Palm Beach Fashion Week 2006 began in style last night at the Opening Night Cocktail Reception The event, held at the beautiful Mar-a-Lago Club of Palm Beach, was a benefit for Habitat for Humanity. Produced by the Worth Avenue Association and Chaired by Mr. and Mrs. Donald Trump, the evening was truly a spectacular affair. The charming Olympia Devine of Palm Beach Talent and Events, LLC organized the evening and her care and dedication paid off with an exceptional party.
It was hard not to be impressed by the giant sushi boats, the artfully prepared hors d’oeuvres, the hushed strains of the violin, and of course Palm Beach Society in all its glitz, glamour, and occasional horror. As guests enjoyed their cocktails over dinner, Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity gave a presentation detailing his organization’s mission, successes, and future goals. Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit housing ministry, which rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner families through volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of money and materials. Habitat has built almost 80,000 houses around the world, providing some 400,000 people in more than 2,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter. While many guests grumbled over his long winded speech and video presentation, Habitat’s impressive resume of accomplishments was still something to behold. It seemed a shame that at a dinner that cost $575 per couple the revelers could hardly be bothered to listen to the man who heads one of the most accomplished charitable organizations on the planet; a charity that ostensibly is the reason for the event being held in the first place. Amidst a roomful of hugely wealthy individuals, dressed in the most expensive of designer clothing, enjoying plentiful food and drink, Reckford’s statistic that two billion people live on less than a dollar a day was lost in the din of the crowd.
Yet, without charitable events like this being supported by the hearty party going crowd of the Palm Beach social scene, organizations like Habitat for Humanity literally could not exist. One woman approached me during the speech groaning about how tacky it was that Mr. Reckford felt he could drone on and on in such a fashion at an event like this; the subtext being that she and everyone else having paid their entrance fee was looking forward to enjoying a nice evening free of didactic sermons. She had done her part already. It is a well worn statistic that at the height of the season 25% of America’s wealth is concentrated in the extravagance of Palm Beach. As Jimmy Carter, himself an avid supporter of Habitat for Humanity, said in his 1979 Malaise Speech “we’ve learned that piling up material goods cannot fill the emptiness of lives which have no confidence or purpose.” Thankfully the material goods of Palm Beach can flow towards those in need thanks to charitable events such as this cocktail, giving confidence and purpose to the wealth that is taken for granted in our great nation.
Political implications aside, the crowds of ostentatious couples in their Palm Beach finery mingled with the far fewer truly classy examples of taste and money at a party that was nearly perfect. But then if you are one of those two billion people living on less than a dollar a day you do not care if your support comes from a perfectly groomed couple in classic Chanel beige a financier socialite in a peach corduroy jacket, or from a gaggle of women whose clothing and aesthetic crosses the lines of constructed artifice. The final point is that last night in Mar-a-Lago some good was done for the world.
Ohh Winston!
The horror of Palm Beach!
One honest voice in the crowd! Reckford giving his lecture.
The last real example of class and taste in America. Palm Beach Fashion Week Opening Night Gala Story at Out2.com
Julie,
Do you have a photo of “the best dressed girl” yourslef!!:)
Having just finished reading Wharton’s “House of Mirth” and “Age of Innocence” I can’t help wondering what your thoughts are on the link between fashion and self-centered, stupid, socialites who go to a place like Palm Springs. A place they go to, I assume, because they like to be with their own kind and because they are too dim and too uncurious to think about going anywhere else.
And yes, I do hold these people in the highest contempt.
Weirdly I completely forgot to get a shot of myself I was so immersed in the situation! But everyone got to at least see a camera phone shot of me in the skirt and blouse!
My hair was pulled up into a high pony tail and went for a really pale skin red lips thing which matched the bead work perfectly on the skirt.
Julie, Please do not tease me like that…:) Did you find a hadsome date?
Well I was working the event so I can’t say that having a date was relevant. But Carmine Della Sala our COO accompanied me to the gala.
Mark-this piece is my little push up against the frustration I have with this society. At Out2 I am completely at liberty to say my mind and the pieces are published. This is the beauty of the site and my new position.
We already knew this sort of event was depressing and occurs regularly, but now thankfully I am being given the chance to be at these events and tell the honest truth. Thankfully no is paying enough attention or soon I would certainly be barred. But right now I have access, a voice, and the support to tell the truth.
Julie,
I for one welcome your comments …I find them refreshing…I’m going to
Rio end of month and will update you any Fashion tidbits I get at my shoot..
if you want me too that is…
My first time to Rio…
I think what irritated me was that they aren’t even willing to pay the piper by listening to the speech (much less by paying their share of taxes, which might help put Habitat out business because it would no longer be needed….)
Also, those are some freakish looking people.
Aren’t they strange? I love Ms Dolly Parton in red! YIKES!
Yes, well they think they already paid by shelling out their 500, now can they not feel guilty for a little while please?
good heavens above, it’s a car crash. i can’t stop staring.
How much money did the benefit net?
What are Habitat’s future goals?
And in your “reporting”
The real standout for the show was Luca Luca’s collection with offerings from the recently shown Fall/Winter 2006 collection that debuted at New York Fashion Week.
That’s a plug, not reportage.
Rachel dear how do you know it wasn’t the real standout? Because in all truth it was.
And I promise you a little tidbit on the Luca Luca experience as soon as the clothing is returned. Don’t be a brat Rachel it isn’t very becoming.
I dunno, I’m kind of digging that peach corduroy jacket. But that redhead with the bulging eyes should definitely get her thyroid checked.
That orange sherbet jacket is beyond bold.
Thank you!
Welcome. I’m envious. All my clothes are gray.
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Hi,
How can I find out when there are fashion shows, events, etc.
I am working on a new clothing line and just moved to the West Palm Beach area. I am trying to find out how I can participate in local events to show my clothing. Any help would be appreciated
The photo of the “Horrors of Palm Beach” silently tells the story of the cultural change that has occurred in the city in the last quarter century. How perfect it was taken at Trump’s place!
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