Florida Trend: 55th Anniversary
55 Years of Florida Trend
As the magazine turns 55, we review some interesting covers and the articles inside.
December 1988
Legal Eagles
This cover is noteworthy for its portrayal of Chesterfield Smith, founder of the firm that became “Florida’s law firm,” and a young Bill McBride, who rose to become managing partner of Holland & Knight and run unsuccessfully for governor. McBride died last December.
May 1995
Celluloid
Among the many Florida Trend stories on filmmaking in the state was this one, which pictured model/actress Cindy Crawford being made up for a scene in a forgettable movie called Fair Game. The photograph drew a number of letters, both supportive and critical, including one from a reader who said she would cancel her subscription, if she had one. The issue was Trend’s best-selling issue ever on the newsstands.
May 2000 / May 2007
Aqua Men
Two recent Florida Trend covers featured men either actually or apparently standing in water. In May 2000, Lew Lautin, a wetlands mitigation banker, appeared to be face-deep in a swamp. That image was created using a carefully constructed platform. In May 2007, Jerry Maxwell, general manager of Tampa Bay Water, actually stood in the bay. The story detailed his agency’s difficult experience with a desalination plant.