camilla Belle and Giuliana Rancic kept the 24-hour show going into the evening hours.

 

Meanwhile, Conrad took time out to pose with fans backstage.

 

Louise Roe poses off the runway in a flowing floral Cotton dress.

 

This black-and-white Cotton look reminded us of Annie Hall.

 

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The Shore Club pool

Name that year: Barack Obama was sworn in as the first African American president, there was a "Miracle on the Hudson," Tiger Woods’s marriage was in hot water, and here in Miami, the Shore Club’s Sunday pool party was the place to be. The correct answer is 2009, and the latter of those frozen moments in time will deice as The Shore Club reprises its Shore Thing pool party this Sunday, March 10. Like many will remember, the midday bash promises fun in the sun, too many cocktails, and a rotating roster of superstar DJs. The festivities kick off at 1 p.m, so there’s idle time to enjoy a breezy brunch of lemon ricotta pancakes at Terrazza before the Grey Goose, Moët, and Moët Ice specials start flowing at the adjacent pool. As per tradition, the party goes on until sunset and there is no cover charge. This weekend’s relaunch will bring back familiar DJ faces including DJ Irie, DJ Mateo DiFontaine, and DJ Gunar. 1901 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305-695-3226

Oliver Kita Chocolates, an exhibitor at the first annual Miami Fine Chocolate & Foods Show

The lush promenade at Pinecrest Gardens will transform into a foodie paradise for the first annual Miami Fine Chocolate & Food Show this Saturday and Sunday. More than 80 purveyors will sample small batch chocolates, sweets, and cheeses alongside craft beers, wine, and spirits as local chefs offer tasty demonstrations on the main stage.

Working with instructors from the Miami Culinary Institute, chefs Norman Van Aken, Allen Susser, and Adrianne Calvo will give audiences the know-how to whip up delicious dishes using chocolates and gourmet foods like the ones being sampled at the show. Meanwhile, at the Pairing Pavillion, guests can chat with experts on the latest ways to couple food (including chocolate) and drink. Heartier appetites can visit Restaurant Row, where more than 50 South Florida restaurants will dole out their best small bites, and shoppers can pick up artisanal food gifts like olive oils, cheeses, spices, and charcuterie in the Gourmet Grove.

Tickets to the inaugural Miami Fine Chocolate & Food Show are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. Each ticket is good for 15 samples from the event’s various tasting areas. 11000 S.W. 57th Ave. (Red Road), Pinecrest

Kathryn Livingston is the former executive editor of Town & Country and a long-time chronicler of the beau monde. In her new book, LILLY: Palm Beach, Tropical Glamour, and the Birth of a Fashion Legend (Wiley, $25.95), she writes about the woman whose dresses became the default casual wear for America’s preppy. A sometimes rebellious daughter of wealth and privilege who dropped out of finishing school to become a nurse's aide in Appalachia, Pulitzer was a working mother at a time when mothers, especially fabulously rich ones, didn't work. Interestingly enough, the notoriously private fashion legend began her career by opening an orange juice stand in the heart of one of America's most luxe enclaves. This book chronicles her remarkable story.

What prompted you to write this book? 
KATHRYN LIVINGSTON: What I hoped to do next was a biography of an exemplary American woman who embodied what’s at the top of the American Dream, but whose private ups and downs through several eras were also reflective of modern American social history. In the fickle world of fashion, she is one of the very few who has been able to make a smashing comeback. While she is as colorful as her merrily printed styles for men, women, and children, there has never before been a published biography of her.

Where does Lilly live today? 
KL: In Palm Beach, Florida. Now in her early eighties, she pretty much shuns the limelight. A family-centered woman, she is often surrounded by her visiting children, their spouses, or even ex-spouses, plus Lilly’s eight grandchildren and sister. Her nine-bedroom house is every bit as unique as she is: A bold turquoise front door leads through a terra-cotta foyer into a bright yellow living room the size of a ballroom, filled with colorfully upholstered, pillow-strewn sofas and easy chairs, eccentric mementos, and elegant antiques.  

Have younger women embraced the Lilly Pulitzer line the way that they did Diane von Furstenberg’s classic wrap dress a number of years back?
KL: Absolutely. It has been embraced by a whole new generation of young women, men, and children. The brand, which started out as a Palm Beach snob uniform in the ’60s and became a much-copied fashion craze across the U.S, is now considered an American classic. 

How has resort style changed since you were an editor at Town & Country? 
KL: Amazingly, not much. It’s still civilized barefoot ease, casual classics. The effortless chic of a hibiscus-bright cable-knit sweater casually tossed over the shoulders of a pastel-hued polo shirt worn with crisp white cotton pants and sandals for women and loafers for men is still a perfect seaside club uniform by day in Southampton or Palm Beach. Lilly’s trademark gold gypsy hoop earrings are as popular today as when she originally wore them when she launched her business. Prints are big in fashion once more. So in a sense, fashion has caught up with Lilly.

Lilly Pulitzer is emblematic of a certain era’s wasp style. How would you describe wasp style today?    
KL: Low-key but up-to-date. Never flashy. Never looking like you’re trying too hard. Being aware of trends but knowingly sifting out the latest as to what is appropriate for an occasion, what is practical for a specific task. Clean-cut and fresh-scrubbed. Sporty and seemingly effortless. Uncluttered silhouettes, no superfluous ruffles. Good jewelry but not too much of it. Carefully put together but carried off with an air of nonchalance. This style’s assured stance starts in prep school, with mastered traditions, dress codes, awareness of rules. It’s a style acquired by osmosis [that] relies on the tried-and-true: Oxford cloth shirts, khaki pants, navy blazers, cashmere sweaters and shawls, well-cut suits in fine natural fabrics.

Celebrity stylist Jessica Paster 

A celebrity stylist who’ll settle for nothing short of the best-dressed list, Jessica Paster has outfitted the likes of Sandra Bullock, Jennifer Aniston, and Jennifer Hudson. Her knack for trend spotting has also earned her a role as one of personal shopping website JustFab.com’s style curators. With spring practically here, we asked Paster to create a shopping checklist for Miami style setters on the hunt for a new spring wardrobe. From the ultimate trench coat to dresses for lunch with the ladies or a night on the town, all of the essentials are covered in the below. 

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Watson dress, Roland Mouret ($2,284). net-a-porter.com

Sophisticated Dress for Day: “One of my must-haves is a Roland Mouret dress, because this is an absolute staple for classy and chic occasions.”

 

Sicilian Cart print dress, Dolce & Gabbana ($2,575). luisavianroma.com

Sexy Dress for Night: “Another coveted item would be a Dolce & Gabbana dress. We all know Dolce & Gabbana can do no wrong when it comes to nighttime cocktail dresses that exude sultry sexiness.”

 

Milano knit jacket, St. John ($1,495). nordstrom.com

A Bejeweled Blazer: “I predict one of the biggest trends to be picked up from the current runway season will be jewel-encrusted jackets. They are a fantastic way to dress up an outfit.”

 

Belted metallic trench coat, Burberry ($3,195). nordstrom.com

The New Trench: “I am literally dreaming about this metallic blue Burberry trench. What a great twist to a must-have staple!”

 

Cargo-style army pants, Current/Elliott ($449.31). us.asos.com

Weekend Wear: “I really think that army trousers will be making a comeback, but with a looser fit in the thighs, which is a nice change from the restricted skinny pants and jeans from past seasons.” 

 

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Tukwini and Makaziwe Mandela 

Nelson Mandela’s daughter, Makaziwe, and granddaughter, Tukwini, have been making wine in South Africa since 2010. However, it was only at this past South Beach Wine & Food Festival that American consumers got a taste of House of Mandela Wines. The mother-daughter team hosted an intimate dinner and wine pairing at the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, followed by a showcase at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach and Wine Spectator's Best of the Best event to mark their official U.S. launch. 

Though South Africa’s wine industry is booming, to find a wine label that’s actually run by black South Africans (let alone two black South African women) is exceedingly rare. “It was mind blowing to find how much the wine industry was contributing to South Africa’s agriculture and economy,” says Makaziwe. “It employs a great number of people in South Africa, and contributes almost $2 billion to the economy . . . We come from a very unequal society and the wineries were lagging behind in terms of transformation. Very few wineries had black people trained in winemaking.” The Mandela women are out to change these norms, employing South African family-owned wineries and using fair trade practices in many of their wines. Here, we speak with the two to learn more about their goals as businesswomen, as well as the spirit in which they hope to achieve those goals. 

First, how have the wines been received in South Africa?
TUKWINI MANDELA: Wine drinking in South Africa is quite low—it is a brown spirits drinking country. But the wine movement in South Africa is growing. We have now have festivals in East London, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, all around. Ultimately, what we hope to accomplish is to get more people to drink wine. We want to make it accessible. When you go into a wine store it can be intimidating because people feel like they need all this knowledge about wine in order to enjoy it. We say drink what you like and what you are comfortable with.

Has it been difficult to build your brand in such a male-dominated industry?
TM: Sixty percent of the people that purchase wine are women. We are very key and confident in the story we are trying to tell, and in who we are. Yes, the business is being run by two women, but it hasn't been a consideration on our part because, ultimately, it is all about the story. It is all about House of Mandela.

MAKAZIWE MANDELA: Women have entered [the industry] to raise the glass ceiling. There is nothing that prohibits women from entering the wine industry. There are a couple of women, as well as black women, who are in the wine industry who own their own wine farms . . . Yes, it's challenging and maybe sometimes intimidating, but if you are passionate about what you do, the sky is the limit.

What influence has your father had on your business?
MM: The basic pillar of House of Mandela Wines is that we celebrate and honor those who come before us. One of the things my dad has always emphasized to us is to never forget who we are as Mandelas and Thembu people, and that [the Thembu] people were warm and compassionate people.

How does the label’s commitment to fair trade and philanthropy play into that?
TM: Number one, we wanted to work with family-owned wineries because we felt they would understand the value of legacy, but we also wanted wineries that had good practices and quality product. We wanted wineries that paid their workers fairly and treated them well, and who also maintained the land. The Thembu collection is fair trade. The premium goes to the wine farmers for education and housing, but also makes sure they have a decent salary. We felt very strongly about sustainably.

MM: We decided from the beginning that any commercial venture that we entered would give a percentage of our profits back to charity. We are working with education, health, culture, and alternative energy charities. My children have also opened funds [to support] Africa Rising. It is important to uplift the youth of Africa.

Why did you choose the South Beach Wine & Food Festival as your U.S. launchpad?
MM: Miami represents cultural diversity, much like South Africa. The kaleidoscope brings different tastes and foods that pair well with the wines. The South Beach Wine & Food Festival is also serving such a good cause through its relationship with Florida International University. It is promoting education and education is important for us, as it is one of the drivers of development.  

With their saturated colors and hieroglyphic-like graphics, the works of Keith Haring are some of the most recognizable in the world. His body of work not only captivates, it also serves as a time capsule for the era it was created, the 1980s, depicting issues such as drug addiction (see his 1986 Crack is Wack NYC mural) and AIDS, which the artist died of at age 31 in 1990. Haring was also one of the art world’s greatest champions of public art, creating more than 50 pieces around the world (many for charities and children’s organizations) that celebrated life’s subtle joys—dance, friendship, and unity.

This week (March 6-10), Haring’s life and art will fuel a weekend-long “Haring Miami” retrospective exhibit at the Moore Building in the Design District. With more than 200 pieces, there will be a number of never before seen works, as well as paintings relative to Haring’s imprint. The event kicks off on Wednesday night with a VIP opening party with bites by celebrity chef Adrianne Calvo, a premium bar, a complimentary show catalogue, and multi-day exhibit access. Partygoers will also be among the first to enjoy sips inside the nationally touring Veuve Clicquot Airstream Champagne Lounge. VIP tickets are $250 per person. “Haring Miami” will open to the public on Thursday; tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. 4040 N.E. 2nd Ave., Miami

Dolce Italian serves a 6 to 7:30 p.m. prix fixe and apertivo daily 

Toscana Divino Dinner at Dusk
Brickell goers can slide into Toscana Divino for a $35 three-course Italian dinner (6–7:30 p.m., daily). Our perfect menu begins with carpaccio beef tenderloin with grilled mushrooms, followed by grilled sea bream filet and any one of the delicious desserts on the regular menu. There’s also a lovely burrata and tomato salad and a maccheroni and Tuscan beef ragu, among other dishes, on the early bird menu. 900 S Miami Ave., Miami, 305-371-2767

Sunset Prix Fixe Dinner at Dolce
Looking for an early dinner and drinks combo? Dolce Italian now hosts a sunset dinner special and new apertivo happy hour (6–7:30 p.m., daily). Start the night with two-for-one beers or specialty cocktails (we recommend the Spicy Raspberry Collins) before indulging a three-course supper ($29) by Italian chef Paolo Dorigato. The twilight prix fixe menu changes daily, so you can make it a weekly affair and never get bored. 1690 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 786-975-2550

Feijoada Saturdays at Tutto's Mare
Sit down to chef Joao “Juca” Oliveira’s Brazilian feijoada feast every Saturday afternoon (NOON–4 p.m.). Traditionally served over rice and topped with sliced oranges, collard greens, and hot pepper sauce, feijoada is a stew of black beans and smoked meats. It’s the national dish of Brazil and it's stick to your ribs good. An all you can eat bowl is $22.95 for adults and $9.95 for children. If there were ever a midday meal to keep you satisfied through bedtime, it’s this one. 2525 3rd Ave., Miami, 305-858-2525

Swine Southern Table & Bar will open March 9 in Coral Gables 

With Khong River House and Yardbird Southern Table & Bar under their belt, 50 Eggs restaurant group shows no signs of slowing down. Its new Swine Southern Table & Bar is set to open March 9 in Coral Gables. [Miami.com]

The first renderings of Brickell's forthcoming SLS Tower Hotel have hit the web. The new project will rise above the former Infinity II site. [Curbed Miami]

Several Miami hot spots made the list for the Forbes 2013 Travel Guide Star Awards. Kudos to the five-star club: The Mandarin Oriental, Acqualina Resort & Spa, Azul, and Naoe. [Forbes]

Meet the ten talented finalists for the 2013 MasterMind Awards, an arts contest put on by the Miami New Times and sponsored by the Adrienne Arsht Center. The list of ten will shrink to three winners, each of whom will receive a $1000 grant. [Cultist]

Before taking the stage at the BB&T Center, pop star Pink took a dip in the ocean with husband Carey Hart and daughter Willow. The pop star has quite the six-pack for a mom of a 20-month-old! [Huffington Post Miami]