Palm Beach Illustrated May 2022

Palm Beachers, we did it. We got through a remarkably robust season that crammed in every dinner dance, gallery opening, and fashion show that we’d missed out on in the past two years—and emerged fuller for it. For us at Palm Beach Illustrated, it was an especially auspicious year: In addition to all of the above, we packed the calendar with multiple parties and dinners to celebrate our seventieth anniversary. Though some days felt like we couldn’t possibly squeeze in one more thing, it was so good to be able to be among friends and to feel safe again. Now that everything is settling down, it’s fun to look back at some of the accomplishments of last season. Beyond the millions raised for worthy causes, some of our neighbors put the…

40 YEARS OF PRESERVATION WHO: Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach WHAT: Fortieth Annual Dinner Dance WHERE: Bradley Park, Palm Beach HIGHLIGHTS: Cocktails, dinner, floral masterpieces by design impresario Lewis Miller, and an unforgettable performance by New Soul Brigade marked the foundation’s milestone. KRAVIS CENTER GALA WHO: Kravis Center for the Performing Arts WHAT: Kravis Center Gala WHERE: Kravis Center, West Palm Beach HIGHLIGHTS: Cocktails, dinner, and a performance by Steve Martin and Martin Short were highlights of the much-anticipated evening. MICHAEL KORS ON THE RUNWAY WHO: Michael Kors and Aerin Lauder WHAT: Spring/Summer 2022 Collection Preview WHERE: The Colony Hotel, Palm Beach HIGHLIGHTS: The designer showcased looks at an intimate fashion presentation in support of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. DECORATOR SHOW HOUSE PALM BEACH WHO: Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club and Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County WHAT: Fifth Annual…

Neon isn’t just for store windows anymore. Husband-and-wife team Tom and Lisa Bowser of Jupiter started creating custom neon signs in 2016 after Lisa, who had been producing events for decades, came across LED neon and decided to be one of the first to bring this new technology to market. Started out of their garage, Brite Lite now has two offices in Jupiter and sells all over North America. Since launching, they’ve made signs for such A-list events as the Oscars and the Super Bowl, as well as pieces for some of the most recognized brands in the world including Google and Netflix. “We launched Brite Lite to bring neon joy and good vibes to all,” says Lisa. “We were inspired by our home in South Florida, where we live in…

West Palm Beacher David Plotkin began “playing with motorcycles” at age 26. “I had moved out of New York and was living in rural Connecticut, bored out of my mind,” he recalls. “I was always curious about antique automobiles, but at the time, I didn’t have the space, time, or money to embark on cars and trucks.” Plotkin caught the motorcycle bug after just one custom build and was soon spending every waking moment on vintage projects. His hobby turned into a business and eventually evolved into Burn Up Company when he relocated to West Palm Beach in 2012. Now, at his 11,000-square-foot facility, he and his team offer service, restorations, custom builds, motorcycle sales, and parts. “Most of our custom builds are sourced for or by our customers and built 100…

Daniel and Catherine Moretz became interested in Haitian coffee when they bought I Need Coffee, a beloved coffee shop in Jupiter Town Centre. In their search for something similar to Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, which they consider the best in the world, they came across Singing Rooster, a social enterprise supporting small coffee and cocoa producers in Haiti, which has a similar coffee-growing climate. They opted to serve Haitian Blue Mountain coffee in their shop and sell Haitian chocolate and art. But things got even more personal when Daniel read about the plight of Gonzalez Seignon, a metal artist in Croix-des-Bouquets who had fallen on tough times. He felt called to donate an entire year’s worth of studio rent to the artist, freeing him up to keep creating with fewer…