Simon Isaacs | The Bespoke Brit
A Londoner by birth, Simon Isaacs has found a new home in Palm Beach, bringing with him a certain British wit and sense of style. After moving to the area in 2015 with his wife, Tiffany, and three children, Isaacs established Simon Isaacs Real Estate, where he delivers a concierge approach to high-end residential real estate. Eager to immerse himself in the community, he’s become involved with local organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, No Kid Hungry, the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, and the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, to name a few. In a nod to the area’s iconic fashion brands, he has also amassed a collection of approximately 35 pairs of Stubbs & Wootton shoes and slippers, including a backless, monogrammed set in blue and tan that he’s had in heavy rotation as of late. And while he laments that the climate of his new hometown doesn’t allow for attire such as suits with silk scarfs and bowler hats, Isaacs is able to enjoy other pursuits like tennis and skeet shooting year-round. When it comes to fashion, it’s a shift he’s embraced, noting that, “You adapt to your surroundings and create your own style from it.”
Personal style: A tailored, classic look with a European twist. I can’t forget my British roots. Fashion influence: David Gandy. Not only can he rock a suit, but he’s equally as stylish in a T-shirt and jeans. Owns a lot of: Suspenders. I have about 25 pairs in yellow, blue and white, burgundy, pink and white, etc. Favorite Palm Beach menswear look: I love old-school Lilly Pulitzer. Style choice so wrong it’s right: A terrycloth blazer by Bask Most expensive thing in his closet: A bespoke Thom Sweeney tuxedo Tragic style moment from his past: Branded belt buckles or sweatpants Celebrity closet he would raid: Bradley Cooper or Matthew McConaughey Best style advice: Even if you buy off the rack, make sure you get it tailored to fit you. A properly tailored outfit can elevate anything.
Michael Gregson Reinert | The Southern Gentleman
With a personal mantra that “good manners are never passé,” Michael Gregson Reinert infuses his Southern upbringing into every facet of his life. As the owner of MGR Luxury Consulting, this Charleston native specializes in luxe brand development and management. Tony hot spots such as The Royal Poinciana Plaza and The Colony depend on Reinert to organize premier experiences and “wow” moments for their visitors. MGR, as his friends call him, also harnesses his charisma to create change in the charitable realm, including as director of development for the Cancer Alliance of Help & Hope, an ambassador for the Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce, and a junior committee member for the American Heart Association in Palm Beach. Even his social posts have proven powerful, with the Palm Beach International Mini Movie and Film Festival naming him “Best Social Media Influencer of 2019.” While home is where Reinert’s heart is, his bouts of wanderlust are satiated on trips abroad, where he finds inspiration for all things art, culture, and design.
Personal style: Some say my wardrobe reminds them of their grandfather’s, but I prefer to describe it as old-school collegiate with a millennial twist. Fashion influence: Dickie Greenleaf [from The Talented Mr. Ripley] for the very best beachwear. His sartorial legacy: Evening slippers and club insignia belts Favorite Palm Beach menswear look: Fitted chinos, a bright linen shirt, a seersucker jacket, and evening slippers with a little sand inside. Style choice so wrong it’s right: Shorts in the evening with a sport coat Most fashion-forward locale: Breakfast at Sant Ambroeus Top shopping destination: The Royal Poinciana Plaza, especially Kiton. They have the most informed and chicest team in Palm Beach. Hidden-gem brand: Frescobol Carioca makes the most fun shorts. They even did a collaboration with Sant Ambroeus. Trend that is so five minutes ago: Activewear in public Cherished wardrobe possession: A belt I bought in my freshman year in college. It’s falling apart, and the more it falls apart, the more I love it. When in doubt in Palm Beach, wear: Linen Owns a lot of: Colored chinos Celebrity closet he would raid: Mary-Kate Olsen Most recent purchase: A pair of velvet slippers in Venice that are hand-stitched by little ladies in the Venetian countryside and have soles made from bicycle tires. Best style advice: Take one thing off before you walk out the door.
Aaron Menitoff | The Shapeshifter
Aaron Menitoff knows how to party. His company, Wellington Hospitality Group, which he owns with his wife, Julie, is one of the area’s top event producers and gourmet caterers. They’ve done everything from starting Sunday brunch at the International Polo Club, to building entertainment vehicles like vintage Airstream bars, to orchestrating events for bigwigs such as Prince Harry. The duo has even taken on hotel management with Buddha Roc Beach Resort in Nicaragua. As if that’s not enough, this spring they will launch cheeseboarder.com, an online resource for gourmet cheese and charcuterie boards. Giving back has always been a key component of their business model, and they regularly make food-service donations to nonprofits and disaster-relief efforts, including serving more than 80,000 meals over the past three years in hurricane-impacted areas. And while Menitoff says he’s lucky to wear many hats in life, he does abide by a certain fashion philosophy: “Style is art and it gives us the opportunity to express ourselves based on our mood, surroundings, occasion, inspirations, and personal taste.”
Fashion influence: Anthony Bourdain had a raw and engaging style from his sense of adventure and authentic pursuits of what fulfilled him. His sartorial legacy: “Beer Pants” that feature a patchwork of craft beer labels. I always get enthusiastic high fives when I wear them. Prints or solids: Prints are way more interesting and fun. It’s like getting a piña colada in a carved-out pineapple with a tropical fruit garnish and a patterned umbrella with a rum shooter versus one served in a plain glass. Favorite Palm Beach menswear look: Bow ties. I don’t wear them often because I can’t tie them myself, and my dad won’t come over every time I need help. Hidden-gem brand: United By Blue, a sustainable sportswear company that will remove a pound of trash from watersheds or the ocean for each product sold. Tragic style moment from his past: I had an earring in my teens and still have a hole, which I hope I don’t willingly use again. Cherished wardrobe possession: A themed cufflink collection with everything from hamburgers to underwear, wiener dogs, skulls, bowling pins, and Pac-Man. Celebrity closet he would raid: Donald Glover. He has the right mix of vintage and modern. Most recent purchases: A ridiculous leopard print hoodie for a ’70s roller disco in NYC, and a dapper vintage sport coat from World Thrift in Lake Worth for this photo shoot. Best style advice: Dress just interestingly enough to garner attention for the right reasons.
Scott Diament | The Cool Curator
Scott Diament has established himself as a founding father in the world of collectibles. In 1993, Diament and a partner opened Provident Jewelry, a high-end buyer and seller of estate jewelry, art, and collectibles that now boasts seven locations in Florida. Later, after attending his fair share of jewelry and watch trade shows, he decided to become the host rather than the participant. He once again partnered up, this time to establish Palm Beach Show Group, which produces world-class fine art, antique, and jewelry shows in cities nationwide, including annual events in Palm Beach County, Naples, and Miami. But these were far from the first of Diament’s brilliant ideas. At the ripe age of 12, he founded a bagel-delivery business in his Bronx neighborhood, a venture he’d later sell to another teen for $5,000. Today success for Diament comes in the form of attendees’ responses to his shows, the ability to help collectors across the country further their passion, and the satisfaction he gains from supporting local charities such as Hope for Depression Research Foundation, Cancer Alliance of Help & Hope, American Friends of the Uffizi Gallery, and Young Friends of the Palm Beach Symphony.
Personal style: Colorful, modern, and sophisticated Fashion influences: David Beckham and Gianni Versace His sartorial legacy: My watches Favorite Palm Beach menswear look: Classy but comfortable. Something you can wear on a boat one minute and out to dinner the next. Style choice so wrong it’s right: Wearing a jacket with jeans—always. Trend he’ll never attempt: Shabby chic Most fashion-forward locale: Buccan Top shopping destination: Orlebar Brown. I love the bathing suits. Underrated must-have: Sneakers from the Dutch brand Filling Pieces Tragic style moment from his past: Buying clothes that were too large. Trend that is so five minutes ago: No-shave November Most expensive thing in his closet: A MB&F HM6 Space Pirate watch Cherished wardrobe possession: Cufflinks depicting the houses of Amsterdam given to me by my fiancé’s mother. When in doubt in Palm Beach, wear: White Owns a lot of: Ties Celebrity closet he would raid: Kanye West Most recent purchases: A Tom Ford suit and a Cartier belt Best style advice: Hire a stylist; it’s the best investment you will ever make.
Jason Arbuckle | The Haute Artist
Jason Arbuckle is a card-carrying member of the successful entrepreneurs’ club. A former New York–based graphic designer who left for the warmth of Palm Beach, Arbuckle found a creative outlet by designing greeting cards in his leisure time. He brought three of his Valentine’s Day designs to Vivi’s, a former island stationer, where customers promptly snatched them up. Arbuckle realized he was onto something and launched J. Falkner (an ode to his middle name) in 2011. Inspired by the Palm Beach aesthetic, his cards and paper goods are now stocked in more than 750 stores across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. This sunny disposition carries over into Arbuckle’s wardrobe, where color is the buzzword and playfulness is encouraged. “Palm Beach gives men a license to be more irreverent with clothing,” he says. “The sun is shining, so dress up and have fun.” Beyond his career, Arbuckle, who splits time between the island and London, places great emphasis on his relationships and supporting friends in their charities and creative endeavors. “That’s what makes this community special—everyone steps in to help each other grow and succeed.”
Fashion influence: Helmut Berger, a German actor prominent in the late ’60s and early ’70s who was often known as the “it” boy of the European jet set. Everything he wore was luxe and slim. His sartorial legacy: I love the subtle pop of a lapel pin; I find my favorites at vintage markets. Prints or solids: Prints only by the pool, otherwise solids—though I sometimes bend this rule. Most expensive thing in his closet: A sheared mink scarf from Bergdorf’s that dangerously approached four figures. Top shopping destination: I’ve been known to hunt the racks at Saks Off Fifth for Canali and Armani, but it takes some hunting. Hidden-gem brand: Reiss is everywhere in England but less prominent in the U.S. It does a wonderful job of delivering the key trends each season. Tragic style moment from his past: I had very high hair in the ’80s. Didn’t everyone? Trend that is so five minutes ago: Fanny packs worn as cross-body bags are going to look rather dumb in photos a year from now. Celebrity closet he would raid: Eddie Redmayne for his colorful suits. Most recent purchases: Claret colored, velvet slippers and a Valentino belt Best style advice: When in doubt, don’t. If you’re not sure about something, put it back on the rack. Though this isn’t advice I always follow.
Story Credits:
Photography by Robert Nelson
Shot on location at the Flagler Kenan Pavilion, Henry Morrison Flagler Museum, Palm Beach
Grooming by Deborah Koepper, Deborah Koepper Beauty, Palm Beach
Wardrobe by Kiton, Palm Beach
The post Palm Beach Dandies appeared first on Palm Beach Illustrated.