Houston sure does have a lot of stylish men and women. When we asked for nominations for the second annual CultureMap Stylemaker Awards, you responded in droves, nominating more than 120 stylish men and women in the Bayou City.
Then came the hard part.
A panel of judges had to narrow the pool to 12 deserving semifinalists.
There were many more that could have made the list, but after carefully considering each and every nominee, we present a list of men and women who represent a diverse array of styles and professions. Some have made an impact on the fashion business; others have simply impressed with their ability to make a fashion statement in any circumstance.
So take a look at this list, and then cast your vote. You can vote once a day, every day, through September 23 at 11:59 pm. The top six vote-getters will move into the final round to determine the readers’ choice. That person, along with the editors’ choice and your favorites, will be honored.
Meet the Stylemaker semifinalists (listed in alphabetical order by last name) and then click here to vote:
Monica Abney
Occupation: Fashion blogger and illustrator
Website: classandfab.com
Why Monica deserves to be a Stylemaker: Monica, who founded the Classy & Fabulous style blog, dresses in a modern, yet classic way. She always looks "of the moment" and makes it look effortless. Monica's love of high fashion, fabulous style and the latest beauty trends shines through in her ensembles that feature a combination of stylish designers.
Fady Armanious
Occupation: Tootsies creative director
Website: tootsies.com
Why Fady deserves to be a Stylemaker: Fady believes that style is a way to say who you are without having to speak. In Houston, New York, Milan. and Paris, Fady is one of the most fashion forward, elegant men out there. He has his own personal style. He mixes looks his own way. Every day is a runway, he says. Fady likes to quote Audrey Hepburn, "Elegance is the only beauty that never fades."
Chiara Casiraghi Brody
Occupation: Online editor for La Palme magazine
Website: casiraghistyle.com
Why Chiara deserves to be a Stylemaker: Not only does Chiara work within the fashion and styling industry but she exemplifies the concept of style in both a material and personal sense. As a former ballet dancer, she carries herself with tremendous grace, yet she knows how and when to let go and have fun. She is active in the fashion and non-profit communities, recently hosting a fundraiser for Blue Cure at Alice and Olivia in River Oaks District.
Travis Cal
Occupation: Fashion stylist and event planner
Website: Traviscalstyles.com
Why Travis deserves to be a Stylemaker: Travis has a passion for fashion and all things beautiful. He produced his first fashion show in high school and ever since has loved to curate and create looks. With a tireless work ethic, Travis seamlessly works with local and national celebrities, athletes and socialites. His unique point of view, bold use of color and prints, and versatile mix of high-low designers and brands allow for an innovative take on how to present fashion.
Joyce Echols
Occupation: Shoe designer
Website: JoyceEchols.com
Why Joyce deserves to a be a Stylemaker: Joyce combines the unique, independent spirit of Texas – a little rough and rowdy, yet metropolitan and vogue. With inspiration from the objects she adores, she creates her distinctive, eponymous shoe line worn by such celebrities as Miranda Lambert. Her personal style is "classic with an edge, sexy but not vulgar. feminine yet masculine."
Gregg Harrison
Occupation: Attorney, photographer
Website: greggharrison.com
Why Gregg deserves to be a Stylemaker: Whether ready for the court room, a night out on the town, or a day at the pool at The Houstonian, Gregg always pulls it together. He is creative and bold with his fashion choices and pairings, and is meticulous about his pocket squares. You can see the way he views the world in the way he presents himself. "Everything is beautiful," says one person who nominated him. "He is James Bond," says another.
Michael Pearce
Occupation: Attorney, society blogger
Website: blog.chron.com/coolkids/
Why Michael deserves to be a Stylemaker: Michael is totally fearless when it comes to fashion. He uses fashion as a way of expressing his personality, but does it for himself and not to try to impress anyone else. Fashion makes him happy, and he hopes that makes others happy. He also believes that you don't have to spend a lot to look good. He is all about the high-low. He will wear a a $99 tux jacket with a $1,200 pair of shoes. It's about the look— not the price — for him.
Kavya Pernankil
Occupation: Business analyst, fashion blogger
Website: stylexkavya.com
Why Kavya deserves to be a Stylemaker: As a stylish young professional, Kavya's passion for fashion shines through her daily styles. Her style is best described as minimalist, contemporary, and chic. Kavya not only stays on top of what's in fashion, she also has an eye for what may be in fashion in the future. To her, it's all in the details of her outfits. From accessories to makeup, she has a keen eye for putting it all together and making the look effortless.
Alfredo Rojas
Occupation: Petroleum engineer; fashion designer
Website: Newunion.co
Instagram: @alfredolegario and @newunionco
Why Alfredo deserves to be a Stylemaker: Alfredo works full-time as an engineer at an oil and gas company but has been working on the side with his wife to pursue his true passion for fashion. Their hard work has come to fruition as they launched New Union Clothing. "Anytime you see Alfredo, his wardrobe will catch your attention. Anytime I go out with him, my other friends and colleagues ask about him because they are intrigued by his undeniable sense of style," says one person who nominated him.
Kendra Smith
Occupation: Stylist
Website: editsbykendra.com
Why Kendra deserves to a Stylemaker: Kendra is the epitome of style. She somehow manages to take a trend and make it into something all her own. Even from a young age, she was never afraid to take a fashion risk and always made that risk look effortless. She has a true passion and aesthetic for style that comes through in her work she does styling her clients as well as helping a girlfriend out in an outfit bind.
Tim Thorn
Occupation: Stylist
Instagram: @paisley360
Why Tim deserves to be a Stylemaker: Tim has a great eye for fashion — whether simple or sophisticated — and has an ability to bring his vision full circle as a Houston fashion consultant. His unique style combines modern men's attire with vintage flair. He is an expert on proper use of the pocket square, with an instructional Facebook video. “Style — you either have it or you don’t,” he is often quoted as saying, adding that it can be learned.
Rhonda Wills
Occupation: Attorney, reality star
Website: rhondawills.com
Why Rhonda deserves to be a Stylemaker: From the courtroom to the red carpet, Rhonda has a style that always stands out. On the red carpet at this summer's BET Awards, the “Queen Warrior” of the reality show, Sisters In Law, "looked stunning in a yellow gown which featured asymmetrical detailing, allowing her to show off her toned legs," noted The Hollywood Reporter. "It was like a breath of fresh air."
