ON THE FLIP SIDE: A+E < Uncle Sam’s Orchestra. The greatest orchestra you’ve never heard of. SPARCCle on the Runway. Vintage fashions take the stage. 6
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TIE
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2016
iConcept Sunday, Feb. 21, at Saks Fifth Avenue, UTC Benefiting Art Center Sarasota
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rt Center Sarasota hosted its 8th annual iConcept — an art couture runway show featuring pieces made by local artists from unconventional materials. Typically held at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, this year’s event was hosted at Saks Fifth Avenue and the Mall at UTC — and it was a hit. Guests mingled throughout Saks Fifth Avenue (always a great space for a cocktail party) and when it was time to settle down before the show, the guests with reserved seating for dinner sat down at tables surrounding the runway. Guests just there for the show gathered on the second floor, where they enjoyed light bites and a view from above. Before the start of the fashion show, artists John Karl and Gwen Thomas improved a couture gown on a model, a compilation piece made from swatches from every dress being featured in the show to follow. Chaired by Barbara Banks, Terry McKee and Jordan Berger, the event raised more than $30,000 (numbers are still being crunched) for Art Center Sarasota and brought in a recording-breaking crowd of more than 400 guests.
Photos by Heather Merriman Saba
Co-Chairs Barbara Banks and Terry McKee
Art Center Sarasota’s iConcept features an art couture runway show.
HEATHER MERRIMAN SABA | BLACK TIE EDITOR
AND THE WINNERS ARE ... Left, from top:
Shawna Medvec, wearing a kimono designed by Alexandra Lin, featuring iConcept sponsors, and Ray Pepper
n Unconventionally Couture — Ray Pepper’s “Joan of Arc Meets Prince Valant” modeled by Michael O’Hara n Outrageously Creative — Pamela Sumner’s “Dessert, Anyone?” modeled by Liz Dobbins n Uniquely Chic — Samantha Kelly’s “Blooming Color,” modeled by Jessica Cabrera
Right: Tessa Elizabeth Merkel models Dari Goggans’s “1991 was a good year” — made from vinyl and spray paint
Jordan and Stephanie Hallam