Black Tie highlights top moment of 2025, in photos

By Observer Staff
| 5:00 a.m. December 29, 2025

Black Tie

Sayonara, 2025!

Well, 2025, it was an interesting one. After shaking off three hurricanes late in 2024, we had a calendar shakeup in 2025, which meant we rocked the roof twice, we Wonderballed in the fall and we got our first peek inside Mote’s new Science Education Aquarium in October. All exciting stuff. Here are a few of our favorite moments caught on the Black Tie scene in 2025, and we look forward to seeing more of you in 2026.

Future marine biologist Madison McAvoy grabs a selfie with some of her underwater friends swimming in a 400,000-gallon tank at Oceanic Evening on Oct. 25. The annual fundraiser was its first in Mote Marine’s new Science Education Aquarium.

Melonie Favorite dons her favorite fascinator at Pique Nique Sur La Baie, which made its return Oct. 23 after a five-year hiatus to benefit Caring for Children Charities.

Gigi and John Kovach and Asya and Timothy Stuart Rock the Roof during the rescheduled event from 2024, which was held Feb. 22. The event, sporting a Y2K theme, benefited Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation.

Sara Scott and Lyn Sky with Terri and Michael Klauber exude the Moulin Rouge theme of Cooking for Wishes Feb. 21 to raise money for Make-A-Wish.

Ripley Williams, Kimberley Rose, Sarafina Murphy Gibson, Nitza Altidor and Ruth Weisberg whoop it up at Ringling College’s Avant-Garde.

Allison Archer and Ali’yanna Conwell walk together as “Big” and “Little” in the Live Laugh Love Luncheon Feb. 15 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Suncoast.

Gretchen Bauer shows off her lobster at the New College Clambake Nov. 6.

Grand Carnival went “Palm Royale” this year for Project Pride May 31. Enjoying the evening were Brittany Jennings, Daniella Padilla, Chrystal Whitley and Mary Van Sant.

Umbreen Khalidi-Majeed, Karen Bell and Eduardo Anaya play the part at the Circus Arts Conservatory’s superhero-themed Circus Gala Jan. 31

Models Gina Wojciechowski and Rachel Doe greet guests at Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation’s Hospital Gala Jan. 4. The event’s 1920s theme was inspired by Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s centennial year.

Rileigh Benn, Todd DeGarmo, honoree Michael Saunders, and Scarlett Schultes at the Women in Philanthropy’s Grand Soiree.

Isa Englebert asks Allan Kennedy who is it at Urbanite Theatre’s Black Party.

James Amato and James Capazola received the Palm Beach attire memo at New College’s Mighty Banyan Royale March 1. The event benefited New College’s athletics programs, in their second year.

President Tommy Gregory receives the key to the college from Maverick the Manatee at State College of Florida’s Avenues to the Future: Inaugural Dinner Feb. 7.

Molly Moore, Rebecca Marsters, Jabari Williams and Nancy Lagnese make a play for Girls Inc. at Totally Tailgate Sept. 6.

Vicki Crupi, Andria PIekarz, Joe Crupi and Cynthia Olcott hitch a ride at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium’s fifth annual Farm to Fillet March 23.

Model Wendy Rossiter and her blowup flamingo rock the SPARCC runway event.

Tom and Tanya Morlock with Luci LeClaire enjoy the Van Wezel dressed up in a Moulin Rouge theme for the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation’s annual gala March 21.