Houston's Best Dressed

Houston's Best Dressed revealed, setting off a wild night of champagne partying for stunning fashionistas

The celebrations went on into the night following the Wednesday evening announcement of the Houston Chronicle's 2015 Best Dressed honorees, a celebration fueled pre-reveal with loads of bubbly and fashion excitement in the couture salon of Neiman Marcus.

Hall of Fame honoree Cynthia Petrello and hubby Tony teamed up with second time honorees Carol Linn, and her esposoMike Linn, and Gracie Cavnar, on the arm of hubby Bob, for a VIP table at the packed-to-the-rafters Brasserie 19.

First-time honoree Ali Fields with hubby Jay and her in-laws, Linda and Jerry Fields, headed to Fuad's with an entourage that included CultureMap's Meredith Riddle Chastang and Patrick Chastang, Estela Cockrell, Lisa and Josh Oren and Monica and Curtis Bickers.

This is the one night of the year when "dressed to kill" is a fashionista must.

Rounding out the partying throng — some headed home to celebrate, others out on the town — were Hall of Fame honoree Kelli Cohen Fein, second time honoree Gina Gaston Ellie and making Best Dressed ranks for the first time Denise Bush Bahr, Kristy Bradshaw, Katie Brass and Duyen Huynh Nguyen.

The announcement was a glam prelude to the Best Dressed Luncheon and Neiman Marcus Fashion Presentation benefiting the March of Dimes, set for March 26 at the Hilton Americas-Houston. Neiman Marcus is bringing in talented designerJason Wu. Luncheon chair Rosemary Schatzman, Houston Chronicle chairman Jack Sweeney and Neiman's GM Bob Devlin joined in the program.

This is the one night of the year when "dressed to kill" is a fashionista must. Among those stepping up to the plate in style were Best Dressed Hall of Famers Diane Lokey Farb, Dancie Ware, Phoebe Tudor, Courtney Hill Fertitta, Anita Smith and Becca Cason Thrash, looking smashing with her new short crop compliments of Ceron, who was there as dapper as ever in chic suit and bow tie.

Other femmes fantasticos cutting striking silhouettes in the gathering of some 200 were Alex Blair, Lisa Holthouse, Isabel David, Claire Cormier-Thielke, Nidhika Mehta and Phyllis Williams.

The party was not without a handsome collection of gents that included Mario Ellie, Mark Sullivan, Jason Fertitta, Cornell Williams, David Wuthrich, Mike Linn, Michael Pearce and Alex Martinez.

Best Dressed honorees, back row, from left, Kelli Cohen Fein, Denise Bush Bahr, Kristy Bradshaw, Katie Brass, Gracie Cavnar and, front row from left, Ali Fields, Cynthia Petrello, Duyen Nguyen, Gina Gaston and Carol Linn.

Photo by Michelle Watson Catchlight Group

Best Dressed honorees, back row, from left, Kelli Cohen Fein, Denise Bush Bahr, Kristy Bradshaw, Katie Brass, Gracie Cavnar and, front row from left, Ali Fields, Cynthia Petrello, Duyen Nguyen, Gina Gaston and Carol Linn.

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Intimate Musicale

Tunes fill River Oaks mansion in support of Miller Outdoor Theatre

Miller Outdoor Theatre Piano Noir fundraiser 2024

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Lynden Unger, Jacob Stein, Elizabeth and Alan Stein.

In a night that struck all the right notes, Robin and Danny Klaes opened their storied River Oaks home on November 10 to host an intimate soirée benefiting Houston’s beloved Miller Outdoor Theatre. Draped in sophisticated black and white cocktail attire, circa 40 arts patrons gathered for an evening of charming performances, fine cuisine, and meaningful chit chat — all with an eye toward supporting Miller’s mission of making the arts accessible to all.

The setting? An exquisitely decorated Kirby Drive home steeped in local lore, famously tied to the true-crime bestseller Blood and Money by Thomas Thompson, which added an intriguing layer to an already memorable evening. Was the ghost of Joan Robinson Hill roaming around? Perhaps.

Guests first mingled in the quaint, canopied courtyard, enjoying Chef Smirnov Catering’s hors d’oeuvres before being whisked into the grand ballroom on the second floor. With its baroque-inspired decor and ceiling murals, the space provided the allure of yesteryear, a theatrical backdrop for amicable chamber music.

St. John Flynn as emcee introduced performances by flutist Victor Kendall and the American Zeitgeist Chamber Ensemble, including Quantz’s Flute Concerto in G, Claude Bolling’s Suite for Jazz Flute, and Barber’s String Quartet. Adding a soupçon of modern flair, vocalists from the Music Box Theater — Rebekah Dahl, Brad Scarborough, and Austin Biel — offered their signature blend of cabaret and comedy.

Amid the musical interludes, Claudia de Vasco, managing director of the Miller Theatre Advisory Board, advocated for the nonprofit’s ongoing capital campaign. She spotlighted a recent key purchase: a grand piano specifically built to withstand Houston’s unpredictable outdoor elements. De Vasco invited attendees to become the official Miller Outdoor grand piano sponsors and make their mark on the amphitheater's enduring legacy.

Since stepping into her leadership role, De Vasco has ushered in a fresh energy around Miller Outdoor Theatre’s mission, focusing on how to better serve Houston’s diverse communities. The nonprofit’s free programming continues to be a gateway for Houstonians to experience everything from world-class symphonies to vibrant cultural showcases.

Guests in attendanceincluded Lance Jones and Allen Ueckert, John Edwards, Gabriel Olson, Carey Kirkpatrick, Lisa and Stan Duchman, Elizabeth and Alan Stein, Gretchen Gardener and Jack Watson, Lynden Unger, Jacob Stein, Karla and Romulo T. Cisneros, Senator Borris L. Miles and Cydonii Fairfax Miles, and Philamena and Arthur Baird.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Lynden Unger, Jacob Stein, Elizabeth and Alan Stein.

performing-arts fundraisers miller outdoor theatre