Shelby's Social Diary

And the Best Dressed honorees are…

Best Dressed honorees, front row from left, Katherine Le, Danielle Ellis,Courtney Fertitta, Merele Yarborough, and Eileen Lawal. Back row, from left,Greggory Burk, Susan Plank, Kelli Cohen Fein, Phoebe Tudor, Courtney Hopson.
Greggory Burk, left, and Courtney Fertitta
Ursaline Hamilton, from left, Ericka Bagwell and Merele Yarborough
Danielle Ellis, left, and Terri DiRaddo
Jana Fant, left, and Susan Plank
Lauren Clark, left, John Eddie Williams and Kristen Nix
Lindsey Love, left, and Courtney Hopson
Sheridan Williams and Bob Devlin
Bobby and Phoebe Tudor, left, with Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein and Martin Fein

The guessing game starts in earnest each fall and reaches a fever pitch as the new year settles in. Who will be on the Houston Chronicle Best Dressed list?

It's Houston's version of the fashion Oscars. And this year marks the 28th go-round for socialites who have either jumped for joy or considered slitting their wrists at the outcome.

These women take Best Dressed honors very seriously, believe me. Having been involved in the process for 18 years, I've seen it all. There are those who launch campaigns each fall, courting past honorees who have the power to submit nominations. There are contenders who try to schmooze, if not outright bribe, would-be judges. There are those who, if they fail to make the list, schedule trips on the dates of the announcement party and the Best Dressed luncheon to avoid what they perceive as personal embarrassment.

And, of course, the whole thing is supposed to be top secret. But, each year, at least a few of the birdies chirp. So it's never a complete surprise—as was the case this month when anyone with an ear to the ground could have picked up the names of five honorees without much effort.

Likewise, the rumors of who's in and who's out fly. Sometimes in the wrong direction. There are those not-so-infrequent and truly painful incidences in which a woeful fashion maven, who did not make the list, receives congratulatory flowers from well-meaning friends who thought otherwise. Ouch.

The suspense was over Tuesday night when the 2010 honorees were announced at a cocktail reception in the couture salon of Neiman Marcus. Congratulations to loyal March of Dimes supporter Danielle Ellis and to Eileen Lawal and Phoebe Tudor, who each rise to Hall of Fame glory, this having been their third round in the ranks of racehorse fashionistas. All three are long-time veterans of the Best Dressed ranks, proving that one should never be dismayed by a year or two on the sidelines.

Familiar with the spotlight that shines so brightly each year on the catwalk at the Westin Galleria Hotel are second-time Best Dressed honorees Courtney Fertitta and Merele Yarborough.

Newcomers to the heady world of high-fashion elite are Greggory Burk, Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein, Courtney Hopson, Katherine Le and Susan Plank.

Don't think that this honor is based strictly on the best closets in town. You cannot work your way onto this list without serious community involvement. That means chairing, giving and working in the trenches for the city's non-profits. If you want to be included in these ranks, community service should be job one.

Cheers and applause welcomed the expected and the unexpected honorees as they were announced by Houston Chronicle president and publisher Jack Sweeney. As is tradition, they were presented colorful nosegays and escorted to the center of attention by Neiman's general manager and party host Bob Devlin. The cameras flashed in a paparazzi-like blitzkrieg.

Also on Tuesday night's program were the mother-daughter duo of Sheridan Williams and Kristen Nix, both Best Dressed honorees last year, who chair the March 31 Houston Chronicle Best Dressed Luncheon and Neiman Marcus Fashion Presentation benefiting March of Dimes. That event, headlining Oscar de la Renta, takes place at the Westin Galleria Hotel. And, yes, you can still get tickets by contacting March of Dimes.

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Power and Style

Fashion show and tequila toasts light up Latin Women’s Initiative lunch

Latin Women's Initiative gala luncheon 2025

Photo by Dave Rossman

Jessica Perez, Vicky Nehme, Raquel Thomas, and Alejandra Elizondo.

Houtson's Latin Women’s Initiative pulled off a tres chic triple threat — style, celebration, and serious giving — during its 30th anniversary luncheon and fashion show, drawing more than 850 supporters to the Hilton Americas-Houston ballroom. The event blended culture, community, and catwalks into one spectacular midday affair.

Event chairs April Ramirez Fabre and Julie Garza, alongside board president Jovanny Orellana, welcomed guests to a ballroom teeming with fashionistas, philanthropists, and a whole lot of Latin sass. The annual luncheon, show, and bustling marketplace marked a major milestone for the nonprofit, which has supported Houston’s Latin community for more than two decades. This year’s honorees, Lisset Garza and Naimeh Salem, were recognized for their years of dedicated support to the organization and beyond.

Festivities kicked off early with a shopping marketplace that opened in the morning and quickly became standing room only. Stylish attendees sipped tequila samples from local brand Titanium Tequila while browsing vendors. A specialty cocktail bar and music from DJ Freddy B kept the energy festive. Event designer Johanna Terry delivered an elegant setting, infusing the ballroom with rich emerald green tones, a nod to the organization’s 30th anniversary, paired with lush florals.

The program began with Orellana welcoming the crowd from a dramatic Y-shaped runway, as Mariachi Reyes de Mexico filled the room with music that hushed the crowd for a heartfelt invocation.

Then came the moment every fashion lover waited for: Lo Mejor de Saks Primavera 2025 (The Best of Spring Saks 2025), a luxe runway show presented in partnership with Saks Fifth Avenue, led by Heidi Turney and Hasina Starks. Applause echoed as models and a few brave Houston firefighters showed off the season’s must-haves. But the true showstopper? Actor and TV host Julián Gil, who surprised the audience by strutting the runway himself, earning whoops and cheers from the crowd. His appearance was generously sponsored by Salem.

The catwalk came alive with Latin beats and massive LED screens flashing colorful visuals, thanks to a production team led by Lenny Matuszewski and Tamara Bonar. Behind-the-scenes storytelling and videos, created by exclusive media partner Telemundo Houston, added a poignant layer to the spectacle.

As guests settled in for lunch, anticipation built for the raffle, which included a dazzling diamond tennis necklace from Zadok Jewelers. Helene Zadok herself took the stage to crown the lucky winner. All that excitement translated into impact: the event raised more than $500,000 to benefit Justice Forward, Rebuilding Together Houston, Segundo Barrio Children's Chorus, El Centro de Corazon, and Naba Shoes for Kids.

And what’s a Latin party without a proper toast?

Guests clinked glasses in a tequila-fueled cheers to three decades of fashion for a cause, then danced the afternoon away to live music from Grupo Kache. The grand finale included more marketplace shopping and lite bites, with plans already announced for next year’s fête on May 1, 2026.

Houston’s Latin glitterati showed up, including Ceron, Patricia Herrera, Leticia Fallick, Rosi Hernandez, Gloria Luna Bounds, Trini Mendenhall-Royalty, Vicky Dominguez, Becky Reyes, Maritza Gonzales, Vicki Luna, Chree Boydstun, David Cordua, Frances Castañeda Dyess, Patricia Garcia, Alba Huerta, Daisy Mendoza, Arcy Muñoz Marshall, Jolene Treviño, Mari Salazar, Leanne Schneider, Hoda Sana, Xochitl Ljuboja, Jackie Garcia, Cathryn Martinez, Mariangeles Orti, Vanessa Ramirez, Matty Restivo, Lisa Flores, Susan Dray, Marilu Garza, Conchita Reyes, Lorena Gomez, Lucia and Michael Cordua, and Leisa Holland-Nelson.

Photo by Dave Rossman

Jessica Perez, Vicky Nehme, Raquel Thomas, and Alejandra Elizondo.

fundraisers latin women’s initiative