Hot Flash: Sarasota designer creates custom gowns for Sarasota Exotic Car Fest's Gatsby-themed weekend

The glitz, the glam, the elegance — all that the 1920s embodies was seen throughout the weekend for the Sarasota Exotic Car Fest. The weekend-long event, which was themed “Gatsby,” kicked off Friday, Feb. 21, at Rectrix Aerodrome Center with the Jet Port Reception Party. The evening featured a runway show of 1920’s fashions — including custom designs created by local designer Alice Bee.

Chairwoman Marilee Roberts approached the designer about creating custom gowns for the event — for the car models to wear, for the runway show and also a custom gown for herself.

There was not much research to be done for the gowns Bee would be creating for the event — the 1920s era happens to be her personal favorite.

“It’s a very cool era, so much texture and richness,” says Bee. “It was all about excess.”

When designing the gowns for the event, Bee’s intent was to create something “tastefully extravagant” that could be worn again — and she did just that.

For more information on the designer, click here.

Alice Bee’s tips for dressing 1920s inspired: “Dressing 1920s-inspired is about elegance, taste, style — intangible things, not the predictable costume. Don’t look like you’ve raided your mom’s dress up trunk. Before you leave the house, leave one piece at home,” says Bee.