Black Tie & Tales 02.23.17

From a healthy girl's night out to some of the season's most creative outfits, this is the scoop on last week's social happenings.

By Niki Kottmann
| 9:23 a.m. February 20, 2017

20 plus girlfriends gathered at Yoga Shack on Feb. 13 for their third annual "Galentine' s Day" celebration. Photo courtesy of Ashley Gruters

Black Tie

Kodak moment

Cliff Roles — Photo courtesy of Molly Schechter

The king of the Sarasota social scene and everyone’s favorite cameraman Cliff Roles celebrated his 64th birthday on Feb. 17. The social photographer had a relaxing day off work, complete with lunch at Bijou Cafe alongside pal Molly Schechter. He enjoyed JP’s famous grilled cheese and mushroom sandwich with French fries and, for dessert, some delectable truffles (and Schechter notes the waiter gave them two each in honor of his special day). “It was an unusually private day for Cliff,” Schechter says. “He only knew about half of the people in the restaurant.”

Girls’ night out

Ashley Gruters, Montana Taplinger and Diana Buchanan hosted 20 of their closest female friends Feb. 13 for their third annual “Galentine’s” celebration.

Hosts Diana Buchanan, Ashley Gruters and Montana Taplinger — Photo courtesy of Ashley Gruters

In the past, the gal pals gathered for a pre-Valentine’s Day lunch, but they decided to switch things up this year and opted for an evening celebration and workout at Yoga Shack. Their instructor for the evening was the owner of Yoga Shack, Courtenay Smith, who welcomed the women to her downtown establishment, which event organizers made more festive by including a pink dessert table. “It was the perfect evening under the stars — relaxing, stretching, catching up and enjoying sweet treats and bubbly,” says Gruters. “That is truly what friendship is all about!”

Tidbits

iconcept 2017 designer Andrea Silvergleit left her loved ones crowns and bags of candy at their seats for the fashion show on Feb. 19. Photo by Niki Kottmann

Hats off to you … iconcept 2017 designer Andrea Silvergleit turned heads with more than just her juror’s-choice-winning “You Are What You Eat” ensemble on Feb. 19. The iconcept veteran always finds a clever way to celebrate her loved ones who come to support her every year. This time, she decided to leave them candy at their seats, along with a shiny metallic crown donning some of the same mirrored mosaic tiles seen in her outfit on the runway …

Bruce and India Lesser — Photo by Niki Kottmann

Dressed to impress … A few ensembles stood out at the Animal Rescue Coalition’s Unconditional Love Gala Feb. 18. Bruce Lesser donned a splatter-painted John Daly Loudmouth suit and Susan Kretz dazzled in a vibrant homemade sari ... Home, sweet home ... We’re happy to report that Betty Schoenbaum is now recuperating at home. No visitors or calls, please, but she thanks everyone for their cards and messages of love and support.