On Wednesday, October 11th, more than 100 guests joined The Historical Society of Palm Beach County to celebrate Endless Summer: Palm Beach Resort Wear grand exhibition which is guest curated by Cameron Silver in collaboration with Oscar de la Renta. The invite-only event was held at the private residence of Martin & Jean Shafiroff in New York City. A special fashion presentation celebrating the ongoing collaboration with Oscar de la Renta’s brand-new styles also commenced. Cocktail event sponsors included Oscar de la Renta, Martin and Jean Shafiroff, CIBC Wealth Management, Christie’s, Sotheby’s International Realty, The Palm Beaches, and The Paul Labrecque Salon & Spa.
Oscar de la Renta Chief Executive Officer Alex Bolen said, “ We are thrilled to partner with the Historical Society of Palm Beach County to celebrate Palm Beach’s unique place in fashion history with the Endless Summer: Palm Beach Resort Wear grand exhibition. Further, we appreciate the generosity and hospitality of our dear friends Jean and Martin Shafiroff in celebrating this exciting launch in Palm Beach.”
Jean Shafiroff, a long-time devotee of Oscar de la Renta and wearing one of their gowns from the Spring 2024 collection, said, “The work of the Historical Society of Palm Beach County is important to all of us. As our identity, art, and culture must be preserved for future generations.”
A private dinner, hosted by Sciame Construction and Modern Luxury Magazine followed the event at The Lobster Club.
Other iconic brands such as Gucci, Chanel, and St. John, will also be included in the partnership with The Palm Beaches’ invitation-only reception on November 8th and remain through May 2024 at the Richard and Pat Johnson History Museum in West Palm Beach. The official opening will be on November 9th. Iconic fashion influencers and Palm Beach residents such as Jacqueline Kennedy, Lilly Pulitzer, and others will be included in the meticulously curated exhibit by guest curator Cameron Silver. A private invite-only event will be held beforehand.
Those in the know included: Jean & Martin Shafiroff, Eliza Reed Bolen, Jackie Weld Drake, Alex Hamer, Jeffrey Alderton, Lizzi Bickford, Katherine Boulud, Jeremy Johnson, Camilla Webster, Courtney Schlesinger, New York State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright, Paul Labrecque, Collin Adams, Taylor Materio, Cameron Silver, Ken and Maria Fishel, H. H. Dr. Prince Mario Schaumburg-Lippe, Pamela O’Connor, Ramona Singer, Julia Haart, Frank Sciame, and Rolise Rachel.
New York State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright presented a Citation to both Jean Shafiroff and Jeremy Johnson, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the Historical Society of Palm Beach County, honoring the nonprofit
“for its dedicated mission to preserve, collect, and bring the rich history and cultural heritage of Palm Beach County to life.”
Johnson expressed his gratitude to Martin and Jean Shafiroff and to Oscar de la Renta in Palm Beach and Manhattan.
“It is exciting to meet others who not only appreciate our mission but also join us in moving it forward.”
After Henry Flagler’s railroad brought droves of Northerners to South Florida, the idea of wearing northern fabrics and styles was not sustainable. Lighter fabrics, colors, and less form-fitting designs were more desirable. The kaftan and similar designs were born in Mesopotamia, designs like this moved through the Middle East, parts of Asia, and Northern Africa but they reemerged and exploded in Palm Beach. Resort wear emerged in all its vibrancy and has become iconic in Palm Beach.
In 1937 the nonprofit organization The Historical Society of Palm Beach County was founded to preserve, collect, and share the history of the county and South Florida. Funds raised by the Society provide funds to support programs including Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum.
More information about the Endless Summer: Palm Resort Wear opening reception is available at: Endless Summer: Palm Beach Resort Wear – Grand Opening Reception – Historical Society of Palm Beach County (pbchistory.org)
