Annual High Tea Fashion Show attracts a crowd
A number of women gathered at Earth & Spirit Garden Gallery Sunday afternoon to enjoy organic fair trade tea, cucumber tea sandwiches and scones while watching a fashion show featuring various clothing lines.
“We were blown away by the turnout,” Earth & Spirit Garden Gallery owner Diane Lampitt said.
Tables were set up under the pavilion, as well as next to the pavilion in the gardens, where teacups and plates were set up.
Although the event is in its third year, the benefactor changed this year to the Food Pantry, which received a little over $700.
“I like the idea of keeping it local on the island,” Lampitt said of donating a portion of the proceeds to the Food Pantry.
Proceeds from the funds made during the silent auction and live auction Sunday afternoon, which were donated from island artists, service organizations, restaurants and destinations, will be donated to the Food Pantry. Many guests also brought non-perishable food items with them to the event Sunday to help restock the pantry’s shelves.
A little after 1 p.m. Sunday, models began making their way up to the gazebo to showcase one of Deb Zwetsch’s many unique silk pieces of clothing, as well as clothing from the OH MY GAUZE line.
Zwetsch hand paints the silk scarves, which are inspired by the colors found in nature. She first stretches the silk out so she can paint on the fabric. When the dye touches the material, it goes directly into the molecules of the silk. She also uses the one brush stroke technique when painting.
Zwetsch also showcased clothing that she made out of bamboo during the fashion show. She said bamboo is a renewable resource because it grows incredibly fast and it does not deplete the earth. She said she began working with bamboo material, which is machine washable and dryer safe, not to long ago.
The silk clothing the models wore included tunics, capes, scarves, dresses and many different styles of shirts.
Zwetsch told the crowd that silk has amazing energy and it drapes so beautifully.
“I love doing this because it’s a collaboration of artists,” she said after the fashion show was done. “You don’t have to live in New York to be a fashionista.”
Lampitt said Zwetsch’s clothing is very creative. She said if the silk clothing was sold anywhere else, they would be paying three times the amount.
“It’s like wearing a piece of art,” Lampitt said.
The ladies who attended the fashion show gathered around the racks that had Zwetsch’s clothing for sale in an effort to find a piece that depicted the colors they wanted after the models were done showcasing the items.
Lynne Smith attended the event for the first time this year, which she enjoyed.
“I thought it was spectacular,” she said of the fashion show. “Deb Z’s designs are so beautiful.”
The Organic High Tea Fashion Show was sponsored by Zwear, Earth & Spirit Garden Gallery and Matlacha Menagerie this year.