Art Basel turns up the heat outside the art fair tents, directly in the Design District. The art galleries, along with design and clothing stores of the most renowned fashion houses convert into the showrooms, hosting art installation openings and receptions.

From Fendi (bellow), Luis Vuitton, Hermes, Prada, to Louboutin (above), streets are packed with fashionable spectators and shoppers, forming the check-in lines to get into the private events, meet artists, learn the latest industry buzz, or simply indulge in fine french bubbly, finger foods, and DJ beats.

Casa Fendi’s annual fete (above) is always packed and one needs to endure waiting in an infinite line wrapped around the block to get in…of course, if invited. It is all worth it, as the Fendi(s) are known for throwing some of the most popular receptions…While the store patio turns into a dance floor under the sky, show rooms stay open not only to display Fendi design, but also available for guests lounging, while chatting up a friend or taking a break from the crowd frenzy…

Vanity Fair partners with MOCA every year to throw a mega-party for several thousand guests in the Museum of Contemporary Art… Traffic stops for hours in advance, as everybody wants to be there….Good luck getting to the location and once there getting through the crowd in stylish high heels…Stimulated by art, music and (lets be honest) offerings of cocktail-mixologists, the guests are often planing Art Basel outings for the coming year….With the growing pool of artsy fans each year, one idea that crosses my mind is 2014 Art Basel in platforms, sneakers, or on a helicopter. Whichever way chosen, the after hours get-togethers in art and style will stay on the agenda!