You may have seen Wyatt Koch at one of Palm Beach’s elite events carrying the dance floor dressed to the nines, playing tennis at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago, or enjoying the serenity of his farm in Florida. Palm Beach has taken notice of Wyatt’s charm and bold fashion sense since he moved here from New York City in 2006. Today, the son of renowned businessman William (Bill) Koch has some big news to announce coming up this winter. Altima sat down with Wyatt for a Q&A and we are excited to share it with our readers!

Altima: What events do you look forward to the most each season?
Wyatt: GOG Halloween Party, Lily Pulitzer Beach Bash, Paradise Casino Gala, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Awareness Gala, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Man & Woman of the Year, and of course, POSH Palm Beach, which I will co-chair this year.

Altima: Where do you enjoy spending your weekends in Palm Beach?
Wyatt:  I like to get out to my farm on weekends. When I am in town, I like to play tennis at Mar-a-Lago, shop on Worth Avenue, grab lunch at Nick & Johnnie’s, Café Sapori or Bice, or just relax at the beach.

Altima: What are your Top 3 restaurants on the island?
Wyatt: Café L’ Europe, Echo and Palm Beach Grill.

Altima: What is your favorite store on Worth Ave?
Wyatt: Neiman Marcus, and my sales associate, Michael Diaz, is great.

Altima: We heard that you have some big news coming up in December 2015. Care to dish with Altima readers?
Wyatt: I have recently decided to pursue my lifelong passion for fashion by starting a fashion line. Wyatt Ingraham LLC was launched a few months ago.  We are very excited about the upcoming line of men’s shirts.  I am also excited that 10% of all profits will be donated to charity.  You can learn more about the clothing line and my inspirations at www.wyattingraham.com

Altima: What should we expect from your first collection?
Wyatt: The first collection will be exclusively men’s shirts.  We have a fabulous line about to be released, with bold colors and inspired patterns.  These are high quality, American made shirts for the impeccably dressed man.  These shirts will grab attention and inspire the men who wear them to be bold.

Stay tuned, we plan to follow-up with Wyatt in a few months when he officially débuts Wyatt Ingraham!

Designs coming soon to www.wyattingraham.com.

 

By Eileen Louissaint, Altima Contributing Writer

We all have heard the beautiful stories of 19th and 20th Century artists who made the pilgrimage from the United States to France to pursue their craft. We jumped on this particular story when our dear friend, Christophe von Hohenberg introduced us to Matthew C Eames, son of Dickon Eames– an American sculptor who produced stunning  artwork while living in France during the 1970’s.

Fun Fact: Have you ever crossed the Brooklyn Bridge or the Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge? These two are some of the world’s most iconic structures designed by members of the Roebling Family. Eames is related to the Roeblings. It is no coincidence they are engineering masterminds- the talent runs deep in this family!

Matthew published “Dickon Eames: An American Sculptor in France” as a tribute to his father whose works include an inspiring collection of over 300 sculptures, holograms, and lithographs. The book provides a personal account of his father’s artwork produced over a span of 25 years and 3 countries. Eames’s work tells its narrative through substance, space, movement, color, ingenuity and a little humor.

Want to see his work in person? Visit www.dickoneames.com

or

Visit the Leonard Tourne Gallery on November 4th.

Leonard Tourne Gallery
46 East 65 st
New York, New York 10065

Dickon Eames

Matthew C. Eames, Author and son of Dickon Eames

Matthew C. Eames, Author and son of Dickon Eames

If you are quick, you might have already caught on to the title. It is true, the 13th Annual Palm Beach Fine Craft Show is not only going to spoil you with its stellar array of coveted artistry, but Uber’s rideshare services, the Show’s new partner, will make your experience seamless. Before heading out to one of the most anticipated ART shows at the Palm Beach County Convention Center this season, remember to a) download the Uber app if you have not already and b) plugin code “FINECRAFT” (New users only) for a complimentary ride (up to $20) to or from the venue.  The code will be activated in February.

Each year in late February, thousands of art connoisseurs, interior designers, curious locals and tourists make plans to spend part (if not all) of the weekend perusing the impressive showcase dubbed the #1 Fine Craft Show in America” by  Art Fair Source Book. From February 26-28 2016, the convention center will feature 135 of the nation’s top contemporary craft artists who have mastered the intricacies of glass, ceramics, sculpture, furniture, fashion, jewelry and more.

Altima’s idea to form the partnership between Uber and PBFCS came as the solution for an easy parking option which allows patrons and special guests to avoid long lines at the valet parking or self-parking. Read more from Alexandra Clough of the Palm Beach Post Blog, Who ya gonna call? Uber, if you’re attending convention center show”.

If you are interested in hearing more about Altima’s Public Relations and Marketing services for your events, CLICK HERE.

 

 

 

By Eileen Louissaint, Altima Contributing Writer

Like me, you may have had to settle for the living room plasma screen when Novak Djokovic went head-to-head with the legendary Roger Federer, or the emotional defeat of Serena Williams by Roberta Vinci at the 2015 US Open hosted in New York. Lucky for us, global business mogul and visionary Sir Richard Branson is bringing the thrill of tennis down south at the 2015 Necker Cup Pro-Am and Legends Tennis Camp on Necker Island from November 28, 2015 through December 3, 2015.

 

The Necker Cup is acclaimed as the “most fun and exclusive” Pro Am Tennis Event IN THE WORLD. Naturally, the event will be hosted in true Branson style. The all-inclusive six-day/five-night experience will include sixteen ATP/WTA Tour Players and legends who will be paired up with sixteen amateur teams of all levels. Imagine going back and forth on the courts with tennis greats Boris Becker, Brad Gilbert, Martina Navratilova, Marion Bartoli, Tracy Austin, Viktor Troicki, Donald Young, David Nalbandian, Chris Evert & Johan Kriek!

I know, this is an overdose of tennis frenzy and you may need some time to relax. There is still plenty for you to do at Necker Island like paddle boarding, sail boat races, kite boarding, wake boarding, snorkeling, massage therapy, parties, and more! A-list celebs including Sean Paul, Jewel, Charlotte McKinney & Chevy Chase will all be joining the festivities too!

The unique experience organized by Premier Tennis is all about FUN and has raised over $2 million for their chosen beneficiaries.

Choose between 3 exclusive packages and allow Altima to help you set up the trip of a lifetime! Contact us at 561-833-8283 or email maribel@altimapalmbeach.com

Necker Cup Pro-Am Package
Play in the Most Exclusive Pro-Am in the World
Location: Sir Richard Branson’s private, Necker Island, BVI
Package Price: $110,000 for two (2) people, all inclusive (air not included)
Highlights: Team entry for up to two players into the Necker Cup Main Draw that will include Sir Richard Branson and 15 ATP / WTA Tennis Legends; Courtside seats to the Necker Cup Pro Charity Tennis Exhibition; and entry into the Charity Dinner, Auction & “End of the World” Party in the newly rebuilt, Great House

Platinum Packages
Play in the Legends Camp & Enjoy the Necker Cup
Package Price: $40,000 for two people and $25,000 for one person (Limited to 10 guests)

Legends Tennis Camp Package
Led by Murphy Jensen, Wayne Bryan
Location:  Rosewood Little Dix Bay Resort, Virgin Gorda, BVI and Necker Island.
Package Price: Starting at $13,000 for two (2) people and $7,645 for one (1) person, all inclusive

 

 

By Eileen Louissaint, Altima Contributing Writer

 

Thanks to my good friends Richard and Diana Horowitz, I found a treasure in my own backyard!  Montecristi hand made hats by fifth generation master weaver Yovanni Mero Pachay “These hats are not only the real deal,” says Richie Horowitz, “they are a fabulous deal! I’ve bought many Montecristi hats over the years, and these prices are more than half of what I paid in St. Bart’s and London.”

A long-time favorite for chic world travelers, Montecristi hats’ fine weaving allows it to be rolled and packed in its signature box.   A selection will be available at Lars and Nadine Bolander’s Studio 1696, and later this season on Worth Avenue. In the meantime, Frances deSantos, Yovanni’s personal friend and Florida representative, has a wide variety of these authentic “Panama Hats” ranging in prices from $95 to thousands of dollars.

220px-Panama_boite

You can also visit the website www.toquifinahatsandmore.com

or call her at 561 290 5994

Trivia information:  Why are they called Panama Hats?

Legend has it that President Theodore Roosevelt brought the hats to popularity in North America when photos were taken of him wearing one while visiting Panama. But that’s not the only story. As the hats were shipped through the Isthmus canal in Panama before they hit the shores around the world, someone mistakenly thought the hats came from the country famous for its canal. Who knew one person’s misunderstanding would lead to the rest of the world following suit?

Read more on wikipedia

Roosevelt_and_the_Canal sm

 

It was April 2000, one of Altima’s  events, organized in less than three weeks, to raise money for Stop the Violence, Face the Music.  This star-studded event which raised close to $200,000 was born following the tragedy at Columbine, during dinner with Rod Stewart and Terry Allen Kramer who jumped on the opportunity to support the cause. The rest is history… The video and the photo gallery is bittersweet, as it shows loved ones who are no longer with us including the late Duke of Marlborough John Spencer-Churchill ‘Sunny’,  Bud Paxson, Frank Shields,  Pedro Morrison, Judy Grubman and Donald Trump who is very much with us today…  This the first of several ‘throwback memories’ we will be posting, as it’s a good thing to remember….

Violence is still too prominent…  The timing to remember may be on cue…

I’m still trying to understand how this works.. According to a recent article I came across, Christie’s International Real Estate and its partner Dutch Docklands have taken ‘Private Island Living‘ to the next level.  According to Forbes Magazine,  “Amillarah Private Islands has created unique tailor-made floating residences designed by famed Dutch architect Koen Olthius.”  Not only will these islands be self-sustainable, eco-friendly and free from environmental impact, but you can take it wherever you want to create your own private paradise…  Customize your island and take it to… Miami? Maldives? Dubai? New York?

Even if I could afford it, not sure it would be my cup of tea…I prefer the ‘real thing’,  but no question this ‘over the top experience’ may be just the thing for some who have experienced just about everything…. Click here to read the article

Just when we thought we had lost them to some exotic destination, Nadine Kalachnikoff and Lars Bolander unexpectedly surprises us with yet another pioneering endeavor! And lucky for us, it’s happening in our backyard! We shouldn’t be surprised, as this dynamic creative duo– icons of design, style and fabulous taste— have always been ahead of the eight ball… World travelers in search of the unique and beautiful, Lars and Nadine have created a bazaar-style shopping experience where we may all share in the experience of their world travels…

I had to pop in to check it out. Of course it’s off the beaten path, but then again aren’t all treasures? Among their latest acquisitions from their summer travels to Greece, London and Sweden:  Hand-painted plates from Greece which Nadine naturally needed to alter so they are ‘made to order’. When asked if I could see the website, she was appalled!

“Website? He’s an aging artisan from Greece!” So I guess we have to wait until the doors open to see what they have in store.  Next Stop? India.

Nadine and Lars will be hosting ‘visiting’ artists and designers this season in their ‘out of the box’ warehouse-style studio located at 1696 Old Okeechobee.  Stay tuned for calendar of upcoming exhibits and news!

For those of you who want to be kept in the loop, and travel the world within your backyard,visit

 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Studio-1696/605969822873983?sk=info&tab=overview

and ‘like’ their page.

 

 

While driving through Wellington last week, I popped by to visit Jeanne Chisholm, an old friend and owner of the Chisholm Gallery, known as a leading international dealer of polo and sporting art for over 30 years.  I was a accompanied by an avid sailor who also happens to be a serious art collector.  He was immediately drawn to a spectacular oil on canvas by Isabella Monari called “Regata blu 1” pictured here.  I was drawn to Monari’s stunning fencing scenes! That was just a sampling  of so many fabulous pieces on display at the gallery.  Jeanne’s impressive collection currently on view include watercolors by Hungarian artist Elmyr de Hory (think F For Fake by Orson Welles,)  polo paintings of legendary Pete Bostwick and Tommy Hitchcock by Lisa Bostwick, and fine art limited edition black & white photographs by Francesco Scavullo: Think Sting, Jagger, Bacall, Sophia, Pavarotti, Lisa, Glenn etc… Scavullo created the COSMO GIRL His photographs graced the covers of Vogue, Rolling Stone, Life, Time, Newsweek, Town and Country, Harper’s Bazaar, Mademoiselle, Glamour, Harper’s and Queen, L’Officiel and Max.

View Regata blu 1 details and view more of Isabella Monari works of art.

Lovers of the finest in Sporting and Polo Art: Stay tuned for so much more from Chisholm Gallery this season!

 Or discover for yourself!

I consider myself a sophisticated diner, who thrives on the whole experience— the ambiance, the quality of food, the service… so I was thrilled when I followed Chef Jeremy Hanlon to Benny’s on the Beach.

For weeks I’ve enjoyed brunches which led to lunches as we began with their in-house mixologist’s signature Bloody Marys and/or Bloody Marias (tequila based ) and eventually led to chilled bottles of Côtes de Provence rosé wine presented at our table. I wont share the brunch and lunch menu at this time, as most of you know about it… What you probably haven’t heard is Chef Jeremy is sharing his international experiences and inspirations at Benny’s with signature Paella Dinners on Saturday and Sunday.  Before the paella, you can choose from a (pintxos) menu, just as you would in Spain…except, unlike Spain, you can request preferences and omissions for your paella. 

The best of three worlds:  The setting which can’t be beat, the menu and the chef tailoring to your needs.. now that’s what I call a  ‘pieds dans l’eau’ ‘TRUE EXPERIENCE’.

Click here to read more as per the Palm Beach Post or Click here to make a reservation