The season’s sparkler showcase that 650 guests look forward to annually is the Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center Runway Fashion Show. As in years past, the 2025 tickets sold out in about one week.
On March 28 guests entered The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota and were greeted with champagne. At 10 a.m., the red velvet ropes on gold stanchions were removed and guests pile into the racks and tables shopping for clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories curated from the SPARCC Treasure Chest, an upscale resale shop located in downtown Sarasota and run by the SPARCC Auxiliary.
Behind the scenes at the same time, Event Chair Vickie Smith and Fashion Chair Darci Jacob were handling last-minute details. As Smith tended to guests and volunteers, Jacob made sure things were running smoothly with 30 models, 30 stylists and dressers, hair and makeup volunteers, and a security team made up of volunteer husbands.
The Ritz-Carlton ballroom was transformed into a fashion show runway. This year’s show modeled seascape trends, all coming from SPARCC’s Treasure Chest.
President and CEO Jessica Hays shared that the organization answered 6,105 hotline calls in the 2023-24 year, with each one presenting an opportunity to help someone encountering domestic abuse. Rosemary Eure spoke about people making a difference using the “three T’s: time, talent and treasures.”
Proceeds from the luncheon help SPARCC further its mission, “to provide a safe haven and promote empowerment, awareness, and social change to end domestic and sexual violence in our communities.”
