Everyone talks about January as the beginning of a new year, but for me, September always marked a fresh start. I think that’s due to my Nana and my mom. They both lived in Rhode Island, where September brought the first hints of crisp mornings, changing leaves and the excitement of a new season. While Fort Lauderdale’s palm trees may never turn autumn colors, my family brought that same feeling with them every year. Somehow, they made September feel like a time to begin again.
September’s arrival always meant one thing: a day spent with my mom shopping for back-to-school clothes, picking out the perfect backpack and gathering all the little things that made the first day of school feel so exciting. Looking back, I realize those days were never really about the clothes or the supplies. They were about spending time together, laughing together and beginning each school year feeling confident and ready for whatever was ahead.
My Nana, Virginia Cerbo, known to everyone as Ginny, had her own way of teaching me about style. She had a saying that I still hear in my head today: “You can never be overdressed.” She lived by those words. Every winter, her closet is filled with beautiful coats—a classic red, a timeless plaid and elegant furs for special occasions—each one chosen as thoughtfully as the outfit beneath it. And no matter the occasion, she never left home without Chanel No. 5. She didn’t follow trends. She had a style all her own, and she wore it with grace, confidence and unmistakable elegance.
Looking back, I realize that’s where my love of style began. Maybe that’s one reason why I look forward to our Fashion issue every September.
This issue introduces you to someone I’m especially excited for you to meet: couture designer Odalys Marino. Her designs are breathtaking, but what impresses me even more is the artistry behind every piece. Couture isn’t simply beautiful clothing. It’s handcrafted, one garment at a time, thoughtfully designed and meticulously fitted for the person who will wear it. It’s a level of craftsmanship that’s increasingly rare, making each creation as unique as the individual wearing it.
We’re honored to welcome Odalys back to Fort Lauderdale as the featured designer for our annual Boat Show Kickoff Party on October 22 at the W Fort Lauderdale. Watching her collection come down the runway has become one of my favorite moments of the evening as we celebrate the beginning of another Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. If you’ve never joined us, I hope you’ll consider coming this year. It’s a wonderful opportunity to experience her remarkable work firsthand and meet the talented designer behind each collection.
Today, I get to watch my own children experience that same excitement as another school year begins. Their new backpacks may have replaced mine, but the anticipation of a fresh start hasn’t changed. Some traditions have a way of staying with us, and I’m grateful this is one of them.
I didn’t learn my love of style from magazines or runways. I learned it from my Nana and my mom. Every September, as this issue comes together, I find myself thinking of them and how fortunate I was to grow up with two women who taught me that confidence is the best thing you can wear.