• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Junior League brings nighttime fashion show to Mote Marine Laboratory

The nonprofit held a reformatted fashion show at the aquarium on Oct. 8.


  • By Harry Sayer
  • | 10:03 p.m. October 8, 2021
  • Black Tie
  • Share

The Junior League of Sarasota has long-enjoyed its Lily Pulitzer fashion show luncheons. But with a radically different social season, staff felt a change was in order. 

The group put on a "Bright Nights" Lilly Pulitzer fashion show and cocktail party at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium on Oct. 8.

More than 200 supporters enjoyed an evening of food and fashion at Mote Marine that raised funds for the nonprofit's programs benefitting women. Guests ate food, mingled and learned more about the aquarium's ocean life before sitting for the fashion show. A number of local figures and Junior League members strutted up and down the runway wearing various Lilly Pulitzer fits. 

The night ended with a dance party that had guests learning how to salsa dance from instructors.

Shantel Norman posed for the crowd.
Shantel Norman posed for the crowd.
Junior League president Ella Lewis and GIllian Hagerty
Junior League president Ella Lewis and GIllian Hagerty
Danielle Gallagher, April Collins, Jessica Walker, chairwoman Ashley Spradley, Veronica Perrelli and Elizabeth Topp
Danielle Gallagher, April Collins, Jessica Walker, chairwoman Ashley Spradley, Veronica Perrelli and Elizabeth Topp
Laura Flood, Kim Bouchard and Amanda Baxter
Laura Flood, Kim Bouchard and Amanda Baxter
Lauren Henry and Candice Henry
Lauren Henry and Candice Henry
More than 200 guests enjoyed drinks and food.
More than 200 guests enjoyed drinks and food.
Lauren Nielsen walked up and down the runway.
Lauren Nielsen walked up and down the runway.
Rachael Sosnowski and Nathanial Weiss
Rachael Sosnowski and Nathanial Weiss
Patra Rueangaram walked up and down the runway.
Patra Rueangaram walked up and down the runway.
Kim Wortz, Jackie Strouse, Gillian Hagerty, Katelyn Kopakin, Kayla Olsen and Nicole Zimmerman
Kim Wortz, Jackie Strouse, Gillian Hagerty, Katelyn Kopakin, Kayla Olsen and Nicole Zimmerman
Barbie Gummin, Reni Berlotuzzi and Betsy Hills
Barbie Gummin, Reni Berlotuzzi and Betsy Hills
Sheila and Holly Sharpe with Sam Tichenor
Sheila and Holly Sharpe with Sam Tichenor
Ashley Coil and Allison Greenberg
Ashley Coil and Allison Greenberg
Natalie Dionne and Veronica Perrelli
Natalie Dionne and Veronica Perrelli
Preston Whittmore and Christy Strasser
Preston Whittmore and Christy Strasser
Souad Dreyfus, Bob Proudian and Christine Frezza
Souad Dreyfus, Bob Proudian and Christine Frezza
John Patti played steel drums.
John Patti played steel drums.
Villa Dragovoy, Sooyun Chun, Cindy Stimart and Kared Medford
Villa Dragovoy, Sooyun Chun, Cindy Stimart and Kared Medford
Melissa Perrin and Andrea Paul
Melissa Perrin and Andrea Paul
Alissa Silvers painted artwork that was later auctioned off.
Alissa Silvers painted artwork that was later auctioned off.
Jennifer Masters and Steffani Drass
Jennifer Masters and Steffani Drass
John and Virginia Harshman
John and Virginia Harshman
President Ella Lewis welcomed the crowd and kicked off the fashion show.
President Ella Lewis welcomed the crowd and kicked off the fashion show.
Gillian Hagerty raised money from the audience.
Gillian Hagerty raised money from the audience.
The night ended with salsa dancing.
The night ended with salsa dancing.

 

Latest News

John Atanassov and Joel King, co-owners of Blu Kouzina, are eager to serve and get to know new customers at their new location at University Town Center.
  • April 6, 2026
Blu Kouzina adds its Greek flavor at University Town Center
The Citizen Tax Oversight Committee meets once a year to review expenditures of revenue brought in from the infrastructure surtax. The 2026 meeting lasted about 15 minutes on Thursday, April 2.
  • April 6, 2026
Longboat infrastructure tax spending plan comes up $6 million short
Benderson Development's latest plans for the former Sarasota County Administrative Center property as presented to Laurel Park residents in December 2025.
  • April 6, 2026
Benderson begins trek through rezoning of 1660 Ringling Boulevard
Under Southwest Florida Water Management District's Phase III restrictions, water fountains can only run four hours per day.
  • April 5, 2026
Manatee County among 14 Southwest Florida counties under water restrictions

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Black Tie

Sheila Weiss, Michael Goldman, Dr. Helene Lotman, Ellen Goldner, Marion Levine and Sasha Rosin make up the Hope in Bloom committee.
  • April 3, 2026
JFCS celebrates 40 years of service at Hope in Bloom
The co-chairs are Darci Jacob (ninth year), Vickie Smith (fourth year) and Carolyn Castro (first year).
  • March 28, 2026
SPARCC Runway 2026 reassembles a kaleidoscope of lives and fashion
Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation President Stacey Corley with panelists Dr. Kelly Hamel, Dr. Sarah Kimball and Dr. Angela Boldo
  • March 28, 2026
Women & Medicine educates guests on women's health
Drayton Saunders acceps a Champion For Children award for MSC Foundation and President and CEO of Safe Children Coalition Brena Slater
  • March 27, 2026
Safe Children Coalition names 2026 Champions for Children
Terri King, Rocky and Liza Pappas
  • March 23, 2026
USF enjoys picture-perfect day for Brunch on the Bay
Lauren Athas, event Chair Lauren Christensen, Nati Shabat and Katie Biter
  • March 23, 2026
ODA supporters take Banyan Ball to Club Paraiso

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now