(EVENT PHOTOS BY EDUARDO FORD)
A select group of Miami’s most dynamic women was honored by artist Joey Mugica who is known as “The Color Queen,” by being immortalized in his exhibit entitled “Color A Cause.” Miami’s elite and celebrities collect Mugica’s “Color Queened” art and a percentage of ticket and raffle sales from this inaugural event benefited “Dress For Success,” an organization which provides professional attire for economically disadvantaged men and women.
Close to 500 Miami VIPs hit the red carpet at Pearl lounge, the landmark nightclub on South Beach to celebrate Mugica’s efforts and to witness the reveal of the honorees’ portraits, which were projected on a huge screen above the crowd. Diva Elaine Lancaster flawlessly emceed the presentation and performed during the cocktail reception.
The exhibit was the culmination of a two-part, several-month long effort in collaboration with Yobe Crespo of YobePhotography.com. All the original photo portraits were shot by Yobe, but during the shoot, “Color Queen” Mugica styled each woman with flowers according to his concept and posed each one himself.
I was one of the honorees and after dozens of photos, awash in champagne of course, Mugica pulled a “J-Lo” telling me to, “get on the floor!” To which I replied, “You want me to what?” Resist as I did, to no avail. I ended up flat on my back, flowers strewn all around me, knees twisted, trying to look, (ahem) natural! It was a hilarious, fun afternoon. As you can imagine, the floor situation only happened with way more champagne.
After weeks of editing during which Mugica chose his favorite poses, he Color Queened the images, manipulating them with color to arrive at the final artwork.
Before the exhibit, many of the honorees were invited to Saks Fifth Avenue in Bal Harbour Shops to have their makeup done by Giorgio Armani Cosmetics’ International Celebrity Face Designer Tim Quinn and his team. Quinn is a master… quite an artist himself.
“Color A Cause” exhibit honorees included philanthropists, businesswomen, socialites, reality television stars like Dr. Karent Sierra (new cast member of “Real Housewives of Miami” on Bravo) artists, designers, entertainers and television journalists like Kelley Mitchell, Deco Drive’s Shireen Sandoval, WPLG CH 10’s Glenna Milberg (and yours truly).
“Color A Cause” Honorees:
Ana Margarita Martinez, Bibi Andrade, Cecilia Paz, Charlotte Libov, Charlotte Ryland, Christina Hampton, Daisy Olivera, Donna Anderson Scharer, Elaine Lancaster, Erin Mia Milchman, Erin Michelle Newberg, Frances De Polanco, Giana Leyva, Glenna Golden Milberg, Hope Gainer, Jane Jei, Jennifer Heegaard, Jeniya Penrod, Karent Sierra, Kelley Mitchell, Kimberlee Etheridge, Kimberly Shenker-Bacardi, Lauren Foster, Lisa Pliner, Liza Santana-Pineres, Lourdes Valls, Lucrecia Beird, Mary Anne Williamson, Miriane Cavallini, Paola Ekelund, Roxanne Vargas, Samantha Perez, Sandi Powers, Sherie Wagner, Shireen Sandoval, Simi Dahl, Sonia Jacobson, Teri Rios, Zurami Pascual
Color A Cause event sponsors and partners were:
Pearl lounge, Giorgio Armani Cosmetics, YobePhotography.com, GlueGo, Boca Tanning Club Brickell, Ana Paz Cakes, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Avant Gardens, Toss Up Salads, Erin Mia Milchman and Kimberly Ethridge of Haute in the City, Lesley Abravanel, Duquesa’s Closet, Hope International and 4Four Marketing Group.
EVENT PHOTOS ONLY BY: EDUARDO FORD
Speak Your Mind