Harriett Lake is one of Central Florida's most generous philanthropists. Some of her passions include cancer research, the performing arts and fashion.

This Longwood resident is known around Winter Park for her wardrobe and famous hats, but most famously for her philanthropy, outspoken support and love for the Orlando Ballet. Harriett came to Orlando from Miami with her late husband, Hymen Lake, a lawyer-turned-land developer in 1958. Some great investments, including buying marshy land at what is now known as Sand Lake Road, helped earn the money Harriett now happily gives away. She donates to more than 180 charities a year, including those to benefit children, curing cancer and the arts.

Lake's recent contributions include $1 million to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, $500,000 to the breast cancer center at Florida Hospital, $500,000 to Orlando Health, $500,000 to the University of Central Florida's theater program, $250,000 to Women Playing for TIME to fund a dragon boat racing program for breast cancer survivors, $100,000 to the Orlando Shakespeare Theater and $100,000 to the Orlando Ballet, as well as a donation to the building fund for Congregation Ohev Shalom. She has also donated $10,000 a year for more than 12 years to the Headdress Ball, a black-tie fundraiser that benefits AIDS awareness. "The donations section of my tax return is nine pages long I don't remember everything I've contributed to,'' Lake says. "Only the IRS knows for sure."

Harriett has also been known to have quite a sense of humor. For example, when the performing arts center asked if they could name something in her honor (like a building), the vivacious benefactor suggested they name the first-floor ladies room for her.

Her collection of clothes and accessories, especially her trademark hats, is legendary. Her hats have even been featured for years at "Harriett's Happy Hour" for attendees to take pictures with! For the past few years, the Orlando Museum of Art has displayed dozens of her bejeweled Judith Leiber purses during its annual Festival of Trees. When we asked what will eventually happen to her collection, she chuckled, "That'll be for my daughter (Shelley) to figure out. Half of what I have is 'one size fits all.' That'll be one big flea market sale."

Her passion for the arts doesn't come from her own drive to create art, except for a small stint as a tap dancer when she was 5 (she jokes). But even though she won't take claim to being an artist, it takes a great eye to see fashion and make it your own the way she does. Her love affair with clothes came at the young age of 5 or 6. "A woman across the road bought her grandchildren high-fashion duds from New York City and gave me the hand-me-downs." She remembers marveling over the detail and craftsmanship, even then. She was hooked.

Park Avenue Fashion Week kicks off its ninth year with her as the Presenting Sponsor, and we can't wait to see what she wears this year in the front row.