021: Tales from Miami & Grand Openings

WELCOME BACK FRIENDS 🍂

And welcome to December. As we reach the final weeks of the year, we’re firmly focused on a few themes near and dear to our heart — gratitude and reflection.

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DISPATCH 021 —

This week, we’re spotting red carpet eyewear in London, admiring floral fine jewelry in New York, and scoping out social commerce in Lagos. Plus: new retail openings coming soon and more niche media. But first, a mini pit-stop in Miami…

ART “FAIR” GUIDE — MIAMI

Nothing else marks the end of the art season, if you will, than all of the fairs touching down in Miami. From Art Basel Miami Beach, Design Miami/ and NADA to special curations at the Rubell Museum and PAMM, attendees from far and wide anticipate taking in loads of exceptional art and design over the week-plus-long extravaganza. Besides the heat and the hubbub of networking, there’s a lot to recommend if you’re in the mood for it, but today, we’re only highlighting one thing.

Off the back of an incredible showcase in Tribeca, Nifemi Marcus-Bello unveiled a new piece as part of Design Miami/. Entitled Tales by Moonlight, the bench with bowl object speaks to Marcus-Bello’s personal narrative, including a beloved children’s television series from which the piece derives its name, and his long-standing interactions with craft communities within Lagos. Shown with Marta Projects of Los Angeles through December 10.

BLANC GETS AN UPGRADE

Blanc Magazine released Issue 24 of its beloved creative platform centered on diverse talents and perspectives. Independently published, this twelve-year-old publication led by Teneshia Carr falls squarely in the vein of niche media we’ve been highlighting all year. This latest cover highlights the dressing up of undergarments and features editorial stories on Willy Chavarria (winner of the 2023 CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year Award) and Harbison Studio among others. The visual identity reflects a major shift that kicked off in the prior issue, including a reimagined logo design. While the aesthetic changes speak to an evolving elevation, the magazine still maintains its focus on the burgeoning creatives that have shaped the purpose of its platform.

You can order your copy today.

ON OUR RADAR

Fine jewelry designer Bernard James toasted to the opening of his first storefront in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. It’s been a busy month for the brand, including their latest holiday campaign featuring Telsha Anderson (behind T.A. New York) and a new jewelry box collaboration with USM. (Link)

Continuing the wave of new retail store openings, South African knitwear label MaXhosa will open their first stateside flagship in Soho in February 2024. (Link)

Across the pond, KIMEZE celebrated yet another celebrity placement. This time on Beyonce and Blue Ivy, who were both spotted wearing the black Gabriel sunglasses at the Renaissance film premiere in London. (Link)

Don’t miss this once-a-year archive sale via Instagram Story courtesy of Kkerele starting Saturday, December 2. (Link)

Redoux is hosting two holiday pop-ups this month in Manhattan and Brooklyn featuring their complete assortment and exclusive “529” fine fragrance. (Link)

Keen to explore our exclusive Holiday Gift Guide? It’s available now to Founding Supporters! (Link)