A GOOD TIME: Vacheron Constantin is hitting the rays in South Beach. Tonight the 253-year-old watch firm will play host to the Overseas tasting event and live auction in celebration of its first ever U.S. limited edition Overseas Chronograph. Held during this week's South Beach Wine and Food Festival and sponsored by Yachting Magazine, the event will be held aboard the Dream Seeker, a 140-foot yacht at the Miami Beach Marina. Both the tasting event and live auction will be hosted by Padma Lakshmi, author and host of Bravo's "Top Chef."

CASA FENDI: Carla Fendi, who recently sold her shares in the Fendi fashion house to majority owner LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, has treated herself to a new apartment in Paris, on the picturesque Place de Furstenberg near Saint-Germain-des-Pres. "It was a moment of good fortune," Fendi said at the Emilio Pucci show about her find in one of the most exclusive areas in Paris. She said her niece Simona Formilli and architect Cesare Rovatti are redecorating the apartment, which will be ready in April.

LA VIE EN ROSE: There were Laduree macaroons, free-flowing Ruinart champagne, waiters in berets and a chanteuse channeling Edith Piaf Wednesday night outside the new Roger Vivier boutique on the Via Sant'Andrea. "We wanted to bring the French spirit here with a touch of humor," said Bruno Frisoni, Vivier's creative director. "We are playing with clichés," echoed brand ambassador Inès de la Fressange, who helped decorate the store, inspired by the founding designer's Quai d'Orsay apartment, with such unique pieces as Picasso engravings and African tribal masks. Agnelli heir Lapo Elkann exchanged high-fives and back-slapping with Emanuele Della Valle, son of Vivier's owner Diego Della Valle. "I'm returning Diego's visit," said Elkann, referring to his Italia Independent trunk show held across the street earlier in the evening. Rumor has it Elkann is gearing up to take part in a Louis Vuitton car rally in China later this year.

OUT OF AFRICA: Benetton pulled out all the stops for last week's launch of its new corporate advertising campaign "Africa Works." For starters, Alessandro Benetton welcomed 100 journalists to Dakar for a press conference and concert hosted by Youssou N'Dour. Christopher Mason and FIT's Valerie Steele were among the guests who learned about how the campaign promotes the Birima micro-credit program in Senegal, a cooperative credit society founded by the Senegalese singer. For the print and outdoor ads, James Mollison photographed Senegalese workers, who have used micro loans to start small, productive businesses, using the tools of their trades against a neutral background. As an offshoot of Africa Works, Patti Smith helped N'Dour record a fresh version of "Birima," a song he first recorded in 2000. N'Dour said, "Africa doesn't want charity, it wants repayable subsidized loans."