party watch

Kate Upton joins stylish Houston A-listers for fab and fashionable fête

What: Bayou Bend Fashion Show & Luncheon 2019 presented by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

Where: Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens

The scoop: More than 160 guests enjoyed the fourth annual Bayou Bend Fashion Show & Luncheon. Visitors gathered at the timeless River Oaks estate for a seated luncheon under a stunning garden tent on the lawn, with décor by The Events Company/Richard Flowers.

Eyes were drawn to the fresh flower wall filled with vibrant roses, tulips, hydrangeas, and ranunculus. Tables were set with light blue linens topped with complementing centerpieces by Stems Custom Floral.

The highlight of the event was a runway show featuring the Adam Lippes Fall 2019 collection, showcasing 42 looks to an audience of museum patrons and fashion enthusiasts. Gary Tinterow made remarks, along with chairman Elyse Lanier and designer Adam Lippes.

City Kitchen catered the luncheon, serving poached Skuna Bay salmon with green mayonnaise; heirloom cherry tomatoes with samphire; avocado with shrimp ravigote served with roasted sweet peppers, capers, and basil vinaigrette; Boston lettuce salad with white asparagus and Hotel du Cap Vinaigrette; and new potato parfait, with creole mustard and dill. For dessert, guests were served a southern pecan ball with vanilla ice cream, toasted pecans, and chocolate sauce.

The 2019 Bayou Bend Fashion Show & Luncheon raised $307,000 for the Bayou Bend operating budget. The Galleria/ Simon Property Group was the principal underwriter and Neiman Marcus served as the retail partner for the event.

Who: Kate Upton, Whitney Crane, Courtney Sarofim, Jennifer Harris, Hallie Vanderhider, Fady Armanious, Carol Lin, Nancy Abendshein, Cherie Flores, Lindsay Holstead, Adam Lippes, Martha Long, Courtney Sarofim, Mona Sarofim, Rania Daniel, Kelli Kickerillo, Elyse Lanier, Jennie Segal, Marcy Taub Wessel, Rose Cullen, Anne Duncan, Jeanie Kilroy Wilson, Michelle Foutch, Cabrina Owsley, Terry Smith, Eliza Stedman, Laura Wheless, Polly Bowden, Ann Bookout, Kathy Goosen, Cyvia Wolff, Bobbie Nau, Stephanie Tsuru, and Phoebe Tudor.

Michelle Foutch and Cherie Flores.

Bayou Bend Fashion Show Luncheon Kate Upton

Photo by Wilson Parrish

Michelle Foutch and Cherie Flores.

Ladies Who Brunch

Sky High for Kids 10th anniversary serves style, smiles and $1.7M

Photo by Quy Tran

The lively event raised $1.7 million.

Brunch, but make it haute couture. That was the vibe as Houston’s chicest do-gooders gathered for the Sky High for Kids Foundation’s 10th Annual “Ladies Who Brunch” at The Revaire. Chaired by Alex Joven and Peyton Wallace, the affair unfolded with champagne, laughter, and a shared commitment to helping children with cancer shine a little brighter.

Photo by Quy Tran

The lively event raised $1.7 million.

Returning favorite artist Tyler Kay splashed the scene with live paintings — her fourth year turning canvases into conversation starters. Meanwhile, the silent auction drew plenty of oohs and ahhs with nearly 100 luxe packages, including a private Dior shopping spree, a wine-soaked escape to Napa’s Stanly Ranch, and a private jet getaway to the Golden Nugget in Lake Charles.

Guests arrived dressed to impress in spring-ready ensembles as the ballroom shimmered in gold — a fitting nod to the milestone anniversary. The decor set the stage for a fashion show co-sponsored by Alchemia and Modern Marla, where the real showstoppers were the Sunshine Kids Cancer Warriors. Walking alongside professional models, they owned the runway with heart, confidence, and smiles.

Dr. Maggie Cupit-Link shared heartfelt remarks that brought the room back to the day’s deeper purpose. Brittany Hebert Franklin, CEO and founder of Sky High for Kids, kept the energy high as auctioneer, inspiring bids on standout items like a framed artwork by Cancer Warrior Faith, dinner with Roberto Coin in New York City, a yellow diamond drop necklace from Shaftel Diamonds, and even an adorable mini goldendoodle.

With the help of more than 650 guests, the event raised $1.7 million to fuel the foundation’s life-changing work. The funds will fulfill pledges to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Texas Children’s Hospital.

On the scene were Danielle Dubois, Abbie Byrom-Botello, Kristen Cannon, Logan Lester-Tafelski, Laura Goodson, Danny and Iris Shaftel, Kat Pressly, Jessica Morrison, Liz Grayson Landry, Dr. Makenzi Dooley, Dr. Kriti Mohan, and Sterling Dio.

fundraisers