Black Tie & Tales 12.01.16

From adorable escorts to fashion double-takes, here's the latest on the social scene...

By Niki Kottmann
| 1:40 p.m. November 30, 2016

Shani Walker reacts to the news that she won best shoes, judged by designer Adrienne Vittadini.

Black Tie

Pardon the Interruption

The Wine Women & Shoes Signature Luncheon is known as one of the rowdier events of the season, but the ladies at this year’s event on Nov. 18 started getting too loud for one guest’s liking. At one point, actress Jessica Garret was performing an elegant spoken-word piece that highlighted some of the struggles that Forty Carrots Family Center can help families overcome when Marko Radisic came onstage and politely asked Garret to pause.

Actress Jessica Garret performs a spoken word piece about a story of survival made possible by Forty Carrots Family Center. Photo by Niki Kottmann

He expressed his disappointment with the women in the room who weren’t listening to the performance and reminded them that “this is what we’re here for.” Garret then resumed her performance, but not before a chorus of loud applause from those who appeared to agree with him.

Tidbits

Special Welcome… Everyone was all smiles at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County’s Honoring Champions for Children Gala Nov. 19. Why? Every guest was greeted at the valet stand by a club attendee who introduced him/herself and walked guests to the

Cobie, 12, Ariana, 7, Lavondre,11, and Sydney, 10 served as the welcome/escort crew for the event. Photo by Niki Kottmann

check-in table. Some were even lucky enough to snag a hug from the adorable escorts...A Sweet Surprise...Equality Florida Suncoast went all-out for its enchanted forest-themed celebration Nov. 20. Attendees were treated to not only various delectable desserts at the sweets table, but also a special appearance by model Virginia Hughes seated in the middle of the table, blending in as a

Virginia Hughes models as an enchanted forest figure on the dessert table. Photo by Niki Kottmann

member of the forest foliage...Seeing Double...Shani Walker was awarded the Most Marvelous Shoe of the Day award at this year's Wine Women & Shoes Signature Luncheon. However, another fashionable guest was also wearing Christian Louboutin Electropump spiked black pumps. The five judges didn’t seem to realize that Ashley Kozel's shoes were the exact same — or they knew and decided to play a game of “Who Wore it Better?”