SFMOMA is in the midst of a massive renovation to improve the complex. The preliminary designs are in place to modernize the site and formulate artwork to be visual in public places. The building called the Snøhetta will be fifty feet above the other branches of the museum. There will be outdoor terraces and the street level gallery will have three walls of glass for pedestrians viewing pleasure.

Snøhetta principal architect Craig Dykers says, ”The scale of the building meets the museum’s mission, and our approach to the neighborhood strengthens SFMOMA’s engagement with the city. Pedestrian routes will enliven the streets surrounding the museum and create a procession of stairs and platforms leading up to the new building, echoing the network of paths, stairways, and terracing that is a trademark of the city.”

On Howard Street the gallery is expanding to replace the old firehouse with one that’s new and improved.  The firehouse will be a gift to the city and will require a financial donation of $10 million. Overally, the museum will add plenty of new places for tourist and locals alike to visit and enjoy.  The modern designs of the buildings to be put in place will be considered artwork themselves that will increase the viewing pleasures of many enjoying the area.

Boca Raton Magazine and Kristin Rawson, the style director for Ann Taylor, hosted a bash in celebration of the brand’s new store grand opening at the Seagate Beach Club in Delray Beach.

The new outpost will feature a shop-within-shop concept detailing Ann Taylor’s new fashion-forward attitude and with the intention to make the shopping experience a more intimate one.  A soft, neutral palate of creams, silvers, and champagnes allow for consumers’ eyes to focus directly on the brilliant displays, including a center runway of mannequins clad in seasonal collections and vignettes of accessories purposely positioned.

Through the eyes of Lisa Axelson, Ann Taylor’s head of design, the collections have taken on a more bold and sophisticated edge a sense of style Katie Holmes, the brand’s face, easily exudes on a day to day basis.  The company aimed to represent this in the design of the concept store from the interior to the facade as well as its location.

In honor of its launch, guests were treated to an evening of browsing and carousing with canapés and cocktails.  The successful festivities were held on Wednesday, May 25 at the Seagate Beach Club located at the Seagate Hotel and Spa, 401 South Ocean Boulevard, Delray Beach.

Lupe Fiasco and DJ Vice at Tao Beach.

Memorial Day weekend kicked off with a bang as Lupe Fiasco, Sky Gellatly and DJ Vice and The Soundclash took over Tao Beach at the Venetian on Friday. The packed pool welcomed Lupe as his set signaled the start to a crazy weekend ahead.

After wowing the crowd during the day Lupe Fiasco, refueled with dinner at Tao Asian Bistro, enjoying Yellowtail jalapeño, Thai crab cakes and crispy spicy tuna before heading over to Marquee.

Teenage YouTube sensation Keenan Cahill caused commotion in the dining room at Lavo at the Palazzo as he was spotted having dinner with his father and some friends. People flocked to his table to see him. When not greeting his fans he enjoyed signature dishes from the Italian eatery, including calamari, rigatoni Bologna and sea bass. Comedian David Spade dined at Lavo as well.

Upstairs at Lavo, the EC Twins packed the nightclub. Spotted taking in their set was Reggie Bush of the New Orleans Saints as well as Shaun Phillips of the San Diego Chargers.

Over at Tao Nightclub Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals arrived with a group of 20, included several other pro athletes. Also spotted at Tao was Floyd Mayweather Jr. with an entourage of 30.

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Roger Sanchez at Marquee.

Marquee Nightclub and Dayclub at Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas started the venue’s first Memorial Day weekend with the Captains of Industry spinning at the Dayclub. They were soon joined in the booth by the EC Twins, who kept the crowd going until sunset.

Just a few hours later Marquee Nightclub opened as crowds lined the entrance ready to party. Spotted in the main room taking in the sounds of Roger Sanchez and Markus Schulz was Entourage’s Rex Lee. Amber Lancaster from The Hard Times of RJ Berger also took in the scene.

Shawne Merriman of the Buffalo Bills, who turned 27 earlier this week, was spotted celebrating his birthday with friends, and Lupe Fiasco, who deejayed at Tao Beach at the Venetian earlier in the day, made a late night stop at Marquee joined by friends Far East Movement in the main room.

Jamie Kennedy was spotted upstairs in The Library at Marquee.

Athletes took over Marquee’s Boombox room, with Vince Young, quarterback for the Tennessee Titans, Vernon Davis of the San Francisco 49ers, Antoine Winfield from the Minnesota Vikings and Chester Taylor of the Chicago Bears all spotted kicking off their Memorial Day weekend.

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Macy Gray spins at Blush Boutique Nightclub.

What a great way to kick start the Memorial Day weekend at Blush Boutique Nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas with a special deejay set from the amazing Miss Macy Gray.

Before hitting the deejay booth, Miss Gray met up with record producer and deejay Jermaine Dupri, who spun at Tryst Nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas Wednesday night. They hung out in the VIP room, chatted and soon after, she hit the deejay booth.

The crowd ogled Miss Gray and cheered as she took over the music in the packed venue. Macy Gray began her set with none other than Led Zeppelin’s “Heartbreaker.”

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Head to Tantrik on Thursday, June 2 at 7:30 p.m. for the kick off of Spring and Summer fashion in the Windy City presented by M.GO Fashion & Company. Cirque De La Moda 2011 will feature their Circus Theme Collection which has been in seen in the “Hair Wars Competition”

There will be pop-up shops from local businesses which will display gift cards and small items for purchase. And fashions by XIT Euro Boutiques and Le Thrift’s upscale designer vintage pieces. Celebrity model, Betzaida Ramirez will be making and appearance and the evening will be hosted by celebrity host Jaslene Gonzalez from America’s Next Top Model season 8. Appetizers will be provided by Moonshine Chicago anf Fashion Fest 2011. Guest of 5-10 people are welcome to RSVP for a private room, bottle service and elite swag bags. You and your group will get treated like A-list stars, contact mgofashionsalon@aol.com

Tantrik, 800 W. Superior St, Chicago, IL

One day designer Bliss Lau was procrastinating from working on her suspension handbags, which features draping diagonal chains. She started pinning the chains from her bags to the model form in your New York City studio and, “Viola,” she said, “I had my first body chain.”

From there, the Hawaii-born designer transitioned in fashion jewelry — and pioneered a trend that was quickly seen everywhere.

Lau unveiled her Fall 2011 collection, “Embraced,” in February — with ballerinas on the runway, no less — and returned to the Islands to host two fashion events this weekend. (See below for more information.)

She took the time to chat about her inspirations, her career and what it’s really like to work in the celebrity-filled world of fashion.

Haute Living: Where did you get your inspiration for your latest collected, “Embraced”?
The Embraced collection is a combination of my background in apparel, the leather craftsmanship i learned as a jewelry designer and the recent body jewelry that I have been designing. I was very inspired by muscle structure and movement as well as the concept of creating a sort of sensual armor.

HL: What has been the biggest surprise for you in this phase of your career?
Designing is really such an introverted experience. I am always shocked by what it feels like to then expose that very personal project to the world.

HL: I was reading about an event you attended earlier this year in New York City, where you rubbed elbows with the likes of Alison Brie and Tyson Beckford, to name a few. What’s it like to live in the celebrity-filled world of fashion — and in NYC, no less?
I moved to NYC 10 days after I graduated from Punahou (School) it has been a really long road to learn the culture on the East Coast! People are people everywhere you go; famous or not, they all are like us. Some are kind and thoughtful others are very outgoing or socially awkward!

HL: What designers inspire (or have inspired) you?
I find that so many designers have in essence invented certain ways of making things, I love Claire McCardell for using industrial hardware on handbags and Rick Owens for transforming the way cut clothing he reinvented the shawl collar and made curved-diagonal seems commonplace. I think that I most admire when a single design or designer can alter the collective perspective.

HL: There are some designers who have made Hawaii their base — namely, Fighting Eel and Roberta Oaks. Did you ever think about basing your line from your hometown? And what do you see are the major challenges for local designers?
I really admire the girls at Fighting Eel they have a great business and wonderful exposure and they live here! I would say that the travel is likely the hardest part doing trade shows and possibly traveling to factories. Manufacturing is very reigonal, I would not be able to do the leatherwork in the islands because the leather industry is mostly the northern states. I would love to be physically based in the islands but for now I will have to live in New York and keep my heart in Hawaii!

HL: You’ve done handbags and body jewelry — what’s next?
I am working to continue to expand my fine jewelry collection as well as possibly relaunch handbags (not sure yet but thinking about it) I am working to really master these two crafts and I feel like I still have so far to go!

Lau will be part of a fashion panel from 2 to 4 p.m. this Saturday, May 28 at the Waikiki EDITION Lobby Bar. And she will host “Fashion as Art,” featuring her beautifully architectural handmade pieces — which she refers to as “sensual armor” — using local ballerinas as models at 6 p.m. Sunday, May 29 at the Waikiki EDITION Lobby Bar. (This fashion event was conceptualized by creative director Christian Stroble.) Cost for the event is $10. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

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Kourtney Kardashian helps her boyfriend Scott Disick celebrate his birthday at Gallery Nightclub.

Reality television star Scott Disick celebrated his 28th birthday last night at Gallery Nightclub inside Planet Hollywood Resort. Disick looked sharp in a pair of custom-made Astor & Black slacks and a Tom Ford houndstooth-print blazer. He enjoyed Champagne with long-time girlfriend, Kourtney Kardashian, and a group of close friends. Kardashian looked gorgeous in an ivory Rachel Roy mini dress, sky-high, black Christian Louboutin heels and black, Raven Noir clutch.

The couple looked excited and laughed when Disick’s birthday cake presentation began, with the lavish Sugar Factory cake being brought to the dapper dad by a troupe of feather-waving dancers. After the cake, the couple was seen dancing and having a great time with friends, including “Keeping Up With The Kardashians” co-star Malika Haqq.

Kardashian, who celebrated her own birthday at Gallery nightclub last month, gave Disick a set of luxe luggage for his big day. Disick was excited about getting the party started as he said Kardashian’s Gallery bash was the “best birthday celebration we’ve had in a long time.”

When asked about Kim Kardashian’s recent engagement to Kris Humphries, Disick stated, “I’m excited. It’s great for her.” In regards to their own relationship and a possible future engagement, Kourtney chimed in, “Kim and Kris just bought us some time,” quickly followed by “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it,” from Disick.

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On Tuesday, May 24, I made my way to the Highline Stages for the annual Whitney Art Museum party. The Whitney Museum celebrated the ground breaking of their new building in the Meatpacking District with the Art Party: Groundbreaking, hosted by Eddie Borgo. Celebs, tastemakers, and art-lovers a like sipped hand crafted Belvedere cocktails and Chandon champange. Guest’s who attended were also able to shop stunning art pieces while mingling the room.

Notable guests included Amar’e Stoudemire, Jason Wu, Leron Wilson, Adam Weinberg, Michelle Ochs, Keegan Singh, Carly Cushnie,  Anthony Haden-Guest, Javier Suarez, Derek Blasberg, Lauren Santo Domingo, Peter Davis, Michelle Harper,  Kipton Cronkite, Maggie Betts, Elizabeth Barker, Erin Fetherston, Amit Greenberg. It was a fabulous night for a great cause!

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Former Senior LVMH Executive Mark Cornell has been named as chief executive officer of Edmiston & Company, a global leader in the sale, charter, and management of super and mega yachts based in Monaco.

Cornell will oversee global business for the brand, which has locations in New York, London, Mexico City, and Abu Dhabi. He is succeeding former Edmiston & Company CEO and Chairman Nicholas Edmiston, who will remain chairman of the company.

Cornell is no stranger to running a luxury brand. He spent over a decade at LVMH, where he served as the president and CEO of Moet Hennessy USA since 2006. Before that, he served as the chief executive of Krug Champagne for four years. Cornell has worked all over the world, including France, China, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. He received his MBA from the International Institute for Management Development in Switzerland in 1999. With such vast global experience under his belt, Cornell is sure to continue steering Edmiston & Company to the forefront of the luxury yacht industry.

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