- July 26, 2024
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Co-chairs of this year's fashion show are Ann King and Sherry Kenny.
Photo by Lesley DwyerDarci Jacob provided the fashions for "Stepping Out."
Photo by Lesley DwyerTyler Butler of Out and About Sarasota has come to "take a gander" at the fashions.
Photo by Lesley DwyerPattie Meades struts her stuff at the Palm Aire Women's Club Annual Fashion Show Luncheon and Fundraiser.
Photo by Lesley DwyerDebbie Frock is wearing a duster by Pineapple.
Photo by Lesley DwyerLaShawn'te Lee is modeling in the show and is also one of the scholarship recipients.
Photo by Lesley DwyerAbout 200 people attend the "Stepping Out" fashion show at the Palm Aire Country Club on Feb. 23.
Photo by Lesley DwyerMelodie Dickerson models a military-style jean jacket by Frank Lyman.
Photo by Lesley DwyerKay Kwenski is ready for happy hour with this colorful clutch bag. Her button down shirt is by David Cline.
Photo by Lesley DwyerKathy Matheson spins for the crowd in an off-the-shoulder dress.
Photo by Lesley DwyerBeverly Allen and Be-Be Hansen have been members of the Palm Aire Women's Club for 25 years. Allen is the former club historian, and Hansen is a former club president.
Photo by Lesley DwyerJoanne Harwell is one of eight models in the "Stepping Out" fashion show at the Palm Aire Country Club on Feb. 23.
Photo by Lesley DwyerKatherine Pike opens up this black clutch to reveal its secret message.
Photo by Lesley DwyerBeverly Allen and Be-Be Hansen have attended “quite a few” fashion shows together.
The friends have been members of the Palm-Aire Women’s Club for 25 years. Hansen said she hasn’t had her wide brimmed black hat quite that long, but the former club president wore the statement piece to last year’s fashion show, too.
On Feb. 23, the club held its annual fashion show and fundraiser. Proceeds benefit local nonprofit organizations, such as Mothers Helping Mothers and Second Chance Last Opportunity.
The funds also provide scholarships for students attending the State College of Florida and Manatee Technical College.
Event co-chair Ann King said there’s one more thing people should know about the club — it’s not just for Palm Aire residents.
“You can live anywhere,” she said. “It’s open to women all over the community. About 35% of our members are from outside of Palm Aire.”
The club has about 120 members, and 200 people people attended the show. The fashions were provided by Darci Jacob, who owns Darci, a boutique on Main Street in Sarasota.
Club members and one scholarship recipient modeled the designer clothes and accessories. The models wore huge smiles, too. They waved to friends and stopped for hugs in between strutting and twirling around the room.
A mini-boutique was set up in the back of the ballroom so guests could shop after lunch. The clothes in the show were also for sale, but the models got first dibs.
Guests received a 10% discount, and Jacob donated 10% of the day’s sales back to the club.
“Fashion should be fun, instill confidence and help empower women to feel great,” Jacob said.