naeem's first rodeo

Globally renowned fashion designer Naeem Khan stops by Houston for exclusive show and his first rodeo

Susan Plank and Naeem Khan.

Photo by Johnny Than

Few designers have amassed the sort of following as has Naeem Khan. Besides passionately loyal Texas devotees, Khan, who was born in Mumbai, counts Michelle Obama and countless Hollywood celebrities as fans.

So it was little wonder that his exclusive luncheon at Neiman Marcus was the talk of Houston’s society and fashion set. In town for a sneak peek of his new fall 2022 collection, Khan hosted a who’s-who of stylish locals at Neiman Marcus’s second floor Couture department, where models strutted in his signature looks and designs.

Fittingly for rodeo season, Khan sat with Champagne Cowgirls Kristina Somerville and Hallie Vanderhider. (The Cowgirls are a group of 20 leading local ladies who support the rodeo and are usually the highest bidders at the Junior Market Steer Auction.)

For literally his first rodeo, Khan was gifted front-row rodeo tickets — a generous offering Somerville personally presented to the grateful designer.

Fans of Khan also gathered for looks from a special Naeem Khan Trunk Show that included a curated selection from the spring, pre-fall, and fall 2022 collections.

Truly an American — and worldwide — success story, Khan has made it his mission to ensure his clothes make women look what he describes as “elegantly sexy.” The humble Khan once told CultureMap that’s he’s only truly been successful in the last decade of his storied, 30-year career.

Indeed, the future is as bright for him as one of his shimmering evening gowns.

Seen in the elegant crowd: Kristina Somerville, Hallie Vanderhider, Lesha Elsenbrook, Susan Plank, Leticia & Stephen Trauber, Elia Gabbanelli, Tara Martin, Ceron, Zinat Ahmed, Vicki West, Jennifer Torres, Kathy McCord, and Sarah McCord.

Hallie Vanderhider, Naeem Khan, and Chris Hendel pose with the show models.

Naeem Khan Neiman Marcus PA 2022 Hallie Vanderhider Naeem Khan Chris Hendel

Photo by Johnny Than

Hallie Vanderhider, Naeem Khan, and Chris Hendel pose with the show models.

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Big Hat Energy

Derby glam takes over Houston at Bo’s Place’s signature fête

Photo by Jacob Power

Patrick and Maddy Moffitt, Carol Lee and Allen Lyons, and Christina and David McAllen.

A rainbow of fascinators fluttered, linen suits caught the breeze, and guests sipped mint juleps as if Churchill Downs had taken a stylish detour through the Galleria. More than 350 partygoers turned out at the Post Oak Hotel for Bo’s Place’s ninth annual Hats, Hearts and Horseshoes at the Houston Polo Club, a Derby day celebration as vibrant as a jockey’s silks.

And one that raised a record-breaking $362,000.

The afternoon affair was chaired by Christina and David McAllen and Maddy and Patrick Moffitt, who set the tone for a day full of festivity, philanthropy, and a touch of Southern pageantry. A full slate of honorary chairs turned out in support, including Fady Armanious and Bill Baldwin, Amanda and Terry Boffone, Julie and Stephen Chen, Megan and Luke Hotze, Jayne and Garrett Johnston, Alice and J.W. Lodge, Carol Lee and Allen Lyons, Alissa and Kevin Maples, Hannah and Cal McNair, Sheridan and Robert Plumb, Millette and Haag Sherman, Christie and Mark Sullivan, Hallie Vanderhider, and Kelli and John Weinzierl — all helping to crown Bo’s Place as a winning cause.

Inside, the decor nodded to bluegrass charm with racing-themed tapestries, umbrellaed garden tables, and a life-size horse draped in a lush blanket of red roses. H-E-B’s red rose centerpieces bloomed from every table, and the whole space shimmered with a “wait, are we still in Houston?” energy.

The crowd, decked in full Derby dazzle, leaned into the theme.

Wide-brimmed hats, feathered fascinators, and seersucker suits made the room look like a couture-clad stampede. Sunshine poured through as guests clinked glasses, placed friendly bets at the racing wall, and delighted in games like “Heads or Tails,” where one lucky winner trotted off with a 14k diamond bar bracelet from Christina Greene.

David McAllen took a quiet moment to present Carol Lee and Allen Lyons with the Champion of Hope Award, a poignant pause in an otherwise high-spirited afternoon. Lee shared her moving story of how Bo’s Place supported her and her daughter two decades ago, reminding attendees why they came dressed to the nines.

Emcee Stephen Lewis, ever the crowd favorite, kept things rolling while attendees bid on auction packages and cheered on their Derby picks. And when Sovereignty sprinted across the finish line to win the 2025 Kentucky Derby, the cheers could have shaken the chandeliers.

Among those spotted beneath the plumes and pastels were Debbie and Mark Gregg, Rick Smith, Stacey and Al Lindseth, Julia and Harvin Lawhon, Lesha and Tom Elsenbrook, Gaye Lynn and Stuart Zarrow, Lauren and Rob Gray, Tammie and Andy Johnson, Jenn and Nick Altman, Kaci and Abraham Garza, Heather and Wade Clark, and Jordan and Cliff Vaughn.

Photo by Jacob Power

Patrick and Maddy Moffitt, Carol Lee and Allen Lyons, and Christina and David McAllen.