Art Basel 2023: The Art, The Chaos, The Outfits

Photo-Illustration: by The Cut; Photos: Shutterstock, Getty, Cartier

Miami is always a party city, but during the first full week of December, the city is even more chaotic for its annual art fair, best known as Art Basel. Artists, art lovers, creatives, celebrities, and more flock to Miami for a week of art installations, dining, and, of course, parties. For my first Art Basel, I did all of the above: viewed art installations from brands like Louis Vuitton, which partnered with architect Frank Gehry for an artistic limited-edition collection of bags; dined at restaurants like Miami’s South East Asian Bâoli, a tropical oasis with flavorful food; and partied with brands like Cartier, which celebrated its watches with a walk-through installation and a DJ set by Kaytranada. I also ended almost every night at Soho Beach House — it’s the unwritten rule of Basel to end the night at “the tent,” their disco-ball tent built on the beach during art week every December. It’s safe to say I get the hype around Basel. Here were some of the best (and completely star-studded) installations and parties throughout the week.

Best Handbag Artwork: Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton tapped architect Frank Gehry to create handbags, trunks, perfume bottles, and more by adding his signature wooden and cardboard trademark to the pieces. The artwork also featured 3-D designs like a bold, red crafted fish on a handbag. Gehry is the first artist to ever be allowed to tweak the original Louis Vuitton logo in his work. The pieces were playfully artistic but also uniquely designed with an endless imagination. It was a booth that had you wanting to leave with a bag — not as a piece of your wardrobe but as a piece of a personal art collection.

Best Experiential Installation: Cartier

Cartier’s immersive exhibition in the middle of the design district was a celebration of the brand’s legacy and a reflection of its innovation in watchmaking. The opening party had a star-studded guest list including brand ambassador Emma Chamberlain, who stunned in a plunging-neck jumpsuit. The DJ for the night was crowd favorite Kaytranada, who performed his set in the middle of the exhibition with a faux-clouded-sky ceiling. My favorite part of the experience was the experimental room that was like being inside a Cartier watch.

Best Cartier Accessories: Alix Earle

TikTok’s favorite “It” girl, Alix Earle, also attended the party wearing Cartier rings and a watch, topping her look off with a mini top-handle bag from the brand.

Best Behind-the-Scenes Art: Fendi

Fendi’s installation, Fendibackfrontals by BLESS, celebrated the craftsmanship of the brand, but the idea was to show not only the glossy side of fashion but also the private side, like its functional characteristics. The booth felt like walking through familiarities of everyday life, like domestic rooms and furniture, but with the craftsmanship and aesthetic of the brand.

Best Miami-Approved Bags: Celine

While Celine didn’t have an art installation, the French house’s Miami store introduced exclusive pieces to its location in the design district. This Celine raffia bag screams poolside in Miami, the perfect wind down from Basel.

Most Culturally Impactful Installation: Atiba Jefferson, Architecture c/o Virgil Abloh, and OTW by Vans

Atiba Jefferson, Architecture c/o Virgil Abloh, and OTW by Vans partnered for a solo exhibition devoted to skateboarding from 1995 to now. Skaters flew in from all over to witness the archival exhibition.

Best Boots: Teyana Taylor

Who else can rock leather and boots in Miami and look this cool? Teyana Taylor posed at the NYLON House, another hot spot during the week.

Brightest Looks: Jaden Smith and Yara Shahidi

Yara Shahidi and Jaden Smith posed at the NYLON House. Both looked Basel ready in colorful looks and comfy kicks, a must-have during the crazy week.

Best Cutouts: Lori Harvey

Lori Harvey stunned in a black cutout dress at American Express Platinum’s House Party at PLAY. This is the chicest house-party look I’ve ever seen.

Best Sunset Outfit: Victoria Monet

Victoria Monet hosted a listening session with Meta and looked cozy and stylish in a snakeskin printed set. Her Meta Ray-Ban shades with a camera and audio installed might be the coolest part of the look.

Chicest Tuxedo: Janelle Monáe

Tuxedo, but make it ultraelegant. Janelle Monáe posted in a simple yet stunning black-and-white look at W magazine and Ralph Lauren’s Basel dinner at the Miami Beach EDITION.

Best Duo: The Woods Sisters

All the stars stepped out for the grand opening of Miami’s Delilah. It was probably one of the most fun parties I attended. Celebrities like Jordyn and Jodie Woods were in attendance in Miami-ready dresses.

Best Feathers: Emira D’Spain

Emira D’Spain attended Baccarat’s tequila tasting with Pātsch in a bright-blue feathered dress, a statement-making piece.

Best Beauty-Boss Duo: Anastasia Soare and Victoria Beckham

What’s better than one beauty icon? Two. Anastasia Soare and Victoria Beckham posed at Victoria Beckham x Vogue 100’s art-week luncheon at LPM Miami. Soare’s stylish Bermuda short and boot pairing is the perfect Basel look and so is Beckham’s tailored suit.

Best Performance: Offset

Offset performed at Dusse’s party at the Eden Roc Hotel to kick off his birthday celebration early.

Best Fringe: Chanel Iman

Chanel Iman joined the party and styled her mini fringe skirt with a button-down.

Most Basel Outfit

Anything printed always feels like wearable art, thus a perfect outfit for Art Basel. Chloe Wise stunned in this Jean Paul Gaultier dress alongside Antonio Sersale in all white at Gagosian Gallery’s party for their partnership with Le Sirenuse and Franco’s Bar.

Best Mini: Shenseea

Shenseea attended the opening of Dion Lee’s flagship Miami store wearing a draped minidress from the brand.

Best Soho House Tent Duo

Soho House’s tent is where you always end the night. Dwayne Wade and rapper Juvenile posed for a photo in the midst of partying.