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    It's Party Time

    Leather and Laces, Part II: Fierce models, reality TV billionaire and UH football coach celebrate

    Jayme Lamm
    Jayme lamm
    Feb 6, 2017 | 6:00 am

    Emily Ratajkowski knows how to work a red carpet. At the Saturday night edition of Leather and Laces at Hughes Manor, the model/actress and party co-host donned a bright mini sequined dress that looked as if it was made for her and posed for photos with complete and utter fierceness, though notably skipping every interview.

    After appearing topless in the infamous Robin Thicke "Blurred Lines" video (which sort of jump started her fame), a red carpet is clearly a piece of cake for Ratajkowski, all in a day's work.

    At least she showed up. By 12:30, there had been no sight of co-host Sara Sampaio, so the model either took fashionably late to a whole new level, or she chose another event Saturday night. Or maybe that Washington Ave. traffic got the best of her.

    Seen walking the red carpet were model Alessandra Ambrosio, Houston billionaire and reality TV star Tilman Fertitta, University of Houston head football coach Major Applewhite, and players Christian Covington (Houston Texans), Paul Francisco (New England Patriots), Vonta Leach (Texans), Jason Horton (Green Bay Packers), and Remy Adoyle (New Orleans Saints), as well as NFL alums Ryan Neufeld and Randal Williams.

    As guests finally migrated away from the red carpet and into the party areas, the club was soon packed with mingling, drinking and dancing until the closing hours. Not much talk about football, just good times and embracing the Houston party life.

    The popular party celebrated its 14th anniversary, having been founded in Houston back in 2004, leading up to Super Bowl XXXVIII.

    Guests lingered throughout the club, enjoying drinks, good music and a diverse crowd to people watch. Cirque USA was onsite, doing mini performances, even swinging and performing over top of the crowd, taking social media posts to new heights.

    Another highlight was the massive and well-maintained silent auction, spread out throughout the Manor. Among the items were a signed JJ Watt jersey (valued at $2,800), a signed Matt Ryan jersey (this year’s new MVP, valued at $2,950) and a signed Tom Brady jersey (valued at $4,500).

    New Orleans Saints Remy Adoyle shows off his 2010 Super Bowl Championship ring.

    Leather and Laces Saturday night ring
    Photo by F. Carter Smith
    New Orleans Saints Remy Adoyle shows off his 2010 Super Bowl Championship ring.
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    Shopping Fantasia

    Houston Ballet’s Nutcracker preview party sets new donation record

    Joel Luks
    Dec 4, 2025 | 2:00 pm
    Houston Nutcracker Market Preview Party 2025
    Photo by Daniel Ortiz
    Houston Ballet Academy Dancers.

    The Houston holiday season doesn’t officially begin until the Nutcracker Market throws open its doors, and this year’s Wells Fargo Preview Party felt like stepping into a snow globe set on extra. Like more is more.

    Somewhere between the cheeky stocking stuffers and the Dior-kissed repurposed couture, guests needed an actual map to conquer the sprawling shopping fantasia.

    Held November 12 at NRG Center, the 45th anniversary celebration of the Houston Ballet shopping fête welcomed more than 5,000 eager shoppers, all ready to sprint through aisles lined with more than 280 merchants. Helmed by chairs Susan Binney and Jennifer Kushner, along with preview party chairs Leslie Alston, Kaylon Phillips, and Casey Rowe, the evening shimmered with nostalgia. Guests showed up in themed attire ranging from glittery holiday chic to coordinated squads that looked like flash mobs armed with credit cards and a mission.

    Houston Ballet’s new executive director Sonja Kostich arrived for her very first Nutcracker Market, greeting supporters and soaking in the community’s devotion to a beloved tradition that fuels the Ballet’s mission and scholarship programs. Houston Ballet Academy students glided through the party in costumes from Stanton Welch’s The Nutcracker, creating photo ops. Principal dancer Harper Watters and Houston Ballet icon Lauren Anderson also made appearances.

    Festive cocktails, champagne flutes, and a parade of hors d’oeuvre and desserts satisfied while the David Caceres Band kept the energy high. By the end of the night, the Preview Party had raised nearly $1.5 million in ticket sales and commissions — a record for the Market.

    Moreover, more than 104,000 shoppers showed up during the November 13-16 festivities. All in, ticket sales surpassed $24 million and raised more than $6 million to directly support Houston Ballet, its Academy and scholarship program.

    Showing their holiday spirit were Kristy Bradshaw, Ann Bean, Wendy Burks, Anne Chao, Gay Currie, Tom DeBesse, Arcy Muñoz Marshall, Sharon Erskine, Ann Graham, Twana Griffith Faykus, Michelle Iversen Jeffery, Jay Jones, Julie Kent, Deborah and Edward Koehler, Chad Libertus, Desrye Morgan, Beth Muecke, Patti Murphy, Jennifer Sommers, S. Shawn Stephens, Allison Thacker, Cynthia Wolff, Deborah Duncan, Ghada Ali, Carolina Oliveira, Catarina R. Gonzales, and Miya Shay.

    Houston Nutcracker Market Preview Party 2025

    Photo by Daniel Ortiz

    Houston Ballet Academy Dancers.

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