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    Haute summer style

    Women of Wardrobe Summer Soirée sizzles with fashion and philanthropy

    Melissa Dobrowski
    Aug 24, 2017 | 5:27 pm

    Teaming up with hot retailer Tootsies, young professional's group Women of Wardrobe (WOW) raised more than $20,000 for Dress for Success Houston at the 14th annual Summer Soiree, a record amount for the event.

    Decked out in haute summer style, fashionistas were out in full force as approximately 300 guests flooded the West Ave boutique for fun, food, and fundraising.

    The atmosphere buzzed as guests sipped, shopped, and socialized. Models from Page Parkes sauntered through the colorful crowd wearing fresh designs by Parker. Luxury shoe brand Schutz showed off its chic fall collection of must-have shoes and boots, and the Lisa Freede contemporary jewelry collection was showcased by Freede's daughter Ashley.

    Trendsetters nibbled on festive fare from Armando’s, Eddie V’s, chef Brian Caswell's soon-to-open Oxbow 7, Snap Kitchen, Revolve Kitchen + Bar, Shri Balaji Bhavan, and Del Frisco’s Grille. Refreshing summer beverages included white wine from Total Wine, specialty cocktails crafted with Deep Eddy Vodka, and sparkling water.

    Nothing Bundt Cakes donated a sweet step-and-repeat: arriving guests posed against a custom-made backdrop featuring mini bundt cakes. Live saxophonist Andre Killian accompanied DJ Senega, adding a dash of sexy soul to the hip happening. And social media mavens enjoyed plenty of instantly shareable photo-ops with two photo booths provided by My Event is the Bomb.

    KHOU’s Mia Gradney formally welcomed the lively ladies gushing, “You put the 'wow' in WOW!” She was joined by co-hosts, Women of Wardrobe president Lauren Granello, Mary Patton of Mary Patton Design, and Bria Wall. The event spotlighted the mission of Dress for Success Houston as the nonprofit's vice president, Lauren Levicki Courville, spoke about the lasting impact the agency will have on more than 3,500 women this year.

    WOW’s goal is to assist Dress for Success Houston through fundraising and volunteerism to support the organization's overall mission. Spotted among the smart set were Courtney Zavala, Lexi Sakowitz, Brittany Sakowitz, Kristy Bradshaw, Rachel McNeill, Hannah McNair, Megan Cushing, Courtney Campo, Paige Branam, Lindsey Brown, and Karishma Asrani.

    Bria Wall, Mary Patton, Lauren Granello.

    Houston, Women of Wardrobe Summer Soiree, August 2017, Bria Wall, Mary Patton, Lauren Granello
    Photo by Daniel Ortiz
    Bria Wall, Mary Patton, Lauren Granello.
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    A Princeton moment steals the spotlight at Houston nonprofit's luncheon

    Joel Luks
    Mar 10, 2026 | 11:15 am
    Emerge Build the Village Luncheon 2026
    Photo by Hung L. Truong
    Diana Villatoro Sorto.

    Ambition is contagious.

    Emerge Build the Village Luncheon 2026

    Photo by Hung L. Truong

    Diana Villatoro Sorto.

    And that was the ethos when Emerge supporters gathered at River Oaks Country Club for the organization’s annual Build the Village Luncheon, a polished midday affair centered on a simple but powerful idea: Investing in Houston’s next generation of leaders.

    More than 400 guests filled the room for the program, including Emerge scholars, for a celebration of the organization’s mission to help high-achieving students from low-income communities gain admission to and graduate from the country’s top colleges.

    Serving as co-chairs were Kate Dearing Fowler and Kate Schilling Kelm, who welcomed guests to a lively gathering. The luncheon honored Mia Mends, chief executive officer of Cushman and Wakefield Services and former Emerge board chair, recognizing her years of leadership, mentorship, and steadfast commitment to expanding opportunities for the organization’s scholars.

    One of the afternoon’s most electric moments arrived when Klein Collins High School senior Diana Villatoro Sorto stepped to the podium and announced that she will attend Princeton University this fall. The declaration sparked an immediate roar of applause across the ballroom, the kind that ripples through a crowd and lingers for longer than expected.

    The program also spotlighted Emerge alumna Marlee Morgan, whose story of resilience and academic success is an example of the organization’s long-term commitment to supporting scholars well beyond the college admissions process. Emerge’s work doesn’t end with an acceptance letter. It extends into helping students navigate college and launch meaningful careers.

    The crowd’s enthusiasm translated into tangible support. Attendees raised more than $760,000.

    On the scene were Paula and Reginald DesRoches, Farid Virani, Liz DeMontrond, Jack Blanton, Ann Stern, Elisa Villanueva Beard, and Ruth Lopez Turley, and many others.

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