No glass was left empty, no luxurious detail was overlooked at Saks Fifth Avenue’s cocktail party and store preview Wednesday. The hot ticket event benefited The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and drew a dazzling coterie of fashionable and philanthropic locals who clamored at the chance to get a sneak peek at the store.
The first floor was abuzz with partiers exploring the spacious new 10022-SHOE department and the genius bar concept, serving bubbles galore while David Caceres performed with his band.
A quick ascent up the spiral stairs led to DJ Mav pumping dance music to throngs of guests making their way to the sleek and spacious new 51Fifteen Cuisine & Cocktails, where the line of sparkling stilettos and dapper suits gathered around the restaurant’s bar.
In between the sipping and the socializing, there was also plenty of shopping. Saks Fifth Avenue donated all of the ticket sales and 10 percent of the evening’s store sales to M.D. Anderson’s Moon Shots Program, an unprecedented effort to rapidly reduce deaths from cancer and transform care.
Close to 1,000 guests attended the party with more than a few women donning designs by Erdem Moralioglu, who was holding court in the fashionable rotunda showcasing his collection.
The retailer's honchos were out in force including Saks Fifth Avenue president Marc Metrick, Saks executive vice president of stores Larry Bruce, Saks chief merchant Tracy Margolies, and Houston general manager Bobby Dees.
As guests made their way to the valet, they were handed a sweet and perky treat of donut holes and coffee to end the evening.
Those spotted exploring Saks’ glamorous new digs included Lucas Somoza, Becca Cason Thrash, Diane Lokey Farb, Estella and David Cockrll, Courtney and Jason Frettita, Isabel David, Claire Cormier-Thielke, Janet Walker, Michelle Smith, Jan Duncan, Tony Bradfield, Kevin Black, George Lancaster, Fred Smith, Jana and Scotty Arnoldy, and M.D. Anderson Physician in Chief Dr. Thomas Buchholz.
Weezy Dees, Michelle Smith.
