Patio Fashion
Tootsies' first patio party is a blast as stylish H-Town crowd turns out for Tamara Mellon
Ever since Tootsies opened in its new location in West Ave a few years ago, owner Mickey Rosmarin has been itching to throw an outdoor party on the store patio looking out on Westheimer. With Tamara Mellon in town on a picture-perfect spring day, it finally happened — and everyone attending agreed that it was an event worth repeating.
Hosts Allie Fields and Annsley Popov gathered a group of chic friends to mix and mingle with Mellon on the patio, which was shielded from the busy thoroughfare by leafy topiaries.
Guests sipped champagne and cocktails while DJ Senega spun tunes and Mellon, who co-founded Jimmy Choo but left in 2011 to start her own clothing and accessories line, signed copies of her book, In My Shoes, and graciously posed for photographs. Models in Mellon's designs, including fringe skirts and leopard-print tops, body-hugging sheaths and killer stilettos, posed on raised boxes located in strategic positions amid the outdoor space.
In an interview before the party, Mellon was asked if there was anything people didn't know about her. "It's all in the book," she laughed. (A full interview with Mellon will appear in a future CultureMap edition.)
Popov looked smashing in an orange dress with cutouts designed by Mellon while Tootsies senior buyer for American and European collections Penne Weidig rocked it in a black off-the shoulder blouse that matched the one Mellon was wearing from her collection.
Others in the colorfully-dressed crowd included Kristy Bradshaw, Diane Lokey Farb, Tootsies creative director Fady Armanious, Kelly Lubanko, Sharin Norman, Vivan Wise, Tootsies store manager Chris Goins, Donae Charmosta, Caroline Walter, Jenny Myers, Rachael Volz, Jennifer Ban and Christina Stith.
A group of fashion bloggers, including Issa Chou, Fifi Phi, Lauren Mills and Bethany Buchanan, added a stylish touch to the party.