Shelby About Town
Lynn, Becca and Diane mingle with Elton John, Valentino and Mick at AcademyAward parties
Now that the dust has settled on what the stars were wearing at Sunday night's Oscars, we can focus on the sprinkling of Houstonians who made the scene, including two who garnered highly-coveted invitations to the famed Vanity Fair Oscar party, held for the third year at the Sunset Tower Hotel.
Lynn Wyatt, a regular on Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter's guest list, captured all eyes in a stunning white silk crepe gown by Calvin Klein, a form-fitting sheath dramatically accessorized with a contemporary necklace of semi-precious stones and gold by jewelry designer Lorena Azizeh. This young talent divides her time between homes in Houston and Dubai.
Lynn's charm was not lost on her dinner partners, actor Rob Lowe and Michael Govan, CEO of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. So many stars, so many big names, even this veteran of the VF soirée was near swooning. Of course, she hobnobbed with close friend Carolina Herreraand partied with best buddies Elton John and David Furnish, who arrived around 11:30 p.m. after Elton's annual Oscar-viewing bash.
But for Lynn, the highlight of the weekend was the lavish picnic that Barry Diller and Diane Von Furstenberg hosted at their hillside home on Saturday. This annual al fresco bash attracts an A-list of directors, politicians, stars and art world notables. Wearing a chocolate brown Carolina Herrera knit dress with ruffled silk petticoat and brown boots, Lynn visited with the designer and husband Renaldo Herrera, Valentino (a little fussy about the unseasonably chilly LA weather), Victoria and David Beckham and more.
No ordinary picnic this. Picture gourmet fare, Oriental rugs lining the lawn and fancy picnic tables set up under an elaborate tent with clear siding.
Her 7 a.m. flight from New York arrived just in time for Lynn to make the Saturday afternoon party. She had been in NYC to receive the National Opera Trustee Recognition Award, another special evening where Houston Grand Opera's Anthony Freud was on hand.
Saturday evening, as is her tradition, Lynn caught up with her best pals Elton and David for a night on the town that included a few private parties and a later dinner for the trio in the Polo Lounge.
Becca at Vanity Fair
Wearing a smashing black and gold Alexander McQueen, Becca Cason Thrash, on the arm of LA-based party maestro Ben Bourgeois, was among the privileged ones to relish an invitation to the Vanity Fair Oscar dinner and viewing on flat screen TVs. This early party segued into the second tier of the evening when the Oscar-toting stars arrived. Dallas Cowboysowner Jerry Jones and wife Gene were in the early group as well.
For those late arrivals and those who hadn't eaten all night, VF served In-N-Out burgers, a casual foil to the grandeur of the gowns and the heady guest list. Becca socialized with Jude Law, Piers Morgan, Anderson Cooper, Tom Ford, Mick Jagger, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson and Matthew McConaughey. She reported that Cameron Diaz and Gwyneth Paltrow were hanging out and that Taylor Swift and Jake Gyllenhaal were up-close-and-personal in a side hallway.
Becca's observation on the various gowns — those with trains were trampled, pulled and even ripped — beautiful for the red carpet but totally impractical for the Oscars party crush.
Guests at Elton John
Diane Lokey Farb was completely glimmer and glamour Oscar night when she and stylist to Houston stars Cerón stepped out on the red carpet as guests of Marc Hruschka, CEO of Chopard USA. This was not their first time at the rodeo either and Diane dressed to kill in a shimmering silver beaded gown by Badgley Mischka.
Their destination was the chichi Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party held at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood.
Fashion switcheroo
The popular Fady Armanious has just exited Saks Fifth Avenue, where he charmed the ladies as couture manager, to join Mickey Rosmarin as store manager of the swank new Tootsies at West Ave.
That was breaking news to just about everyone attending the cocktail reception Monday night honoring Mark Badgley and James Mischka at the River Oaks home of Susan Krohn. The design duo was in town courtesy of Saks for Tuesday's Houston Community College Passion for Fashion luncheon.
Former store manager Shelley Taylor has been promoted to marketing director over Tootsies stores in Houston, Dallas and Atlanta.
The Tasting Room goes west
Recipe for Success supporters and fans of The Tasting Room recently had a sneak peek of Lasco Enterprises' new Tasting Room CityCentre when Lasco founders Laura and Jerry Lasco, partner Jonathan Horowitz and GM Ludovic Poirier opened the doors a bit early.
Chef Michael Kramer showed off the new pizza oven and charcuterie bar from which new taste sensations will evolve. Sampling the fare and the vino were guests including Miya Shay, Guyla Pircher and Boyd Harris, James Sivco, Cortney Cole, Rachel Walton, Allison and Dr. Jack Jenson, Doug Jegi and Tina Chebert.
Sight 'ems
A pride of top-name chefs arrived serendipitously on the same evening at Ava for a sampling of Robert Del Grande's latest menu creation in the Schiller Del Grande eatery on West Ave. Never mind that the place has been knocking 'em out of the ballpark since opening only a few weeks ago. Stopping in to check out the action were Monica Pope at a table for two by the window overlooking Kirby Drive, Bryan Caswell holding court in the center of the restaurant and Ryan Pera huddled in a corner. Add 740 AM radio personality Michael Berry to this lively mix.