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By: Lieba Nesis
French Heritage Society (FHS) held its annual gala dinner on February 18th 2024 at Club Colette on Peruvian Avenue in Palm Beach with cocktails beginning at 7 PM. The rainy and dismal weather didn’t put a damper on this smashing evening that had people flying in from France and New York. For $650 a ticket you were treated to a delectable duck and branzino dinner, dancing with DJ Brett and a warm effervescent crowd ready to party. With no honorees or Ambassadors present the night was all about having fun: no live auctions, no speeches longer than two minutes, and no macabre news-a respite from the depressing news cycle.
During Israel’s war the French have been mostly supportive of its offensive with Macron holding a vigil to pay tribute to the French victims of the October 7th massacre in February while promising to be “ruthless against anti-Semitism”. The country has recorded nearly 20,000 anti-Semitic actions since the Israel massacre leading to a large emigration of Jews from the country seeking to find solace and safety abroad.
The evening was non-political and a welcome celebration as the 200 guests present for the much coveted evening were there to enjoy. Sold-out before tickets were even publicized the lengthy wait list had Floridians fruitlessly begging friends for entry. Founded in 1982 FHS is an American nonprofit organization whose mission is to protect the French architectural and cultural legacy in France and the United States. With ten chapters across the US and one in Paris more than 50 events are held each year along with galas in New York, Paris and Palm Beach.
To date FHS has raised more than $18 million to restore over 670 chateauxs, historic properties and gardens. It has also sent over 550 students from universities in France and the US across the Atlantic for internships along with specially curated trips to France it offers members. With its recent contribution of $2.6 million to Notre Dame’s restoration after its crippling 2019 fire, the new spire on the cathedral’s crown places wings on the Gallic rooster-the national symbol of France. Notre Dame’s scheduled completion is July 2024 in time for the Paris Olympics as francophiles wait with baited breath to view the Cathedral’s reconstruction. Promising to conserve the architecture of the original is in accordance with the spirit of FHS which emphasizes safeguarding the past.
This evening is about the past and the present as stalwart FHS supporters Elizabeth Stribling, CeCe Black, Ann Van Ness and Jean Shafiroff who serve on the Board of Directors ensure that a large enthusiastic group of new attendees support this pivotal organization. Accompanying this magnificent foursome were socialites Maria and Ken Fishel, Daisy Soros, Mai Hallingby, Ruth Miller, Pamela Morgan, Elizabeth Steimberg, Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright, Sharon Bush, Kamie Lightburn, and dozens of others- including millennials whose increased presence bodes well for the future.
Dresses were fun and flirty with sparkles and colors in abundance along with ubiquitous designers Oscar de la Renta, Dolce & Gabbana and Chanel. Six-time Tony Award winning costume designer William Ivey Long even flew in for the weekend for this shindig which he annually attends. He is currently working on Beetlejuice in London as his nonstop schedule leaves him little time for socialization. Starting with the phenomenal guest list, and ending with a scrumptious ice cream dessert the evening was all wins. When the disco music began the dance floor quickly filled up with guests rallying until 11:00 PM -a tardy hour in early-to-rise Palm Beach.
