“Sky’s not the limit — it’s just a view.”

This is the motto that Swizz Beatz – music producer, entertainer, DJ, entrepreneur, designer, family man – lives by. He’s produced music for some of the industry’s greats – Jay-Z, Limp Bizkit, Whitney Houston and Beyonce. He’s sold more than 300 million records (domestically), boasts hits of his own and has even collaborated with major fashion houses like Christian Louboutin and British car connoisseur Aston Martin.

But he’s not done yet.

“When I say the sky is not the limit, it’s just the view, that’s something I came up with because I think people are comfortable when they reach a certain level and lose the hunger,” he said. “I don’t think there should be any boundaries on exploring the next level. If you can stand up on the moon and look up in the air from there, it’s still just a view, you can go up higher than that. I use that slogan to inspire people to do whatever their wildest dreams are, to just go for it.”

Born KasseemDaoud Dean on September 13, 1978, Beatz was raised by his great-grandparents until the age of 11 and then him mom/step-dad in the South Bronx. But it soon became clear that Swizz was always destined for greatness. His first foray into fame was with his friend rapper DMX, and at the age of 18 the two had their first hit-record with the single, “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem”.

Swizz’s career took off at breakneck pace. He started his own record label, Full Surface Records, at age 23 in collaboration with music mogul Clive Davis. His first record, “Swizz Beatz Presents G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories,” dropped in 2002. Swizz started to gain attention for his original style and affiliation with Ruff Ryders and Roc-A-Fella Records. He has scored block-buster films and was tapped to create tracks for Fashion Week, while still finding time to put out his second solo LP, One Man Band Man. Grammy-Award winning group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony and female emcee Eve were also signed to his Full Surface imprint.

“For it to have started in 1998, it’s really a blessing to be in 2011, in the decline of music sales and with all of the changes in the industry as a whole, to be a name that my peers and the fans still call-on.   Swizz said, “looking back from when I was just starting out as a DJ, and then for me to transform into a producer, and to still have the same energy, love, and passion for music after all I’ve accomplished has been really cool.”

To his friends and peers, Swizz’s evolution is an example of what to aspire to.

“Swizz inspires me,” said NBA star Carmello Anthony. “For him to transcend from a ‘business man’ to a business is just incredible. His brand is growing and growing, and it’s only going to continue to grow.”

Swizz’s wife Alicia Keys couldn’t agree more.

“Swizz’s evolution has been epic,” she said. “To come from a place where chances are few and far between to become a man that is unstoppable in everything he puts his mind to, is a true example of the fact that no circumstance can stop us.”

And Swizz is already on to the next one. In collaboration with musical greats like Bono, Alicia Keys, John Legend, and Lenny Kravitz, Swizz is releasing his third solo LP titled “Haute Living” album, which will be his first independent release thru his partnership with Everest Entertainment. To Swizz, living haute is a melding of art, fashion, music – it’s a way of life.

Deviating from the usual single release date for the entire album, Swizz is releasing “Haute Living” one individual single at a time, with the same fanfare that entire albums often receive. “The artists that are involved in the ‘Haute Living’ project are the best,” he said. “I wanted to push the limit.”

Perhaps unexpected is Swizz’s deep love for art. As an avid collector of paintings and an artist himself, he counts Salvador Dali, Keith Haring, Andy Warhol and especially Jean-Michel Basquiat as some of his favorites.

“My love for the art world goes deep, very deep,” he said. “It goes right to the South Bronx [from] breakdancing to music, all different kinds, then [seeing] the people in the galleries, doing different things. So many people in the art world inspire me to do things.”

Looking for an experience in unparalleled luxury? Then check into The Penthouse Suite at The Fairmont San Francisco, an exclusive member of The Haute Hotel Network.

The Penthouse Suite, is 6,000 square feet and takes up the entire eighth floor of the historic Main Building of The Fairmont San Francisco. It was designed in the roaring 1920’s, by renowned American archaeologist and art historian, Arthur Upham Pope.

Many of the rich and famous, such as President John F. Kennedy, Prince Charles of Wales and Marlene Dietrich, have stayed in this opulent Penthouse Suite. This three-bedroom suite features a two-story circular library, a billiard room covered in hand-made Persian tiles from floor to ceiling and a sweeping terrace with breathtaking views of San Francisco. To ensure that your experience in the suite is five star, you will have your very own butler, housekeeper, massage therapist and personal trainer to pamper to your every need.

The Penthouse Suite also provides the gorgeous setting for weddings or special events, as it can accommodate seated dinners for up to 60 people or receptions of up to 150 guests.

For an unforgettable experience or occasion, go to The Fairmont San Francisco on The Haute Hotel Network for more information and reservations.

David Grutman

David Grutman, a.k.a. the marketing guru of Miami, is the co-founder of Miami Marketing Group alongside Brian Gordon and Ryan Schinman. Grutman attracts the hautest people to Miami Beach and with his specific criteria for who enters his clubs and who gets nixed, guests are guaranteed to be surrounded by the worlds more beautiful people. As a native to Naples, Florida and a graduate of the University of Florida, Grutman knows his city. Prior to MMG Grutman spent five years running Tantra and an additional five years revamping the marketing at The Opium Group, the company behind hot clubs such as Set, Privé, Mansion and Mokai. Grutman credits a great deal of his success to his extensive list of contacts that he has kept in close touch with throughout the years. He has turned companies around, specifically when he partnered with Jeff Soffer to operate LIV in the iconic Fontainebleau Hotel. Also contributing to Grutman’s success is his keen eye for making sure every acute detail is perfect in his clubs from having the right DJ spinning the right music, to filling a club with models, celebrities and the world’s wealthiest power players and most importantly, making his guests feel comfortable. Celebrities and artists that can be found at one of Grutman’s clubs include Lady Gaga, Gwyneth Paltrow, Diddy and DJ Tiesto. With his unmatched panache for spreading the buzz and hosting celebrity packed dinner parties and nightlife events, Grutman is taking Miami by storm. So what’s next for Mr.Grutman? MMG’s opening of Oro nightclub at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

What is the best and the most challenging part about working in the nightlife business?
The most challenging part out about the business is that as soon as one weekend ends, it seems like another one is about to begin.

Who are some of your most impressive clientele?
I definitely see a lot of impressive people in my business but what makes it the most rewarding is when I see these same clients come back again and again. We count Shy, the Hochstein’s, Michael Sultan, Billy Dean and Noah Schwartz as some of our most impressive repeat clientele.

What’s the formula for a successful venue?
The formula for success is girls, an evolving atmosphere, insane service and guest recognition – notable clients love to be treated as such. Also, we have to be ahead of the curve and one step ahead of competitors. The competition in nightlife is insane. There’s also a bit of luck that plays into it, plus great sound, lights and oh, did I mention, girls?

What’s the most shocking thing you’ve seen in your business?
There have been too many crazy nights to even mention. But when Jennifer Lopez performed a full concert, it was pretty insane.

What sets you apart from the rest of the club kings?
I love to dominate and be the best in the business. I want my clubs to be where everyone wants to see and be seen.

Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt’s Innovation Endeavors investment group has recently endowed $3.9 million to PharmaSecure, a mobile application that is used to verify the authenticity of prescription drugs.

Along with substantial growth in the pharmaceutical drug industry, the counterfeit drug industry has likewise grown to secure roughly $75 billion of the global drug market. These counterfeit drugs pose dire health threats that can result in death, illness, and drug resistance among users.

PharmaSecure guards against the use of counterfeit drugs by allowing users to easily verify a drug’s authenticity with an SMS text message using a unique code and phone number printed on each pack of pills.

“We’ve invested in PharmaSecure because they are executing a game-changing approach to combating counterfeit drugs that holds huge potential for improving the safety and security of pharmaceutical products throughout the world,” said Dror Berman of Innovation Endeavors.

The investment rounds will go towards creating new applications in response to a mandate from India’s government requiring that all exported drugs bear unique barcodes and serial numbers by July 2012.

“India is leading the way in the global fight against counterfeit drugs. We are proud to have had a hand in creating applications like SMS authentication that put the power of protection against dangerous medicine literally in people’s hands,” stated PharmaSecure co-founder and CEO Nathan Sigworth.

He added, “We are investing in more applications that can ride on the mandated serialization to increase the reach and distribution of our clients’ products and better health for their consumers. With the tradition of innovation that comes with this investment we expect the regulatory requirements to provide a creative opportunity for us and our clients.”

Our Haute 100 list details the happenings and accomplishments of the most influential people in each of our markets. To see the entire Haute 100 San Francisco list, click here.

FOR YEARS, GLOBAL FASHION BRANDS have been pairing up with museum curators to create showcases of culture. Fashion leaders such as Bernard Arnault, François Pinault and Miuccia Prada bring together the art and fashion worlds to craft a culture of luxury. These tastemakers have long supported the cause using their foundations to sustain compelling art projects.

The art news du jour surrounds Bernard Arnault, who has paired up with architectural icon Frank Gehry to build a new museum in Paris. There is no question that Arnault occupies the highest throne in luxury—his empire, Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy, (LVMH) is behind global luxury brands like Dior Montres, Givenchy, Fendi, Dom Pérignon and De Beers.

A self-made entrepreneur and the world’s fourth richest man, Arnault single-handedly resurrected French chic when he saved beloved Parisian department store Le Bon Marché and revived Louis Vuitton. Arnault captures what he calls “star brands” and re-launches them with a prestige that honors the past and re-invents the future, keeping imagination alive by hand-selecting young, sometimes radical designers. In the case of Louis Vuitton, he passed the reins to Marc Jacobs, who invited artists Takashi Murakami and Stephen Sprouse to graffiti the signature LV logo.

Arnault’s foray into supporting the arts began with publicly advocating art in 1994 with LVMH exhibitions, scholarships and awards. In 2006, EspaceCulturel Louis Vuitton—a place for emerging global artists to show exhibitions—was opened at the top of the Louis Vuitton flagship store on Champs-Élysées in Paris. Art has often appeared in the LV products themselves; American artist Richard Prince’s Nurse Paintings served as the inspiration behind a series of bags for the maison’s Spring 2008 line. For Arnault, the borders of fashion and art, or that of commodities and countries, are not firm. He is a patron of global creation.

David Castillo sits at the helm as owner and director of his eponymous gallery, a 5,000 square foot space born from a decrepit warehouse. David Castillo Gallery has displayed work from Jean-Michel Basquiat to Willem de Kooning to CyTwombly to Andy Warhol. It is also once again one of only two galleries in Miami selected to participate in Art Basel Miami Beach 2011 in the Art Nova section. In  the midst of preparation for Art Basel, Castillo gives us a peek inside a typical day.

7:00 AM

Wake up and check Blackberry emails in bed.

7:30 AM

My morning phone call with my mother to check in on her and to make sure my nephew David has headed to school.

8:00 AM

I have my oatmeal and a decaf coffee (I don’t drink caffeine in any form as I’m naturally energized) and continue checking emails on my Blackberry and laptop.

8:45 AM

Morning drive from my home to the gallery.

9:10 AM

Arrive at gallery.

9:20 AM

Go through emails from clients, museums, and artists on my desktop.

10:00 AM

One of the gallery assistants or my gallery manager Melissa opens the gallery. Today a press release for a new show has gone out from the gallery database.

11:00 AM

Sold a work to a museum trustee.

12:00-1:30 PM

Conversation with gallery artist Adler Guerrier.

2:00 PM

Phone call with clients on secondary market works I have offered. Lunch at my desk.

3:00-4:00 PM

Check in with my family. Respond to emails from clients and gallery artists. Made dinner reservations for three for [next day] at Symcha’s in Miami Beach.

4:00-6:00 PM

Talk at gallery for Florida International University students.

6:00-7:30 PM

Emails and phone calls with artists I will present at Art Basel Miami Beach booth, following up on my visits with them in New York. Selecting works and discussing these as the artists progress towards completion of works for December.

7:30-8:30 PM

Review works and selections for our November 10- December 31 show Don’t Get High on Your Own Supply, a gorgeous group show.

8:30 PM

Dinner at home.

9:00- 10:30 PM

Wrap-up final details, emails and calls for current solo show. Final review of works for November-December show. Phone calls with gallery artists and a client phone call.

10:30 pm- 12:00 AM

Notes for current and next day, pending sales, upcoming press release; email assignments to staff for next day.

12:30 AM

Bedtime; I watch TV for 20 minutes till I begin to fall asleep with the background noise.

Source: heritage-images.com

German luxury watch and jewelry retailer Wempe signed a 15-year lease in the Rolex Building at 665 Fifth Avenue—on the corner of 53^rd Street.  According to public records, the deal was sealed on Sept.16 and the Wempe store is set to open in time for holiday shopping.

Wempe, which has had a store in the Peninsula New York for decades, will move into the 1,600 foot space on the ground floor and 1,277 square feet on the lower level of the Rolex building; a space previously occupied by retailer Just Cavalli.  The asking rent for the space was $2,400 per foot. Other public documents indicate that Rolex paid Just Cavalli’s American affiliate $1.23 million as part of lease termination.

The venture is opportune for both Rolex and Wempe; Wempe has reportedly been seeking to expand for decades in its Peninsula Hotel location, at 700 Fifth Avenue, but was unable to do so.  Simultaneously, Rolex has long been interested in having a retail presence in the city but never opened a store.  Wempe, which sells a significant amount of Rolex merchandise, will be a new retail hub for Rolex.

Photo: Menuism

Umami Burger, known for their delicious burgers, has recently debuted the mother of all luxury burgers. The Money’s No Object Burger is made with fresh white truffles, foie gras, an onion marmalade and reduced 1977 Croft Vintage Port is worth a whopping $100. But this baby is worth every penny and is only available seasonally and for special events.

Visit their website or their West Coast locations for more details or delicious bite.

Source: Eater

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Gretchen Rossi celebrates her birthday at Lavo.

On Sunday night, Gretchen Rossi celebrated her 33rd birthday at Lavo at the Palazzo during a special Halloween edition of Vampire Vice Sundays. “The Real Housewives of Orange County” star donned a dress and tiara as she partied with boyfriend Slade Smiley as Spiderman, her mom and Jim Bellino, husband of fellow co-star Alexis Bellino.

She was surprised with a cake in the shape of a purse and was treated to a bottle of Champagne from a group of gentlemen one table over. Earlier in the night they enjoyed a dinner of signature dishes at Tao Asian Bistro at the Venetian.

Click on the photos below to enlarge.

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