Carolina Herrera's dreamy spring fashions were icing on the cake of the annual Friends of Child Advocates' Angels of Hope luncheon that filled the Hilton Americas-Houston ballroom with some of the city's most fashionable and committed community leaders. With Stephanie Cockrell and Carol Finkelstein as chairs, how could it be anything less?
Add the dynamism of Child Advocates directors at large Lucinda Loya, Rosemary Schatzman and Lesha Elsenbrook combined with the gravity of the mission of ending the cycle of child abuse and it comes as no surprise that 600 guests raised $435,000. In an interesting turn in fundraising, the raffle raised a record $46,300. Among the 10 raffle items were a pair of Tony Benattar boots from Pinto Ranch, a three-night stay at Canyon Ranch, ladies luncheon for eight at Tony's and two tickets to Carolina Herrera's fall show at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in February.
The Neiman Marcus fashion presentation of the Herrera fashions was followed by a glam NM pop-up shop in the ballroom lobby, providing the ladies the opportunity to get their hands on the beautiful designs and place their orders.
The luncheon honored long-time Child Advocates supporters Tessa Lesley and Carl Stutts. He served as a court-appointed advocate for many years, helping 16 children. Joining them in the program was Neiman Marcus GM Bob Devlin, Child Advocates CEO Sonya Galvan and Friends of Child Advocates president Tracy Eklund.
Among the fashionable ladies were Kelli Blanton, Y. Ping Sun, Mindy Hildebrand, Lynda Lighthouse Transier, Christine Transier, Jeanie Kilroy, Katya Dow, Ursaline Hamilton, Tricia Dewhurst and Nadine Boutros.
Gina Gaston, left, and Millette Sherman.
