Ooh la, la — the diamond bezels and enticing timepieces on display in the new Omega boutique in the Galleria practically outshone the well-heeled crowd that poured in for the champagne opening Wednesday night.
The Swiss luxury watchmaker pulled out the stops for the cocktail reception in the swank emporium and the dinner that followed at the home of John and Becca Cason Thrash.
In making its Houston splash, Omega blessed Houston Ballet as recipient of its community largesse. Omega president Stephen Urquhart flew in from home base in Switzerland to host the cocktail party along with Ballet Ball chairs Ms. Cason Thrash and Greggory Burk.
Not only did Omega host the dinner, catered by City Kitchen, but the company also committed to a $50,000 table for the ball. The 2012 gala on Feb. 15 is the first Ballet Ball to offer tables at that very serious level.
(Truth in advertising. The Ballet Ball will honor this writer.)
“We felt that the ballet was the appropriate partner for Omega in establishing its presence in Houston,” Urquhart said.
Houston Ballet managing director C.C. Conner couldn’t have agreed more as he thanked Omega in a dinner toast.
So who was in the swank crowd that sat down to dinner at the amazingly beautiful table created by Richard Flowers? The Thrashes and the Burks, of course, both $50,000 table buyers along with Diane Lokey Farb and Margaret Williams, who also attended.
Special guest was Apollo astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who wore an Omega Speedmaster for his walk on the moon in 1969. The Omega ambassador was at the end of a multi-city visit that would take him home to Los Angeles on Thursday.
In the glamorous mix add Elizabeth and Gary Petersen, Lucinda and Javier Loya, Melissa and Michael Mithoff, Stephanie Perkins, Monsour Taghdisi, Randy Powers and Bill Caudell, Gregory Fourticq and Rosemarie and Matt Johnson.
