Splendor In The Garden Fashion Show Wows Crowd At Fairchild

On January 24^th, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden hosted the second annual Splendor in the Garden fashion show and luncheon. The event, which partnered with Neiman Marcus Coral Gables, attracted over 300 guests, and proceeds went to different programs in conservation, science, research and children’s education.

Splendor in the Garden began at 11 AM with a reception sponsored by Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte on the mosaic, followed by a fashion show at the breathtaking Lakeside Marquee. A special gift bag was placed on each chair for the guests, which included colorful flip-flops for anyone who wanted a tour of the DiMare Science Village afterwards. Shannon Hori, CBS 4 news anchor and Splendor in the Garden emcee welcomed the guests while Dr. Carl Lewis, director of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, and co-chairs Swanee DiMare and France Sevilla-Sacasa delivered the opening remarks.

Ken Downing, a fashion industry icon and senior vice president and fashion director for Neiman Marcus, then began “The Best of Spring 2013” fashion show with several models walking down the runway showered in orange, lace, cobalt blue and leather. All outfits seen on the models were up for sale after the show.

This year’s Fairchild Philanthropy Honorees included Maria Alonso, Anne Baddour, Bunny Bastian, Paula Brockway, Terry Buoniconti, Martha Clinton and Jan Risi Field. Lunch during the event was catered by Le Basque and featured Cobb salads with chicken, avocado, heirloom tomatoes, and crispy pancetta and winterberry pudding desserts.