Mega art collector Adam Lindemann (left) lives in a house designed for art by David Adjaye, this year’s Designer of the Year at Design Miami, which just kicked off yesterday. So it came as a surprise to many of his pals—and no doubt readers of his New York Observer column— that he was boycotting Art Basel Miami Beach this year. Lindemann’s poured black concrete home off Park Avenue houses works by Maurizio Cattelan, Urs Fischer and Damien Hirst, among others and he’s long been part of the VIP vanguard at Art Basel. But yesterday, in an email entitled "Occupy Art Basel Miami, BOYCOTT NOW!” he entreated his Miami-bound friends “to rethink your decision, if you are already there, you can still boycott. This is not a joke, it’s high time we join together and say: Hell NO! to one more sweaty schmoozer and boozer… This time, I won’t be seeing you there.” But there Lindemann was today, strolling the Miami Convention Center during the VIP opening hours of the art fair with his wife, the art dealer Amalia Dayan. “I have to be here to gather material for my case,” he said when asked why he was there, admitting he was in a bit of hot water for his column. “But I’m still boycotting.”

David Adjaye in the living room of the Lindemann-Dayan house on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Read the story from W's March 2011 issue here.

Photos: Lindemann: The Image Gate/ Getty Images; Adjaye: Andreas Laszlo Konrath

From left: Julian Schnabel and Sean "P. Diddy" Combs; Naomi Campbell

Anyone still doubtful that that the worlds of contemporary art, music and fashion had yet to fully converge had only to spend the opening hour of the VIP preview of Art Basel Miami Beach in Larry Gagosian’s booth, where the uber dealer could be found reading Page Six as collectors scrambled to eyeball works by Rudolf Stingel, Roy Lichtenstein and Jeff Koons. Among them was P. Diddy, who was introduced to Gagosian as “Sean,” his right arm in a sling, his eyes hidden by shades. (It was 11:30 a.m.) As he chatted up Gagosian, Sean was soon greeted by the artist Julian Schnabel, who was dressed in a plaid shirt with torn sleeves, plaid shorts, socks that looked like tattoos and –what else?—paint-splattered Vans. His shades were tinted yellow. Next to him, Naomi Campbell, also in shades, was having a tete-a-tete with art world heavyweight Eli Broad, who appeared to be entirely content looking at Campbell rather than at the Gursky just behind her.

Photos: Rabbani and Solimene Photography/Getty Images

Early birds to the Miami Art Basel scene gathered on the New World Symphony rooftop last night to fete the artist of the hour, the city’s own Teresita Fernandez (above), and her recent collaboration with jewelry house John Hardy. An unlikely pair, to be sure, what with design team at John Hardy known for their artisanal craftsmanship and innovative use of silver, and Fernandez for her conceptual large-scale work, a riff off landscapes and natural phenomena. But when John Hardy sought out an artist to inaugurate their Artist Residency Program in Ubud, Bali, Fernandez—fresh off her new appointment as the White House Cultural Advisor—proved a serendipitous choice.

Over flutes of cold champagne (the ubiquitous party favor of Art Basel), the artist spoke of her inspirational time at the residency last August. “There is an amazing culture of making things in Bali. You are just bombarded with incredible, visually rich images,” she said. “The place runs on a lunar calendar, and it puts you in touch with a primal sensibility. The project evolved and helped me see silver as a conceptual, universal material.”

From top: Fernandez's work; David Maupin and Karen Boyer

Her latest works, in fact, are all inspired by the poetic love affair between silver and the moon, including Silver Screen/30 Dissolves (chemically etched photographs of the waxing and waning of the moon in Bali), which was unveiled last night. “The fusion between two completely different approaches to creativity was so fantastic,” said Guy Bedarida, head designer for John Hardy. “Teresita saw the possibility of creating the moon within the hammering of the artisans, which is the mark of a real artist.” Just in time for Hong Kong’s Basel show in 2012: a one-off collection of black palm wood and recycled silver jewelry co-designed by Fernandez and Bedarida.

Follow John Hardy on Facebook and Twitter.

Photos: Alexis Dahan

The ARTBOOK library for MoMA PS1

If you’re wondering what your bookshelves say about you—dog-eared Penguin paperbacks from tenth grade?—you might just be in the market for ARTBOOK’s new curatorial library service, which helps you build a one-of-a-kind collection of tomes from scratch. “We tailor a library to your interests in art and design,” says Alex Galan, Vice President of ARTBOOK. “We can basically access any book—books we distribute, books that are out of print and even books from another publisher.”

“When I walk into someone’s house the first thing I do is look at the books,” says Galan. “It tells you everything you need to know about someone.” That sentiment might be expected coming from one of the most prominent art-book publishers in the business, but we have to admit we’ve done a little title snooping of our own.

ARTBOOK's booth at Design Miami/: Joaquim Terreiro Bookshelf in jacaranda wood, c. 1954

If you’re not quite ready for a whole library, ARTBOOK also offers their services one shelf at a time. “We’ve done a starter library as wedding gifts to great success. If you have a newlywed who likes photography, we can put together a library of 75 books that spans the history of photography for them.” Visit ARTBOOK’s booth at Design Miami/ or go to curatorial@artbook.com to learn more.

Photos: R20th Century

From left: Set of Alora soaps, $84. American Apparel's kids sweaters, $38 each. Click through for details.

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Biologique Recherche’s age-fighting Le Grand Sérum, which harnesses a potent mix of 27 active ingredients—from amino acids to wasabi extract— to illuminate, tone, and smooth complexions, is always in short supply, thanks to limited runs. But this holiday season the formula arrives in a limited-edition matte gold bottle. If it was any more exclusive, it might just be invisible (biologique-recherche.us; $480).

Photo: Marko Metzinger

Since Art Basel doesn’t technically begin until tomorrow night, all eyes are on that big white tent across the street from the convention center known as Design Miami/. And while tonight’s VIP vernissage marks the opening of the fair, many have been celebrating since the weekend.

On Sunday, Cultured Magazine threw an intimate dinner for Design Miami’s new Director, Marianne Goebl, at the home of photographer Greg Lotus. Hosted by Cultured's Editor, Sarah Harrelson, the evening was shared with a group of collectors, dealers, and designers—including Zaha Hadid, Michelle and Jason Rubell, Didier and Clemence Krzentowski, Rafael de Cárdenas, and Iran Issa-Khan—many of whom are included in the magazine's new issue. Harrelson, who gave a gracious toast before guests tucked into their poached pears and profiteroles, noted that her magazine is co-hosting one more dinner after the vernissage with R20th Century and Gallery Seomi, where she'll happily spend the night not worrying about where she has to be next.

From left: Loic Le Gaillard, Marianne Goebl and Julian Lombrail

Last night, Silvia Fendi hosted a Design Miami/ welcome cocktail at the W Hotel. Fendi, a longtime supporter (and sponsor) of the fair, welcomed design world luminaries Ron Arad, Stephen Burks, Patrick Seguin, and Design Miami/ founder Craig Robins.

This afternoon’s Design Miami/ Collector’s Preview added plenty more star wattage to the mix: Pharrell Williams, Tobias Meyer, Simon de Pury, Benedikt Taschen, and Brett Ratner were among the throngs of collectors anxious to get a first look at the pieces on view. And judging by the many smiling faces from within the booths, the buying frenzy has officially begun.

Photo: Getty Images

China Chow has been giving even triple hyphenates a run for their money in recent months: she was shot by Mario Sorrenti as part of Barneys New York’s Fall 2011 campaign and by Karl Lagerfeld for an upcoming Chanel project; she collaborated with Richard Phillips and Jason Wu on arts-related endeavors; and she was featured in a performance piece with artist Glenn Kaino and magician Derek DelGaudio at New York’s The Kitchen.

China Chow

Oh, and then there’s the Bravo TV series Work of Art, whose second season premiered on October 12. Chow is by turns witty and compassionate as the host of the show, leading the aspiring great artists through a series of challenges, only to then be critiqued by the likes of Rob Pruitt, Adam McEwen, and Mary Ellen Marks (whom Chow also helped wrangle as guest judges). Here, Chow takes a break from her hosting duties (a new episode airs tomorrow tonight) to discuss her favorite architectural shoes, her new digital discoveries, and where you’re likely to find her dining.

Define your style in three words: Architectural, conceptual, wabi sabi.

Daily uniform: Linen dresses in the summer. Black trousers (usually Comme des Garçons) and a cashmere sweater in the fall with black Silvia Fiorentina flats.

Greatest hits: A crocodile box clutch by Nancy Gonzalez. I love its simplicity—without hardware or logos, it truly feels timeless. Another favorite in my closet: a trapeze Rudi Gernreich coat.

United Nude's black pump

Preferred footwear: The black pump in all its fantastic variations. My current favorite is a pair by United Nude. I love its block wooden heel. You can tell it was designed by an architect. It just so happens that Rem D. Koolhaas is the brand's creative director.

Finishing touches: Jewelry designed by my mother, Tina Chow. I treasure my ebony pendant with a small herkimer diamond dangling from a silk cord. It has the formal qualities of modernist sculpture and highlights her incredible sensitivity to materials. I'm also fond of my vintage Indian cuff—it dates back to the 19th century—and while it appears heavy, it's actually quite light.

From left: Chow's pendant, designed by her mother; Chow's vintage Indian cuff

Nighttime look: Black trousers and a silk shirt or a dress by Rodarte, Balenciaga, or Junya Watanabe.

Best recent discovery: AGMA magazine online, it's a great source to see comprehensive installation shots of international art shows. I'm also new to Facebook and Twitter... follow me @China_Chow

Favorite stores: Muji, LN-CC in London, Art Catalogues at LACMA, New York Vintage.

Style pet peeve: None.

A recent purchase: Martin Margiela's top made of gloves

Style icons: My mother, my grandmother, Tilda Swinton, and Terence Koh.

Last purchases: A Martin Margiela top made of gloves from his 2001 collection purchased at New York Vintage. A Balenciaga clutch—it reminds me of works by French contemporary artist Jean Pierre Raynaud or an Andree Putman tiled bathroom.

From left: Chow's Balenciaga clutch; a Putman-tiled bathroom.

Lusting after: Yves Klein's La Vénus d'Alexandrie (Vénus Bleue.) He created my favorite color, International Klein Blue.

Favorite haunts: Mr. Chow restaurants.

From left: Artwork by Alex Israel; La Vénus d'Alexandrie (Blue Venus), by Yves Klein

Favorite works of art: Cy Twombly paintings, John Chamberlain sculptures, and works by emerging artist Alex Israel.

Fall must-have: Sunglasses—Freeway eyewear collaboration with artist John Baldessari.

Freeway eyewear, freewayeyewear.com

Portrait: David Vasiljevic; Alex Israel: courtesy of Peres Projects; Yves Klein: Corbis; all others: courtesy of China Chow.

Artel's crystal vodka glass set, $1032. Click through for details.

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Just because she’s an avid animal-rights activist doesn’t mean Stella McCartney is ignoring fashion’s current obsession with snakeskin. The designer has just launched a collection of PETA-friendly faux-python accessories in a range of eye-popping colors (clutch, at Stella McCartney; $1,995).

Photo: Marko Metzinger