Moguls and artists and stars, oh my! The guest list for Carole Seikaly‘s birthday bash was a compilation of the most VIP of VIPs from every field imaginable, from Miami to Palm Beach and from several other cities around the world. They all converged at Cafeina, a hip lounge in the Wynwood arts district in Miami that is a favorite of the social set.
Carole and Oscar Seikaly are known for their fabulous dinner parties with exquisite Lebanese cuisine and are the most gracious, warm, elegant hosts.
Once you got past the fact that the divine Carole was turning 50 (really? 50?), you could focus on the staggering caliber of well-wishers, which numbered over 300. From the arts to business to politics to television, to several royals — even from the Saudi royal family.
Everyone who is anyone was there. And these are all folks that Carole and husband Oscar, really love and consider dear friends. “What was important for me was to invite all the people that have touched me and I enjoy being around since I’ve been in Miami,” said Carole, looking gorgeous in a fitted gold dress from En Avance, one of her favorite stores.
The Paris-born Carole met Oscar, who was born in Beirut, when they were 12 years old. Beyond cute right? Married for 21 years, they have two gorgeous children, Tatiana, 16 and Frederick, 17. They were there with a gaggle of their, of course, fabulously chic and sophisticated teen friends, including Emily Estefan (Gloria Estefan’s daughter).
For me, the best parties are those that combine all the perfect elements into one delicious result and this one was off the chart. From the theme, “Leather and Lace,” which Carole chose as she put it, “because it was the fashion on the runways this winter and I wanted to leave it up to the imagination,” and she adds with a twinkle, “it can be a little S&M too!”
The darling Oscar, one of the partners at NSI Insurance Group, handled everything from the fantastic dance music, that included all her favorites from the 60s on up, to a video montage of fabulous photos of Carole with family and friends throughout her life, which played on the exterior wall and inside in the gallery. It was at Cafeina because Carole loves its unique different vibe and location, with an elegant inside space and a casual outdoor terrace. The weather was perfect, cool and crisp.
My husband and I had to cut short the Vizcayan Ball to make it over to Carole’s party in Wynwood on time. A challenge doing society coverage? Absolutely.
The menu was a variety of the birthday girl’s favorite things from Lebanese food to Thierry’s Catering’s Italian dishes and Cafeina’s excellent tapas. Of course, Carole didn’t want a normal cake and no candles, no singing! Created by Thierry’s, the “cake” was a beautiful tower of French macarons en piece montee and choux.
Among the elite guests were music celebs Emilio Estefan and wife Gloria; television news anchors Belkys Nerey from CH 7, Jose Diaz-Balart from Telemundo, Univision’s Maria Elena Salinas; Univision stars, Raul de Molina and Lili Estefan (Emilio and Gloria’s niece). Artist Carlos Betancourt; art collectors Jason & Michelle Rubell; gallery owner Gary Nader and wife Jennifer. “Real Housewives of Miami” cast member, Marysol Patton and husband Philippe Pautesta. Diva Elaine Lancaster; and Frank Amadeo president of Estefan Enterprises.
Also there, sugar mogul Alfie Fanjul and gorgeous wife, Raysa who came from Palm Beach; former U.S. Ambassador to Brussels Paul Cejas and ultra chic wife Trudy; Don Peebles and fashionable wife Katrina, who’ve been spending a lot of time in Washington, DC but flew in for the party; Jorge and Darlene Perez, looking sleek and fabulous; the elegant Thomas Kramer; Edgardo and Ana Cristina Defortuna, glam as always; and Epic developer Diego and Gisela Lowenstein.
Looking chic as always shoe designers Donald and Lisa Pliner; hotelier Jonathan Breene and wife Criselda; Wahab Contructionn president Walid Wahab and glam wife Susie whom we unanimously voted “dancing machine” of the night!
We had rivers of champagne and danced and danced… and danced. One of the most spectacular parties in recent years!
PHOTOS: ZOLTAN PREPSZENT
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