Models from the 2016 Boca Grande Woman’s Club fashion show
Wright, Faye Harrison and Eleanor Ahearne. Store owner Geraldine Fugate was assisted by
Jennifer Burch in picking out the fashions and Kathy Futch served as the artistic and musical
coordinator.
The Boca Grande Woman’s Club Fashion Show has been an “on-again, off-again” event
throughout the years, and is just one of the ways they support more than 30 nonprofi ts in
Florida and grants 61 scholarships to local students who are furthering their education and
careers.
In a Fort Myers News-Press article in1952 the Woman’s Club held their show at The
Gasparilla Inn & Club titled, “What Shall I Wear.” It was actually their second show of that
year’s season. The article states that their third annual fashion show was held the month
before at the Boca Grande Hotel, and was titled “Fashions for Leap Year Trappin’s.” Shops
participating were Tat Saunders of The Gasparilla Inn, Miss Grey’s Shop, Fugate’s Patio Shop,
Boca Grande Department Store and Miss Rachel’s Dress Shop.
On December 8, 1989 the Boca Beacon featured a sneak peek of the club’s show,
which was titled “Men steal the show at Woman’s Cub fashion show.” All of the fashions
represented were from island shops of the time, including Osprey Boutique, Fugate’s, the
Patio Shop, Polly Watson’s, Ariel and Ltl. Ariel.
1950s Louise du Pont Crowninshield
runway
model
at The Inn
1952 Fashion Show
During the show Creighton Sherman toasted the Woman’s Club for their newly done
improvements to the Boca Grande Community Center Auditorium, where the show was
held. Models included Jean Lumley, J.B. Baldwin, Becca Burch, Steve Seidensticker, John
Weiner, Mark Shevitski, Creighton Sherman, Nat Italiano and Art Paterson.
52 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE • September/October • 2021