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Shopping Events: A fashion retrospective, Tampa's Winter Village and the Indie Flea

 
Photo by Oxford Creative Studio Posies Flower Truck will be at the Tampa Indie Flea on November 18.
Photo by Oxford Creative Studio Posies Flower Truck will be at the Tampa Indie Flea on November 18.
Published Nov. 14, 2018

Dynamic Career: Remembering Michael Vollbracht

Michael Vollbracht was a fashion and illustration luminary who happened to live in Safety Harbor. Sadly, he died in June, but he is being honored and remembered with a retrospective at Syd Entel Galleries and Susan Benjamin Glass. Vollbracht had a long career as both a fashion designer and an illustrator. Shortly after graduating from Parsons School of Design, he went to work for Geoffrey Beene. Next he became the in-house illustrator for Henri Bendel, and then Bloomingdale's, where he created the iconic Face Bag. Vollbracht designed under his own name, but after the company folded he became one of the New Yorker's top illustrators for decades. He moved to Florida in the 1980s, working on illustration, and returned to fashion in 2003, when he became the head designer for his good friend Bill Blass' line. He resigned in 2007.

The retrospective will include original portrait drawings from Nothing Sacred, his visual diary of the 25 years he spent in New York City and the personalities he interacted with. It will also feature a collection of fashion illustrations and design boards. All of the works are for sale, and in the spirit of Vollbracht's generosity, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the St. Joseph's Hospital Foundations. The opening reception happens from 6-8 p.m. Saturday at 247 Main St., Safety Harbor. The show remains on display through Nov. 30. sydentelgalleries.com.

Local Love: Shopapalooza

There are so many events happening in downtown St. Pete this weekend, I'd strongly advise taking a ride service to avoid the parking drama. One event is Shopapalooza, a massive market of local businesses in South Straub Park presented by LocalShops1. It's so big that it happens this Saturday and again Nov. 24. There will be 150 vendors per day, with a range of goods including men's and women's apparel, jewelry and accessories, home and garden decor, arts, crafts and vintage and pet stuff. Wet your whistle at the Mermosa Wine and Craft Beer Bubbly Lounge, with proceeds benefiting Chart 411. Prolific muralist Derek Donnelly will be live painting both days, and the finished pieces will be auctioned off for charity. Children can enjoy games and activities at the Kids Zone on Nov. 24. It will be open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, and on the 24th, many vendors will stay until 7 or 8 p.m. because of crowds for the Santa Parade and Tree Lighting in North Straub Park. shopapaloozafestival.com.

So Many Options: Market Round Up

You'll have no trouble finding unique, funky or just plain cool stuff this weekend thanks to all the markets. Here are three to check out.

The Winter Village in Curtis Hixon Park opens Friday. It's so festive, with an ice skating rink, food and drink options and pop-up shops housed in PODS containers. They're all local vendors, and include apparel from Don Me Now, handmade ceramics by Circa/Forma and natural pet goodies from the Modern Paws. It's open 4 p.m.-9 p.m. Thursdays, 4 p.m.-10 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays and noon-9 p.m. Sundays. During Hillsborough County school breaks, it's open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-9 p.m. Sunday. They're closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas, but open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Christmas Eve. 600 N Ashley Drive, Tampa. wintervillagetampa.com.

The Tampa Indie Flea happens at Armature Works this Sunday and celebrates its three year anniversary with special events. Among the many vendors is Posies Flower Truck, a cute retro VW blue truck filled with unusual blooms. The business was started by two friends a year ago and now they pop up all over the bay. Check them out and buy someone a bouquet to brighten their day. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 1910 N Ola Ave. theindieflea.com.

Head out to Palm Harbor to check out the Crafty Ladies Arts and Crafts Festival, where more than 60 vendors will be selling holiday-related items and more. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 1555 Windmill Pointe Road