Lynn Wyatt joked that when she first heard of La Perla, she thought it was a jewelry store that sold pearls. "But in fact it is a jewel of luxurious intimate apparel, and I’m glad that La Perla chose to grace our city," she said.
Just a few days before chairing the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Grand Gala Ball, Wyatt opened her River Oaks home for a champagne reception honoring the new La Perla boutique in The Galleria.
An A-list of Houston pals stopped by, including MFAH director Gary Tinterow, Diane Lokey Farb, Ford and Molly Hubbard, Laurie and Reed Morian, Phoebe Tudor, Kirby and Scott McCool, Cabrina and Steven Owsley, Ann and Mathew Wolf, Jana and Scotty Arnoldy, Lindley Arnoldy and Wyatt's son, Steve, with Joyce Echols.
Wyatt's personal chef whipped up her favorite hors d'oeuvres, including bacon wrapped dates, ham and cheese quiches and mini croquet monsieur for the crowd and offered her signature “half and half” drink of champagne and white cranberry juice, along with wine and champagne.
Richard Flowers of The Events Company added a special touch with stunning orchid arrangements around the Wyatt home.
In from New York were Ashley Clauss, representing Vogue magazine, which co-hosted the event, and La Perla North America CEO Suzy Biszantz, who assured Wyatt that when the company expanded to Texas, owner Silvio Scaglia made sure that Houston was first, which brought hearty applause from guests.
Wyatt also playfully showed guests her powder room under the stairs, which she calls the "Helmut Newton room" because the walls are filled with classic photos of her shot by the iconic photographer.
It's a busy week for Wyatt, who turned 80 in July but shows no signs of slowing down. In addition to hosting the La Perla party and the big MFAH ball, she is rumored to be the special guest at the grand opening of the River Oaks District luxury shopping center opening today.
She told Women's Wear Daily that she plans to continue celebrating her milestone year. “Everybody is giving me birthday parties all over the world,” she said. “It’s my big 8-0 so I’ve been celebrating since January. I said, ‘If somebody gives me an ice cream cone I’ll put a candle on it and make a wish.' "
Lynn Wyatt, Gary Tinterow.
