Please join us for our annual Visionaries Luncheon on Thursday, March 14, 2024 at The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach. This program takes you into the lives and minds of creative visionaries as they chase their dreams, challenge norms, and build businesses that embody their values and unique stories. Engaging dialogues, expertly moderated, reveal narratives of innovation, learning, and empowerment.

2024 Visionary Rebecca Hessel Cohen
Founder and Creative Director, LoveShackFancy
in conversation with
Sarah Wetenhall 
Owner and CEO, The Colony Hotel

11:30 AM-12 PM: Reception
12-2:30: Luncheon and Program

Enjoy a fascinating conversation about how Rebecca built a global fashion, beauty, home, and lifestyle brand in just over 10 years – from her job as an editor at Cosmopolitan magazine to designing her own fanciful bridesmaid dresses because she couldn’t find the perfect dress anywhere. This dress became The Love Dress, and the brand was born. Learn how Rebecca’s life and her brand evolved together when she became a mom, with a children’s and home line to expand the brand, and most recently Beauty with three award-winning fragrances! Hear how Rebecca combined a love of ultra-femininity and vintage to build a brand sold in 17 countries around the world with 450 retail partners and sell-out collaborations with brands such as Gap, Roller Rabbit, Bogner, Pottery Barn, Supergoop, Hurley, Sephora, and American Girl.

Luncheon Tickets*:
Gold Table: $7,500
Silver Table: $5,000
Gold Ticket: $750
Silver Ticket: $500
Young Patron Ticket (21-40): $250

Can’t attend? We appreciate your contribution.

*Tickets are not refundable. The non-deductible amount per ticket is $60.00.

ABOUT VISIONARIES

Visionaries, an influential program at Guild Hall, takes you into the lives and minds of creative visionaries as they chase their dreams, challenge norms, and build businesses that embody their values and unique stories. Engaging dialogues, expertly moderated, reveal narratives of innovation, learning, and empowerment.

“Visionaries is an essential program at Guild Hall because it champions creativity, originality, and resourcefulness and introduces new ways of thinking about business and the arts. Participants engage with next-generation leaders and learn how they are igniting change in their respective fields.” – Andrea Grover, Guild Hall Executive Director.

PAST VISIONARIES EVENTS

• 2021: Vanessa Price, a rising star of the wine industry and best-selling author of Big Macs & Burgundy: Wine Pairings for the Real World, captivated the audience at Almond Restaurant in Bridgehampton with moderator Mary Ferrara, Manager of The American Hotel.

• 2020: Christina Isaly Liceaga, the creative force behind Amaganset’s Rosie’s restaurant, shared her inspiring journey in fashion, sales, Broadway production, and hospitality. Guests learned what motivated Christina to create a restaurant grounded in beach living, wellness, local produce, and family bonds.

• 2019: At THE POOL, Executive Director Andrea Grover led a conversation featuring visionary artists Shantell Martin and Sunny Khalsa, as well as Marguerite Zabar Mariscal, CEO of Momofuku.

•2018: Andrea Grover moderated the enlightening panel discussion with artist Zoë Buckman, Surf Lodge founder Jayma Cardoso, and Hello Alfred co-founder Marcela Sapone. Guests enjoyed the afternoon at Tom Colicchio’s stunning Riverpark overlooking the East River.

•2017: The inaugural Visionaries Benefit Luncheon was launched by Guild Hall Executive Director Andrea Grover, setting the stage for an exploration of creativity and entrepreneurship. Panelists included Magda Sayeg, artist, restaurateur, Guerrilla Knitting; Madison Utendahl, Museum of Ice Cream founder; and Joey Wölffer, Co-owner of Wölffer Estate Vineyard, Joey Wölffer clothing, and other Wölffer brand

 

  • Rebecca Hessel Cohen

    Rebecca Hessel Cohen is the founder and creative director of LoveShackFancy, a brand that has become synonymous with love, celebration and leaning into what makes you fascinating, beautiful and confident. Her love of vintage clothing and a belief that playing dress up never has to end guides her clear creative vision and maximalist aesthetic.

    She began her career early, interning at Vogue, Elle and Teen Vogue before ultimately becoming Cosmopolitan’s Senior Fashion and Beauty Editor, where she learned the true power of memorable storytelling. During that time the very first LoveShackFancy item, a hand-dyed halter dress, was made to celebrate Rebecca’s wedding in 2013. That one article of clothing has turned into a rose-colored world and true romance with all things dreamy and drenched in optimism, beloved by women of all ages and generations.

    Today, she oversees the entire LoveShackFancy universe, from fashion to beauty to home to lifestyle to collaborations and events all over the world. Her favorite day is one where she is opening a store, dancing with her family and friends, and dreaming up the next chapter in the LoveShackFancy story.

    LoveShackFancy is an award-winning and family-owned company with 17 stores worldwide, 450 retail partners including Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Harrods, and Selfridges, plus select online retailers like Net-A-Porter and Revolve, and collaborations with Gap, Pottery Barn, State, Bogner, Supergoop, Hurley, American Girl, Bandier, and Roller Rabbit. Millions of friends have joined the party, sharing in the belief that being in love with love is a state of mind that can take you farther than you ever imagined

    Photo: A. Braithwaite

  • Sarah Wetenhall

    Sarah Wetenhall is the force behind two of America’s most iconic resort destinations: The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach and The Hedges Inn in East Hampton. As Owner and CEO of both properties, she has transformed each into a design- and community-driven landmark—a celebration of style, story, and sense of place.

    A graduate of Vanderbilt University and a Midwest native, Wetenhall lived in more than six cities during her first twenty years, fostering a lifelong love of travel and storytelling. She lives in New York City and splits her time between Palm Beach and Sag Harbor, drawing inspiration from the communities she calls home. Those experiences have shaped her distinctive approach to hospitality—one that goes beyond accommodation to create vibrant, immersive experiences rooted in connection, culture, and community. 

    thehedgeseasthampton.com

    thecolonypalmbeach.com

    Photo: Greg Kessler

     

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This program is generously sponsored by The Colony Hotel.

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