Black Tie & Tales

+ Like mother, like daughter
You’ve heard of the little girls who raid their mother’s closet, trying on her too-big heels and blouses that fit like a dress instead of around the waist and prancing out the door in red lipstick?

What happens when the daughter is all grown up? Well, in this case, they share clothes!

Elle McComb and her daughter, Lauren, just so happen to wear the same size clothing and shoes and have the same taste in fashion. They love the same vintage tops, the same sequined dresses and the same jackets.

The other day, Elle McComb did her daughter a favor and picked up her dry cleaning, but she couldn’t help herself — she had to take a peek and see what was hiding inside the bags.

“She loved one of the dresses so much she immediately went home and ordered it online,” Lauren McComb said.

Lauren McComb is still playing dress up with her mother’s wardrobe, only now she gets to keep what she finds. Once a year, during Christmas, she’s allowed to choose one item from her mom’s closet. Whether it’s a Chanel corset top or a Chanel vintage bow purse, it’s an item to treasure forever because it belonged to her mother.

+ Mirror image
It all started when one woman said to the other, “I like your dress.”

We’re not going to play the “Who wore it better?” game, but Jean Anne Frazier and Marsha Crawford did show up to the Sunshine From Darkness Gala in the same black Caché dress. Although the two women had never been introduced before the event, they were seen standing side-by-side several times throughout the evening.

+ A new way to bedazzle
What does a woman do when she’s tired of wearing her necklace the traditional way? She loops it at the nape of her neck and lets it dangle down her back, of course!

Penny Hill was spotted donning her stunning new fashion trend out and about last weekend, and the result was so pretty, we had to take a picture.

+ Tidbits
Ladies, pin one on … Carolyn Keystone and her décor chairwoman, Susan Scholz, are inviting their committee members and other Asolo Rep supporters to donate brooches they no longer wear to the Ragtime Revival gala set for March 17, in the Ringling Museum Courtyard. The plan is to incorporate the pins into the centerpieces and offer them for sale. Costume and fine jewelry pieces, contemporary, vintage or in between, all donations are welcome, the blingier the better. Contact Laura Wood at 351-9010, Ext. 4712 or [email protected] ... Something for everybody … “What a great invitation from SMH — I think it’s the best I’ve seen.” This high praise for the invitation to Sarasota Memorial Hospital Foundation’s Corinthian Supper Club and Speakeasy came from the former board president of a major Sarasota non-profit who has seen more than her share of its ilk. The darkly dramatic triptych represents the three pieces of the party set for Feb. 25, at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota: cocktails in the style of a 1920s piano bar at Cocktails & Cole at 6 p.m.; dinner, music and entertainment from the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s at the Peacock Room at 7:30 p.m.; and dancing the night away to songs from the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and beyond at the Corinthian Club at 9:30 p.m.  Co-Chairwomen Kim Githler and Susan Jones developed the century-spanning concept; Paula Murray, of Artefact Design, created the impressive invite. For more information, contact  Lisa Intagliata, 917-1286.

+ New feature: ‘Occasions’
Black Tie is starting a new feature called “Occasions” in which we bring you details of some of the most fabulous local weddings and share engagement announcements. Whether you attended the most-talked about event of the year or want to announce your own nuptials (or send an invitation to cover the wedding our way!), send your engagement and wedding announcements to Black Tie Editor Loren Mayo at [email protected].

Black Tie Affair
Starry Night Dinner, highlighting ‘Yentl’
6:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at the home of Chris and Aimee Cogan;
Ticket $250; Call 351-9010, Ext. 4712

This weekend marks dinner No. 2 of the Starry Night Dinner Series, four exclusive dinners themed to one of Asolo Repertory Theatre’s productions. Each evening features fine wines, exquisite foods from gourmet chefs and entertainment by Asolo Rep performers. Katherine Harris, Lee Peterson and Margaret Wise will co-chair the Jan. 21 dinner, which benefits the Asolo Repertory Theatre.