Wednesday night, W’s Stefano Tonchi joined Bruce Weber and Dior Homme designer, Kris Van Assche, in hosting a cocktail & screening in celebration of Weber’s latest collaboration with Dior Homme. Guests like Hilary Rhoda, Pharrell Williams, and Bianca Brandolini congregated in the Design District’s landmark Moore Building to catch the world premiere of “Can I Make the Music Fly?”—a short film in classic black & white that Weber conceived and directed for the brand on the occasion of Art Basel.
Clockwise from top left: Pharrell Williams and Helen Lasichanh; Kris Van Assche, Bruce Weber and W’s Stefano Tonchi; Hilary Rhoda; Giambattista Valli and friend“I’ve been a big admirer of Bruce forever; he’s like a living legend,” said Van Assche, whose designs for Dior were brought to life on the characters in Weber’s film. “I had always hoped to do a project with him, but you have to do things at the right time and for the right reason. And coming to Miami, Bruce is such a Miami personality, so it made total sense.”
Clockwise from top left: Mia Moretti; Models showing their support; Calvin Klein and Ingrid Sichy; Carlos Huber and Joseph AltuzarraThe film’s star Sergei Polunin, a former principal dancer of London’s Royal Ballet, flew to Miami just in time for the premiere. “When [Bruce and I] were discussing the characters for the film, I thought of Sergei,” explained Van Assche. “I had read about him leaving the Royal Ballet, and I liked the thought of him being such a talent but being such a rebel at the same time.” Weber took to the front of the room to introduce his work. “I’ve become somewhat of a ‘homie’ here [in Miami],” he said, “I love the city and I love the people.” Sergei could be spotted standing with Weber to watch the film, and congratulated him with a hug as the credits rolled.
As guests began to depart, en route to the next Basel fête of the evening, the crowd was still abuzz. “I thought it was incredibly poetic,” said Joseph Altuzarra. “I used to be a dancer, I danced until I was 14, so I always love movies with dancers in them. It really resonates.”
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Photos: Madison McGaw/BFAnyc.com
