St. Mary show on Longboat Key benefits fashionistas, fauna

By Dana Kampa
| 5:15 p.m. March 10, 2025

Led by Danielle Gladding, the models of this year's St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church take a last lap on the catwalk at Sarasota Yacht Club.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

More than 250 of Longboat Key's finest fashionistas filled the ballroom of the Sarasota Yacht Club to take in the best seasonal offerings, from casual to elegant, modeled by members of the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Women's Guild.

Billowy blue and pink florals heralded residents' excitement at getting to enjoy the best weather Florida has at this time of year, always with an effortlessly cinched belt, glamorously draped shawl or other final accent piece completing the look.

Co-chairs Kathi Shamlian and Debbie Ehret centered the theme of the Monday showcase on springy carnations and cupcakes.

Models Pam Bradley, Danielle Gladding, Julia Graziano, Bobbi Miller, Stephanie Nigro, Mike Nuzzo, Michelle Papier, Claudia Stieber and Frank Toomey stepped up to showcase the fashions supplied by J. McLaughlin, the Longboat-based boutique that often supports community causes with its "Sip and Shop" events.

Melanie Dale noted that 10% of proceeds from several of the designs featured in the show go toward benefiting wildlife conservation in the Everglades, as the store has been doing for the last eight years.

"It was a lot of fun working with the Women's Guild," she said of the show. "It was the easiest show I've done, even though it was also the biggest I've done."

Guild President Kay Kochenderfer, who on Monday was also selected to continue heading the organization for another term, thanked members for their ongoing support of the guild's activities, particularly its recent focus on raising scholarship funds for young students.

"We welcome you to a wonderful group of women," Kochenderfer said to the new members in attendance. "We are women who do meaningful work, but we do it with fun, flair and fellowship."

Design 2000 did the models' hair for the event, and Rachel Everhart provided makeup through Mary Kay.

Catherine Diao gives a cheers with her friends at the fashion show.

Kathi Shamlian helps distribute raffle gift baskets among the crowd.

Fashion show co-chairs Debbie Ehret and Kathi Shamlian, modeling items supplied by North Star Jewelry, celebrated cute cupcakes and carnations at this year's showcase.

Fashion show co-chair Debbie Ehret models the orla dress in ogee bloom.

Melanie Dale from J. McLaughlin emcees the fashion show.

Susan Miller wins a raffle basket to take home from the fashion show.

author

Dana Kampa

Dana Kampa is the Longboat Key neighbors reporter for the Observer. She first ventured into journalism in her home state of Wisconsin, going on to report community stories everywhere from the snowy mountains of Washington State to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. She has been a writer and photographer for more than a decade, covering what matters most to readers.