Day Four of Audi Fashion Houston, the final spin along the catwalk for the fledgling fashion event, and all signs were go for an even greater fashion frolic in 2011. But it's hard to imagine a more fashion-significant night than Thursday when two icons of the American scene — Eileen Ford, the grand dame of professional modeling, and Lynn Wyatt — were saluted.

Yes, there was the runway show of Pucci designs from Neiman Marcus. And Marc Bouwer, the darling, stepped in with highlights of his best of the season. But the spotlight on this evening shone on the two ladies seated front and center along the catwalk that extended horizontally across the Grand Foyer of Wortham Theater Center.

All about Lynn

Wyatt was first in the focal range of the dozens of photographers who added a vibrant credibility to the scene. The evening began with a baker's dozen of her designer gowns, several haute couture, on mannequins lining the runway. In a video presentation, she discussed her life immersed in fashion from her youth as a member of the acclaimed Sakowitz retailing empire to her personal friendships with an international coterie of designers. Gowns by Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy and Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel were among the divine creations on display.

La Wyatt was divine, of course, in a stunning crystal-embellished jacket by Yves Saint Laurent and black satin evening slacks. In brief remarks, she allowed that the haute couture piece, which took 300 hours to complete, was so costly that she had to convince husband Oscar Wyatt that she would wear it for years.

"I want to be buried in this‚ but not tonight," she quipped before the sell-out crowd of close to 1,000.

Wyatt was clearly the rock star of this evening with more than a dozen fans asking to be photographed with her. Ever the gracious lady, she obliged one and all.

Tribute to Ford

The evening closed with the poignant, heartfelt salute to Ford, led by her longtime associate and "second son" Neal Hamil, who was instrumental in the organization of Fashion Houston. Four of Ford's successful models took the stage to add their praise for the woman who defined the world of professional modeling through Ford Models for more than 60 years. The stunning Carmen Dell'Orefice (who joined Ford in 1946 at the age of 16), Diane DeWitt, Australian beauty Kristy Hinze Clark (married to Netscape founder Jim Clark, a native of Plainview) and Dolores Hawkins each shared a fond memory of their mentor.

The "Eileen Ford: Six Decades of Beauty" tribute included a video on Ford's life and career with her beloved husband, Jerry. She spoke to the crowd recalling the days with her late husband and her experiences with the models on stage.

Wyatt and Ford both received standing ovations from the house that was packed with youthful fashion followers, recognized style leaders and a number of Houston old guard figures who turned out in support of Wyatt. At the end of the evening, Wyatt commented, "It really makes me Houston proud."

Looking good

Confirming Fashion Houston's credentials as a high-style event was the pride of fashionistas in attendance including Diane Lokey Farb in a fur-trimmed wonder by J. Mendel, Rachel Brown in Pucci, Janet Gurwitch in Jil Sander, Suzanne Getty in Prada, Miriam Habib in Tadashi and Debbie Festari in Carmen Marc Valvo plus fashion industry figures Cesar Galindo, David Peck, Toni Whitaker, Chloe Dao, Gregory Fourticq, modeling exec Page Parkes-Eveleth, Neiman Marcus GM Bob Devlin and Saks Fifth Avenue Terry Zmyslo.

The Fashion Houston crew — Jared Lang, Erica Garza, Nancy Golden, Neal Hamil, Rob Rutherford and Bambi Lynn — could not have been happier with the outcome.