The Villages Daily Sun

THE VILLAGES ¡ª Fashion is a major part of Frankie Pilney¡¯s life.

¡°I like fashion all around,¡± she said. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter what it is. I just like the fashion look, and it¡¯s a lot of fun to shop.¡±

Monday afternoon, Pilney and several of her girlfriends met for lunch at the Waterfront Inn to enjoy the holiday fashion show hosted

by Lake Sumter Landing merchants.

As the women enjoyed their meal, models walked from table to table showing off their outfits ¡ª many featuring layered looks for men and women.

Retailers represented included Izod, Amazing Glaze and Natural Discoveries. The Tea Plantation had a jewelry display.

Those who came to watch the show and enjoy lunch were given savings coupons to the participating retailers.

¡°Everything is beautiful, and it¡¯s first class,¡± Pilney said.

Pilney said her home in the Village of Winifred reflects her classic but trendy look.

¡°I¡¯m a little flashy,¡± she said. ¡°I like things that glitter, but then I¡¯ll wear a St. John knit. I go from one extreme to the other.¡±

At Monday¡¯s fashion show, Pilney had her eye on a long, black dress coat designed by Joseph Ribkoff for Bare Dance. It sported an oversize collar and a poofy hemline.

¡°It¡¯s a coat, but I would wear it as a dress,¡± she said. ¡°When she (the model) walked in the room, I immediately looked at her. It grabbed me. I just love that.¡±

Other outfits attracted plenty of attention.

Suellen Stretch, from the Village of Winifred, liked the Bass /Van Heusen vests. These were shown in a variety of colors including black and green.

Stretch also liked a lime-green outfit by Lilly Pulitzer, which is available at Golf USA.

¡°Everything I¡¯ve seen looks wonderful,¡± she said. ¡°I think The Villages has a great mix of shops.¡±

Stretch¡¯s favorite is Bare Dance; she also was eyeing the Joseph Ribkoff dress.

¡°That is absolutely classic,¡± she said. ¡°That¡¯s beautiful.¡±

Monday¡¯s event was the first fashion show at the hotel with Lake Sumter Landing merchants.

¡°It¡¯s a way for residents to come out, take a look and see what we have to offer,¡± Kelly Fairchild, food and beverage director at the Waterfront Inn, said. ¡°Now that it¡¯s holiday season there¡¯s no getting around it: It¡¯s time to shop for the holidays.¡±

Azia Li Forrest is a reporter with the Daily Sun. She can be reached at 753-1119, ext. 9069, or azia.forrest@the

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