No Longer An Under-The-Radar Art Show, Art Basel Miami Is Now One Of Fashion’s Most Celeb-Packed Events

From supermodel sightings and Kardashian appearances to designer collaborations, there was much to see at this year's showcase.

Miami art Basel kardashians

by Sophie Henderson |
Updated on

Don’t be fooled into thinking Miami’s Art Basel is just about, well, art. This year proved that it's actually also one of fashion's favourite events. From the industry’s favourite models Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner to the collaborations, curations and pop-up stores, it’s become the ultimate opportunity for fashion to insert itself into the art world.

Whilst fashion’s presence at the event has been notable for the past few years, 2019’s plethora of pieces have included everything from couches filled with clothes by Balenciaga to scratch-and-sniff bags from Fendi and an $182,000 sneaker trunk by Louis Vuitton.

It’s not just the large fashion houses dominating the space, either – contemporary and high street brands also have a presence in various guises. Whether that’s a pop-up store or customisation space, if a $120,000 Duct-taped banana isn’t in your budget, something else will be (yes, that really is a reference to a banana duct-taped to a wall).

With art and fashion sharing the space, t’s easy to see why Desigual has chosen this destination to showcase its SS20 collection. Guillem Gallego, Desigual’s Chief Marketing Officer says he 'considers fashion to be an art form, it’s important for fashion brands to be here, people are looking for inspiration and possible collaboration with exhibitors that come to this event and it is becoming an amazing space to showcase stories of product and brands.'

Miranda Makaroff attends the Desigual X Miranda Makaroff sexhibition cocktail party during Art Basel Miami Beach 2019
Miranda Makaroff attends the Desigual X Miranda Makaroff sexhibition cocktail party during Art Basel Miami Beach 2019

Along with the SS20 collection, the brand has collaborated with artist Miranda Makaroff. Makaroff's use of ‘Diversity, fun, colour and an open mind” are what Gallego thinks makes their collaboration a perfect fit – and why Desigual and Miranda have paired up for the second year. The collection is a celebration of the female form and pleasure with dresses, T-shirts and denim co-ords illustrated with lively figures.

 A general view of atmosphere during the Desigual X Miranda Makaroff sexhibition cocktail party during Art Basel Miami Beach 2019
A general view of atmosphere during the Desigual X Miranda Makaroff sexhibition cocktail party during Art Basel Miami Beach 2019

With the four day show taking shape from the daytime exhibits to events into the early hours of the morning alongside the south beach sunshine, it’s the perfect December destination of sunshine and culture. With a few Kardashians thrown in for good measure.

SEE: All The Best Looks From This Year's Fashion Awards

Gallery

Fashion Awards Red Carpet Arrivals 2019

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Millie Mackintosh

Newly pregnant Millie Mackintosh opted for a pistachio, high-neck dress with blouson sleeves by Emilia Wickstead rented from My Wardrobe HQ.

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Arizona Muse

Model and activist Arizona Muse wore an elegant three-piece suit, in head-to-toe white by sustainable fashion brand Deck rented from My Wardrobe HQ.

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Little Simz

British rapper Little Simz in a navy suit, printed blouse, heeled Gucci loafers and an eye-catching orange hat.

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Caroline Rush

Caroline Rush, CEO of the British Fashion Council, wore an elegant, off-shoulder gown by Emilia Wickstead.

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Lady Mary Charteris

Charteris wore a glittering gold gown by Giambattista Valli rented from My Wardrobe HQ, featuring a cut-away detail and bows on the sleeves. She carried a bag by Mulberry, and wore a necklace and earrings by Missoma.

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Stella Maxwell

Supermodel Stella Maxwell chose a paisley printed gown.

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Alice Naylor-Leyland

Naylor-Leyland chose a colourful Peter Pilotto dress rented from My Wardrobe HQ with exaggerated sleeves.

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James Blunt and Lady Sofia Wellesley

James Blunt arrived with his wife, Lady Sofia Wellesley, who wore a sequin dress by Needle & Thread rented from My Wardrobe HQ.

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Levi Palmer and Matthew Harding

The designer duo behind fashion label Palmer//Harding.

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Raye

The British singer wore an emerald silk dress that's part of a collaboration between Flannels and Vivienne Westwood.

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Ed Westwick

The Gossip Girl star wore a camel roll neck with his suit.

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AJ Tracey

The rapper wore a pair of custom Nike trainers designed by MattB Customs.

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Doina Ciobanu

The Insta-famous Doina paired Monica Vinader earrings with her own take on the classic tux.

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Molly Goddard

The designer naturally wore a dress of her own creation.

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Liya Kebede

The model wore one of the puffer skirts from her collaboration with Moncler and Valentino's Pierpaolo Piccioli.

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Raff Law

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Imran Amed

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Ludovic de saint Sernin

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Niomi Smart

The Youtube star wore a silver Gyunel gown.

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Ami and Aya Suzuki

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Yasmin Le Bon

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Noomi Rapace

The actress wore a striking red ensemble.

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Tracee Ellis Ross

This year's host opted for an ethereal white outfit complete with impressive jewels.

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Holly Willoughby

The TV star wore a floral print dress.

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Clara Paget

Paget wore a repurposed, up cycled dress by Ssōne and jewels by Swarovski.

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David Gandy

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Boy George

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Shailene Woodley

The actor also wore one of the amazing puffer creations from Liya Kebede's capsule collection with Moncler Genius and Pierpaolo Piccioli.

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Sergio Pizzorno

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Nathalie Emmanuel

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Sara Sampaio

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Laura Carmichael

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Matty Bovan

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Lilah Parsons

Parsons wore Osman.

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Barbara Palvin

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Chiara Ferragni

Chiara Ferrigni wore a gown designed especially for her by Etro.

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Zandra Rhodes

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Bethany Williams

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Lady Amelia Windsor

Lady Amelia Windsor wore a dusty-pink gown by PHILOSOPHY DI LORENZO SERAFINI.

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Phoebe English

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Liam Payne and Maya Henry

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Lily James

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Daisy Lowe

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Adwoa Aboah

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Giorgio Armani and Julia Roberts

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Cate Blanchett

Joining Armani on the red carpet, Blanchett wore a gown from his couture collection, Armani Privé

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Lisa Eldridge

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Sam Claflin

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Naomi Watts

The actor wore a black off-the-shoulder Burberry gown.

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Alicia Silverstone

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Alexa Chung

Chung wore a dress inspired by Jane Birkin and created by her own label, ALEXACHUNG

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Lewis Hamilton

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Bel Powley

The actress wore J W Anderson

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Eoin Mcloughlin and Simone Rocha

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Sabine Getty

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Eleanor Tomlinson

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Patrick McDowell and Wilson Oryema

Wearing Patrick McDowell and upcycled Swarovski crystals

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Stella Tennant

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Zara Larsson

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Andrew Scott

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Irina Shayk

The supermodel wore Burberry

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Ama Lou

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Scott Wimsett and Alice Temperley MBE

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Louise Roe

Wearing Monica Vinader

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Miguel

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Rosie Hungtington Whiteley

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Michael Halpern

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Harris Reed

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Marine Serre and Suzy Menkes

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Giorgia Tordini

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Giovanna Battaglia Engelbert

Batgio wore a black dress by Richard Quinn

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Bella Thorne

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Simon Porte Jacquemus and Mica Arganaraz

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Rita Ora

The singer wore bespoke 16Arlington

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Halima Aden

Carrying a Roger Vivier clutch

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Laura Whitmore

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Camille Charriere

Wearing Simone Rocha

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Sabrina Elba

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Sandra Oh

Oh wore Erdem

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Jordan Grant

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Anna Wintour and Edward Enninful

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Karen Elson

Wearing Atelier Swarovski x Stella McCartney

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Naomi Campbell

The supermodel wore Alexander McQueen

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Joan Smalls

Smalls wore Atelier Swarovski x Stella McCartney

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Elsa Hosk

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Amber Valletta

The supermodel wore Atelier Swarovski x Stella McCartney

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Mollie King

Wearing Monica Vinader

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Caroline Daur

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Hana Cross

Wearing Monica Vinader and David Koma

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Matthew Morrison

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Lara Stone

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Betty Bachz

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Rochelle Humes

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Poppy Delevingne

Wearing Messika Jewellery

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Dina Asher-Smith

Wearing David Koma

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Angela Scanlon

Angela wore a custom pink velvet dress, by high street brand Warehouse. She accessorised with a clutch bag by Tyler Ellis, and necklace by Missoma.

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Lottie Moss

Lottie Moss wore a black layered gown by ALBERTA FERRETTI.

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Nadine Leopold

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Kylie Minogue

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Donatella Versace

Obviously, Donatella wore Versace.

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Anne Marie

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Clara Amfo

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Susanna Lau

Susie Bubble wore a tulle dress by Molly Goddard.

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Jessica Barden

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Charlotte Tilbury

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Adut Akech

The supermodel wore a green Valentino gown.

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Mark-Francis Vandelli

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Nicole Scherzinger

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Roksanda Ilincic

The designer wore one of her own colourful creations.

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Pixie Geldof

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Nicola Roberts

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Rihanna

The superstar wore a green mini dress and sheer shirt over the top, both from her own label Fenty.

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Fran Summers

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Pixie Lott and Oliver Cheshire

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Adesuwa Aighewi

Wearing Messika Jewellery

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