Melanie Pace – Analog Artist Digital World

The Sugar Art Fashion Show took place during The Americas Cake Fair 2017 at the Orange County Convention Center, West Concourse Hall. Organizers didn’t know how to handle the crowd gathered, resulting in an endless wait to be seated. So I could get busy sketching, I slipped into the back row while the chaos to be seated played out. Everyone was desperate for front row seats. Perhaps people hoped some icing might fall and they could taste the fashion first hand.

A portion of the proceeds from the fashion show went to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. The New York-style fashion show displayed mouth-watering haute couture. Gorgeous edible ensembles were masterfully designed by more than one dozen celebrated sugar, cake and chocolate artisans. The fashion designers were asked to base there edible creations on famous movies and the results were quite fun. The models strutted there sweet stuff down the catwalk during this one-of-a-kind event hosted by Food Network Star, Chef Emily Ellyn and Fashion Stylist/On-Air Style Expert Melanie Pace.

When I walked back to my car, I discovered that I had left my umbrella under the seat in the convention center. I didn’t decide to walk all the way back. I tend to leave a little piece of myself everywhere I go.

Wendy Wallenberg told Terry about a fashion show at Bloomingdale’s and I decided to tag along. Terry was worried that we might not get in since our names weren’t on the list. I was going straight from work and felt under dressed with jeans and a five o’clock shadow. The event wasn’t crowded and anyone could get in. We arrived long before people got seated on either side of the runway. I decided to stand at a table facing two manikins with a sweeping view of the runway. I noticed when the models arrived with their small roll along luggage and slender figures like flight attendants. Terry scouted for food and drink while I sketched. She brought back some smoked salmon on a slice of bread. It looked delicious. I’m not sure what drinks were offered, but she went back for more.

Wendy hadn’t arrived yet and Terry was getting bored. When Wendy did arrive, just before the show started, she texted me, “I’m here, don’t forget to put me in the sketch”. I looked up and waved to her seated next to Terry. Ten percent of all sales that night would go to MD Andersen Cancer Center of Orlando thanks to the efforts of Women Playing for TIME. Melanie Pace who was the wardrobe stylist, announced the models as they went down the runway. The runway presentation involved transforming “Daytime Wardrobe into Evening Chic“. I focused on Hope each time she strutted down the runway. I mixed and matched her wardrobe each time she modeled. Fashion models seldom stand still.

I was still applying color as the fashion show wrapped up. A server offered me a peach cobbler and man was it delicious. I finished up the sketch so I could leave with Terry. Wendy wanted to shop. None of the outfits modeled appealed to Terry.