Teen Court benefits from latest FemCity fashion fundraiser

By Dana Kampa
| 11:30 a.m. May 5, 2025

Longboat Key
Neighbors

FemCity never fails to impress with its festive themes for the fashion show fundraiser it typically holds at Bird Key Yacht Club, whether members are getting groovy at a disco or embracing a tropical traipse through the world of fashion with a Hawaiian theme.

Although members had to shift their biggest public event of the year across the bay while the yacht club navigates its clubhouse rebuild, they carried on the tradition of fantastic fundraiser fashion shows with an "Egyptian Night" on Friday at Marina Jack.

Bringing together fashion and fundraising, Longboat-based artist Medge Jaspan coordinated the latest FemCity event to support Teen Court with the fashion show, dinner and raffle. She provided some of her own artistic designs for the fashion show, including a flowing blue fabric inspired by her travels in Mykonos.

Jaspan thanked the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce for partnering on the charity event, along with other contributors.

The Sarasota-based nonprofit provides an opportunity for young people to learn about the justice system, aiming to redirect adolescents ages 8 to 18 with a misdemeanor or low-level, nonviolent felony charge. Rather than starting down a slippery slope, they have the chance to participate in Teen Court.

Artist Jackie Williams, a member of FemCity who has volunteered with Teen Court for several years, joined half a dozen other artists in walking the runway.

"It's about learning a lesson, not about punishment," she said. "It's not meant to scare."

Importantly, the program also allows certain misdemeanors to be expunged, which Williams said plays an important part in keeping doors open for college applications and scholarship opportunities.

FemCity board member Michele D'Ambrosio, who also walked the runway, said the organization was glad to support Teen Court Sarasota, Inc. this year. She said this event is an excellent example of how FemCity works to uplift local women in business through positivity, trust and enthusiasm.

"I'm so grateful to be a member of FemCity for four years with my dear friend, Medge, who is an original," she said.

Fellow designer Eliett Cardamone also provided outfits from her shop, Oh La La Moda, for this year's fashion show.

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Joe Cartelli and Rhonda Daniels show off their moves on the dance floor at FemCity's latest Egyptian-themed fundraiser for Teen Court.

Artist Jackie Williams walks the runway for a fashion show fundraiser to support Teen Court.

FemCity board member Michele D'Ambrosio gives her dress a swirl at the fashion show.

Artist Medge Jaspan looks on as Gloria Pacheco models a dress with one of her fabric designs at the FemCity fashion show fundraiser.

Victoria Konsavage models an etherial look at the FemCity Egyptian Night fashion show fundraiser for Teen Court.

Volunteer Gavin Karlin helps run the Egyptian Night fundraiser with organizer Medge Jaspan on Friday at Marina Jack.

FemCity members dress for the theme of the Egyptian Night fundraiser for Teen Court.

Gloria Pacheco stuns with her sheer shawl and smile on the FemCity runway.

Diane Polen models an all-white look at the Teen Court fundraiser fashion show by FemCity.

Lizbeth Zerbini throws an over-the-shoulder glance at the audience during the fashion show.

Medge Jaspan shows off some of the details in the design of the shawl Victoria Konsavage models.

Jackie Williams walks in front of the Egyptian-themed background for this year's fashion show.

Lizbeth Zerbini strikes a pose to show off her accessories during the fashion show.

The evening closes out with a belly-dancing lesson for attendees from International Productions by Tahja.

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.