Spring Makeovers
MODERN MODERN MODERN PLASTIC PLASTIC PLASTIC SURGERY SURGERY SURGERY
FOUNDER | Jay ShapiroLuxury Chamber Media Group jay@southflorida.in
Fashion Editor | Juliana LaBonte juliana@southflorida.in
Travel Editor | Christina Ricci
Business Editor | Cindy Ragan
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Joe Freer, Frank LoRe Jr, Roger Craft
PHOTOGRAPHER Ilmar Saar
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CindySevellisaboldandunfilteredauthorknownforherfearlessapproachto storytelling.Herbook,ItIsWhatItF-ckingIs,embodiesherraw,no-nonsense perspectiveonlife,tacklingreal-worldchallengeswithhonesty,wit,andatouch ofirreverence.Sevell’swritingresonateswithreaderswhoappreciate authenticityandawillingnesstosaywhatotherswon’t.Beyondherworkonthe page,sheisanengagingpresenceatliteraryevents,atalkshowhost,breast cancersurvivor,successfulmotherandrealestateinvestor.
Cindyhasearnedareputationasatrustedprofessional.Whethershe’swritinga bookorclosingadeal,sheapproacheseveryendeavorwithauthenticityanda fearlessattitudethatsetsherapart.
Author CindySevell
Afteralandmark2024,ModernPlasticSurgeryandMedSpaofMiami,ledbyArmandoLuis,announcesambitiousplansfor2025, continuingitsreputationasapremierplasticsurgerycenterwhiledeepeningitscommunityimpact Inlate2024,thecliniclaunchedapowerfulcommunitycampaign,including:
"DaystoShine"Summit–Astar-studdedeventfeaturingEmilioEstefanandotherVIPs,empoweringwomeninbusinessand beauty.
23rdAnnualHolidayToyDrive–SupportingNicklausChildren'sHealthFoundationalongsideTitoPuenteJr.,LeslieCartaya, andArlynBroche,collectingover1,000toys.
BeautyPageantSponsorships–Providingyoungwomenwithscholarshipsandopportunities.
InternationalExpansionEvent–AnnouncingnewoperationsinMedellín,Colombia,withremarksfromDoralMayorCristi Fraga.
ModernPlasticSurgerycontinuestosetthestandardforluxuryaestheticcare,earningnationalmediaattentionandindustry accolades InMarch,theclinicwillkickoffitsMonthlyEventSerieswithaWomen’sMonthcelebration,co-hostedbyOnlyinDade Cares,bringingtogethermedia,celebrities,andinfluencers
"2024wasremarkable,butwearejustgettingstarted,"saidFounderArmandoLuis "Asweexpandinternationallyandinnovate,2025 willbeanotheryearofexcellenceinaestheticcareandcommunityimpact " Formoreinformation,visitwww modernplasticsurgerymiami com
SLOW BURN THEATRE COMPANY ANNOUNCES 2025/2026 SEASON
Five musicals will be presented at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Slow Burn Theatre Company unveils its highly anticipated 2025/2026 season, featuring five dynamic musicals that explore themes of ambition, identity, and resilience. Set in the Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, the season is presented with support from American National Bank and Visit Lauderdale.
The Season Lineup:
"Catch Me If You Can" (Oct. 11 – 26, 2025): This high-flying musical comedy, based on the hit DreamWorks Motion Picture, follows teenage con artist Frank Abagnale Jr. as he outsmarts the FBI. Created by a Tony Awardwinning team, this show is packed with charm, adventure, and dazzling music.
"Disney’s Frozen" (Dec. 13 – 28, 2025): The beloved animated film comes to life in a spectacular musical adaptation featuring unforgettable songs by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. A tale of sisterhood, acceptance, and true love, "Frozen" promises stunning effects, breathtaking performances, and pure joy for all ages.
"Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" (Feb. 14 – Mar. 1, 2026): Experience the inspiring true story of Carole King’s rise to fame. Featuring timeless hits like "You've Got a Friend" and "Natural Woman," this Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical celebrates one of music’s most legendary voices.
"Hairspray" (Apr. 11 – 26, 2026): With big voices, big energy, and even bigger hair, this Tony Award-winning musical takes audiences to 1962 Baltimore, where Tracy Turnblad pursues her dream to dance on "The Corny Collins Show." Bursting with humor, romance, and iconic songs, "Hairspray" delivers a heartwarming message of inclusivity and change.
"Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill" (June 13 – 28, 2026): Inspired by Morissette’s groundbreaking album, this powerful, Tony-winning musical explores a seemingly perfect family unraveling beneath the surface. Tackling complex social themes, this show is a deeply moving and thought-provoking finale to the season.
Season Details:
Subscriptions for the five-show season go on sale Monday, February 24, with individual tickets available starting Saturday, June 7.
Slow Burn Theatre Company’s productions are made possible by major support from the Broward County Cultural Division, the Cultural Council, the Broward County Board of County Commissioners, the Salah Foundation, and the Cornelia T Bailey Foundation
For tickets and more information, visit www browardcenter org
FIU unveils renderings for Benjamín León Jr. Building, the future home of CasaCuba
Florida International University today is unveiling the architectural renderings of the Benjamín León Jr. Building, which will house CasaCuba, an academic and cultural center to preserve and celebrate Cuban and Cuban American heritage.
The project also marked a significant point in the journey toward breaking ground with $30 million raised toward the $40 million goal.
CasaCuba will make its home in a 43,000-square-foot facility. The Benjamín León Jr. Building will be a beacon for Cuban culture, featuring galleries and exhibition spaces, classrooms, and state-of-the-art event venues for its dynamic cultural programming. Designed by architectural firm HKS, the complex will be built by Thornton Construction and promises to be a hub for research, education, and connection, bringing together scholars, students, visitors, and the broader South Florida community
"CasaCuba will serve as a multidisciplinary hub showcasing FIU's unmatched expertise and commitment to fostering a deeper understanding of Cuban and Cuban American heritage," said FIU Provost, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Elizabeth M. Béjar.
"As Miami's only public research university, FIU is uniquely positioned to host CasaCuba," said FIU President Kenneth A. Jessell. "Located in the heart of this global city with deep Cuban roots and closely connected to its cultural fabric, FIU brings to the project the intellectual capital of its faculty and its status as a Carnegiedesignated R1 public research institution and one of the nation's Top 50 public universities."
FIU houses the most comprehensive collection of Cuban music outside the island, the Diaz-Ayala Cuban and Latin American Popular Music Collection, and the unparalleled Henrique Hurtado de Mendoza Collection of Cuban Genealogy. FIU also is home to the Darlene M. And Jorge M. Perez Art Collection.
The Benjamín León Jr. Building will be prominently located near one of the entrances to the Modesto A. Maidique Campus in west Miami-Dade and will leverage the latest technology, bringing the Cuban American experience to life
"After years of planning and hard work, it's incredibly exciting to see CasaCuba getting closer to reality," said CasaCuba Executive Director Lydia Betancourt Space. "This beautiful new building will uphold the Cuban American experience and have its place among Miami's rich cultural landmarks, alongside the Perez Art Museum, the Adrienne Arsht Center, and FIU's three museums. Thanks to the vision of so many, including Agustín Arellano Sr., who has been part of the project since the very beginning, CasaCuba will provide the context and space to elevate our community's past, present and future."
The construction of CasaCuba will be fully supported by donations. In addition to a landmark $10 million gift from Benjamín León Jr., the Knight Foundation has contributed more than $4 million to the project, including $2 million to support the design of the facility. Other key supporters, such as CasaCuba Board Chair Mario Murgado, and Jorge Mas have been instrumental in advancing the project.
"CasaCuba represents the heart and soul of our community, a place where the rich heritage of the Cuban diaspora will be celebrated, studied, and preserved," Murgado said "It is a privilege to be part of bringing this vision to life, made possible by the collective generosity and dedication of those committed to honoring and elevating Cuban culture Together, we have the opportunity to ensure CasaCuba becomes a lasting legacy for generations to come."
Benjamín León Jr. and Mavilebys Campa Felice
Interior Rendering
The Presidents and Powerbrokers Presidents Day Party at Fogo de Chão in Fort Lauderdale was a vibrant and well-attended affair, with about 40 guests enjoying appetizers at the outdoor bar. Opera tenor Andrea Garofalo raised the roof with his electrifying performance, while author Cindy Sevell captivated attendees with a special book signing. Giuseppe Grappando impressed the ladies with his smooth dance moves, and Amy Lefkowitz added to the fun with her singing talents. Dr. Tobi Rose Smith’s radiant smile lit up the evening, making it a night to remember!
Wow, the hairs are standing on my arms! A little over a year ago a diplomat who was married to an Ambassador of a European country attended one of my events for a third or fourth time At the event she encountered her grandson whom she had not seen since he was a child We were all in shock!
FAST FORWARD January 2025.
She invited me to a gathering at her house in the Aventura-North Miami-Ojus area. I attended the event with a friend of mine from France and it turned out that she and others at the party also spoke French At the event I remember walking down to the table by the lake and noticing that it was scary because the steps were not lit up I held on to the rail and made my way down to the lake, sat at the table, sipped some champagne and realized that it was wrong to not have light on the steps Even though it was only five or six steps I went back up to the house and spoke with Jacob (her husband) and asked, Jacob do you happen to have a portable light I can use to light up those steps as somebody will fall. He said: Yes, let me find it. I went back down to the lake and sipped on some more champagne and shot the shit with the French girls. 10 minutes later Jacob come walking excitedly towards us with a light with the intention of saving the day so that nobody falls. It ended up being him who fell!! Jacob is an older man in his late 70's The miracle is that he fell to the RIGHT instead of falling forward onto the concrete below He literally fell onto the soft rose bushes and those rose bushes saved his life!!! He had a large cut on his neck and a few on both arms and was bleeding but he was fine and within 30 minutes he was up crooning music and singing karaoke!!!
1.) He fell to the side of righteousness 2.) Every rose has its thorn 3.) No good deed goes unpunished I was only trying to help and I should have brought the light down there myself I apoligized about 20 times
FAST FORWARD JANUARY 29, 2025
I received a press release from FIU and was very impressed with the press release and the project and the main man behind it. So much so that I decided to publish the MAN, Benjamin Leon Jr. on the cover of SOUTH FLORIDA magazine. Its a billion dollar project and an amazing person behind it. After doing so I clicked on the link from the press release and looked at the board of directors for FIU and recognized a surname I googled it and it ended up being the Ambassador
The odds of these occurences all colliding in syncronicity are like winning the lottery It happens often with me but this connection seems more
LILLY PULITZER CELEBRATES
FIRST RUNWAY SHOW IN 20 YEARS, DEBUTING SPRING '25 WOMEN'S & THEIR REVIVAL OF MENSWEAR
In collaboration with the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, Lilly Pulitzer unveiled its Spring '25 collection with an exclusive fashion show, return to Menswear, and exhibit sponsorship honoring the legendary Slim Aarons and the brand's founder
Lilly Pulitzer, the originator of American Resort Wear, made a momentous return to the runway, a first for the brand in nearly two decades. The 65th Anniversary Fashion Show took place at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, where Lilly Pulitzer and the museum debuted a photography exhibit Slim Aarons: Gold Coast, in partnership with Getty Images, honoring Slim Aaron's work and their brand founder, where he captured the Palm Beach icon herself. Most notably, the fashion show showcased the brand's upcoming Spring 2025 collection and a fresh new addition: menswear
Photo by John Parra/Getty Images
The Spring '25 Runway Show opened with a one-of-a-kind maxi shift, which is the style that started it all, and was followed by 37 showstopping Spring 2025 looks, rooted in the brand's resort aesthetic and styled by Palm Beach stylist Katherine Lande. Also featured on the runway was a new Reserve Capsule of elevated special occasion fashion pieces, building upon the success of the brand's soldout Anniversary Collection from Spring 2024. Additionally, the show included two special pieces from legendary designers and Palm Beach locals Mark Badgley and James Mischka, who have previously partnered with Lilly Pulitzer for a sell-out collection last Spring In the show, Lilly x Badgley Mischka returned with two exclusive embellished looks designed especially for this show
The Lilly Pulitzer menswear collection, dropping in Spring 2025, is an ode to the brand's first-ever men's collection originating from the 1960s. This inaugural collection will be donning the original name coined by Lilly herself, titled Men's Stuff. This time, the collection is taking inspiration from their heritage coloring and prints reimagined for the modern man. Men's Stuff will pay homage to true menswear resort collections, linen shirts, printed bottoms, polos and swim trunks, printed blazers, ties, and matching pocket squares The male models on the runway walked along notable Palm Beach locals, including some of the Pulitzer family
