Full House

Let’s face it: Miami lacks nothing when it comes to social excess. But there are times when we have to tip our hat to our older, more seasoned cousin to the north. Palm Beach has been doing the black tie thing before Miami was even a bleep on the jet set radar. And the recent gala for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital showed us “Southerners” just how grand the art of the party can be. Organized by the Paradise Fund, a group of young professionals from Palm Beach and beyond whose mission is to generate funds for the well-being of children, and sponsored for the very first time in its 25 years by Salvatore Ferragamo, the evening was a testament to good-times philanthropy done right. Held at the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum, the soirée had a distinct and chic Monte Carlo vibe to it (the theme was “Paradise Casino,” after all) with blackjack tables, roulette stations and cigarette girls about the estate. High rollers and mere aficionados were equally enchanted with the elegant tone of the affair: Rat Pack, James Bond and a little bit of To Catch a Thief all rolled into one. Ferragamo even outfitted some of the party’s most notable attendees. Among these were polo player Nic Roldan, model Bettina Anderson, designer/actor Nick Fouquet, attorney Brad McPherson and a slew of other islanders and New Yorkers. Needless to say, the attire did not disappoint. And neither did the endless cocktails and Champagne—spirits were Gatsby light to say the least. “Ferragamo added the perfect element of sophistication to the evening,” said H. Loy Anderson III, who served as the event’s chairman along with Kent Anderson, Christopher DiSchino and Hilary Jordan. We couldn’t agree more. Photography by Lucien Capeheart