ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria Island Garden Club raised more than $10,000 during its annual fundraising fashion show and luncheon on Jan. 19.
The fashion show at The Center of Anna Maria Island featured community members as models, and some canine models too.
The featured fashions were provided by The Island Cabana, Pink & Navy, Island Charms, AMI Beach & Dog Supply and howluckyami.
AMI Garden Club member Deanie Sebring was in charge of this year’s event.
The AMI Garden Club fashion show took to the runway at The Center in Anna Maria. – Deanie Sebring | Submitted
“The addition of many small stores rather than highlighting just one really brought the community together, and the addition of men and dogs to the show added a comedic factor,” she said.
“I thought it was a spectacular event. Everyone seemed to be so happy to be together again. We had over $7,000 in basket merchandise and gift certificates given to us by the stores and businesses on the Island. The vendors stepped up and gave so much, along with 11 local artists donating their art. The attendees had a fabulous time, enjoyed the lunch, aggressively bid on the art and purchased an immense amount of raffle tickets. The Center made it all possible by giving the Garden Club the space and the use of the tables and chairs,” Sebring said.
Led by Zan Fuller, Garden Club members prepared the luncheon that included chicken salad served on a croissant. Tickets were $30 per person, with an additional $3 donation from those who enjoyed the wine provided by The Sandbar restaurant.
ANNA MARIA – The Island’s first fashion show at The Center of Anna Maria Island left attendees with an itch to shop at local Pine Avenue boutiques.
The elegant luncheon event brought around 113 patrons to The Center to see the latest in spring and summer fashions from local Pine Avenue boutiques Pink & Navy and Bella by the Sea, along with jewelry by Island Charms. Pink & Navy owner Amy Fleece and Bella by the Sea owner Jo-Ann Lefner styled the models, served as emcees for the fashion show and worked as members of the event committee.
Twelve models took to the runway to display casual clothing, beachwear and more elegant looks for men, women and children. Models for the event included Barbara Zdravecky, Darcie Duncan, Dr. Sarah Somai, Whitney Beasley, Ava Smith, Kara Bettle, Gigi Bettle, Daphne Bettle, Center Executive Director Chris Culhane, Kim Miccolette, Kelly Kary and Louise Platt. Joining her father for an impromptu final walk down the runway was Mikaela Culhane.
Prior to the runway show, event co-chairs Karen Harllee and Natalie Thrasher honored local entrepreneurs Mike Thrasher and Ed Chiles for their contributions to The Center and the revitalization of Pine Avenue as a green main street. Though Chiles wasn’t present, M. Thrasher was on-hand to receive a gift – a crystal clock in honor of the time he’s contributed to the Island community.
In addition to taking the runway as a model, Zdravecky also took the stage to give a speech on female empowerment prior to the fashion show. Culhane also stepped up to thank not only the fashion show’s sponsors and the vendors who put on the event but also the attendees, the proceeds of whose ticket purchases went to support The Center’s programs. Contributions to The Center also were raised through the selling of the orchid centerpieces used on the tables for $20 each and through the silent auction items and adventures specifically designed to help empower women to look and feel their best. All silent auction items and adventure packages were donated by local artists and business owners.
Attendees were greeted by the sounds of live steel drum music. A light luncheon also was served featuring a tropical grilled chicken salad by catering company The Loft 5 along with mini cupcakes and specially designed cookies by Hometown Desserts.
Sponsors for the event include Bella by the Sea, Beach Life AMI, Center Montessori School, Duncan Real Estate, Emerson Artist, Amy and Jonathan Fleece, Gagne Construction, Karen and Alex Harllee, Hometown Desserts, Island Charms, Jo-Ann and John Lefner, Joan McArthur, Marlane Wurzbach, Olive Oil Outpost, Palmer’s Orchids, Pineapplefish Unique Island Rentals, Pink & Navy, Salon Salon, Sheilegh Menzies, Shiny Fish Emporium, Sato Real Estate, Sounds of Steel, Mike & Natalie Thrasher, U.S. Tent and VACASA.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Come out to The Center of Anna Maria Island on Thursday, April 11 to see the hottest new fashions for women, men and kids, and support a good cause.
The first-ever Passion for Fashion Show will take center stage beginning at 11 a.m. The event will feature an elegant luncheon by culinary master A.J. Loft of The Loft 5, along with champagne and live steel drum music. Models will strut down the runway wearing the latest in spring and summer styles for women, men and children from Pine Avenue boutiques Bella By The Sea and Pink & Navy. There also will be a silent auction and Barbara Zdravecky will give a talk about her passion for women in business and female empowerment. The event also serves as a way to honor local businessmen Ed Chiles and Mike Thrasher for their work to help revitalize Pine Avenue and The Center while also encouraging local businesses to “go green.”
Pink & Navy owner Amy Fleece said the event has taken almost a year to come together. One of the things she’s most excited about, she said, is the opportunity to support The Center while also spotlighting some of the many female Island business owners and encouraging other women to pursue their passion and goals.
“There are so many women business owners on Pine, which is really neat,” she said.
Bella By The Sea owner Jo-Ann Lefner said that it’s very important for her and the other co-chairs of the event, Fleece, Leigh Thrasher and Karen Harllee, to not only showcase the female-led businesses on the Island and Pine Avenue in particular, but also to shed light on the programs available to the community at The Center.
In asking for silent auction items, Lefner said the goal was to create an “adventure” for the winners. Some of the items up for grabs include a party for 20 people at Bella By The Sea and Pink & Navy, a wine and cheese pairing lesson at Olive Oil Outpost, a luncheon hosted at Shiny Fish Emporium and a makeover at Salon Salon.
“We didn’t just want to do gift certificates,” Lefner said. She added that when asked, local business owners jumped on board to help create the experiences for the silent auction items.
Amy Fleece, owner of Pink & Navy Boutique on Pine Avenue, is joining fellow businesswoman Jo-Ann Lefner in hosting the Passion for Fashion Show at The Center. – Kristin Swain | Sun
The models taking the runway for Bella By The Sea will be showing off the latest in bold colors, particularly yellows and mustards, which Lefner said are very popular this season. She said people can also expect to see great beach hats and bags.
“You’re going to be seeing a full range from sportswear right up to dressy items,” she said.
From Pink & Navy, Fleece said people can expect to see spring and summer styles, including beachwear, for women, children and men. Everything from swimsuits to casual wear and more dressy clothes will be on display. Fleece said to expect lots of bold prints, florals and stripes.
“I want everyone to know that there’s fashion out there to feel good about yourself in, no matter what your size, your age or anything,” she said.
Each attendee will receive a swag bag full of goodies at the end of the show. All proceeds go to help fund The Center’s programs.
Tickets are going fast at $40 each and can be purchased at The Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Sponsorships are available. For more information, call 941-778-1908.
