Badgley Mischka had the A-listers turning out in force at Passion for Fashion

The social stars aligned to perfection on Tuesday when a sellout crowd of true fashionistas swarmed into the Hotel ZaZa ballroom in tribute to one of their own. Diane Lokey Farb, who surely lays claim to the greatest designer wardrobe in the city, was anointed with Houston's premiere HCC Design Society Fashion Icon Award.

Proof of her fashion prowess was the collection of dazzling Badgley Mischka gowns displayed on mannequins around the ballroom foyer — all from Farb's closet — and the Badgley Mischka gown on the stage. It was the dress that Farb had worn to the Oscars on Sunday night. These specific designer gowns were presented in tribute to the gents — Mark Badgley and James Mischka — whom Saks Fifth Avenue had brought in for the luncheon.

While models strolled through the packed ballroom in their latest gowns, Badgley and Mischka were interviewed on stage by CultureMap editor-in-chief Clifford Pugh, fresh from New York's fashion week.

Also honored on this heady afternoon was Momentum Audi honcho Jared Lang, the dashing force behind the remarkable Audi Fashion Houston event that ratcheted up the city's fashion profile last fall.

With Gabriela Dror and Nidhika Mehta serving as chairs, Rosemarie Johnson and Robin Reimer as co-chairs and Leisa Holland-Nelson as honorary chair, the luncheon attracted a handsome collection of old guard, a stunning turnout of new guard and fashionable men and women all around.

Isla Reckling, Linda McReynolds, Pat Breen, Linda Gale White, Patsy Fourticq and Susie Johnson added depth to the guest list while Phoebe Tudor, Bobbie Nau, Franci Crane and Michelle Hevrdejs provided their own social clout. Grand dame of the day was Julia Frankel, founder of this annual Passion for Fashion luncheon that benefits Houston Community College's Fashion and Interior Design Programs.

Not to be missed was the healthy collection of men — Diane Lokey Farb fans — in the crowd including Saks GM Terry Zmyslo, Cerón, John Daugherty, Bob Devlin, Mickey Rosmarin, Bob Bibb, Pershant Mehta, John Evatz, Robert Sakowitz, Rob Rutherford, Bubba McNeely and more.

Highlight of the luncheon, for which Channel 2 KPRC news anchor Dominique Sachse served as emcee, was the dynamite three-minute slide presentation of photos from Farb's highest fashion moments. Red carpet shots from the Cannes Film Festival, from the Oscars, photos of her days on the Houston Chronicle Best Dressed list and party pictures galore held the audience under Farb's high-fashion spell. Applause, applause for francisco+co which organized the fab presentation and the luncheon.

Among the many notables in the dining room were HCC president William Harmon, HCC division Kay King, Saks fashion director Sylvia Forsythe, Becca Cason Thrash, Sharon Adams, Sheridan Williams, Dancie Ware, Karen Johnson, Kelli Blanton, Mehrnaz Gill, Cathy Brock, Donna Vallone and so many more.