The Central Florida community lost a true treasure with the passing of Harriett Lake. Her impact on the charitable and cultural groups of our area can never be fully measured by only her monetary donations. She infused everything she did with spirit and joy beyond quantifying. She also impacted every individual within her sphere. I was fortunate to be one such person.
Miss Harriett was known for her love of fashion and clothes. I had heard many stories of her wondrous fashion collection. The closet in her home held only those items for the current season. Equipped with a conveyer mechanism usually only seen in dry cleaners, Harriet could parade fashions at the press of a button and make her selection. Frankly, I would not have been surprised to learn it contained a backdoor that opened into Narnia. Off-season outfits and things no longer worn were housed in a warehouse.
I think Harriett Lake may have considered her clothes like others think of family photos: items that could bring to mind fond memories.
Harriet was able to combine her love of fashion with her charitable efforts in support of the Winter Park Hospital Auxiliary by opening her closet for a special sale. When I saw the announcement in the paper, I knew I had to be a part of it.
I made the pilgrimage to her warehouse, and returned with a fabulous find:
I acquired a black silk jacket with a fitted bodice and full sleeves. I was not sure if I was really cool enough to wear it and hoped that I would find the perfect venue for it. That event happened in February, 2016, when I attended the Central Floridian of the Year banquet as a member of the Orlando Sentinel’s first Editorial Advisory Board.
I paired the jacket with a white leather pencil skirt (a Goodwill find), black hose and suede booties.
I had no idea that I would meet Harriet Lake that night, but I did. “Miss Harriett,” I asked, “do you recognize your jacket?”
She asked if I had purchased it at her sale, and reached out to touch it. Her eyes instantly gleamed with history. “This is a designer label! There was a skirt. Did you get it too?”
When I told her that the skirt has not been with the jacket, she replied, “ Oh … but I like it with the white leather very much!”
I thanked her, and we each turned to find our seats.
I was elated. I couldn’t believe that the ultimate fashionista had approved of my fashion choices. I felt as if had received a gift from Harriett Lake, a gift of confidence.
Now I know exactly where the backdoor of her closet leads …
Susan Schaidt Averill, a retired school teacher, lives in Altamonte Springs.
