Best Dressed for 2016

Fashionistas in designer labels rock Best Dressed announcement party with international flair

Houston's growing international profile was never more evident than in the chichi crowd that poured into the couture salon at Neiman Marcus Wednesday night for announcement of the Houston Chronicle 2016 Best Dressed honorees. While the buzz was all about the 10 over-the-moon thrilled honorees, the diversity of the glam guests was striking.

In what once was a fairly monochromatic gathering, those attending the 34th annual event hailed from China, Cuba, Vietnam, India, Mexico, Pakistan, and beyond, making for a pleasing multi-cultural tableau, all for the benefit of the March of Dimes.

Against this cosmopolitan backdrop, Houston Chronicle chairman Jack Sweeney announced the honorees that will be feted at the Best Dressed Luncheon and Neiman Marcus Fashion presentation set for March 22 at the Hilton Americas-Houston. And a fashionable lot they were, escorted by Neiman's GM Bob Devlin and each stepping out in eye-catching designer cocktail attire.

Receiving bouquets as they approached the honoree platform were Stephanie Cockrell in Valentino, Laura Davenport in BCBG Max Azria Runway, Isabel David in Oscar de la Renta, Gayla Gardner in J. Mendel, Winell Herron in Armani, Dr. Sippi Khurana in Tom Ford, Mary Tere Perusquia in Marchesa, Rosemary Schatzman in Elie Saab, Susan Sarofim in Zuhair Murad, and Millette Sherman in Valentino.

Yet, we have to mention that the absolute best dressed woman of the night was Best Dressed Hall of Fame honoree Diane Lokey Farb, stunning in a Chanel couture dress topped with a Valentino couture bejeweled fur cape.

Among the international set attending were Mandy Kao, Savreet Singh, Karina Barbieri, Wayne Nguyen, Ruchi Murkejee, Vanitha Pothuri, Amy Dichoso, Sneha Merchant and Chau Nguyen.

Rounding out the well-heeled gathering were Best Dressed luncheon chair Yvonne Cormier, March of Dimes state director Darcie Champagne Wells, plus Christie Sullivan, Rufus Cormier, Sandy Barrett, Carol Linn, Grace Kim, Lora Clemmons, Valerie and Tracy Dieterich, Elaine Jefferson, Michael Pearce, Staci Henderson, Judge Clarease Yates, Gracie and Bob Cavnar, Jana Arnoldy, and Roz and Alan Pactor.

Savreet Singh, Wayne Nguyen, Vanitha Pothuri.

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Children At Risk

Fred Armisen brings the funny to benefit child advocacy in Houston

In a ballroom brimming with heart and humor, more than 430 changemakers gathered at The Post Oak Hotel for Stand Up for Children, Children At Risk’s annual soirée in support of Texas’s most vulnerable. Suzan and Jeremy Samuels and Beth Wolff helmed the evening as event chairs, celebrating a night that raised $360,000 to fuel the nonprofit’s advocacy efforts tackling child poverty and inequality.

The always-charismatic Khambrel Marshall returned to the stage as emcee and auctioneer. The crowd lit up for Emmy-nominated comedian and musician Fred Armisen, whose smart and quirky set — punctuated with guitar riffs and rhythm shifts — drew roaring laughter from the well-heeled audience.

President and CEO Dr. Bob Sanborn reminded guests of the organization’s mission as a nonpartisan force for strategic research and public policy. Rep. Ann Johnson brought the message home with personal reflections on the devastating realities of human trafficking and the urgent need for community awareness and legislative change.

A highlight of the evening: the recognition of Dr. Sippi Khurana as Community Honoree. Her passionate remarks, grounded in data and compassion, underscored why Children At Risk’s work matters more than ever. Her third-grade daughter, Seva, charmed the room with a beautiful invocation.

Table centerpieces from H-E-B set the stage for a spirited evening of mingling, raffling, and bidding. Silent auction items kept smartphones buzzing, while live auction paddles flew high — especially for a “his and hers” package featuring dazzling Niara Jewelry earrings.

Seen in the crowd were Ellen Sanborn, Doe and Henry Florsheim, Jenny and John Seo, Katy and Ed Wolff, Cynthia Wolff, Courtney and Zac Harmon, Ann and Jonathan Ayre, Ajay Khurana, Kristen Cannon, Nina and Clint Rand, Sneha and Nick Merchant, Alice and Matthew Brams, Shaina Perry and Jeremy Ross, Shawn and Donald Bowers, Amy and Rob Pierce, George Connelly and Evelyn Leightman, Katie and Seth Tsuru, Jayne Johnston, Dr. Julie Dickson, and David Charles.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Sippi Khurana, Fred Armisen, and Ajay Khurana.

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