David Schluss: Official Artist of the 2008 Beijing China Olympics

The Diva of Destiny

Stanger's sharp-tongued verve may rule among her millionaires, but there is definitely a softer side to this purveyor of dreams. "What most people don't know about me is that I'm a mushball," she says. "I'm actually very shy around men."

Reality TV's doyenne, millionaire matchmaker Patti Stanger, engages in the ancient art of creating love connections — spinning dreams from coast to coast.

A modern-day cupid with a brash razor-sharp wit, Patti Stanger is an outspoken, international entrepreneur who specializes in the art of matchmaking — but With one proviso — her clients' net worth must range in the millions. Stanger's Millionaire's Club International debuted in 2000 and was later cleverly parlayed into Bravo TV's on-going hit reality series, The Millionaire Matchmaker, in 2008. "I wanted to create a club where wealthy executives too busy to date could meet intelligent, attractive females in an exclusive environment," Stanger says. A striking brunette with a passion for fashion and who once aspired to become a screenwriter, Stanger's celebrity ticket is in high demand. With future projects that include a makeup and clothing line, there is no rest for this savvy dynamo who at 51-years-young, just celebrated her 10th anniversary as spokesperson for the product Sensa and is busy promoting TyKu, a line of low calorie fine wine and spirits monikered, "the elixir of love." In addition, her new website www.pattyknows.com features no-holds-barred relationship advice, guest chefs, celebrity hosts, fitness and makeover experts.

Raised in Short Hills, NJ, by mom Rhoda, who also delights in creating the perfect coupling, Patti's first "fix up" was for a friend in 7th grade. "It was pure instinct," she says. "I just knew who belonged with who." Still, even with an innate sixth sense that fuels the Millionaire Club's 99 percent success rate, Stanger has known personal heartache in the dating arena. Engaged to real estate executive Andy Friedman and together for six years, the romance sadly ended in 2010.

Encouraged by her friends to find love again, Stanger tried Internet dating and met current beau 43-year-old David Krausse, a sexy ex-ball player turned mortgage broker 11 years her junior. "There are really no rules when it comes to dating today," Stanger says. "Older woman are looking great with Botox and other enhancements — and dating younger men. It's anyone's game now."

Not surprisingly, Stanger has always been a progressive thinker in charge of her own destiny. "I believe we are the sole creators of our own movie," she says. As an alumnus of the University of Miami with a degree in merchandising, Stanger explored careers in New York's fashion industry after graduating and returned to South Florida in the '90s to helm Boca Raton's Great Expectations dating service. Ever since she can remember, South Florida has been in Stanger's heart. With her mom residing in Sunny Isles, she visits often — as if an excuse is needed. "The ocean air relaxes me — I love the energy — the serene Palm Beaches, The Breakers, key lime pie and Joe's Stone Crab", she says. "When I return, it always feels like home."

Back in Los Angeles, the sixth season of Matchmaker, slated to begin Jan. 10, promises big surprises. And who knows? Perhaps Palm Beach is in the show's future. "The Island is the perfect venue for available millionaires — I'd love to do a shoot there," she says. "If popularity is any indication, Stanger will soon take the Treasure Coast by storm, doing what she does best — making love connections."

Megyn Kelly

The provocative anchor of Fox News Channel's The Kelly File embraces the media with her keen investigative skills and no-nonsense issues that hit the mark.

Megyn Kelly, one of Fox News Channel's brightest stars, hosts The Kelly File, a prime-time in-depth news program with 2.5 million viewers. Blessed with supermodel beauty, razor-sharp intellect and insightful reporting in a "tell it like it is" voice, this former Chicago-based attorney and Washington, DC investigative journalist seems to have it all. Kelly joined the Fox Channel Network in 2004 as a Washington-based correspondent, where she covered breaking news and reported live from political events such as the 2008 presidential race and the 2013 government shutdown as well as the Boston Marathon bombing, the election of Pope Francis and the chilling shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

Banking on Kelly's skills as a former litigator, The Kelly File provides a platform for developing stories as events untold, a forum where Kelly incites passionate opinions in controversial interviews i a style that is often as inviting as it is challenging. Ranked as the number two program in cable news, the show has consistently exceeded its Sister program, The O'Reilly Factor, in ratings since its inception in October 2013, and succeeds Fox's previous entry in the afternoon, America Live with Megyn Kelly.

In 2014, Kelly was honored as one of Time magazine's World's 100 Most Influential People. Her chaperone for the evening was husband Douglas Brunt, the former President and CEO of Authentium, and novelist whom she married in 2008. Together, they parent Edward Yates, Yardley and Thatcher, all under age five. Passionate about the important role working moms play in our society, Kelly recently took a tough stance when she put fellow Fox male commentators in their place after they made sexist comments about female breadwinners.

Raised in Albany, NY, by her mother, a nurse, and college professor father, Kelly seemed destined for success. Not just a scholar in high school, she also excelled in basketball and as cheerleading captain. When Cosmopolitan recently asked about her five-year plan, she said, "I don't really believe in that — but if you keep your nose down and work hard, opportunities Will present themselves."

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ABOVE: Honoree Kelly and husband, novelist Douglas Brunt, attend Time's Gala for The World's 100 Most Influential People at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City.

TOP RIGHT: Kelly speaks onstage at Cosmopolitan magazine's Fun Fearless Life Conference powered by WME Live at The David Koch Theatre at Lincoln Center.

RIGHT: The news correspondent attends the NLGJA's 15th annual New York Benefit at Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams Soho store in New York City.

Judith Norman

Judith Norman, celebrating 30 years in the furnishings industry since 1985, was the first to open its showroom doors in the prestigious Design Center of the Americas, (DCOTA), located in Dania Beach, Fla. After six expansions, the company today boasts 60,000 square feet of combined display space in their three South Florida showrooms. With the addition of their new 30,000-square-foot Judith Norman NOW showroom located in the South Florida Design Park in Hollywood, Fla., the company is recognized as one of the largest independent collections of showrooms in the Southeast.

To meet the needs of their dedicated clientele, the Judith Norman NOW showroom was created to provide interior designers and their clients with furnishings and accessories that could be acquired and delivered straight from the floors. Another showroom, Judith Norman Outdoor Living, fills a growing need for luxurious outdoor furnishings.

Always ahead of the trends, Judith Norman represents some of the world's finest brands, companies and product lines of exquisite furniture, lighting, art and accessories. "We've grown from more than a dozen in the beginning to over 150 today," says Mitchel Fine, Judith Norman Founder, President and CEO. "We have countless design firms who have been loyal customers since day one and we are grateful for their continued support."

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LEFT: "Cosmopolitan," a stunning dining ensemble by renowned designer Dakota Jackson, features a table crafted with Madagascar Rosewood surrounded by sophisticated chairs.

The Costantini Pietro "Royal" dining table, designed by Giorgio Soressei, will lend sparkle to any space with its elegant base of stacked crystal spheres.

The "Pipo" chair by Roberta Schilling, in a curvy ergonomic design, is shaped with wood and available in a variety of finishes.

Scott Diament

Scott Diament has always had a passion for collecting. Even as a young boy he was starting new businesses. "I love finance 7 creating new products and services that can meet clients needs," he says. As CEO of the Palm Beach Show Group, Diament oversees five art shows annually, all renowned for their diverse collection of top international dealers, exceptional pieces and elegant decor. "We started out with zero events and zero experience, and we are now the largest and most important show organization in our industry," he says.

A 20-year veteran in the art business, Diament began his career at Provident Jewelry in 1993 and became a graduate gemologist in 1995. He used his time to build relationships Within the industry and soon developed a concept for what would become its flagship show, The Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show, one that Islanders anticipate eagerly each February.

Diament recently launched CollectorsNet.com, an international online marketplace where members can View and purchase exquisite treasures 24-hours a day. He also celebrated the opening of a Provident Jewelry store on Worth Avenue and is building a 10-story hotel on Clematis Street.

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Scott Diament, Palm Beach Show Group's dynamic CEO and entrepreneur, continues his success with producing international showcases for art.

Question: What first prompted your interest in collecting jewelry and fine art?

Answer: I have collected coins, stamps and even fossils since I was eight years old. I was always interested in unusual items With storied histories.

Question: Who has been your greatest inspiration?

Answer: My father, who has also collected all his life. He was always trying to find some undiscovered treasure. I have also been inspired by the use of technology to solve human problems.

Question: What is your work philosophy?

Answer: Discover your passion — enjoy it, make it your life and something you're proud to be doing.

Question: Your shows are renowned for their international clientele. What do you enjoy most about the diversity in your profession?

Answer: The exceptional pieces displayed for sale and the interesting people that sell these items: the dealers, buyers, collectors, art advisors, interior designers and museum curators.

Question: What advice can you offer for women and men starting out in the business world?

Answer: Find a need that is not being filled, come up with a good solution and don't give up until the world sees that it works and accepts it.

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ABOVE: An exquisite Vintage necklace from Kwiat is fashioned with sparkling sapphires and diamonds and finished in 18-karat white gold. Courtesy of Kwiat, New York, NY.

ABOVE: La Moulin Rouge, by French artist Édouard Leon Cortes, (188071969), known for his depictions of Parisian life in the 1900s, is an exquisite oil on canvas. Courtesy of Haynes Fine Art of Broadway, Worcestershire, UK.

RIGHT: A magnificent Louis XVI-style commode inlaid With brass fillets and richly decorated Japanese panels in black lacquer and gold hiramaki-e, circa 1870, was created by Henry Dasson, a renowned Parisian cabinet maker. Courtesy of Butchoff Antiques, London, UK.

Paulo Bacchi

CEO of Artefacto, Paulo Bacchi, Creates A Unique First Collection With Five Eclectic Lines Inspired By Distinct Moods and Settings

When Artefacto CEO Paulo Bacchi designed his first signature collection, Arte | 5 for Artefacto, he wanted to create something natural and warm that engages the five senses, and draws from the sultry climate in both his native Brazil and Miami, where he also resides. "Taking cues from our environment, I created pieces that are sustainable and organic, yet luxurious," Bacchi says. Natural wood shapes, curvaceous glamour, urban bustle, understated elegance and runway chic, form Canyon, Hollywood 20/40, Metropolitan, Midnight Luxe and Sartoria, five eclectic lines that create inviting spaces to gather. "Conceptualizing a place that is warm and relaxing, that can bring friends and families together, is the most important thing," Bacchi says.

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Question: What first sparked your passion for furniture design?

Answer: Design has always been an important part of my family. My father, Albino Bacchi, began Artefacto in the ‘70s in Sao Paulo, Brazil. I grew up learning the trade, along With carpentry and welding in Artefacto’s main factory.

Question: What inspired you to create Arte | 5?

Answer: I wanted Arte | 5 in particular to be natural and warm, just like Miami Beach. I love the look of raw, organic woods that give the appearance of being untouched. l nicknamed some of the pieces "Miami Beach Blocks," as a small tribute to this beautiful growing city.

Question: How did you arrive at your signature design for this collection?

Answer: instead of focusing on just design styles throughout the years, we were more interested in capturing a mood or a moment in time — like a 1940's film noir or a metropolitan city like New York or Paris.

Question: What influences your work today?

Answer: I love to travel, so i am always influenced by the places l have Visited. When i traveled to Vietnam, I noticed these discarded wooden canoes and then converted them into tall, twin eight-foot lamps called "Canoa."

Question: What excites you most about your new collection?

Answer: The sleek, lightweight fabrics from the Metropolitan furniture line, especially the "Metropolitan Chaise." The neutral color palette fits well into a loft-like residence.

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ABOVE. Paulo Bacchi's favorite piece from his new collection Arte | 5, the "Legacy Chair," is a classic piece handsomely updated as a tribute to his father featuring a carbon frame and hand stitching in natural leather.

RIGHT: The "Brasilia Chaise" is part of Metropolitan, a line that echoes the lavish lifestyle of life in a large, bustling city like Miami. It features posh details and fabrics such as plush velvets and opulent silks.

ABOVE. The "Colman Sofa" is part of Midnight Luxe, a series that reflects understated elegance by virtue of chic, geometric silhouettes and tony shades that pop like emerald green.

Richard Mishaan

Drawing From His International And Fashion Roots, One Renowned Architectural Interior Designer Creates Bold Synergy With Furnishings And Objects From Myriad Eras

Inside the pages of his new book, Artfully Modern, celebrated New York designer and Colombian native Richard Mishaan showcases dozens of eclectic interiors. Mishaan creates glamorous yet comfortable spaces of any scale, from luxurious Miami hotels to Hamptons estates, to the presidential suite at the St. Regis Hotel. In what has become his personalized signature, Mishaan transforms rooms by skillfully layering furnishings and objects from myriad eras—a contemporary fusion style.

A master at creating bespoke decor for high profile clients that include CEO's of luxury hotel chains and clientele in the fashion, entertainment and real estate industries, Mishaan's book also reveals how his style aesthetic can easily be adapted to any sized dwelling.

Ariana Rockefeller

Inspired by her iconic family’s love for nature, art and beauty, Ariana Rockefeller creates a classic, sophisticated fashion collection that pays homage to her heritage.

As part of one of the most legendary families in American history, 32-year-old Ariana Rockefeller, the great-great granddaughter of business magnate and philanthropistJohn D. Rockefeller, is making a name for herself as a Vibrant talent in the world of fashion design. Her eponymous brand, "Ariana Rockefeller" is an American lifestyle collection that debuted to much fanfare in 2011. Inspired by her family’s pastoral landscapes, equestrian pastimes, master works of art, and elegant sense of style, Ariana’s ready-to-wear line of dresses and separates, made from luxurious fabrics in classic silhouettes, pays tribute to her family’s love of beautiful, refined things, but are also designed With a chic, modern sensibility.

An avid equestrian, Rockefeller is a regular on the horse show circuit, and attends the Winter Equestrian Festival in Palm Beach. "I compete in the jumpers, and I am so excited about my new horse, Stuart, an Irish Sport Horse found for me this season by my trainer Frank Madden," she says.

Islanders will be treated to a showcase of the designer’s latest collection at an upcoming trunk show in Palm Beach. For information about the event, please visit www.arianarockefeller.com.

Alex Krivosheiw

Ever since Alexander Krivosheiw was a boy tinkering around with tools to build odd wood sculptures in his father's garage, his passion has been to create art. "I know I was meant to begin my life's work in that garage," the artist says. Today, his polished, handcrafted bronze and aluminum sculptures, that are curvilinear in form, express a "poetry of emotion" through the language of metal. A self-proclaimed perfectionist, Krivosheiw creates imposing fabrications that reach heights of 18 feet, many of which reside in museums and private collections worldwide. He has garnered international acclaim with exhibitions from New York to Palm Beach to Monaco, and soon underway, a project for the International Olympic Committee. Inspired by "love, life, beauty and above all ... expression," the artist often revisits that garage of his youth, "where," he says, "I had the freedom to be inspired."

Question: When did you first become interested in creating art?
Answer: Truly, my first real memory is when I was about six. The vivid picture I carry with me of being in my father's garage, using his tools and building abstract structures of wood, is indelibly linked in my DNA. As a child then and now as an adult, I still find myself passionately creating.

Question: What is your work mantra?
Answer: To be more efficient and constantly one-up my last experience. This requires constant discipline and commitment. You see, I am a perfectionist. But I also have to remind myself to have fun with it along the way.

Question: Who was your mentor?
Answer: My mentor was Kevin Barrett, a third generation artist and sculptor. He equipped me with all of the necessary tools and skills to catapult me forward as a metal sculptor. His instruction, coupled with his father-like love for me, grant him that place in my life.

Question: What makes your sculpture unique?
Answer: I work in the technique of metal fabrication. Some of these techniques require cold metal hammering as well as cold bending of sheet metal on custom designed jigs. Whether a piece is painted aluminum or mirror polished bronze, there are multiple and quite intricate ways into the finishing of the metal.

Question: What is your most prized piece?
Answer: At this time it is the Moore's Canova monumental commission. The sculpture will be installed at the new, luxury Solitaire Condo Towers in Taichung, Taiwan in December 2015.