Erica Rose Thinks Pink

It's a girl for reality TV star Erica Rose and her H-Town friends throw 'epic' baby shower

It was a sea of pink at the Memorial swankienda of Barbra and Jack Markman when they opened the doors to friends of Erica Rose, ready to celebrate the arrival of The Bachelor veteran's baby girl in September. The mom-to-be had requested that everyone wear pink. And most of them did.

In a CultureMap exclusive, Erica reveals that the baby will be named Holland Rose Gentry. Holland is a combination of Erica's late aunt's name, Holly, and the homeland of her Dutch fiancé Galen Gentry. The couple is engaged, house shopping and planning on wedding after the birth of their first child. "It's a Hollywood thing," Erica's mother, Cindi Rose, explains of the unusual order.

"The baby shower was epic," said Cindi. "It was probably the world's best baby shower. It was like a wedding." And, she allowed, the "Tickled Pink" event cost enough to be a small wedding.

The party took over the ground floor of the 10,000 square foot house and spread outdoors to the pool, which was filled with flowers for the occasion. Entertainments for guests included a Phlash Phactory photo booth, a candy bar and oodles of food from Napoli, served by nine waiters and three bartenders hired to handle the midday crush of the 97 guests.

With Lily Paxson of Lily's Events handling the organization, Nancy Marcus Golden providing her magic decorative touches and Cindi Rose creating silhouettes for more than half of the guests, it was quite the fete. Barbie Dolls proliferated amid the colorful, girly party decor. Cindi's contributions included creating "diaper cakes," which are rolled up diapers in cake pans that are whimsically decorated.

A second baby shower will be held in Los Angeles where former Houstonian Amanda Mills and Sequoia di Angelo will host.

Among the 96 guests were Staci Watson, Dr. Franklin Rose, Brittany Reichek Klingler, Nancy Reichek, Matt Burrus and Michael Pearce, Abby Lestin, Angelica Ximines Chapman, J. Michael Soliz, Dr. Monica Patel, Nicole Fertitta Stresau, Beth Bryant, Sharon Brier, Leisa Holland-Nelson, Ben Rose and Laura Max Rose, The Bachelor star's sister-in-law, herself expecting a baby girl in August.

Nancy Marcus Golden, Jennifer Roosth.

Photo by Herb Hochman

Nancy Marcus Golden, Jennifer Roosth.

luxury celebrities luncheons

Fashion Rivalry

Stages gala mixes couture, conga lines, and a little Dear Sugar wisdom

Photo by Jacob Power

Chairs Steve and June Barth, Honorees Vicki West and Ralph Burch.

Houston's black-tie thespians love a little drama and Stages was in for it. So were we.

Chaired by June and Steve Barth, with honorary chairs Brenda and Bradley Jones, the evening honored Ralph Burch and Vicki West, recipients of the Theodore Award for Visionary Leadership. The fashion stakes were quietly fierce, with June in Amir Taghi, Vicki in Naeem Khan, and Ralph in Zegna.

A fairytale garden backdrop nodded to Stages production of Tiny Beautiful Things, on view through April 19, while interactive stations — think fashion sketch artist, calligrapher, and a haiku scribe — kept hands busy and conversations flowing.

Beneath a Bergner & Johnson-designed tent, the Brown Foundation Lawn became a garden vignette with lush greenery, gold chandeliers, and florals in soft blush and moody burgundy tones. A reading from Tiny Beautiful Things by artistic director Derek Charles Livingston and associate artistic director Valerie Rachelle left more than a few of us wondering what they’d ask dear “Sugar,” the play’s advice columnist, if they had the opportunity to do so.

A tribute video to the honorees brought levity, thanks in part to George Lancaster, who delivered a string of quips about his long-running fashion rivalry with Ralph — with the Tom Ford boutique cheekily declared the ultimate victor.

And then, the paddles flew thanks to auctioneer Johnny Bravo. A Wimbledon experience featuring tennis legends John McEnroe and Andre Agassi sparked a full-on bidding frenzy, ultimately hammering down at a jaw-dropping $65,000 — prompting Derek to rise in applause. Chairs June and Steve set the philanthropic pace early with a $25,000 match as well.

Also flying: Dangerously sweet little shots that, at least at one table, multiplied into a full-blown pyramid situation. That might have been ours. Bottoms up.

The Manhattan Orchestra read the room right, delivering crowd favorites and summoning quite the dance party. The gala raised an impressive $1.3 million in support of Stages’ artistic and educational initiatives.

Among those caught in the conga line (or at least nearby) were Gwen Watkins, Leslie Wall Hassen, Angela Lee, Linda Dailey Padon, Angela and David Ramm, Kerry and Charles Walker, Kay Bruce, Kalinda Campbell, Briana Conner, Puja Detjen, Debra and Mike Dishberger, Stacy Feltham, Jo Furr, Glenda and Russell Gordy, Lauren and Bob Hagerich, Joanna Handel, Susan and Neal Hirsch, Monica and John Isgren, Myrtle Jones, Harriet Latimer, Jim Nicklos, Steven Owsley, Angel Rua and Alejandro Gallardo, Jane and Dick Schmitt, Mady and Ken Kades, Elaine and Ray Messer, John Ryan Bentsen and Lloyd Bentsen III, and Rick Evans.

Photo by Jacob Power

Chairs Steve and June Barth, Honorees Vicki West and Ralph Burch.