It's been a beautiful year in Houston — a robust economy, non-profits setting million dollar records and home sales going through the roof. No wonder then that the cast of notables that fill our space stepped out in glorious fashion in 2012.
Join CultureMap in taking a quick look back at the delicious fashion moments of 2012.
Joyce Echols, left and Elizabeth Petersen are known for their hip, youthful looks and for this Jonathan Blake fashion event they added a touch of glitz to the landscape at the Junior League.
Houston Grand Opera's annual white-tie-and-tails gala sets the ball gown standard as the ladies take the opportunity to make the ultimate fashion statement.
For the April gala, Nancy Kinder, left, wore this red Monique Lhuillier gown while Franci Crane walked the red carpet in Oscar de la Renta. The two were standouts in the high-style tableau of Wortham Theater Center.
You don't need a desginer gown to be a fashion standout. Just check out Lindley Arnoldy, left, and Lauren Baughman at the Teach for America luncheon.
Summer frocks, sun hats and super smiles — looks that work in many settings.
With the arrival last winter of Gary Tinterow, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston director, and his partner, Christopher Gardner, the bar was raised on manly sartorial splendor.
The dapper duo is always smartly turned out but perhaps never looking better than in their white-tie-and-tails at the Houston Grand Opera Ball.
Have you ever seen Lynn Wyatt looking anything less than fabulous? Impossible.
She was a standout once again at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston/Louis Vuitton dinner in the Galleria store. La Wyatt absolutely glowed in this golden brocade cocktail dress.
Well into her pregnancy, Rachel Regan took a very fashionable approach to the River Oaks tennis tournament luncheon and who better to escort her than the ever-fashionable Fady Armanious of Tootsies.
Becca Cason Thrash is on a first-name basis with more than a few leading designers but perhaps she is closer to none more than Naeem Khan.
Here, she wears a brass- and pewter-beaded dress that was a gift from the designer. She put her own fashion stamp on the look with a fur collar from Fendi.
The event was the American Express/Alberta Ferretti fashion bash at Tootsies.
Honored in September as Fashion Houston's 2012 Style Icon, Diane Lokey Farb is another femme who regularly reaches for the stars in her sparkling looks. At the Houston Grand Opera Ball, she was a show-stopper in her diamonds and the glittering gown by Valentino.
Summer casual was the appropriate look for the Hermann Park Conservancy's Evening the Park where Wayne Franklin and KPRC news anchor Rachel McNeil dressed the role, he in striped linen suit and she in strapless eyelet frock.
Always striking in fashion-forward ensembles, Lucinda Loya chose this glam dess by Zac Posen when she chaired the Child Advocates luncheon. She called on the sexy sophisticated look again in November in honor of the hot, young designer who was on the catwalk at Fashion Houston.
Best Dressed Hall of Fame honoree Cynthia Petrello wins our vote for best dressed at the Houston Grand Opera Ball in this magnificent gown by Alexander McQueen. And well she should have taken top fashion honors as chair of the gala that raised $2 million.
Always dressed to impress, Milette Sherman stepped out at Brennan's this fall in Valentino leather leggings and a smartly-tailored peplum jacket. We love this stylish lunching lady look.
Lora Clemmons is another of the city's leading ladies who never leaves her dressing room looking anything less than perfection. For the Best Dressed announcement party at Neiman Marcus, the Best Dressed Hall of Famer chose a fitted cocktail dress by Hervé Leger. A Judith Leiber minaudiere and Chanel pumps added to her uber sophistication.
Clayton Erikson proved a vision of spring at the Bayou Bend Cocktail Party in April, her lavender floral scarf the perfect accessory for the beautiful spring evening.
The invitation to the party for TV star turned artist Richard Grieco called for "rocker chic" attire and none met the fashion mandate better than Liz and Tom Glanville.
Carol Linn, on the arm of hubby Mike Linn, was another standout at the Houston Grand Opera Ball. She was a show-stopper on the red carpet in this gown by Monique Lhuillier.
All eyes were on Dr. Michael Yafi at Hotel ZaZa's Party in Pink as he made the poolside scene in this rose-hued suit by Versace. A stylish look that took more than a bit of moxie to don.
Kristy Bradshaw and Claire Cormier Thielke are always bright fashion lights in any party setting. Here they caught our eye during the Fresh Faces of Fashion event at Tootsies.
