An expertly curated, luxuriously produced compendium of all things Palm Beach, Palm Beach Illustrated brings to life personalities and takes you inside the exclusive homes, parties and interests of the world’s most affluent and influential people.
Earlier this spring, while volunteering for the Town of Palm Beach United Way’s Allocations Committee, I had the opportunity to visit the Palm Beach County Food Bank, among other food distribution facilities applying for funding. The Food Bank’s CEO, Jamie Kendall, started the tour by taking us to a beautiful exhibition kitchen (their huge industrial kitchen is out of view but equally impressive) where community groups can enjoy a top-notch dining experience by the organization’s culinary director, Doug Barg. The beautiful part about that is that chef Doug, whose experience is in fine dining, also creates all the meals for our area’s food-insecure populations—because everyone deserves a nutritious and flavorful meal, regardless of ability to afford it. The Food Bank’s vision to create a broad culinary enterprise that, beyond feeding…
Time may be fleeting, but with patience, our best experiences can last a lifetime. When I landed at Palm Beach Illustrated back in 2005, I had been at my previous assignment for 12 years. It may be that I am excellent at selecting for longevity or simply terrible with change. We will assume the former because being in the magazine business means that pretty much your full-time job is managing for change. After successfully weathering the Great Recession, PBI and its parent organization, Palm Beach Media Group, grew steadily through 2018. Like many businesses in South Florida, we have been fortunate to benefit from the post-pandemic growth our state has experienced. Our company has grown more than sixfold since 2019, and we now have north of 40 magazines under our…
DINNER DANCE UNDER THE STARS WHO: Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach WHAT: Forty-Third Annual Dinner Dance WHERE: Bradley Park, Palm Beach HIGHLIGHTS: More than 400 guests were transported into a fantastical Mizner courtyard, a tribute to the grand Mediterranean Revival estates that define the island’s rich architectural history. WINTER HAT LUNCHEON WHO: Spoons Across America and the Winter Benefit Committee WHAT: Inaugural Winter Hat Luncheon WHERE: Café Boulud, The Brazilian Court Hotel, Palm Beach HIGH-LIGHTS: The first-of-its-kind event paired cuisine with philanthropy (and fabulous hats!) in support of Spoons Across America’s vital food education programs for underserved children. LAUNCHING WITH LILLY WHO: Lilly Pulitzer, Daphne Nikolopoulos, and Nick Mele WHAT: Celebration for Palm Beach Illustrated’s March “Palm Beach Dandies: Lilly Edition” WHERE: Lilly Pulitzer, Palm Beach HIGHLIGHTS: Guests mingled with…
The Breakers may trace its legacy back 100 years, but its forward motion never stops. The latest addition to Palm Beach’s grandest of grande dame resorts is a 104,000-square-foot tennis and racquet complex resulting from a $12 million renovation completed in December. The facilities include 16 open-air courts spanning tennis, pickleball, and padel, each with its own refreshment pergola plus a viewing veranda for spectators. The resort’s long-standing partner, Tihany Design, crafted an ambience reminiscent of a grand estate. “As racquet sports continue to grow in popularity, they’ve become an integral part of the active leisure lifestyle,” says Paul N. Leone, CEO of The Breakers. “Our investment in these premier facilities sets a new standard in the resort and club landscape, reflecting our commitment to continuous renewal while honoring the…
COMMUNITY Hitting the High Notes Students from West Palm Beach’s Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts are headed to New York City to compete in the thirtieth annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition and Festival, hosted by Jazz at Lincoln Center. From May 7-11, the band will participate in workshops, jam sessions, and performances, culminating in a final concert at the Metropolitan Opera House. “Throughout my teaching career, I have been incredibly fortunate to work with many outstanding students who are deeply committed to their group’s growth and collective success,” says band director Christopher M. De León, who is in his fifth year at Dreyfoos and fifth time as an Essentially Ellington finalist director. “This current group is no exception. “They share a strong sense of togetherness…
PETALS AS POETRY Boynton Beach–based Sunny Forman’s medium is flowers, but her passion is storytelling. The Korean American founder of Moonflower Design left a decade-long career in the software industry to pursue floristry, educating herself via books, online courses, workshops, mentorship under Lewis Miller, and travel to places like France, Portugal, Korea, and Japan to absorb global floral traditions. Her luxurious, boutique-style arrangements bring emotion, depth, and drama to dinner parties, events, and editorial installations. “Every flower tells a story, and I love weaving meaning into my arrangements, much like the Victorians who once used blooms to convey hidden messages,” Forman says. “Among my favorites is the striking light-blue delphinium, which symbolizes a bond of love, protection, and remembrance.” (themoonflowerdesign.com) RHYTHM AND BLOOMS For West Palm Beacher Jazmine Colón, floral…
