Local women's networking group hosts Hawaiian-themed fashion show

Femcity of Sarasota's annual spring fashion show boasted a little taste of Hawaii on May 2 at the Bird Key Yacht Club. 

The group is a branch of a national organization that promotes networking among women business owners. The local branch spans businesses from Sarasota and Longboat Key. Medge Jaspan is the president of the Sarasota chapter and the owner of the Holistic Healing Center of Longboat Key.

“It is hard as a woman to be successful in business,” said Jaspan. “So, really we are just a support system for each other to make connections, give advice and be there for whatever we need.”

The women meet once a month for an educational lunch and have two fashion shows with the public in the fall and spring of each year. 

Jaspan said it is open for anyone who wants to move forward with their businesses and be surrounded by an environment of encouraging women.

The spring fashion show was a Hawaiian-themed party, so guests came in with their best tropical prints. After dinner, guests enjoyed an enthusiastic fashion show emceed by Jaspan.

Some of the models were Femcity members wearing summer styles from five local designers. These included Jackie Williams, Pink Sebastian by Terra Tominelli, Oh La La Moda by Eliett Cardamone, My Life Connection by Patti Bosco and Medge Wearable Art by Jaspan.

Dr. Roopa Chari introduced the sponsors of the night which included Longboat Key Dental, Safe Money Advisory, Holistic Healing Center of Longboat Key and Chari Center of Health. Chari is a Femcity member who runs a holistic medical center with her brother Deepak. They offer services both in mental health programs and integrative medicines for women in hormone balance, gut health, etc.

For each fashion show, Femcity always chooses a local nonprofit to support and promote with its members and their guests. Jaspan introduced Katherine Hermes from the SRQ Wellness Foundation and SRQ Med Spa. Hermes started the foundation 16 months ago to provide access for nutrient-deficient individuals to affordable IV vitamins and holistic supportive care. 

After spending the evening with the Femcity members, Hermes said she was seriously considering joining Femcity to be surrounded by such an amazing group of women. The event ended with the members and their guests dancing the night away to iconic music.