VAN CLEEF & ARPELS together with Mr.and Mrs. Leonard Abess held a black-tie dinner benefitting the Wolfsonian-Florida International University on Wednesday, November 30th in Miami. Over 400 guests made their way to Hanger 102 Opa-Locka Executive Airport, which was transformed into an enchanted forest and a hall of mirrors under the direction of curator Neville Wakefield. Live performance art was the focus of the evening.

A special performance featuring Nick Cave’s acclaimed Soundsuits, a combination of ceremony, costume, wearable art and social commentary snaked through cocktail hour, followed by a series of intriguing and provocative tableaux vivants as conceptualized by Vanessa Beecroft, a Los Angeles-based artist known particularly for her work with nudes.

The evening ended with a stunning performance of opera singer Jacqueline Fontaine accompanied by guitarist Mick Barr.The evening's music was composed by Jonathan Bepler. Van Cleef & Arpels’ most recent High Jewelry collection “Bals de Légende” was featured throughout the evening and Daniel Boulud presided over the menu for the evening.