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Striking architecture, impeccable interiors, and phenomenal views are just the beginning. Now Forté showcases the ne art of everyday living - the onsite art walk, created with the City of West Palm Beach providing a peaceful oasis where residents can enjoy distinctive sculptures.
110 PALM BEACH FAMILIES For our annual Palm Beach photoshoot, we celebrate the generations of families who have cherished and supported the island for decades. Written & Produced by Elizabeth Meigher, Photographed by Carrie Bradburn, CAPEHART
122 PALM BEACH’S PROMINENT PET PROJECT 2025 marks the centennial celebration of the beloved Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League. by Robert Janjigian
126 BEACHY BUYS From the designer boutiques of Worth Avenue to awardwinning interior showrooms and The Royal Poinciana Plaza, discover the must-visit destinations that make Palm Beach a shopper’s paradise.
132 PALM BEACH DESIGN JOURNAL A spotlight on the innovators and teams shaping the Palm Beach design scene.
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JANUARY IS THE month where you get a respite. And for those of us who are in the middle of it all by choice, it is a gift. For some (or many) the “gift” is heading off to Palm Beach where it’s All Happening for an awful lot of New Yorkers. And nowadays all those quadri-billionaires can
take it all with them whenever they feel the need for a little Sun and Such.
Palm Beach is having a renaissance in terms of popularity of destinations. And PB has it all to offer. At least for a lot of New Yorkers I know. And who can blame them. It’s Summertime all over again.
For some of us, I’m what they used to call a “stick in the mud.” And this is the “mud.” And often interesting on several levels.
One of the most interesting moments of matters last month was the auction of the entirely collective world of Mica Ertegun . I didn’t know Mrs. Ertegun although I
was well aware of her presence in the world I cover. To this observer, she had a quality of distance. Not snobbery of any kind; but distance. That can be fascinating although I’m one to “move on” from those uninterested-and understanding.
The catalogue, however, is a masterpiece in cover -
ing all of the subjects of all of the sales. But it’s more than that: It’s the story-really a visual biography of a woman’s way of life, with interesting modern as well as classic sensibilities, as well as the middle-European of previous centuries.
Although my knowledge and even interest in the subject is curious but limited, I found myself getting a sense of this woman’s life and attitude and interest just from this book.
Like her husband, she was ahead of her time but also with a reverence for the past. As you move through the pages, looking everything over in detail – because it’s there and
attractive – the catalogue became a story of a life, a real memoir; a fascinating life, unusual to many, and in the end, a tribute.
However, I learned from the very impressive catalogue of all the sales – art, jewels, furniture, silver, china –I had a strong sense of her unusual (to us Americans) background. I learned she was Romanian by birth, and royal.
Her place as a child, and her function in the world into which she was born,
was totally removed after the Second World War. It was now a new world quite unlike her genetic old world which was full of Royals from all over that entire European continent from sea to sea. There was an upperclass and you weren’t in it.
Unless of course – Mica was a natural student, and followed her interests, from which she built an extraordinary business. Then she married Ahmet , an Albanian, also upperclass, as it was for him (like her),
who became “America’s Greatest Music Man” for his highly respected Atlantic Records business. I knew him only slightly but he was a charmer and always with dignity and class (and a hearty laugh).
Her royal background into which she was born and which took her interests, is reflected in fascinating detail throughout the catalogue (which is the closest thing to an actual biography). The “belongings” in this magnificent auction are also the Life Story. Everything was sold in the many millions for the philanthropies of hers and also with Ahmet’s.
I began looking at the
Collections in the Christie’s catalogue. Seeing the various sales-beginning with the art which alone totaled more than $130 million- I began to have a personal feeling about Mrs. Ertegun from photographs of her living environment. There was a fascination with history and a natural eye on the future.
Catching up is hard to do, but... Michael’s restaurant’s 35th anniversary celebration for me was uplifting. Firstly I was reminded that I had visited Michael’s for lunch literally hundreds of times and especially on many Wednesdays. And being present with actual crowd of Michael’s “regulars” at the party, I could see that I’m not alone in the experience.
Michael McCarthy is one of those guys who loves his business. And he’s got two – the one in Santa Monica is celebrating its 45th anniversary. And he loves food-ushering in many changes and creations over time.
Its weekly luncheons are heavily populated with a wide variety of professional personalities as well as visitors from across the world, and lots of business people, be they lawyers, bankers, hedge fund operators as well as socialites and celebrities from near and far.
reserve a table that gives me a view of the room as well as the arrivals and departures. Many famous faces; all business or so you might imagine. About 15, maybe 20 years ago, seated at my table on one Thursday lunch, waiting for my guest, Hillary Clinton happened by on her way to someone’s nearby table, when she said to me, with warm smile: “Hi David!”
think of it, she might have seen me when she walked in and asked Loreal who I was). Nevertheless, a fan’s a fan.
And she was looking good back then – this was when she was still Senator. Her busy life was a lighter load back then, as we can see, added on to by Father…or is it Mother ? Time.
I’ve had the good luck to
Well, she got me then and there. I was amazed that she knew my name. We had been introduced once at some event, but never with much conversation. So I was stunned that she remembered (?) me. (Although, come to
I’m still surprised by the thought of that moment. Probably because I’m mainly a watcher, a spectactor, an observer. It comes from my childhood when I can still recall my favorite aunt once saying to this young boy with a patient observation, “you ask so many questions!”
It’s also the vibe of Michael’s that gives it so much subconscious
allure. The atmosphere. Friendly but respectful activity of privacy; reunions and interesting meetings; curiosity abounding at every table. It’s the light – you can see everyone clearly –but it is a fascinating and flattering natural light. When I think of that single moment of Hillary passing by my table and warmly greeting me, this David, I can’t help thinking of the time and world that has passed since then; the history.
But that’s the vibe of Michael’s. And Steve Millington , its naturally charming pro of a host,
the kind who greets you with a natural smile that’s eager to see that you’re comfortable and then he’s off to someone else spreading the glad as well as keeping the train called Michael’s on the track. He loves his work, and you agree.
Meanwhile, “back on the ranch.” The following story was told to me by a wise and observant friend (woman).
It’s not a subject that ever comes to my mind, at least not in my house. One always often sees it
around when you reach a certain time in your life that is post-Youth. That doesn’t mean it even occurs to you on a person to person basis.
A sensible woman I know, a contemporary (although still youth ; simply got older), told me that five of her friends recently got their faces “done” before the Palm Beach season. This particular friend of mine did not, and would not do such a thing. Not a wrinkle or a line on these girls; just smooth beauti -
ful skin, what these girls paid for, what with the Winter Season in Palm Beach here and operating, so to speak.
My friend thought such surgery was outrageous. I have no opinion other than the facework does the trick if you still wanna look like you’re up and at it. That’s one sensitive way of looking at it. After all, it’s not your fault your youth is gone. So why not get some more moments out of it while it’s still available.
The subject is not particularly interesting to me except in the case of my friend’s friends: the
400
Dr.’s fees, she told meoy-can run between 100 and even 200,000! Yes; all those zeros! Then it astounds. I’m not going to criticize because basically, mainly, it’s none of my business and what do I care. Although it makes a mark in my thoughts. Maybe just the ordinary difference between me and thee.
Although I was reminded of a moment when I was a very young man new in New York, I went to a dentist who’d been recommended by a friend. I was unaware of it at the time, but he was a dentist, or the dentist to the well-to-do (remem -
ber the “well-to-do”?) New Yorkers.
During one appointment he was telling me about an elderly Mrs. Astor (not Brooke; this was more than 50 years ago) had come to him recently, looking for his advice on getting a facelift. He laughed in telling me, and said: “another lift and her toenails will be on her chin!”
The truth is simple. They want to look better than they look when they firstlook in the mirror every morning, or in the beginning of the day.
Epidemic-age; it’s fascinating to see what
time does to us on the outside. It rarely occurs to us what it does on the inside. It’s now commonplace, ordinary. No doubt there are a number of “good” MDs for such a thing. And now that early 21st Century indebtedness is having its way with our currency, More is required. If you’ve got the required for the More.
I know quite a few women who have had such major work done. Usually it’s a little here a little there, but not noticeable to these eyes; she’s the same person.
But then lately I’ve seen well known women in the
public eye who have new faces, not the same as their former (even beautiful) faces, and now almost unidentifiable. But yes, they look good, even look better maybe; it’s fresh, and the good work enhances, which is the intent that is so costly.
Men, I’m told are into it now too. Some have been very successful in their effort to maintain some youth in their worldsvery often business images-and no doubt some much needed vanity to add to the flavor of usedto-be-youth.
Meanwhile, first names, last names, old names, new, at this time
of the year with the seasons changing to sunnier sides such as Palm Beach and Miami, many New Yorkers and those nearby head for the brighter, warmer sun as well as the crowds; the outdoor dining, lunching. And yes, there are some prominent doctors down there delivering the youth and wisdom of their art.
There are not a few who’ve actually given up their main residences up North. They’re following the world (so to speak).
And before we forget: The holiday party annually
hosted at Wendy Carduner’s Doubles by Anne Hearst and her husband Jay McInerney and George Farias is now a tradition that’s never lost its youth. Anne couldn’t be there this year. In its first few years they held it upstairs at ’21.’ The association with the restaurant’s reputation almost seemed fraternal in those days. That’s the sense the guest got in their presence which they are sharing to the point of a good tradition.
Definitely a Holiday gift to all.
This year was a very big hit. It was one of those evenings when it was just fun to be amidst this crowd - bright and interesting, fascinating and generous sharing in those precious moments of pleasure.
Guests from uptown, downtown, midtown; and literary, financial, design, real estate, social, artistic and performing worlds of New York — all
together to kick off holiday festivities and toast the season.
Guests arrived to a sea of long stringed peppermint balloons in the entryway and were welcomed with trays of Pol Roger . Doubles was once again resplendent in all its holiday finery, decorated with tinsel, jingle bells, baubles and ornaments. Its famous extravagant dessert buffet was filled with sweets and savories of all kinds.
And of course, the great Patrick McMullan was there taking it ALL in for our viewing pleasure. ◆
KINDERBROOK HOME’S LAUNCH PARTY IN MILLBROOK
CINEMA SOCIETY’S SCREENING OF THE ROOM NEXT DOOR IN NEW YORK
-
and I am sitting in the serenely re strained and minimalist dining room at Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s hattan venture, Perry St. The restaurant is bathed in neutral colors, predominated by a calm, bone-colored white. The smokedoak finishes on the slight off-white leather banquettes and the Thomas Juul-Hanslate carpet with modernist abstract forms are the only touches of color in the place (if, that is, one counts smoked oak and slate as “colors”). Craft-paper lamp shades and sheer white Trevira window treatments round out the neutral palette. The blanched setting makes me think of a photographer’s backdrop, as if fellow diners and I are waiting for our portraits to be taken. This backdrop effect is made all the more apparent when my friend, the designer Vivienne Tam, enters the room. She is a burst of color, wearing a jade-green
satin, short-sleeved shirt with a flowy sheathe and graduated jade balls that form a Chinese animal-head-like design; relaxed jeans that are rolled just above the ankle; Chinese-red leather pumps; and an overs summer Sunday morning, and I am sitting in the serenely restrained and minimalist dining room at Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s latest Manhattan venture, Perry St. The
dominated by a calm, bone-colored white. white leather banquettes and the Thomas Juul-Hansen slate carpet with modernist abstract forms are the only touches of color in the place (if, that is, one counts smoked oak and slate as “colors”). Craft-paper
ette. The blanched setting makes me think of a photographer’s backdrop, as if fellow
ly restrained and minimalist dining room at Jean-Georges
setting makes me think of a
photographer’s backdrop, as if fellow diners and I are waiting for our portraits to be taken. This backdrop effect is made all the more apparent when my friend, the designer Vivienne Tam, enters the room. She is a burst of color, wearing a jade-green satin, short-sleeved shirt with a flowy sheathe and graduated jade balls that form a Chinese animal-head-like design; relaxed jeans that are rolled just above the ankle; Chinese-red leather pumps; and an overs summer Sunday morning, and I am sitting in the serenely restrained and minimalist dining room at Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s latest Manhattan venture, Per-
ry St. The restaurant is bathed in neutral colors, predominated by a calm, bone-colored white. The smoked-oak finish es on the slight off-white leath er banquettes and the Thomas Juul-Hansen slate carpet with modernist abstract forms are the only touches of color in the place (if, that is, one counts smoked oak and slate as “col ors”). Craft-paper lampshades and sheer white Trevira win dow treatments round out the neutral palette. The blanched setting makes me think of a photographer’s backdrop, as if fellow diners and I are waiting for our portraits to be taken. This backdrop effect is made all the more apparent when my
friend, the designer Vivienne Tam, enters the room. She is a burst of color, wearing a jade-green satin, short-sleeved shirt with a flowy sheathe and graduated jade balls that form a Chinese animal-head-like design; relaxed jeans that are rolled just above the ankle; Chinese-red leather pumps; and an oversized watch with thick red leather straps. The top of her smooth black hair band, leaving the length of it to
ting in the serenely restrained and minimalist dining room at Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s
ry St. The restaurant is bathed
Cheers to 2025.
Sending goodwill and blessings for a happy and healthy New Year.
As a founding member of both the Greenwich, CT and Nantucket, MA Compass markets, let me help you with your real estate needs. I have had over 25 years of luxury experience and have represented some of the finest properties and estates in these markets. Through my global connections, I can help advise you on a multitude of real estate questions and also refer you to the best in the business. I am a member of the Sports & Entertainment Division and have worked with many family offices.
CELEBRATING WHAT2WEARWHERE AT BAL HARBOUR SHOPS POP-UP IN WEST PALM BEACH
1. Turnkey Townhome
Just Off Worth Avenue
314 Chilean Ave. Palm Beach, FL. 4BR. 5.5 Bath. $12.699M. Web #11019652.
Ashley Copeland 561-596-5959
2. Magnificent Duplex with River Views 1 Beekman Pl. 7BR. 6.5 Bath. $11.8M. Web #22851704.
Jill Roosevelt 917-319-8535
3. Grand Pre-War Duplex on Park Avenue
770 Park Ave. 4BR. 6.5 Bath. $12.995M. Web #23229620. Leslie R. Coleman 212-906-9387
4. Sprawling Park View Prewar Condo 25 Central Park West. 3BR. 3.5 Bath. $6.75M. Web #23084231. Irene Lowenkron 917-743-9928
Kristin Lowenkron 917-566-8701
5. 65 Feet of Unobstructed Riverfront 60 Sutton Place S. 3BR. 4.5 Bath. $6.25M. Web #23205509. Matthew D. Hughes 212-906-9351
6. Mediterranean Home in SoSo 219 Churchill Rd. West Palm Beach, FL. 5BR. 4.5 Bath. $5.95M. Web #10964191. Liza Pulitzer 561-373-0666 Whitney McGurk 561-310-7919
7. Park-Front CondoIconic Downtown Address 212 Fifth Ave. 3BR. 2.5 Bath. $10.695M. Web #22734199. Cordelia F. Robb 917-749-1866
8. Townhouse Alternative with Park Views 1212 Fifth Ave. 5BR. 4.5 Bath. $7.7M. Web #23216586. Mina Meurkens 347-210-2672 Irene Lowenkron 917-743-9928
Kristin Lowenkron 917-566-8701
9. Zen Duplex Loft with Terrace & Parking 142 North 1st. 2BR. 2.5 Bath. $3.95M. Web #23224285. Mina Meurkens 347-210-2672 Kelsey Hall 212-396-5828
10. “QUERENCIA”- A Rare Offering 433 Rapp Road N. Valatie, NY. 5BR. 4 Bath. $3.25M. Web #23220976. Nancy Felcetto 917-626-6755 Richard Orenstein 212-381-4248
11. Soaring 20 ft Ceilings & Two Balconies 205 East 59th. 2BR. 2 Bath. $2.15M. Web #23263092. Astrid Pillay 212-381-2262
THE SOCIETY OF THE FOUR ARTS CELEBRATES THE OPENING OF PAST FORWARD: NATIVE AMERICAN ART FROM GILCREASE MUSEUM IN PALM BEACH
HARRY BENSON
OVER THE YEARS I have often photographed the beautiful and talented Brooke Shields, and who I am happy to say, has always kept her feet on the ground throughout her astonishing career.
My photograph of Brooke lying languidly on a boat deck near Palm Beach was taken in 1989. I was always glad to see her mother, Teri, at all the photo shoots as she was a welcome addition to the set. Brooke’s film, Brenda Starr, had been released to good reviews when this photograph was taken. I like this picture as it is natural and was taken without stylists or makeup artists hovering over her. It’s my welcome to the approaching spring!
The first time I photographed Brooke, she was about to turn 13 years old. The photograph was for the May 29, 1978 cover of People magazine as the film Pretty Baby, directed by the acclaimed Louis Malle, had just been released. The film in which Brooke plays a very young prostitute living in New Orleans was causing a sensation, especially in the Bible belt.
Her mother, Teri, was there in the studio, of course, along with my wife, Gigi, who was pregnant at the time. Brooke was such a lovely youngster. She asked if she could babysit when our daughter was born. Little did she know her career was about to skyrocket, and she would have little time to babysit.
Now Brooke has her own family. I read that her daughter was off to college last year. It’s hard to believe how quickly time has flown by. Wonder if you feel that way, too. u
FUNNY HOW THE BRITS are always falling behind the Yanks, as they pejoratively call them. No sooner had the Americans woken up and voted Trump to power, those in Britain wielding power are arresting and jailing people for using… non-woke language, such as “asylum seeker.”
Yes, you read that right, calling someone an asylum seeker will land you in the pokey in the country
where shoplifting has been decriminalized, with supermarkets going broke as a result. The Brits are known for thieving, and they now practice it with abandon. But stealing aside—along with buggery, known as the British disease—what is truly unbelievable, actually it is Stalinist, is the fact that a woman can be arrested and held for 31 hours for using those two words.
Better yet, another woman got 31
months (the fuzz and the bewigged buffoons who sentence innocent people for non-woke language seem to like the number 31) for demanding mass deportations and writing online that she felt like burning down asylum houses. Incitement was the reason given for the imprisonment. Can you imagine spending 31 months in the pokey for writing to persons unknown that you feel like burning down asylums? How can anyone in
their right mind accept that fool Charles as King, never mind all those politicians who have allowed the fuzz and the bewigged buffoons to jail people for saying such things?
And did you know that a hate post online or on paper is now considered by police on a par with rape and child abuse? This is modern Britain, where George Orwell was born—Eric Blair was his real name—and where he wrote the definitive book, 1984 , about the state turning its citizens into obedient robots. Orwell had Big Brother watching over us and punishing us if we strayed. Today we
the country an asylum seeker, and two or at times as many as six coppers arrive and put you through hell by not telling you who your accusers are, but only what you are accused of. But if you see them coming and you escape through the back door, feel free to go to the supermarket and help yourself to everything your heart desires. For free.
How did we get to this? Easy. The left-dominated, nihilistic pop culture and academic establishment, supported throughout by the laughable “mainstream media” that has pushed our culture way to the left. The cultur-
and voted for the Donald in hopes he’d do something about woke, inflation, and foreign wars, and in that order. The Brits are always behind, and they’re still enjoying woke. The government insists that it’s important that police record “non-crime hate incidents” when necessary to help prevent serious crimes. This is double-talk. Non-crime hate incidents being reviewed by cops means no freedom of speech, period. Actually it’s chilling when you think about it: Cops can come into your home and quiz you for hours about something you wrote without specifying what it
have technology as Big Brother and the state with the fuzz dishing out punishment. The present, of course, is worse because back in fictional 1984 one could sort of escape from the TV cameras. No longer. And what makes it even more incredible than fiction is the British fuzz playing along and leading the fight to enslave the people.
The methods of the state today make Stalin and Mao look like innocent 7-year-olds playing cops and robbers. Every accuser is now seen as a victim, and the presumption of innocence is ignored. Write something against woke, or call some immigrant who has illegally entered
al Marxists are everywhere, especially in the fields of education, entertainment, and mainstream media. One of the reasons that the Donald wiped out the Democrats this month was woke. America has become a nation of identity politics and grievances. Everyone speaks the language of oppression. Many feel they are victims. Many more claim that they are. They learned that early in life, and it is confirmed daily by their schools and the media. Long ago, one was considered a racist by one’s actions, spoken words, or thoughts. At present one is judged by the color of their skin, which makes the majority racists.
Well, Americans have had enough
was and without telling you who has complained, and then decide whether to charge you or not. To incite violence online is a no-no. As is to shout fire in a crowded theater when there’s no fire. But for the state to butt in and decided whether you hurt someone’s feelings or not—and to quiz and even charge you for it—is the real no-no.
So, next time you’re in sunny Britain, where it rains most of the year, be careful what you’ve written online about your aunt Agatha, or some asylum seeker. You could end up doing 31 months in the pokey. See you in sunny England. u
For more Taki, visit takimag.com.
RICHARD JOHNSON has settled in at Palm Beach’s Pink Paradise (otherwise known as the legendary Colony Hotel). He is penning a column from his table at Swifty's on questmag.com.
JANE HOLZER, who became famous in the '60s as a Warhol superstar, is still front and center.
The Palm Beach native was honored by the Historical Society of Palm Beach County on December 9th at the Colony Hotel.
In his 1980 memoir, Popism, Andy Warhol wrote: "She was such a gorgeous girl— great skin and hair. And so much enthusiasm—she wanted to do everything. I asked her if she wanted to be in a movie and she got excited: 'Sure! Anything beats being a
Park Avenue housewife!’”
Dubbed Baby Jane, she starred in four Warhol films.
Tom Wolfe appreciated her “huge hairy corona” when he anointed her the “Girl of the Year” in 1964.
Unlike many actresses, who end up broke, Holzer wisely invested in real estate.
She razed a 4,400-squarefoot South Ocean Boulevard mansion to build a new one at 11,000 square feet. The place includes a gallery for her paintings by Warhol, Keith Haring, and Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Her son Charles “Rusty” Holzer competed for the U.S. Virgin Islands at the 1992 Summer Olympics in show jumping.
For the Historical Society’s 22nd Annual Archival Evening, Bruce Helander served as honorary chair, helped by Frances and Jeffrey Fisher, Christina and Harvey Oyer, plus Beth Rudin DeWoody, Kelly Williams, and Andrew Forsyth.
Guests included Dee and Tommy Hilfiger, Kelly Klein, Anna Sui, and Hilary and
Wilbur Ross.
Funds raised help support civics and history education for over 40,000 Palm Beach County school children each year and preservation of the Historical Society’s vast collection, which inspires the exhibits at the Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum.
The group’s supporters include Emilia and Pepe Fanjul, Eizabeth and Frederick Lane, Lisa and Richard Perry, Pauline Pitt, plus Katie and James Robinson IV.
TIFFANY & CO. might be enjoying Christmas more this year with the re-election of President Trump.
The jeweler is a prime tenant at Trump Tower, and when the Donald was married to Marla Maples they named their daughter Tiffany Trump.
Tiffany & Co. celebrated on Dec. 5 at The Landmark,
what it has dubbed its Fifth Avenue flagship.
Guests arrived under the giant snowflake at 57th Street, which was lit Tiffany Blue for the first time.
The highlight of the evening was the lighting of the new Bird on a Rock installation by Olivia Wilde on the store’s 8th floor terrace.
Introduced by Tiffany
in 1965, Jean Schlumberger’s iconic Bird on a Rock design has maintained its allure and evolved over the years.
A team of artisans and engineers spent five months building the sculpture with 47,340 micro-LED lights.
Besides Olivia Wilde, the crowd included Lau -
ren Santo Domingo, Sabine Getty, and Georgia Fowler.
If they can slog through the crowds of slow-moving tourists, customers who get inside will find the jewelry store decorated with sparkling Christmas trees and oversized Blue Boxes — the kind you’d like to find under your tree.
FOR ALMOST a century, the Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League has been saving the lives of abandoned pets.
The group began on the porch of Palm Beacher Amy Lyman Phillips in 1924 when she met with seven other women who were worried about animals abandoned by winter visitors returning north.
The league now has 100
employees, including six full-time veterinarians, and found homes for more than 5,000 cats and dogs this year.
On December 12th at the Sailfish Club in Palm Beach, the organization held its 53rd annual Christmas Ball, chaired by newly appointed Pauline Pitt.
Pitt, a Manhattan interior designer, is the mother of Dr. Samantha Board -
man, the psychiatrist married to Aby Rosen, and Serena Boardman, the realtor married to Greek shipping heir, John Theodoracopulos.
The evening, adorned with holiday lights and Christmas trees, began with adorable, adoptable pets welcoming the 300 guests with wagging tails — an event favorite — as Christmas carolers sang holiday classics.
Sue Berry, CEO, said, “Those who supported the event speak for those without a voice and there is nothing more special than that during the holiday season."
Pitt’s great-grandfather George F. Baker was a founder of what became Citibank, and was also a founder of the Harvard Business School.
THE FOUR DOGS at Cipriani 42nd Street on December 10th were surrounded by 400 guests, but the canines were the stars.
The Top Dog Gala, a benefit for the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC,) honored four members of the NYPD K9 Emergency Services Unit, their handlers, and the fallen officers whose names the dogs carry in tribute.
The night’s honorees have patrolled NYC streets and subways, sniffed out explosive
and suspicious devices, and supported missing person searches.
Two are Belgian Malinois. One is a German Shepherd, and one is a Dutch Shepherd.
The event was co-chaired by Nancy Kissinger, Elaine Langone, Marianne Mebane, and Annette de la Renta.
Guests included Stephen and Christine Schwarzman, Bernadette Peters, Elaine and Kenneth Langone, Ann and Andrew Tisch, Eva and John Usdan, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Former NJ
Governor Thomas Kean, Lisa Schiff, Donna Acquavella, last year's honoree Emilia SaintAmand Krimendahl, Tina Pendergrast Santi Flaherty, former NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence & Counterterrorism John Miller, Carolina Herrera, Emilia and Pepe Fanjul, and model Taylor Hill.
“For over 20 years, AMC has partnered with the NYPD to provide medical care to K9 officers, allowing these vital members of the force to heal, recover from any injuries,
and ultimately better serve all New Yorkers with their partners,” said Helen Irving, RN, MBA, president & CEO of AMC.
“Our honorees have gone above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the safety of all New Yorkers. We’re thrilled to honor them for all that they’ve done and for honoring the memories of loved ones.”
AMC is currently undergoing a center-wide expansion, made possible by a $125 million capital campaign.
FROM DEB OF THE Decade to matriarch, it’s been a glorious journey for Cornelia Guest.
The well born daughter of C.Z. Guest, who was partying at Studio 54 as a teenager, is in Oh, Canada with Richard Gere, Uma Thurman, Michael Imperioli, and Jacob Elordi.
Elordi plays the younger version of Richard Gere’s character, and Cornelia plays Elordi’s mother-in-law.
“His character is a bit
of a naughty boy. I have to straighten him out,” Guest told me. “I’m the matriarch of the family. I definitely channeled C.Z.”
The movie was directed by Paul Schrader, who wrote Taxi Driver before he helmed 23 films, including American Gigolo
“I’m a huge fan of Paul Schrader,” Guest said. “He’s quite the character, smart as a whip.”
Guest has known Imperioli for decades since
they were in acting classes at the Strasberg Institute.
Having appeared on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, and Good Day NY with Rosanna Scotto, Guest said, “I’ve been a busy girl.”
After her TV spots, Guest flew to Palm Beach where she and her pal Kimberly Paige Bluhm hosted a lunch at the Carriage House, Palm Beach’s newest exclusive private club.
The party honored the
Dreyfoos School of the Arts and the American Wild Horse Conservation group. Guests included socialites Pauline Pitt, Liza Pulitzer, Diahann Cochran, Elizabeth Meigher, Andrea Stark, and Whitney Schott.
Guest was looking forward to getting back to her ranch in Texas, where she has six horses, eight donkeys, three goats, plus turkeys, peacocks, and chickens. “I’m getting two rescue pigs,” she confessed.
JANE MANUS, who grew up in Palm Beach, is taking over the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens as its fifth Artist in Residence.
The sculptor, known for her striking geometric forms, has created an exhibition, “Old Friends” that will grace the grounds of the two-acre oasis until June.
Margaret Horgan, executive director of the gardens, said, "Jane's work perfectly aligns with our mission to showcase innovative art in a setting that celebrates both nature and creativity.”
Manus’ sculptures, made from welded aluminum, have been exhibited
worldwide, and are included in many prestigious collections.
“I have always felt that Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens was a magical place, and I am honored to be its Artist in Residence this year,” said Manus. “It was Ann Norton’s intention that her Gardens
be left for the enjoyment of the community. In the same regard, I believe art should be brought into spaces of daily life. I look forward to sharing the grounds with Ann’s monumental sculptures and letting the visitors walk around and experience my work.” ◆
ELLEN KAVANUGH’S interior design shop and studio catches your eye whether you are walking or driving by on Peruvian Avenue. The sun-drenched front windows reveal a large table for greeting clients and a cozy sitting room, showcasing a perfect blend of traditional design with a nod to the newly emerging modern Palm Beach style. The rich tones of lavender and pale greens capture your attention, luring you quickly inside to find out more about this successful Palm Beach designer.
Since Ellen Kavanaugh Interiors opened in 2016, the firm’s growing list of clients are delighted with her sense of color and ability to blend different patterns and styles throughout her projects. “With all of our clients,” the Florida native begins, “we like to start with a cohesive vision. We interview them and ask them questions like what do they want in their home, where do they
From left: For movie watching and big games, the Media Room features two large custom swivel chairs covered in Perennial fabric near a low back sofa from Holly Hunt and custom pillows made from Christopher Farr Cloth, as well as Cowtan & Tout and Rosemary Hallgarten fabrics. A round ottoman is strategically placed over a Jack Walsh rug in the center and covered in leather from Jerry Pair; Ellen Kavanaugh.
travel, what are their favorite colors, what inspires them, and then create a beautiful presentation we hope begins the process of understanding who they are and how they want to live in their home. We will include a hotel in Italy, fashion, textures, and materials-anything that speaks to the look we are trying to achieve. Once we have a comprehensive plan, we lay out as much as we can on surfaces here in our office. We might not have every fabric, but we show specific pieces, like a sofa or cabinetry that gives enough of a direction to move forward.”
For this newly constructed home, a block from the ocean, the Kavanaugh team worked with LaBerge & Menard Inc. on the outside and inside of the home. “The client wanted an old Mediterranean style home,” Kavanaugh shares. “Since this was their first Palm Beach home and they wanted the interior to re-
kitchen
Ellen Kavanaugh
featuring a lighting fixture by John Pomp, a dining table purchased from Holly Hunt, wallpaper from Philip Jeffries, and dining chairs from Pavoni and Baker McGuire; to create an intimate and sophisticated primary bedroom, EKI hung oversized pendants on either side of the bed from Bone Simple, and included a leather headboard from Jerry Pair, nightstands flanking the bed from Patterson Custom Cabinetry, a vintage bench with Christopher Farr Cloth fabric, dresser from Hellman Chang, and Ombre Linen curtains from Rosemary Hallgarten; a luxurious bathroom reflects the client’s love of sophisticated subtle tones, featuring wallpaper from New Zealand designer Emma Hay, tile by Ravenna, and hardware and plumbing from Waterworks.
flect their close proximity to the ocean, we convinced them to go lighter in the interior spaces. We presented a layout that embraced what we like to call a ‘Palm Beach modern look’ where the interior is infused with contemporary pieces along with relaxed organic and textural laid-backed ones. Using well designed furniture and warm Palm Beach colors, we were able to create a fresh interior.” To further complete this look, EKI made all the walls throughout the home lighter and casual, using grass cloths and plaster. Then, they worked closely with Brintz Gallery in Palm Beach to add appropriate pops of color in the artwork, achieving a perfect blend of contemporary and modern expressions in every room. “Our clients are very knowledgeable about design and art,” Kavanaugh smiles. “It’s nice to work with a client who knows what they want so we can give them a home that is a reflection of their family and personalities. Along the way, we
refine and refine and refine,” Kavanaugh clarifies. “We order long lead pieces as soon as we can, like sofas, and add place holders in the design layouts for special pieces we want to shop for. We continue this process until we have a completed design and the client signs off on everything. We worked on this project from the very beginning and this kind of new construction takes about twoand-a-half years,” Kavanaugh fondly recounts. “My team loves to look back at projects knowing the interiors look like our clients. In the primary bathroom of the home, we added a beautiful watercolor wallpaper of pale lavender and a vanity in a subtle blush tone,” the designer proudly shares. “The owner looks so good surrounded by those colors and it makes us happy that we were able to complete their vision.”
BY BROOKE KELLY MURRAY & ELIZABETH MEIGHER
PALM BEACH hits peak season this month, so we’ve curated our favorite island-chic styles and accessories.
Oscar de la Renta’s Strapless Metallic Threadwork Tea Length Gown. Available to preorder at oscardelarenta.com.
Today, Madame Belperron’s wave motif, one of her earliest designs and seen here in these Double Wave Pearl Pendant Earclips, is as modern as it was when it was first introduced in 1918. $24,500 at belperron.com.
Beautifully adorned with eight round brilliant-cut diamonds, this stunning 18ct yellow and white gold tapered Templar ring by Elizabeth Gage showcases a vibrant oval faceted yellow sapphire at its center. $12,450 at elizabeth-gage.com.
Rolex’s new 2024 Day-Date 36. Oyster, 36mm, yellow gold, and diamonds. $75,500 at rolex.com.
Asprey’s 1781 Mini Bucket Bag featuring suede on both sides. $3,550 at asprey.com.
Inspired by the casual sophistication of Ralph Lauren’s restaurant in Paris, the Bailey Frame combines woven rattan with supple leather trim. Prices range from $325 - $375 at ralphlauren.com.
Barton & Gray Mariners Club offers an assortment of membership options. Members enjoy a lifetime of yachting with the ability to adjust their membership and take advantage of the ever-expanding harbors and new yachts being added to the club. Visit bartonandgray.com.
Brunello Cucinelli’s Wool/Linen/Silk Blazer ($4,500), Wool Trousers ($1,750), Cotton Shirt ($895), Silk Tie ($340), Silk Pocket Square ($280), and Suede Derby’s ($1,395).Visit the New York boutique at 683-689 Madison Avenue or call 212.813.0900.
2025 BMW M5 Touring. A sports car with space to spare! Incredible flexibility and all the power you’d expect from an M model. Now available in the U.S. after a 15 year hiatus. Order yours at Braman BMW West Palm Beach & Jupiter. Visit bramanbmw.com
There’s no gift more unique than a fine art portrait painting in oil, charcoal, or pencil. Classically trained in Florence, Italy, Chris Eastland brings a traditional sensibility to his contemporary subjects. Portraits by Chris of your loved ones start at $900. Visit chriseastlandartist.com.
For her second Rizzoli book, interior designer, consummate hostess, and world traveler Stephanie Stokes presents inspiring tables set with irresistible items accumulated on her farflung journeys that will help you create imaginative tabletops. $55 at amazon.com.
Stark’s Missoni Deep Stripe Rug is hand-knotted and serves as the perfect living room rug or as a statement piece to make any room unforgettable. $11,800 at starkcarpet.com.
Portage Foods offers only the best— from smoked salmon and sustainably sourced caviar, to artisanal cheese and impeccably selected charcuterie, working with local farmers, cheese mongers, fishermen, and butchers to deliver the freshest products available straight to your door. Visit portagefoods.com.
Nestled in Via Mizner on Worth Avenue, Renato’s Palm Beach impresses in every way, making it the perfect restaurant for any special occasion. Visit renatospalmbeach.com.
“Flawed but perfect” raved Vogue of Verdura’s creations in December 1940, hailing the jeweler’s “beautiful polished pebbles, fished from the bottom of the sea and caught in a net of gold,” exemplified here in the Multi-Color Pebble Bracelet. $48,500 at Greenleaf & Crosby’s Palm Beach boutique at 236 Worth Avenue or call 561.655.5850.
Ala von Auersperg’s Kira Kaftan (now in mesh and the Daiquiri print!) is a “knock your socks off” kind of look. From the sheer fabric, long sleeves, and tie keyhole neckline, you’ll never want to take it off. $395 at alavonauersperg.com.
Stubbs & Wootton’s PB Clocktower Panama Slippers in Cream. $575 at stubbsandwootton.com.
Grazia and Marica Vozza Chain & Fish Charm in Malachite Resin. $4,630 at viacoquina.com.
Platinum 18k Yellow Gold and 6.21 Total Weight Fancy Yellow Diamond 3 Stone Ring. Price upon request at hamiltonjewelers.com.
Tufted black velvet Lucite Stool with chrome nail-head detailing on an X-frame lucite base. $925 at LindaHorn.com.
Thomas Mohair Throws from Legacy Home. Available through Gil Walsh Interiors. Visit gwifl.com or stop by the showroom at 5505 S. Dixie Highway Suite #2 in West Palm Beach.
A special favorite of the designer, the GYPSY Ocean Sun pendant in 18-karat white gold embodies the pure joie de vivre of TAMARA COMOLLI. The colorful blue sapphires and sparkling diamonds shine “casually” on a leather strap or classically worn on a delicate chain. Price upon request at tamaracomolli.com.
Follow the sun to paradise! Explore the warm Caribbean breeze and embrace the sun at Casa de Campo Resort & Villas in La Romana, the Dominican Republic with up to 50% off on rooms, suites, and villas. Book the Winter Sale rates by March 21st. Valid for travel January 4th - March 21st. Visit casadecampo.com.do.
Throughout January, $40 tickets are available to see a Mendelssohn Festival performance by The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center as part of the S&J Lambert Concert Series at The Society of the Four Arts.Visit fourarts.org.
Kahora Joanna Dress. $395 at kahorapalmbeach.com.
Merrichase’s Double Beacon Ring in Sapphire and Diamond. $375 at merrichase.com.
Cubitts x MAD White Cateye Sunglasses. $200 at thestore. madmuseum.org.
Elegant and unique, Lavanya Coodly’s Baroque-style Tessa Earrings feature a center red crystal alongside delicate gold beads and pearl accents. $425 at lavanyacoodly.com.
IWC’s Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 44. $47,500 at the IWC Schaffhausen Palm Beach Boutique at 219 Worth Avenue.
LAFCO x The Colony Hotel’s Pink Paradise Signature Candle. Captivating and carefree, Pink Paradise recalls The Colony Hotel’s rich legacy of hospitality— extending a bright welcome with elements of fruit, wood, and whimsy. $75 at thecolonyedit.com.
Pratesi’s Federico Collection Shams. The graceful acanthus leaf embroidery of Federico invokes the dazzling architectural legacy of Italian Renaissance. Stunningly rendered in soft metallic threads, the motif imparts sensuous yet orderly magnificence. Prices range from $450 - $825. Visit pratesi.com.
Charlotte Kellogg’s Solid Espadrille in Raoul. $175 at charlottekellogg.com.
BY ELIZABETH MEIGHER
OFTEN REFERRED TO as the “Walt Disney of Retail,” Stanley Whitman had glamour on the mind when he opened Florida’s first exclusive, high-fashion shopping center at the age of 47 in 1965. The strapping Duke University grad and Navy vet was one of 25 people who had originally incorporated what would become the glittering village of Bal Harbour back in 1946. His father, William Whitman, had owned a highly successful Chicago printing company in addition to real estate properties in the Miami area, and young Stanley grew up in Miami Beach with his mother Leona, and brothers Bill and Dudley, in a single-family home on the oceanfront side of Collins Avenue at 32nd Street (currently the site of the Faena Hotel Miami Beach).
While at Duke, Whitman met his future bride, Dorothy “Dottie” Stivers Whitman—a skilled athlete and elected May Queen who shared his same birthday—and the young couple were married during the war on August 11, 1942. Upon returning from WW2, Stanley Whitman assumed responsibility for one of the family’s Miami Beach properties on Lincoln Road. In the 1920s that property had been one of the hottest shopping districts, often referred
to as the “Fifth Avenue of the South”. Hoping to revive its original spirit of grandeur, Whitman also acquired 16 acres of abandoned Army barracks on the northern tip of Miami Beach for a whopping $2 per square foot (considered a record-high price for retail property at the time he bought it in 1957) for what would become the future location of Bal Harbour Shops. Many doubted the young entrepreneur’s ambitious plans, but Stanley stuck to his vision with Dottie remaining steadfast by his side.
Defying the conventional wisdom of enclosed, air-conditioned malls, Whitman and architect Herb Johnson built a two-story structure with balconies and open-air “streets” surrounded by bight tropical foliage, sculptures, fountains and koi ponds—even
Gwyneth Paltrow) at a launch party for Kanegis’ Killer Agency at Bal
including palm trees for shade in parking lots. Whitman wanted to give Bal Harbour Shops the feel of an exclusive private club. While typical “malls” of the time included supermarkets, convenience stores or discount stores, Whitman aimed to achieve something much more high-end. Upon Bal Harbour’s opening in 1965, stores included FAO Schwarz, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Martha’s—one of the most influential international women’s salons known for hosting fashion shows with Valentino and Oscar de la Renta (two designers that would later open their own boutiques at Bal Harbour). In 1971, Neiman Marcus opened its first store ever outside of Texas as an anchor tenant at one end of the BHS complex, and in 1976 Saks Fifth Avenue followed suit at the other end. Early European Designer store openings included YSL, Gucci, Cartier, Versace and Chanel. In 1982 a 100,000-square-foot second level was added to the shopping center to accommodate the demand for more retail space from a multitude of lofty luxury brands.
As Bal Harbour Shops continued to expand, Stanley Whitman became wellknown throughout Florida for his generosity, philanthropy and contributions to his surrounding community. “The civic stuff is the root of what I’m all about,” he would say, noting his efforts in pushing through the construction of I-95 in the Sixties. Today, this “Shopping Hall of Fame” is home to more than 100 of the world’s most famous and most luxurious fashion and jewelry brands. Bal Harbour remains family-owned, with Stanley Whitman’s son, Randall Whitman, as acting chairman of Whitman Family Development, and grandson, Matthew Whitman Lazenby, at its helm as president and CEO.
Recently, Bal Harbour introduced the idea of offering destination cities a taste of its unique luxury shopping experience with its Bal Harbour Shops Access Pop-up The largest pop-up ever to be conceived, it is currently located in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach at CityPlace from November 15 until January 15, with operating hours 11am-8pm. “The branded pop-up will include covered walkways with fans, a retractable canopy, and a fine dining restaurant called The Whitman that will seat 150 people, with a full bar and lounge,” the brand said in its initial statement. “The
environment will showcase Bal Harbour Shops’ palm-tree motif and garden-like bright green monstera leaf signature design. Koi ponds, fountains and planters filled with lush greenery, plus pipedin music will help bring the entire tropical, zen-like atmosphere of Bal Harbour Shops to life.”
Bal Harbour Shops Access Pop-Up Tour is the first ever “popup “of its size, consisting of 30 individually designed, custom-built boutiques, fashioned in black and white with glass storefronts— each ranging in size from 250- 640 sq. feet. Brands include Tiffany & Co., Balmain, Etro, Assouline, Addict, Dolce & Gabbana, Lanvin, Scanlan Theodore and Golden Goose, among others. “We’re thrilled to bring the tropical, luxury shopping and dining experi-
ence of Bal Harbour to West Palm for the first time,” said Matthew Whitman Lazenby. “With this roving pop-up, we introduce a new and innovative solution at the crossroads of high-touch personal service and high-tech logistics to deliver on our mission and impact and impress our guests with our distinct level of excellence.”
So far the luxury Pop-Up has hosted a number of refined charity lunches, including ones in support of Hope For Depression Research Foundation and What2WearWhere’s Anniversary in support of Red Sneakers for Oakley, in addition to a series of dynamic dinners that have played host to creatives, tastemakers, models and influencers including top model Roos De Kok, podcast host Payton Sartain and Milwaukee Brewers Pitcher Joe Ross, among others. Open from 11am-8pm, the Pop-Up will remain at CityPlace until January 15. All are welcoe to visit the shops, and visitors are encouraged to join Bal Harbour’s Access Membership & Rewards program—a complimentary loyalty program providing access to exclusive offerings, benefits and special luxury experiences.◆
PALM BEACH HAS long been home to some of the world’s most influential families and business leaders, with its winter social season offering a unique blend of tradition and generosity. At the center of this season is the International Red Cross Ball, an event with a storied history of supporting humanitarian efforts while bringing the community together.
The Ball first came to life in 1957, thanks to the vision of Marjorie Merriweather Post. With ambassadors from Washington and names from the social register on the guest list, Post combined her signature sense of style with a deep commitment to philanthropy. Her efforts ensured the Red Cross Ball would become an enduring tradition, one that continues to unite Palm Beach’s most prominent residents in support of the American Red Cross.
Since its founding by Clara Barton in 1881, the American Red Cross has remained unwavering in its mission to aid those in crisis. Locally, the South Florida Region—including Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast—responds to emergencies on a daily basis, from fires to floods, providing shelter, food, and comfort to those in need at no cost.
Now entering its 64th year, the International Red Cross Ball will take place on January 10, 2025, at The Breakers Palm Beach. Hosts Charles and Amanda Schumacher are preparing for another memorable evening. “As hosts of the International Red Cross Ball for the third year, my husband Charles and I
are deeply honored to support the Red Cross, an organization that stands at the forefront of humanitarian aid,” said Amanda Schumacher. “We are inspired by its mission to bring relief and hope to those in need and remain committed to making a lasting impact in our community.”
This year’s event will spotlight Bonnie McElveen Hunter, whose leadership as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the American Red Cross has profoundly shaped the organization. Serving in this role for over two decades, McElveen Hunter was also instrumental in creating the Tiffany Circle, a distinguished group of women dedicated to advancing the Red Cross mission.
“It is an absolute privilege to celebrate Bonnie McElveen Hunter, a remarkable leader whose tireless work has strengthened the American Red Cross and improved countless lives,” said Amanda Schumacher. “As a Palm Beach resident and long-time supporter of the Red Cross, Bonnie’s impact is felt deeply within
our community, and we are thrilled to honor her legacy.”
Proceeds from the evening will support disaster relief efforts, ensuring the Red Cross can continue to provide critical services in response to increasingly frequent and severe emergencies. The International Red Cross Ball is more than a highlight of the social calendar—it represents a collective commitment to helping those in need, a mission as vital today as it was when Clara Barton founded the organization over 140 years ago. u
BY LOUISA BENTON
THE STATE OF GLOBAL mental health is in crisis. Although mental health disorders have long been on the rise, the drastic increase in depression and anxiety since the COVID-19 pandemic must now be viewed as a second pandemic. The need to find new approaches to treatment beyond what is currently available has never been greater. For decades, doctors have only been able to prescribe “onesize fits all” medications that are based on outdated formulas targeting serotonin in the brain. But the drugs only help 50% of the people who need them, leaving millions of patients behind.
Enter the Hope for Depression Research Foundation, founded by philanthropist Audrey Gruss in 2006. Recently, its Depression Task Force of top brain scientists announced that out of the 20,000 genes that make up the human body, they have identified 20 new gene targets in the brain that can lead to novel treatments for the illness. Through a series of
collaborative research projects, they have found that these genes produce proteins whose levels get out of balance in stress-related disorders like depression.
“These top 20 gene targets have been tagged in a wide range of animal models to demonstrate how the change in proteins is unhealthy and linked to depression, and then validated in brain tissue from humans who died with depression,” said Dr. Eric Nestler, Head of the Depression Task Force and Chair of Psychiatry at Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
Research in depression is complex, Nestler explained, because it requires multiple disciplines to understand how pathways of risk develop: genetic, epigenetic, molecular, cellular, and entire circuit networks. The gene targets are in several categories: targets involving nerve cells, targets involving immune cells in circuit networks, targets involving growth factors and related proteins, and targets related
to circuits involved in pain regulation.
“All of these 20 top targets are now ready for advancement into clinical investigation.” The pilot trials, he said, would work to restore proteins to the proper balance needed for a healthy brain and mind.
Founder Audrey Gruss is stepping up fundraising to get the trials underway. “It’s a tall order, but the HDRF Depression Task Force has made great headway toward illuminating the molecular basis of depression and related mood disorders, to advance new treatments toward prevention and a cure,” she said. By “related mood disorders,” Gruss refers to anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder and post-partem depression.
Gruss recalled that her mother, whose name was Hope, used to call depression a “thief.”
“It turns out she was right. HDRF’s research is all about how major stressors in our en-
vironment can change the brain in ways that rob the organ of its ability to protect our mental health,” she said. “That’s why the research we are doing is so critical,” she said. “And that’s why the Depression Task Force gives so much hope.” u
For more information, visit hopefordepression.org.
From above: Dr. Eric Nestler leads a HDRF Depression Task Force meeting; Louisa Benton, Executive Director of Hope For Depression Research Foundation; HDRF founder Audrey Gruss. Opposite page: Louisa Benton, Executive Director; Audrey Gruss, Founding Chair; Conor Liston, MD, PhD, Weill Cornell; Elisabeth Binder, MD, PhD, Max Planck Institute, Munich; Kafui Dzirasa, MD, PhD, Duke; Helen Mayberg, MD, Mount Sinai; Michael Meaney, PhD, McGill University; Eric Nestler, MD, PhD, Mount Sinai; Huda Akil, PhD, University of Michigan; Jonathan Javitch, MD, PHD, Columbia; Rene Hen, PhD, Columbia.
SINCE 1936, The Society of the Four Arts in Palm Beach has provided a rich calendar of cultural programming, from lec tures and concerts to art exhibitions and educational events. Its campus offers visitors tranquil sculpture and botanical gardens, a library, a children’s library, and a modern educa tional center.
Currently on view through January 19th, Past Forward: Native American Art from Gilcrease Museum takes center stage in the Esther B. O’Keeffe Building at 102 Four Arts Plaza. The exhibition features 76 works organized into four compelling themes: ceremony, sovereignty, visual abstraction, and identity. Spanning over 3,000 years of Native American art, the show draws from the extensive Indigenous art collection of Thomas Gilcrease (1890–1962), a visionary arts patron and citizen of the Muscogee Nation.
Thomas Gilcrease, founder of the Gilcrease Museum, sought to highlight the importance of Native cultures and their role in shaping the history of the American West. His work as an art collector was deeply personal; as a Muscogee (Creek) man, he developed lasting relationships with many of the artists whose works now form part of the museum’s collection. His efforts ensured that Native American art was preserved and
Opposite page, from above: Exhibition view of Past Forward: Native American Art from Gilcrease Museum; the entrance of The Society of the Four Arts.
recognized as central to the broader narrative of American art history.
At a time when Indigenous communities across North America are raising their voices to advocate for representation and reform, Past Forward offers a meaningful platform for their stories, traditions, and creative expressions. By centering Native artists and collectors, the exhibition redefines how we approach the history of American art.
“This bold yet overdue exhibition brings First Nations artists to the forefront of American galleries while deftly acknowledging one of the Western art canon’s fatal flaws,” said Pauline Forlenza, Director & CEO of the American Federation of Arts. “It has been an honor to work with Gilcrease Museum to bring these significant works to audiences nationwide.”
With its focus on themes that resonate across centuries, Past Forward provides an opportunity to engage with Indigenous art in a way that is both thought-provoking and deeply relevant. ◆
For more information on this exhibition and upcoming events at The Society of the Four Arts, visit fourarts.org
IN A PICTURESQUE VILLAGE outside Florence in 1896, a young wine merchant named Remigio Pratesi embarked on a heartfelt journey that would redefine luxury. Determined to win the heart of a beautiful woman, Pratesi commissioned an extraordinary set of linens. Hand-stitched over two painstaking years, this act of love marked the genesis of what would become a globally celebrated name in fine linens. More than a century later, the House of Pratesi continues to weave romance into every thread, marrying timeless craftsmanship with contemporary elegance.
Pratesi’s storied past is marked by innovation and an unwavering commitment to quality. Every piece is meticulously crafted, from the weaving at Italy’s finest mills to the intricate embroidery by master artisans. Their attention to detail is unparalleled—each flat sheet takes an entire day to embroider, a testament to the brand’s dedication to perfection. Signature features like the French seam and the double-faced bathmats and robes speak to the brand’s ethos of creating beauty inside and out.
The heart of Pratesi’s creations lies in its revolutionary fabrics. The iconic Angel Luxe, a luxurious Egyptian cotton percale, offers celestial softness that only deepens with use. In a leap of innovation, Pratesi unveiled Pratesi Paradise, a gossamer Egyptian cotton that elevates its Federico collection to new heights of sophistication.
Among the iconic collections, the TRE RIGHE stands as a timeless masterpiece. Commissioned by Coco Chanel in 1927 for her Paris apartment, its crisply embroidered three lines quickly became synonymous with understated elegance and have since adorned the homes of tastemakers and royalty worldwide. Chanel’s devotion to Pratesi set a precedent for a distinguished clientele that includes Elizabeth Taylor, who famously checked out of a hotel because it lacked Pratesi linens. Yves Saint Laurent, Ernest Hemingway, and Lee Radziwill are among the celebrated figures who cherished Pratesi’s craftsmanship. In 1967, Pope Paul VI ordered custom bed linens embroidered with the Vatican’s crest. Other beloved
designs include the archival revival of M’ama Non M’ama and the richly textured Treccia. These collections epitomize the brand’s ability to balance heritage with contemporary appeal.
Pratesi’s renaissance began in 2022, introducing fresh designs like the floral Vivaio and the scrollinspired Icona while expanding its presence. From boutiques at Harrods in London and Bloomingdale’s in New York to the flagship in Palm Beach, Pratesi’s global footprint is matched only by its cultural collaborations. Notable partnerships include a bespoke line with Ginori 1735 and a stylish union with Stubbs & Wootton, marrying linens and leather into stunning ready-to-wear pieces.
From above: The M’ama Non M’ama collection features Egyptian cotton percale printed with abstract watercolor florals that alludes to the petal-plucking hopefulness and naive purity of budding romance; channeling the effortless elegance of a holiday in the countryside or a seaside getaway, the Treccia Royale scarf in Pink/Green is a masterpiece in pure silk ($295); Stubbs & Wootton x Pratesi Federico Navy Private Stock slippers ($650). Opposite page, clockwise from left: The Tre Righe collection is unmistakable for its crisp three lines embroidered on Angel Luxe, the divinely soft signature Egyptian cotton percale; the Treccia Moderno collection features the classic chain motif in a contrasting shade over the Angel Luxe Egyptian cotton percale; Treccia Bath Sheet in White/Orange ($475).
As Pratesi evolves, it continues to redefine luxury living. Whether through its AI-driven Casa Pratesi campaign or its signature linens, Pratesi remains a timeless ode to love, craftsmanship, and the art of fine living.◆
BY JAYNE CHASE
FOR MOTHER AND SON dynamic duo Cris and Kevin Condon of Sotheby’s International Realty in Palm Beach, working together daily is one of their greatest pleasures. “To have the ability to have a close personal relationship with a mother who is also my mentor is beyond words really. Few have the luxury of fulfilling that legacy,” Kevin shares openly. “Yes, we are lucky,” Cris adds. “We’ve been doing it a very long time.”
Although Cris began selling real estate when she moved to Palm Beach with her young family, her early experience conjures up a time when Palm Beach was a very different place. “I came from a large city and there wasn’t enough for me to do in Palm Beach,” she begins to explain. “I joined Sotheby’s to keep busy and it was a time when most residents in Palm Beach
knew each other. I would pick Kevin up from school and take him with me to meet with clients and he would listen to what it took to put a deal together.” Smiling as his mother fondly recounts the early days, Kevin reflects on following her career path. “I think real estate was kind of embedded into my DNA from a very young age,” he chuckles. “I always really enjoyed the conversations my mother had when she was negotiating with her clients. Although her favorite part of the business is the deal, she also cared about the families and celebrated all their milestones together. There is something about her,” Kevin says proudly. “While getting the deal completed is extremely important, it hasn’t been hard for my mother to cultivate lifetime relationships with her clients. I think that’s a rarity today.” Cris adds, “I can talk about the past, present, and future, which
is important. I know all the houses inside and out, and clients, their children, and grandchildren are calling me today.”
After Kevin spent over 12 years in New York City learning the business and getting the necessary experience he felt he needed to earn his mother’s respect, he felt it was time to return to Palm Beach and join her team. “Although I never felt pressure from my mom to follow in her footsteps, I really wanted to get my own experience and also be independent of her,” Kevin admits. “It was important to me to bring something to her table she created,” he emphasizes. “Selling real estate in New York City is a more difficult market than this market,” Cris adds with pride. “He had the knowledge and the background and that was very important for him to get.”
Since that time, they have been inseparable partners. “We are extremely busy every day,” they almost say in unison. “We divide and conquer and are constantly communicating throughout the day about our schedules, showings and transactions.” “We both love this business, but we also have very different styles that work well together,” Kevin continues. “My
mother is eloquent and patient and has a finesse that can’t really be taught or duplicated. I have never seen her lose her cool negotiating a deal. I have a more direct approach, handling the analytical side, but when we meet with clients and review properties, we talk about the pros and cons, and how to leverage and negotiate the deal. We evaluate the market for them and even if we have separate opinions, the client listens to both of us and finds a commonality in approaching the deal.” “Kevin has taught me there is more than one way to make a sale,” Cris adds lovingly. “And she always takes my calls,” Kevin interrupts laughing. “Because if I’m calling, it’s most likely about business.”
So, what does this multi-generational team think about the Palm Beach market in 2025? “I think we’re going to have an interesting season because a lot of buyers have been on the sidelines, watching our market, Kevin explains. “There are a lot of buyers waiting to purchase their slice of paradise and we think,” mother and son pause and smile at each other, “it’s going to be a very productive season.”
Corcoran / 561.379.7718 / dana.koch@corcoran.com
Q: What trends are you seeing in the Palm Beach real market?
A: Currently, I am seeing significant momentum in the Palm Beach real estate market. It started the day after the election. Single family homes that are priced properly are driving the market right now and I am optimistic that the condo market will follow suit. If a property is incorrectly priced, then there is a good chance that it is still sitting on the market. Properties may be taking longer to sell, but I’m much more optimistic now than I was a year ago.
Q: How does the influx of seasonal residents and events impact real estate activity during these months?
A: Obviously, we have our largest audience during the winter months which helps breed significant activity. Ultimately, this kind of activity translates into getting deals done. We have a bunch of buyers who didn’t find what they were looking for during the pandemic. Many of those buyers bought “placeholders,” but have been keeping close tabs on the market. As a result of our persistence, many of them have found opportunities to upgrade from their current situations. Inventory levels are still well below pre-pandemic numbers, but buyers have more to choose from this season compared to the past few years. We feel that this will be a very busy season.
Q: What are popular neighborhoods and property types?
A: Anywhere is Palm Beach is popular for buyers. You can’t go wrong with whatever area you choose. In West Palm Beach, the new construction condos (South Flagler House, Forte, Olara, Shorecrest, Olara, & Ritz-Carlton) have been selling well and neighborhoods like El Cid and SoSo continue to be highly desirable for buyers.
Q: What opportunities do you see for buyers and sellers?
A: Homes or condos that require work are great options for buyers looking to create value. Most buyers do not have the bandwidth to take on a project, so they are willing to pay a premium to a seller for their time and “sweat equity” when they renovate a property. For sellers, prices are at or near their all-time highs, so if you price your property correctly, there is a good chance that you will be able to reap the rewards in a sale. With the anticipated interest rate cuts, continued tax benefits, and pro-business environment in Florida, the real estate market headwinds that we have been feeling for the last 2.5 years has turned into a market tailwind.
From above: 216 Southland Road in Palm Beach, listed for $15,250,000; Dana Koch.
Sotheby’s International Realty / 847.651.7210 / john.cregan@sothebys.realty
Q: What trends are you seeing in the Palm Beach real estate market as we move into the winter season?
A: We saw a nice inventory buildup in early Fall as sellers listed their properties coming off the summer lull. But then the September and early October market was deadly quiet. Buyers were telling us they’d wait to see the outcome of the November elections. And then... they didn’t wait. There were some really nice homes for sale and around the 3rd week of October it was as if someone fired a starter’s pistol. We put properties under contract across all types, prices and neighborhoods– from condos to houses, from high end to low, and from Palm Beach to West Palm. And the activity is ongoing. Right now Lisa and I have six properties pending closing. It’s a very different market than it was two months ago.
Q: How does the influx of seasonal residents and events impact real estate activity during these months?
A: It definitely gets busier for us. There’s nothing cookie-cutter about Palm Beach real estate. Two homes a few streets apart can be in what we’d consider two entirely different neighborhoods. So it really helps to have buyers here on the ground, ready to go looking in person. We’ve seen buyers (not ours!) make big mis-
takes buying properties long-distance off the Internet. Zillow is not going to tell you there’s no beach access.
Q: What are the popular neighborhoods and property types?
A: Right now, we are seeing a lot of demand for in-town, walk-everywhere homes. The streets between Royal Poinciana Way and Worth Avenue never go out of style. They embody that European, car-free, stroll home from dinner life that people have always loved about Palm Beach.
Q: What opportunities do you see for clients looking to capitalize on the unique dynamics of the Palm Beach market?
A: One place we’ve seen inventory build without a corresponding rise in sales is the South End condo market, the buildings south of Sloan’s Curve. It’s still the island of Palm Beach with all of the town’s services and cachet. And given the many attractive aspects of life specific to the South End– beautiful wide beaches, lots of tennis, the nationally-ranked Palm Beach Par 3 golf course– these condos are going to look like real bargains.
From above: 3440 S Ocean Boulevard, #201N in Palm Beach, listed for $2,300,000; John Cregan.
The Field Team at Sotheby’s International Realty / 212.606.7669 / nikki.field@sothebys.realty
Q: Tell us about the current state of the Manhattan market.
A: Q3/2024 exhibited robust indicators that the Manhattan residential real estate market is in recovery mode, marking the first notable improvement since 2022. The velocity of transactions has increased, with marketing times reaching their fastest pace in over eight quarters. However, it is evident that buyers remain highly value-conscious. The price per square foot has continued its downward trajectory for the sixth consecutive quarter, reflecting a persistent focus on value.
Q: How has the luxury market been performing?
A: As for the top 10% of total sales, the median price today is $5,759,902, reflecting a 4% decline compared to the same quarter last year. The inventory has increased by 5.4% yearover-year to 1,569 listings. In contrast, the remaining 90% of the market experienced a 2.1% decrease in listing inventory. Resale luxury listings saw a 3% year-over-year decline in price.
Q: What advice can you offer buyers and sellers going into the new year?
A: Sellers should price strategically to minimize deeper discounts
and move on. Buyers must act now to capitalize on current market conditions before probable price increases arrive.
Q: Tell us about a standout listing.
A: THE STANDOUT LISTING in Manhattan is unquestionably the new Tower Collection at the iconic 111 West 57th Street. This 83-story soaring building features spectacular luxury residences, one per floor, and showcases full Manhattan Island views with interiors designed by Studio Sofield. Residents enjoy the most elevated level of Luxury Living in Manhattan; with 24-hour dedicated Staff, Security and Concierge Service. Daily complimentary Breakfast is catered by Le Bilboquet in the private Club111 with multiple dining rooms, chef’s catering kitchen, meeting rooms and library. The elite Sports Club includes an 82-foot two-lane swimming pool with private cabanas, Spa with Sauna and Treatment Rooms, double-height Fitness Center with mezzanine Terrace, Golf Simulator, Children’s Playroom and the ONLY Private In-Door Padel Court in Manhattan. Valet Parking is offered from a private porte-cochere.
From above: 111 West 57th Street in New York, offering luxury residences from $12,500,000 to $56,000,000; Nikki Field.
Compass / 203.550.8508 / shelly.tretterlynch@compass.com
Q: What key trends are you seeing in the Greenwich real estate market as we move into the winter season?
A: With inventory still low, we are hoping for an increase during the winter season. All the metrics are telling us that there is pent up demand in the luxury space, we just need the homes. While mortgage rates are still relatively high in comparison to a few years back, this is a great time to list your home and take advantage of the incredible lack of competition.
Q: The luxury segment is a hallmark of Greenwich. How is that market performing, and what types of properties are currently in the highest demand?
A: The luxury market continues the momentum of the past four years with strong demand and slowly increasing inventory. Over this time period, the median sale price increased 6%, translating into a 19% increase in price per square foot, while average “days on market” decreased 35%.
While inventory is increasing, it is still off pace of the pre-pandemic level. With that in mind, I anticipate that the market will continue to be strong for the foreseeable future.
Q: Which neighborhoods have buyers been most attracted to in the past year?
A: There was a significant increase in Backcountry Greenwich sales over the last four years as buyers sought a second home country oasis with large acreages, plentiful indoor and outdoor amenities and a large enough home to host friends and families. Currently, the trend has shifted to homes closer to downtown Greenwich, Riverside, Old Greenwich and Cos Cob as buyers seek more manageable homes with less acreage as they make Greenwich their primary residence.
Q: Winter can influence real estate dynamics—are there unique opportunities or challenges this season?
A: From a showing perspective, November, December, and January tend to see a decrease in activity. However, we are seeing more deals closing during this period for financial/tax reasons or by buyers who have been looking for a while and are ready to seize on an opportunity or find the perfect home. u
From above: 7 John Street in Greenwich, listed for $34,500,000; Shelly Tretter Lynch.
Through February 2nd, The Winter Show will take place at the Park Avenue Armory in New York City. For more information, visit thewintershow.org.
8 HERO DOG AWARDS
American Humane, the country’s first national humane organization, will host the 14th Annual American Humane Hero Dog Awards Gala at The Breakers Palm Beach at 6 p.m. For more information, visit americanhumane.org.
10
RED CROSS BALL
The Palm Beach and Treasure Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross will hold its 64th International Red Cross Ball at The Breakers at 7 p.m. This renowned event, a cornerstone of the Palm Beach social season, will be hosted by Charles and Amanda Schumacher for the third consecutive year. The Ball will pay special tribute to Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, the event’s keynote speaker, whose extraordinary leadership and contributions as the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the American Red Cross over the past 20 years have made a profound
impact on the organization. Sponsorship opportunities are available, offering a meaningful
way to support the Red Cross mission. For more information, contact Meredith da Silva
On January 16th, Cox Science Center and Aquarium will host its 2025 Smarty Party at Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach. For more information, visit coxsciencecenter.org.
at 954.649.0655 or email SouthFloridaRSVP@redcross.org.
16
Cox Science Center and Aquarium will host its 2025 Smarty Party at Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach at 6 p.m. The Science Center’s mission is to “Open Every Mind to Science” by providing schools, visitors, and campers an entirely new set of science programming and tech ventures based on computer coding, robotics, and other leading-edge educational programs. For more information, visit coxsciencecenter.org.
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The Palm Beach Police and Fire Foundation will hold its 19th annual Palm Beach Police & Fire Rescue Ball at 6 p.m. at Mara-Lago. Amy Phelan and Nicola Marcus, chairwomen; John Phelan and Jeff Marcus, chairmen. By invitation. For more information,
visit palmbeachpoliceandfirefoundation.org.
Third Street South and Neapolitan Enterprises will host the 16th Annual Pets on Third Parade and PetFest in Naples at 11 a.m. Cash prizes will be rewarded for best costumes and 100% of proceeds will be donated to The Humane Society Naples. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit thirdstreetsouth.com.
The Winter Show will take place at the Park Avenue Armory through February 2nd. The event is the premier art, antiques, and design fair in America, featuring many of the world’s top experts in the fine and decorative arts. The Winter Show will showcase a breadth of works spanning 5,000 years presented by over 70 internationally renowned dealers. Myriad works from paintings and works on paper, fine furniture, and design, to jewelry, and contemporary ceramics and glass will be on view. Famed for its rigorous vetting practices carried out by a committee of 120 experts, the Fair’s exhibitors offer works of the highest standards of authenticity and quality in the
industry. For more information, visit thewintershow.org.
The Whitney Museum of American Art will hold its Art Party 2025 in New York at 8:30 a.m. The Whitney will be transformed into Studio 99. Embrace the vibrant
spirit of the ’ 70s while dancing the night away and exploring the captivating exhibitions. Enjoy cocktails, passed bites, and music while celebrating art. For more information, visit whitney.org.
Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation
Society will host its annual Tropical Safari Gala in West Palm Beach at 7 p.m. The evening will feature cocktails, safari tours, a seated dinner, live auction, and dancing. Tropical Safari proceeds will fund capital projects needed to create a greater nature-filled environment where Zoo guests are moved to action through amazing up-close experiences. For more information, contact Kaitlyn Seyler, Director of Special Events, at 561.533.0887 x477 or email gala@palmbeachzoo.org.
The Norton Museum of Art will hold its annual gala, “One Night at the Norton,” in West Palm Beach. The event will celebrate the dynamic exhibition, Strike Fast, Dance Lightly: Artists on Boxing , and honor contemporary artist Rashid Johnson. The evening will include cocktails,dinner, and dancing, as well as an exciting live auction presented in partnership with Sotheby’s. The Museum’s permanent collection now consists of more than 8,200 works in five curatorial departments: European, American, Chinese, Contemporary and Photography. For more information, visit norton.org.
On January 19th, Third Street South and Neapolitan Enterprises will host the 16th Annual Pets on Third Parade and PetFest in Naples at 11 a.m. For more information, visit thirdstreetsouth.com.
WRITTEN & PRODUCED BY
ELIZABETH MEIGHER
PHOTOGRAPHED BY
CARRIE BRADBURN OF CAPEHART
PALM BEACH is unlike any other place in the world. A stretch of island barely 16 miles long and less than a mile wide, its natural beauty, temperate climate and architectural marvels—coupled with consummate dining, shopping and cultural attractions—comprise what few could deny is an unparalleled tropical paradise. That said, those who know Palm Beach well also know that at the heart of Palm Beach lies its loving and devoted families. For years, generations in Palm Beach have supported and sustained their cherished island and its surrounding communities by: contributing to wildlife and coral reef conservation; advocating for the preservation of Palm Beach’s original and historic architecture; supporting local animal shelters in the quest to harbor and find homes for lost or abandoned animals and provide assistance to families in need of help caring for cherished family pets; educating young (and old) minds about the wonders of science and natural history; contributing to Palm Beach’s compelling and inspired arts scene; fostering local youth groups focused on education and healthy future development; supporting local hospitals in their mission to help children suffering from heart disease and other life-threatening illnesses—and the list goes on. A happy and healthy community is a responsible one, a matter of course that tends to begin at the earliest age. Palm Beach’s thriving community is a testament to both its outer (and inner) beauty. ◆
“Do unto others as they would do unto you—and do it first.”
—Henry Morrison Flagler
it up!
Touch the sky! Victoria “Tori” Baker and daughter Callie Baker Holt (wearing matching Julia Amory “Baby Jane” and “Jane” dresses) take nine-month-old George F. Baker Holt out for a stroll. Rhodesian Ridgeback “Plympton” is a large and lovable watchdog, while sweet little Dachshund “Prudence” rules the roost as queen of her castle. Opposite page: Baby George seems seriously pleased to be seated between his mom and grandmother, as Plympton loyally stands watch.
Golden
Splendor in the garden. Adele “Dede” Merck stands between her daughter, Grace Merck McKelvy (left, expecting!) and daughter-in-law, Lauren Layne Merck.
Opposite page: Multi-generations of Mercks and McKelvys happily look out from across the pool.
The Baier essentials. Amy
stands between her two sons,
holds the family’s beloved mini Goldendoodle,
Opposite page: Amy shares a laugh by the pool with her boys—luckily no one ended up going for an unexpected swim!
BY ROBERT JANJIGIAN
2025 MAY BE the Year of the Snake according to the Chinese calendar, but for the nationally renowned Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League, marking its 100th anniver sary this year, it is always the year of the Dog and Cat.
Founded by a group of Palm Beach women in 1924 and officially incorporated as the Animal Rescue League a year later, the institution was created to address what has been a lingering issue in the town and the surrounding communities for ages—the abandonment of pet cats and dogs by seasonal residents.
Consider that Palm Beach is among the most pet centric places in the country. Every morning and early evening, dog walkers are spotted from the northernmost neighborhood streets to the south end town stretch of South Ocean Boulevard. And not every pooch is a “purse dog” or purebred, as one might expect. The mutt has become a popular choice, and if a rescue, even more admired. That could be the influence of the Peggy Adams facility, “well regarded in the community,” says
major supporter of the League and Palm Beach Mayor Danielle Moore. Moore, as a director and president of the Mary Alice Fortin Foundation, named for her grandmother, supports many causes, including animal welfare.
She and her mother, Lesly Smith, who also served as town mayor, have been involved with the Animal Rescue League for many years, with Smith recalling Palm Beach events related to the League during the ’60s, including cocktail parties hosted by Marjorie Merriweather Post at Mar-aLago. Smith was the chairman of Peggy Adams for 14 years. She calls the place “a savior for animals in our area,” that is
widely admired throughout the U.S.
The League was first housed on property that is now part of the Palm Beach International Airport. The facility moved to another West Palm Beach location after a 1928 hurricane severely damaged the somewhat makeshift quarters, as well as a the onset of World War II, which made the airport needed for military purposes. From the ’50s through the ’70s, the League continued its mission. In 1980, a bequest from Jessie Chardin Stewart allowed the League to purchase the 13.5acre property on Military Trail, just north of Okeechobee Blvd, also in West Palm Beach, with its signature domes. In
1989, the property was named for Peggy Adams, through a generous gift from her husband, Charles Norton Adams, in her memory. The Grace Pavilion, which originally housed both medical and adoption services, was built in 2011, thanks to a donation by Jane and the late Robert Grace. In 2013, the entire Peggy Adams property, referred to as a “campus,” was named for Eunice J. Gardiner, who prior to her death created a perpetual trust to set the stage for the next chapter of animal welfare. In 2021, Moore made a naming donation through the Fortin Foundation to build the Lesly S. Smith Adoption Center, which allowed the Grace Pavilion to undergo renova-
Vintage shot of the Humane Society building; previously used as the Wellness Clinic facility, the Domes now provide ample space to store food and other supplies for the shelter animals and pets benefiting from Peggy’s Pantry, the pet food pantry; a cat examined at the Center for Veterinary Care.
tion and become a full-service medical facility.
The charity’s programs range from spay-neuter to adoptions and fostering. The Safety Net and food distribution mechanism created to aid needy families to keep their pets during difficult times is something CEO Sue Berry is very proud of. Berry, who has worked for animal shelters in New England and California previously, has been a force on the animal welfare scene for her entire career. The Peggy Adams facility handles 5,000 pet adoptions a year. “There are an average of 1,100 volunteers from all over Palm Beach County, in addition to our professional and medical staff,” says Berry.
The work of Peggy Adams,which is one of the longest continuing animal shelters in the country, and operates without state or government funding, “pulls at the heartstrings,” says Pauline Pitt, who currently serves as chairman of the board and has run the annual Christmas Ball for the past 14 years. “Who can resist?” she asks. The fundraising ball has been held since
1971. “It’s a place that’s very needed here,” says Pitt. The Peggy Adams fundraiser is one of the most popular on the social calendar, and its traditional early December date makes it one of the kickoff events of the season.
Pitt is keen on getting more people involved in the cause, reaching out to younger Palm Beachers, and the post-Pandemic influx of families who’ve settled in town. Among the younger board members is Emilia Fanjul Pfiefler, who moved back to Palm Beach with her family in 2019. She and her family are active fosterers of kittens, having taken care of more than 20 of them in the past four years. “We love animals, and it’s a wonderful, satisfying thing to do,” she explains. For Berry, the future looks bright for Peggy Adams. “We are more able to tackle the challenges,” she says. ◆
Between the designer shops that line Worth Avenue, award-winning interior design showrooms, and The Royal Poinciana Plaza, Palm Beach is any shopper’s dream destination.
RALPH LAUREN
300 Worth Avenue
561.651.3900 / ralphlauren.com
Capturing the American spirit for over 50 years, Ralph Lauren reimagines equestrian influences for today, mixing tonal shades with rich textures, including soft-brush suede, perfectly patinated leather, fine cashmere, and lightweight cavalry twill. Best known for the colorful collared Polo shirts and knit sweaters that have become part of the classic American wardrobe, the brand offers numerous fashion lines. Ralph Lauren is also known for its range of footwear, accessories (including this new Ralph & Ricky Montauk Bear Watch, priced at $1,750), home offerings, and fragrances.
ALA VON AUERSPERG
312 Worth Avenue
561.429.4987 / alavonauersperg.com
Ala von Auersperg didn’t come from the fashion world, but her mother, Sunny Crawford von Bülow, and grandmother, Annie Laurie Aitken, had a knack for fashion. They valued beautiful craftsmanship, knew what looked good on them, and understood that you don’t have to sacrifice comfort for great style. These early lessons trained Ala von Auersperg’s eye and eventually influenced her clothing line, which features pieces that are effortless, elegant, and versatile. Garments can be worn to the beach or dressed up for a special occasion.
236 Worth Avenue
561.655.5850 / greenleafcrosby.com
Damon Greenleaf and J.H. Crosby, Jr. established Greenleaf & Crosby-Florida’s oldest jeweler-in Jacksonville in 1868. In 1933, Greenleaf & Crosby opened its current store on Worth Avenue in Palm Beach, which has been the flagship location ever since. The store remains family-owned, just as it has for over 150 years. Today, it’s operated by Win and Natalie Betteridge (formerly of Betteridge in Greenwich, Connecticut) who acquired it in 2021. Known for its jewelry from extraordinary estate pieces to classic gemstones and contemporary designer jewels the boutique is frequented by many of the world’s great collectors.
340 Royal Poinciana Way, Suite M313A 561.888.6668 / oscardelarenta.com
Oscar de la Renta established his eponymous label in New York City in 1965. Today, it’s one of the world’s leading fashion houses. In addition to its internationally renowned women’s runway collection, the brand encompasses a full line of accessories, bridal, children’s, and fragrances. Built on a foundation of femininity, craftsmanship, and timeless elegance, Oscar de la Renta designs embody its founder’s colorful joy for life. As Oscar always said, “Fashion is only fashion once a woman puts it on.”
64 Via Mizner
561.655.7367 / letaaustinfoster.com
Leta Austin Foster opened her eponymous boutique-on the ground floor of her design studio in one of the original vias off of Worth Avenue-in 1990 as a way to truly finish her interior design projects. The boutique carries a curated selection of items for your house and bath, social correspondence, chic entertaining, elegant old-world children’s clothing and gifts, and hard-to-find fragrances and linens for bed and table. Every classic design carried has a story, rich history, and craftsmanship, the hallmarks that Leta is known for. With so many remarkable craftsmen, the boutique can customize anything you may desire.
32 Via Mizner
561.300.4012 / viacoquina.com
Via Coquina is an emporium of the finest artisan treasures collected during travels throughout the world, with an emphasis on the Mediterranean, and coastal Italy and Greece in particular. Love of fine craftsmanship and meaningful artisanship is evident in everything the store offers. The carefully curated collection includes fine jewelry from Capri and the Greek islands, one-of- a-kind vintage pieces, and bespoke engraved jewelry hand-crafted in the studio. Handmade sandals and beach bags woven from natural materials ground the collection in the seaside community. Household wares perfect for a beach house and an apothecary of small batch artisanal soaps, candles, and olive oils round out the offerings.
PRATESI
400 Hibiscus Avenue
561.530.3894 / pratesi.com
The House of Pratesi, the esteemed Italian luxury linen brand with a storied 118-year heritage, unveiled its new flagship store at 400 Hibiscus Avenue. This exquisite boutique, which opened its doors in March, heralds Pratesi’s first standalone store since its celebrated relaunch, infusing the Palm Beach community with a refined touch of Italian sophistication. Masterfully designed by Studio Monteleone & Associates, the boutique proudly presents an extensive array of Pratesi’s luxurious collections, encompassing bed, bath, and table linens, alongside sumptuous cashmere throws and exquisite gifts.
STUBBS & WOOTTON
340 Worth Avenue
561.655.6857 / stubbsandwootton.com
Purveyors of the handmade slipper—which can be sported both day and night, on men and women alike—Stubbs & Wootton is a favorite among locals (or anyone looking for an authentic touch of Palm Beach style). The brand’s iconic designs embody everything magical about Palm Beach: fine quality and fashion sense mixed with wit, humor, and flair. Whether in velvet or needlepoint, prepare to turn heads when stepping out in your Stubbs. Stroll into the charming store at 340 Worth Avenue to find your perfect match.
TAMARA COMOLLI
150 Worth Avenue
561.659.3700 / tamaracomolli.com
Since the brand was founded in 1992, TAMARA COMOLLI has redefined the rules of wearing fine jewelry. With incredibly versatile designs, the jewelry helps every woman express herself in a natural and effortless way a feeling of freedom and happiness that lets you escape from the mundanities of everyday life. Inspired by love of the ocean and endless passion for the rarest, most colorful gemstones, TAMARA COMOLLI creates surprising and playful yet elegant and feminine designs. These are most apparent in its popular MIKADO Collection, featuring acorn-shaped gemstones in vibrant colors.
228 Worth Avenue
561.820.2402 / charlottekellogg.com
Charlotte Kellogg’s namesake brand is known for effortless clothing that comes in a range of bold colors. Kellogg draws inspiration from her travels around the world while producing much of her collection in the United States. A familiar presence on Worth Avenue in Palm Beach since 1998, Charlotte Kellogg offers basic and luxury styles in natural fabrics. Visit the boutique for the brand’s iconic fitting pants, big tunics, dress shirts, and more. New arrivals include colorful espadrilles, cotton dresses, and cashmere scarves.
215 Worth Avenue
561.659.6788 / hamiltonjewelers.com
Established in Trenton, New Jersey, in 1912, Hamilton’s master craftsmen create the bespoke jewelry of clients’ dreams. From personalized pieces featuring commemorative gemstones to exquisitely and intricately rendered engagement rings, design specialists will create a piece as extraordinary as you are. Hamilton has also fostered unique relationships with visionary designers, artists, and brands over the past century. Its most treasured collaborators include Rolex, Patek Philippe, Cartier, Bulgari, David Yurman, and Breitling. The Worth Avenue boutique recently underwent a remarkable renovation, and will soon reveal its updated space, featuring several new and exciting environments.
376 South County Road
561.659.2154 / bbts.org/church-mouse
A 4,000+ square-foot resale shop of women’s and men’s designer clothing, antiques, artwork, furniture, and more, The Church Mouse is located just south of Palm Beach’s Town Hall and just north of Worth Avenue. All proceeds from the thrift shop benefit the Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea’s Outreach Ministry. Due to high traffic volume in the store, the stock is always revolving and fresh. The Church Mouse encourages donations of gently-used clothing, purses, accessories, electronics, shoes, kitchenware, china, crystal, furniture, clothing, books, and costume jewelry, just to name a few. Call the shop to schedule a pick-up or email churchmouse@bbts.org.
221A Worth Avenue
561.429.3005 / panerai.com
Founded in 1860 in Florence, Italy, Panerai began as a small workshop, watchmaking school, and retail shop by Giovanni Panerai. Initially, the brand gained prominence as a supplier of high-precision instruments to the Royal Italian Navy. Its most notable innovation came in the 1930s with the creation of the Radiomir, a luminous underwater watch developed for military divers, featuring robust functionality and unmatched readability in the depths. After decades of serving the military, Panerai entered the commercial market in the 1990s, capturing the attention of watch enthusiasts with its bold, oversized designs and Italian flair.
308 S County Road
561.444.2090 / juliaamory.com
Julia Amory developed her eponymous brand while searching for printed fabric to use for the tables at her own wedding in Southampton. Unable to find the perfect print at an affordable cost, Julia eventually discovered the artisans of India and all the beautiful prints being created by hand. She began to design her own patterns using the Indian blockprint technique to produce napkins and tablecloths. The Palm Beach boutique offers linens, accessories, and clothing using block printing from studios in Jaipur.
294 Hibiscus Avenue
561.659.5556 / thekembleshop.com
The Kemble Shop is Palm Beach’s prime destination to shop for special gifts and stylish new additions for your home, garden, and wardrobe. The Palm Beach gem is an extension of the larger brand, Kemble Interiors Inc., a design firm created by Mimi McMakin in 1982. Kem ble pays close attention to its shoppers’ needs and wants, and the buyers work hard to bring unique finds from antique stores, India markets, and homemade designs to their clientele. Stop by Kemble’s magical storefront on Hibiscus Avenue to admire everything from their houseware (including these placemats!), clothing, lighting collections, accessories, and jewelry. ◆
HEADQUARTERED in sunny South Florida, Gil Walsh Interiors has earned a reputation for its seamless blending of sophistication and innovation. Anyone in the Palm Beach area desiring to achieve the perfect balance between luxury and liveability knows to turn to the trusted design studio of Gil Walsh Interiors. Gil Walsh, the studio’s principal, brings her affinity for art and fashion to her interior design work. Her expertise in color theory, as she outlines in her book Gil Walsh Interiors: A Case for Color , gives each of her projects the unique yet harmonious look for which her studio has become known. Gil’s ability to capture each client’s artistic spirit in a design that appears effortlessly curated is exceptional and unmatched.
The team at Gil Walsh Interiors focuses not on trends or fads, but instead on thoughtfully melding elements from various eras to create timeless yet relevant spaces. The team also understands that spaces are meant to be lived in, not just looked at. Each designer at Gil Walsh Interiors successfully blends beautiful, high-end finishes with comfortable and durable elements consistent with the clients’ needs.
An appreciator of beauty and creativity, Gil Walsh constantly challenges her team to think outside the box and treat each project as a work of art. Embracing both glamour and function, the Gil Walsh Interiors team is committed to proving that luxury can be lived in and making everyday spaces shine.
At Gil Walsh Interiors, we perfectly blend high-end design with welcoming comfort. Trust our team of professionals to create a luxurious space inspired by a life well lived.
ESTABLISHED IN 1982, SMI Landscape Architecture has been creating picturesque gardens and has been one of the top national firms for almost 40 years. Though most renowned for creating beautiful residential gardens in Palm Beach, the work of the firm reaches nationally designing residential and commercial landscapes. The team travels abroad educationally to immerse themselves in the gardens of different regions and to study and master their unique design principles.
Whether working on a garden in Charleston, Dallas, Saratoga Springs, Harbor Island or Martha’s Vineyard, the firm’s approach remains the same. The partners, Claudia Visconti, John Lubischer, and Jorge Sanchez, state, “Our philosophy always revolves around three main items: the client, the architecture, and the site. We do not have one style that we try to impose on each project. Instead, we are driven by our relationship and understanding of the client, what
the architect brings to the table, and the advantages and constraints of the site.”
The firm’s approach has led to their work gracing the covers of numerous magazines and books and being granted both regional and international awards. The firm has been invited by the New York Botanical Garden to design The Cuba in Flowers Orchid Show as well as the Italian Renaissance show. The firm was also given the prestigious Arthur Ross award.
The firm also created other iconic public spaces. Numerous individuals can be seen enjoying the amenities on Worth Avenue (Palm Beach), Gibbes Museum’s Lenhardt Garden (Charleston), One Vanderbilt, several projects on Madison Avenue and Park Avenue (New York). Most recently, SMI redesigned Royal Poinciana Way to be installed in the summer of 2025.
The partners all agree, “Seeing our clients and the public enjoying the gardens we create is such a rewarding experience.”
IN THE LUMINOUS world of interior design, few names shine as brightly as Jenny Garrigues. A British-born designer now based in Palm Beach & New York City, she has spent decades perfecting an aesthetic that transcends time and geography. Her work is an ode to eclecticism — a seamless blend of Moroccan textiles, pre-Columbian art, Chinese lacquer cabinets, and the warmth of English country style. “Sometimes the most unexpected thing can be the most beautiful thing,” Jenny muses, encapsulating the charm of her philosophy.
Her latest book, Jenny Garrigues: A Romance with Design, is a stunning exploration of her creative universe. Part memoir, part pictorial journey, it offers an intimate look at her most exquisite projects — from opulent homes in Chicago and Rhode Island to her own Palm Beach retreat. Each page brims with inspiration, showcasing her signa-
ture ability to weave global influences into spaces that are as personal as they are breathtaking.
Jenny’s journey began in the 1964, when tastemaker Diana Vreeland discovered her talent while she worked for Jean Muir in London. After a thriving modeling career with Dior and Galanos, her travels ignited a passion for collecting and design. By the 1970s, she had moved to Palm Beach, where her innate talent and global sensibility transformed her into a celebrated figure in interior design.
Jenny Garrigues: A Romance with Design is more than a visual feast; it’s an invitation to embrace beauty in all its forms and craft homes filled with things you love. This book is an essential companion for anyone seeking inspiration, offering an unforgettable glimpse into the art of design.
I n t e r i o r D e s i g n
WHEN FERNANDO WONG arrived in Miami from Panama in 2001 with a suitcase and $400, he never dreamed he would be one of the most sought-after landscape architects in the world and well-known expert. “I barely spoke any English,” smiles the handsome Wong, and “I learned the language by watching television and working on a landscaping crew as my first job. Although my education was in architecture and interior design, I eventually joined another firm where I learned conceptual design, construction documents, plant materials and implantation. Once I opened my own firm in 2005, I have never looked back.”
For those lucky enough to have had their homes designed by the dynamic design duo, Wong and his partner, Tim Johnson, it’s obvious the breadth of knowledge Fernando brings to every project. “I see a landscape architect’s role as the supporting actor to the protagonist, which is the house. My goal is to create a setting in which the house will show off its best assets whether it’s the façade, back or its curb appeal. Then, when as I think about the landscaping, I focus on how the family lives, plays, relaxes and spends time with friends in the space. We are always thinking about what the client would be seeing through their windows or what they would be smelling sitting outside, is there shade, is there sun….all these
factors need to be considered.”
Designing in Southern Florida and the Bahamas, where the firm has many on-going projects, is a dream come true for Wong. “I love the collaborative process with interior designers and architects and helping anyone achieve their dream locally in Florida. We have a tropical environment here that allows us a wide range of architectural styles from Mid Century Modern to Colonial Cape to Mediterranean Revival and everything in between. All these choices and projects that I have worked on, help me to enhance the living experience for someone from a foreign country buying a home here for instance, in Miami or Naples.
Fernando Wong has been called “one of the best landscape designers in the world by the Chelsea Design Centre in London, “one of the most influential landscape designers in America” by Elle Décor, “a genius with the soul of a poet” by Garden Design Magazine, a “landscape legend” by Forbes, and “the creative mind behind Miami’s lushest landscapes” by Architectural Digest. His television show, Clipped, with Martha Stewart, is on the HGTV/Discovery Plus channels and his work has been featured on the Today Show. His book, The Young Man And The Tree, published by Vendome, is out now and is available on Amazon.
ORIGINALLY hailing from the West Coast, Katherine Shenaman has called South Florida home for nearly two decades. Katherine’s journey began at Palm Beach Atlantic University, where she studied psychology and art—a combination that would later shape her approach to design. After graduation, she pivoted into the world of interiors, starting her career at a boutique design firm in Nantucket before moving on to work with a renowned architect in Palm Beach.
In 2005, Katherine launched her own design firm in New York, offering fullservice design for both decoration and renovation projects. Her work reflects a deep appreciation for history and craftsmanship, bolstered by her MA from the University of Buckingham and the Wallace Collection in London, where she specialized in British and French Decorative Arts and Historic Interiors.
At the heart of Katherine’s work is a philosophy of ‘living well.’ For her, a home is more than just a space—it is the foundation of an authentic and fulfilling life. With each project, she brings a historical perspective to contemporary living, tailoring her designs to reflect the unique needs and lifestyles of her clients. “Every project begins by assessing the architecture of the space,” Katherine explains. “It’s about creating a space that feels both timeless and deeply personal.”
Beyond her professional endeavors, Katherine is a passionate supporter of charitable causes, reflecting her belief in the importance of giving back to the community. In 2023, she participated in the esteemed Kips Bay Decorator Show House, an event benefiting the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club.
KATHY PROUNIS has crafted a life as distinctive as her designs, shaping spaces and experiences that inspire others to live beautifully and authentically.
With an innate sharpness of eye, mind, and wit, Kathy’s journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Design. She quickly ascended to the role of studio head at the renowned architecture and engineering firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, where her leadership set her apart in the industry.
Throughout her illustrious career, Kathy has overseen a vast array of commercial projects, including the design of over one million square feet for one of the world’s most admired companies. Her vision extends beyond large-scale projects, as she has also found success purchasing, renovating, and flipping properties—showcasing her ability to balance creativity with strategy.
Kathy’s design philosophy reflects her understanding that the spaces we inhabit and the clothes we wear should resonate with the environment and culture around us.
Her versatility spans a wide range of styles: the midcentury kitsch of Palm Springs, the old-world elegance of Fifth Avenue, the glamour of Beverly Hills, the mountain chic of Park City, the cool casual vibe of the Hamptons, and the playful sophistication of Palm Beach. Her impeccable attention to detail, commitment to practicality, and elevated aesthetics ensure that her work is not only visually stunning but also designed for real life.
In addition to her professional achievements, Kathy is deeply committed to giving back. She serves on the Executive Board of the Museum of the City of New York, the Couture Council of the Museum at FIT, and the Board of Trustees for the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club. Her philanthropic endeavors also extend to the Learning Through Art committee at the Guggenheim Museum and support for organizations such as the Central Park Conservancy, the Horticultural Society, the ASPCA, and Audubon.
AS A HIGH SCHOOL student in the suburbs of Chicago’s north shore, young Mario Nievera and the rest of his class were given career evaluation tests to determine a potential vocational path. Luckily for Mario, his results revealed a natural aptitude for landscape architecture and although he might not have known it at the time, his career as one of the most sought-after landscape architects in the world was about to unfold. He studied at Purdue University and immediately upon graduating, he went to work as a draftsman at a large firm in Boston, working his way up the ladder to partner. Eventually, he felt it was time to start his start his own eponymous firm and in 1996 he launched Mario Nievera Landscape Design. The following year in 1997, he hired Palm Beach local landscape artist Keith Williams after buying several of his paintings. Eventually, Williams became a partner at the firm and Nievera Williams Landscape Architecture was born.
The Nievera Williams team approaches every design job with the keen insight and understanding of the surrounding area. Whether it’s in Palm Beach, the Hamptons or New York, the designers meet with their clients and from that initial discussion, they draft a schematic master plan together. The team usually needs to work up specific documentation, drawings or approvals from the Town art and architecture committees before proceeding so most projects have a lifespan of at least two years.
“We are heavily involved in the process,” adds Mario. “There is a considerable amount we focus on in both residential and commercial projects and we are very involved in many revitalizations with developers. We did the Australian Marina Docks in Palm Beach, several golf courses and other outdoor public spaces as well.”
“A lot of people come to landscape architecture later in life or as a second career,” Mario adds. “I have been really lucky to have found this early on in my life.”
ALWAYS A STYLE SETTER, Leta Austin Foster began her firm as a passion project in the garage apartment of her Palm Beach home. Turning a part-time business into a full-time business, she worked effortlessly with both the exotic Mediterranean influences of Maurice Fatio villas and the laid-back charm of British bungalows by John Volk. Her signature approach—creating timeless, elegant rooms with beautifully crafted curtains and impeccable upholstery— quickly gained recognition, earning her a loyal clientele from coast to coast.
By 1988, her growing reputation led her to open a New York office, expanding her reach and solidifying her place among the nation’s top designers. Raised in a world of fabrics and design, it was no surprise when Leta’s daughters joined the firm.
Sallie Giordano started at the family business in 1993, overseeing projects throughout the Northeast. A decade later in 2006, India Foster, her youngest daughter, became an integral part of the Florida office.
Today, Leta Austin Foster & Daughters is known for its bespoke residential projects, including complete renovations and design makeovers throughout the U.S., with a strong emphasis and presence in South Florida. The firm’s namesake shop on Via Mizner has become a beloved destination for design aficionados, offering an exclusive collection of luxury linens, tableware, accessories—and even children’s clothing. And if you are fortunate enough, you might find Leta sporting her signature straw hat, personally designing your monogram.
BY BROOKE KELLY MURRAY
IN EARLY DECEMBER, The Colony Hotel buzzed with holiday spirit as Sarah Wetenhall and Aerin Lauder hosted a cocktail party and tree lighting ceremony to mark the season and unveil The Colony Edit, the hotel’s meticulously curated retail collection. Nestled in a gift shop adjacent to the Living Room—the hotel’s lobby—the collection offers an array of stylish finds that capture The Colony’s signature blend of Palm Beach sophistication and whimsy. Lauder, known for her impeccable taste, adorned the Living Room with décor inspired by cherished childhood memories, paying homage to the holidays she spent in Palm Beach with her grandparents, Estée and Joseph Lauder.
IN LATE NOVEMBER, Lafayette 148’s Madison Avenue boutique transformed into a celebration of art and fashion as Creative Director Emily Smith, alongside Lizzie Asher, Casey Kohlberg, Erica Pishdadian, and Laura Day Webb, hosted a chic cocktail party. The occasion marked the launch of Lafayette 148’s limited-edition capsule collection in collaboration with Save Venice, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the artistic heritage of Venice, Italy. The capsule collection drew inspiration from the work of Venetian artist Giulia Lama, and a portion of the evening’s sales directly supported the charity.
ON NOVEMBER 21ST, The Killer Agency—founded by industry powerhouse Jordan Kanegis —hosted an exclusive dinner party to celebrate the launch of its new office at the All Access Pop-Up at Bal Harbour Shops. Signature cocktails like “The Fatal Attraction” and “The Silent Assassin” were served alongside an open bar presented by Balmain. Guests were treated to a decadent culinary experience curated by The Whitman while music by DJ Amanda Beckwith kept the energy high. Partygoers included Roos De Kok , Christa Allen , Payton Sartain , and Joe Ross , among others. ◆
AS THE PALM BEACH DAY ACADEMY enters its 104th year, it seems only appropriate to remember its earliest beginnings, its rudimentary curriculum, and its students. The school was originally founded as the Palm Beach School for Boys – a pre-prep outpost for the sons and scions of the Island’s early residents. Its mission was to provide a seasonal ed ucation for boys aged 5 to 14, with an emphasis on “individual attention for each pupil” and an “ample provision for calisthenics and organized play”– a classroom/athletics balance too often overlooked in today’s secondary schools. The initial prospec tus reinforces the “emphasis given to good habits of study” and the “athletic participation of every boy.” More conspicuous is the List of Pupils, a small slice of America’s privileged youth (circa 1921)– the sons and scions of “pioneer” families who’d ven tured to Flagler’s barrier swampland which over night became a worldwide watering hole. Within this near-historic list are over two dozen fathers, grandfathers, uncles and cousins of prominent progeny who now proudly call Palm Beach their permanent home, and who continue to support all layers of this generous communi ty. This simple school (now Palm Beach Day Academy) remains a beacon of academic ex cellence and family legacies, a human reflec tion of Palm Beach and its dramatic trans formation in over a century. May they both continue to flourish. ◆
Palm Beach School for Boys student body, 1926. The Palm Beach School for Boys was headed by Williard W. Ferguson and Edward M. Shields.
