Video: Featherstone Garden Tea Party & Fashion Show

The hats were flamboyant, the scene lavish and the weather sublime. On Saturday, May 7, more than 230 people gathered under a grand white tent at to celebrate the second annual Garden Tea Party & Fashion Show, an afternoon of food, fun and fashion in support of the local arts community.

The event was held in conjunction with Featherstone’s current exhibit, “The Art of Flowers,” curated by former Dragonfly Gallery owner Holly Alaimo.

Guests at the event were treated to fashion show featuring Martha’s Vineyard boutiques and designers, including Chrysal Parrot, Hannah B., Midnight Farm, Lorraine Parish and Alley Cat. The models themselves read like a who’s-who of Island personalities—WCAI contributor Shelley Christiansen, artist Traeger di Pietro, MVTV co-founder Denys Wortman—with some professionally strutting their stuff down the catwalk, others displaying the joyful tenor of the afternoon.

The event kicked off with an impromptu parade of attendees showcasing their outrageous headwear, drawing comparisons to both the Kentucky Derby, held that afternoon, and the recent royal wedding. Cakes by Liz provided desserts.

The tea party and fashion show is the brainchild of Marcia Randol, who thought it would make a fine accompaniment to “The Art of Flowers,” a long-standing yearly exhibit at the Dragonfly Gallery that found a new home at Featherstone last year. So far it’s been a rousing success.

“It’s the perfect opportunity to bring your mom, to bring a great group of ladies and network just laugh together and have a wonderful afternoon. And that’s really what it’s turned into,” said Featherstone executive director Ann Smith.

Now in its second year, Smith said the event has grown considerably. “We had over 235 people come. We’ve gotten a bigger tent; we’ve run out of desserts, but all in all it was just really a lovely day. People are happy and joyous, and that’s what Featherstone is all about. We create community through the arts.”

“” exhibit will be on display daily through May 25 from noon to 4 p.m. in the Virginia Weston Besse Gallery at Featherstone.