STILLA Purpose at Dancing with the Palm Beach Stars: Bio-Preserved Floral Art Supporting U.S. Veterans

On March 27th, 2026, STILLA brought its bio-preserved floral art to one of Palm Beach's most anticipated charity events: Dancing with the Palm Beach Stars, hosted by the Ray of Hope Foundation at the Mar-a-Lago Club.

The evening was a celebration of community, generosity, and service. And it marked something significant for the maison: its first major STILLA Purpose philanthropic activation on U.S. soil.

From Cocktail Hour to Auction Block.

The STILLA atelier created 11 bio-preserved floral arrangements for the event. These pieces served a dual role, first as the floral installations for the cocktail hour, setting the tone for the evening. Then, each arrangement moved to auction, with proceeds directed toward the Ray of Hope Foundation's mission to support U.S. veterans.

The arrangements raised funds through the evening's silent auction, a contribution made possible by the fact that bio-preserved floral art holds its form, presence, and value long after a single evening ends.

What Is Dancing with the Palm Beach Stars?

Dancing with the Palm Beach Stars is the flagship event of the Palm Beach Ray of Hope Foundation. It pairs prominent local figures with professional dancers for a live competition, judged by Dancing with the Stars alumni Artem Chigvintsev and Karina Smirnoff. The 2026 edition had Joey Fatone of *NSYNC serving as Master of Ceremonies.

The evening included dinner, live and silent auctions and dance performances, all held at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach.

The Ray of Hope Foundation and Its Mission

The Ray of Hope Foundation works to empower non-profits by providing resources and support needed to drive positive change within the Palm Beach community.

For this year's gala, the foundation directed its fundraising toward a specific partner and a specific outcome: mortgage-free homes for local veterans, delivered through the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

Tunnel to Towers Foundation

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation was founded in honour of Stephen Siller, a New York City firefighter who gave his life on September 11th, 2001. Tunnel to Towers has since delivered over 1,000 mortgage-free homes to veterans, first responders, and Gold Star families across the United States. Its programme targets those who have been catastrophically injured in service, as well as the families of those who didn't come home.

In Palm Beach County, the partnership with the Ray of Hope Foundation focuses that effort locally, housing veterans in the community that raised the funds.

Why Bio-Preserved Floral Art Belongs at Charity Auctions

Most gala florals are designed for a single night. They arrive fresh, they look the part, and they're discarded by morning. That model works, but it doesn't create lasting value for the people who bid on them.

Our bio-preserved floral arrangements are different. Each STILLA piece is made from natural flowers, harvested at peak bloom and treated through a plant-based preservation process that maintains their natural colour, texture, and softness for over a year. No water. No maintenance. No wilting the morning after.

For an auction setting, this changes the proposition entirely. A winning bidder takes home a piece that holds its presence in their home, yacht, or office for months, not hours. The value extends well beyond the evening.

STILLA Purpose: Giving That Reflects How We Design

STILLA Purpose is the maison's broader giving initiative — a framework for contributing to causes aligned with its core values: longevity, service, and lasting impact.

It started with a simple idea: that the work doesn't have to end when a client is ready for something new. STILLA refreshes bio-preserved arrangements after their time on board and donates them to retirement homes, hospitals, orphanages, and care facilities, keeping them in spaces where they're valued, rather than discarding them.

But STILLA Purpose has grown beyond that. The Palm Beach gala is an example: we created 11 original pieces specifically for charitable contribution, because the cause aligned with what we care about. It's not a fixed programme with a single model. It's a commitment to showing up where we can, in whatever form makes sense.

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A Considered Entry into the U.S. Market

The Dancing with the Palm Beach Stars gala also served as a point of introduction for STILLA in the United States. The maison opened its first U.S. showroom in Fort Lauderdale earlier this season, at 1003 SE 17th St, Suite 202, positioned at the heart of South Florida's yachting corridor.

Rather than a conventional launch campaign, STILLA's U.S. arrival has been shaped by participation: contributing to the spaces and events it enters, rather than announcing itself from the outside.

South Florida, with its convergence of international clientele, marine industry infrastructure, and design culture, is a natural starting point. STILLA already serves over 180 superyachts worldwide, and the expansion reflects growing demand for floral art that balances craft with permanence across residential, hospitality, and yachting environments.

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How Bio-Preservation Works

For those unfamiliar with the process: bio-preserved flowers are natural flowers, not artificial. They're harvested at their peak and treated with a plant-based solution that replaces the natural sap. This allows the bloom to retain its original shape, colour, and softness, without water, sunlight, or ongoing care.

The result is floral art that holds its form for twelve months or longer. The STILLA approach was initially developed for the superyacht industry, where movement, climate, and tight logistics make fresh flowers impractical. Since then, it has expanded into private residences, luxury hospitality, and now, philanthropic events.

Every piece is designed and assembled by hand in the STILLA atelier, with flowers selected individually for colour, proportion, and structural integrity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is STILLA Purpose? STILLA Purpose is the maison's philanthropic initiative, focused on donating and contributing bio-preserved floral arrangements to charitable causes, care facilities, and community organisations. It operates as an extension of STILLA's core values — creating lasting impact rather than disposable gestures.

How long do bio-preserved flowers last? STILLA's bio-preserved flowers maintain their natural appearance for over twelve months without water, sunlight, or maintenance. The exact lifespan depends on environmental conditions, but under normal indoor settings, they hold their colour and form well beyond a year.

What was Dancing with the Palm Beach Stars? A charity gala organised by the Palm Beach Ray of Hope Foundation, held on March 27th, 2026, at Mar-a-Lago. The event featured live dance performances judged by professional dancers, dinner, auctions, and live entertainment — all in support of U.S. veterans.

Where is STILLA's U.S. showroom? STILLA's Fort Lauderdale showroom is located at 1003 SE 17th St, Suite 202, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316. The maison also maintains its original atelier in Antibes, on the French Riviera.

Can STILLA create arrangements for charity events? Yes. Through STILLA Purpose, the maison works with foundations and organisers to design bio-preserved pieces for charitable events — whether as venue installations, auction lots, or donated contributions. Get in touch at loreta@stillaflowers.com to start the conversation.