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    Shelby's Social Diary

    Six million dollars and scores of beaming ladies later, Best Dressed continuesto enthrall

    Shelby Hodge
    Mar 24, 2011 | 4:25 pm
    • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
    • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
    • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
    • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
    • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
    • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
    • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
    • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
    • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
    • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
    • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
    • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
    • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com
    • Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com

    Twenty-nine years after the Houston Chronicle launched its Best Dressed luncheon as an advertising lure for big-name fashion retailers, the event is still going strong, still raising serious money for March of Dimes and still sending style mavens into an annual tizzy.

    The 2011 fundraiser filled the Westin Galleria Hotel ballroom with 500 women (most of whom would sacrifice their favorite Manolos to be honored) and a sprinkling of men. By the time the raffle tickets were counted and table sales calculated, the event had raised a record $385,000 for March of Dimes. That brings the total raised since the event's inception to $6 million.

    Applause, applause for luncheon chair Phoebe Tudor, stunning in a black Yves St. Laurent jumpsuit with halter top, and for raffle chairs the mother-daughter team of Dr. Yvonne Cormier and Claire Cormier-Thielke.

    The selection of Best Dressed honorees was an interesting mix this year — three going into Hall of Fame for making the list three times and seven newcomers. That means that the pot grows ever larger for those aspiring for the coveted position of Hall of Fame. The more in the mix, the more difficult it becomes to reach star status and the more fashionistas maintaining a vested interest in the luncheon and therefore buying tables. A fundraising strategy, perhaps?

    Houston Chronicle editor Jeff Cohen and Valerie Salembier, Harper's Bazaar senior vice president and publisher, introduced the high-fashion entourage. This was Salembier's second year to come in from New York to assist with the honors.

    Taking bows as Hall of Fame honorees were Kelli Blanton wearing Jonathan Saunders, Julia Frankel in Giambattista Valli and Sheridan Williams in ivory-colored Akris, the designer of the day.

    Neiman Marcus, a key Best Dressed partner since the start, brought in the Akris fall/winter collection for a runway show that offered a fresh palette of deep rust, teal and browns. As is tradition, Neiman's GM Bob Devlin invited guests back to the couture salon for a champagne reception and a close-up look at the winter finery.

    The first-time honorees stepped out in a variety of looks ranging from cocktail to ladylike luncheon dresses — Carmen Maria Montiel-Lechin in Angel Sanchez, Elizabeth Petersen in Prada and Gracie Cavnar and Rosemary Schatzman, both in Valentino though of decidedly different design. Looking especially fashion forward: Arvia Few in a one-shoulder Escada jumpsuit, Susan Krohn in Akris pants, vest and jacket, and Nidhika Mehta in a flowing Blumarine hostess gown.

    When Best Dressed reaches its 30th anniversary next year, the Chronicle, March of Dimes and Neiman's have a twist in store. The event will move to the evening (as it did for the 25th anniversary) and Kelli Blanton will chair and Lynn Wyatt, the first woman to reach Hall of Fame status, will serve as honorary chair.

    There were a number of Hall of Fame honorees in the luncheon crowd including Cynthia Allshouse, Clayton Erikson, Melinda Berkman, Karen Johnson, Karen Mayell, Diane Lokey Farb, Diane Connally, Dancie Ware, Janet Gurwitch, Laura Sweeney, Lilly Andress, Mary Lynn Marks and Beth Sanders Moore.

    unspecified
    news/society

    Creative Mayhem

    Houston art museum's gala mixes auction buzz and Spinderella beats

    Joel Luks
    Jun 12, 2025 | 1:00 pm
    Contemporary Arts Museum Houston gala 2025
    Photo by Emily Jaschke
    Alecia Harris, Grace Zamiga, Michele Leal, Bailey Dalton, and Charlotta Hill.

    Art lovers, collectors, and creative provocateurs turned up and turned it out for CAMH Party, the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston’s signature benefit and art auction. Never ones for beige galas or sleepy sit-downs, CAMH once again threw a night that shimmered with style, swagger, and the museum’s trademark adventurous, creative edge.

    The Brown Foundation Gallery became the canvas for the night, dressed up with artful flourish by Events Co., complete with dramatic lighting and immersive décor that played off the evening’s sassy energy. More than 200 guests made their entrance on a vibrant green carpet, decked in bold colors, high-concept fashion, and a clear understanding of the assignment: Serve lewks, not leftovers.

    Guests sipped cocktails from Lalo Tequila while previewing the silent auction, featuring coveted works by the likes of Robert Pruitt, Alexis Pye, and Roxy Paine, with bidding powered by Qtego Fundraising Services. But this was no quiet affair — the room buzzed with excited chatter and sneaky competitive glances from across the gallery walls.

    Then partygoers shifted to dinner mode with a refined menu from Swift and Co. Hors d’oeuvres included caviar tacos and steak tartare, followed by elegant entrées like scallopini of chicken and herb-crusted salmon. Dessert? A floral-forward strawberry sorbet kissed with mascarpone, meringue, and actual rose petals—because why not eat like you’re in a painting?

    CAMH co-directors Ryan Dennis and Melissa McDonnell Luján toasted to the museum’s legacy and shared what’s ahead, including a solo show by Houston-born artist Tomashi Jackson and the Teen Council’s 25th anniversary this summer. A buzzy live auction led by Sotheby’s Charlie Caulkins followed, with works by CAMH-exhibited artists like Garrett Bradley, Cindy Sherman, and Vincent Valdez sparking energetic bids and side-eyes alike.

    Then came the inevitable vibe shift: the After Party.

    The gallery morphed into a nocturnal lounge where grilled cheese met churros, and the legendary DJ Spinderella spun hits that got the art crowd dancing like nobody was watching or judging. Guests sipped more Lalo, bounced to the beat, and stayed well past midnight.

    Soaking in the creative mayhem were Elisa and Chris Pye, Poppi Massey, Phoebe Cholnoky, Josh Pazda and Chris Goins, Sissy and Denny Kempner, Joe and Johanne Gatto, Kristin and Drew Perring, Danielle O’Bannon and Jon Redwine, Unique James, and Darryl Sharpton, with support from a powerhouse host committee featuring names like Paola Creixell, Jamal Cyrus, Mary and Marcel Barone, and Jessica Phifer.

    Contemporary Arts Museum Houston gala 2025
      

    Photo by Emily Jaschke

    Alecia Harris, Grace Zamiga, Michele Leal, Bailey Dalton, and Charlotta Hill.

    fundraisersmuseumscontemporary art museum houston
    news/society

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