Dropping $1.2 million during Miami Art Week isn’t that unusual. At Art Basel, which is just one of the 20+ fairs taking place in Miami taking place through Sunday, Picasso’s “Couple with Cup” has a price tag of $30 million — and the festivities kicked off with the $4.75 million sale of a David Hammons painting.
But Evens Saint Clair is charging $1.2 million for what he calls an “art sculpture.” Others call them handbags.
The artist and diamond-mine developer’ big-ticket tote, dubbed “La Reine,” should come with a global travel itinerary.
Saint Clair traveled to Japan for two years to meet with local artisans for the stunning tote, including a famed woodworker known as Mr. Kyoto. The handcrafted Japanese wood frame is overlaid with Italian leather and pieces of rare silk kimono fabric dusted with gold leaf and strengthened by pearl shell. There are over 18 carats of diamonds placed throughout — from the front porcelain tile badge to the gold-plated “feet” of the bag to the multiple strands of bejeweled gold chains, which also boast emeralds and pearls.
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Saint Clair traveled to Japan for two years to meet with local artisans for the $1.2 bag, which features pieces of rare silk kimono fabric dusted with gold leaf. Romain MauriceThere are over 18 carats of diamonds placed throughout — from the front porcelain tile badge to the gold-plated “feet” of the bag to the multiple strands of bejeweled gold chains, which also boast emeralds and pearls. Romain Maurice
“I’m bringing the art of craftmanship back,” Saint Clair told The Post. “Nowadays everything is just sent to China to be made as cheaply as possible, but true luxury isn’t mass produced. I have invested years of travel, research and innovation into these pieces and the accompanying luxury cases because I believe in beauty, happiness and giving back.”
Each bag takes up to a year to produce and passes through Japan, Guinea, Italy and Turkey before arriving in Saint Clair’s hometown of Bal Harbour, Florida, where the final embellishments are added.
For “Wicked” fans, there’s a $670,000 green alligator edition with a jade circular badge encircled by sparkling diamonds.
Saint Clair says that his handbags are savvy investments with gold, diamonds, and gemstones rising in value. Romain Maurice
One of Saint Clair’s lowest priced bags ($110,000) is the “Pangea,” which features lacquered bamboo from Japan, a glittering gold chain flecked with diamonds, and python skins from Miami’s Everglades ecosystem, which is being overrun by the invasive snake.
Saint Clair says that his handbags are savvy investments with gold, diamonds, and gemstones rising in value. As such, each bag includes a custom storage case that is fingerprint activated. Saint Clair designed these unique wood veneer biometric safes himself, inspired by collector’s cigar cases from the Dominican Republic, which he sent to his wood maker in Japan as inspiration.
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While the pricey bags are being launched at Miami Art Week with a splashy party at the St. Regis Hotel in Bal Harbour Saturday night, Saint Clair has privately sold several of the costly purses to well-heeled women in Guinea, where he develops diamond and gold mines.( He would not divulge clients’ names due to privacy and security issues.)
A $670,000 green alligator bag offers a jade circular badge encircled by sparkling diamonds. Romain MauriceOne of Saint Clair’s lowest priced bags ($110,000) is the “Pangea,” which features lacquered bamboo from Japan, a glittering gold chain flecked with diamonds, and python skins from Miami’s Everglades ecosystem, which is being overrun by the invasive snake. Romain Maurice
Saint Clair’s journey to luxury started far from the glittering world he now inhabits. Born in Haiti and raised in New York and Chicago, he faced bullying, gang violence and poverty. A scholarship to St. Thomas University in Miami became the turning point that led to a career in nightlife promotion.
In 2008, Saint Clair changed gears and moved to Guinea to develop gold and diamond mines.
Coming from impoverished beginnings, Saint Clair is determined to make a difference. Ten percent of earnings from his bags and artwork will be donated to multiple charities including Best Buddies, Make-A-Wish, Saint Jude, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
The burgeoning artist is also exhibiting four paintings at Red Dot, one of the art fairs surrounding Art Basel in Miami, through the Agora Gallery. Next February, his mixed media artwork — which utilizes Urushi lacquer paste and resin — will be featured in a special exhibition at the Grand Palais in Paris.
On May 20, new evidence was presented to the jury during Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ongoing trial in New York City. The jurors were presented with photos of AR-15 rifle parts, bottles of baby oil, lube, 7-inch high heels and more items that were found during the raid of the rap mogul’s Miami Beach mansion in 2024.
Scroll through to see all the evidence photos presented during the trial.
It’s the second week of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ racketeering and sex-trafficking trial. Getty Images
Combs’ Miami Beach mansion that was raided in March 25, 2024. Department of Justice
Combs’ Miami Beach mansion that was raided in March 25, 2024. Department of Justice
Combs’ Miami Beach mansion that was raided in March 25, 2024. Department of Justice
A stack of King Pam cigars found inside of Combs’ Miami home during the March 25, 2024, raids. Department of Justice
A 45-caliber pistol found in Combs’ Miami home during the March 25, 2024, raids. Department of Justice
A pistol feds discovered when they raided Combs’ Miami home in March 2024. Department of Justice
A green box labeled “Diddy” found in the rap mogul’s Miami home during the March 2024 raids. Department of Justice
Marijuana and other containers found inside of the green box labeled “Diddy.” Department of Justice
Papers used for rolling joints found inside of Combs’ Miami home during the March 2024 raids. Department of Justice
Department of Justice
Department of Justice
A peek inside Combs’ closet, featuring several items of clothing and drawers with sex toys inside. Department of Justice
A box of bullets found in Combs’ Miami home during the March 2024 raids. Department of Justice
A clear, plastic bag with gun parts and gold bullets inside found at Combs’ Miami home during the March 2024 raids. Department of Justice
A $100 bill. Department of Justice
A plastic bag filled with multi-colored pills. Department of Justice
More drugs found inside Combs’ Miami home during the March 2024 raids. Department of Justice
Orange pills with the letters “CIP” inscribed over them. Department of Justice
A bag of pink narcotics. Department of Justice
A small container filled with white powder and a rolled-up $100 bill. Department of Justice
Gold bullets inside of a case. Department of Justice
A close-up of a gun. Department of Justice
Another close-up of a gun that shows the serial number was scratched off. It also featured a skull image. Department of Justice
Multiple guns found in Combs’ Miami home during the March 2024 raids. Department of Justice
Several shoe boxes filled with platform high-heels. Department of Justice
Combs’ bathroom mirror, which has several sayings written over it, including, “Love you daddy” and “you a legend.” Department of Justice
More high-heels found in Combs’ Miami home during the March 2024 raids. Department of Justice
A close-up of black platform heels. Department of Justice
A box of clear platform heels and a box of lingerie. Department of Justice
Red platform high-heels inside of a drawer, along with sex toys. Department of Justice
Bottles of lube and baby oil found in Combs’ Miami home during the March 2024 raids. Department of Justice
Black rain boots and three cell phones that were reportedly found inside of the shoes. Department of Justice
A close-up of the shoes hidden inside of the boots. Department of Justice
The black rain boots placed in front of Combs’ shoe closet. Department of Justice
Part of Combs’ shoe closet inside of his Miami home. Department of Justice
A black Gucci bag that allegedly had narcotics inside of it. Department of Justice
A close-up of the different pills inside of the Gucci bag. Department of Justice
Combs’ dresser inside of his Miami home, which featured dildos, baby oil multivitamins and several other items. Department of Justice
A box of Vital Honey, an FDA-approved drug used to treat erectile disfunction. Department of Justice
More containers fileld with baby oil and lube, including one box that had rubber duckies inside of it. Department of Justice
A closet filled with white towels inside of Combs’ Miami home. Department of Justice
A package filled with “Golden Teachers,” which are psychedelic mushrooms. Department of Justice
Clutter around Combs’ Miami home during the March 2024 raids. Department of Justice
A wooden box that read “Puffy” over it. Department of Justice
More clear bags of baby oil and lube. Department of Justice
Bottles of baby oil inside of a tub. Department of Justice
Lube, cream, a lighter and pills inside of a drawer. Department of Justice
A drawer with pills and plastic bags scattered around. Department of Justice
A prescription bottle and pieces of candy inside of a drawer. Department of Justice
Pink powdered drugs inside of packets and a prescription bottle. Department of Justice
A prescription bottle for Clonazepam, a drug typically used to treat seizures. Department of Justice
MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, FLA. (WSVN) – More travelers will soon be able to travel through Miami International Airport after Miami-Dade County Commissioners approved an expansion project for the airport.
Commissioners gave the green light to construct a new terminal that will cost over $600 million.
The terminal, dubbed Concourse K, will feature six gates, two baggage carousels and a new maintenance facility.
Officials said the new construction will create thousands of new jobs and help the airport meet passenger’s needs going into the future.
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Groundbreaking is set for this summer.
Officials said the new Concourse K should be operational by spring 2029.
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Sweetwater’s Li’l Abner Mobile Home Park residents gathered Monday, some carrying signs and rent receipts, saying they are prepared to stay until they are forcibly removed.
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