We had thought that the Hermann Park Conservancy's "Hats in the Park" luncheon last month brought out the ultimate in frothy fashion but that was before we entered the River Oaks Country Club ballroom on Thursday. Easter Seals' "Hats Off to Mothers" luncheon inspired an unexpected festival of luscious fashion confections for the head.

The hats were glorious — wide brimmed and graced with silk flowers, narrow brimmed and wrapped in tulle or little cloches with a single flower in place. Only a few in the sellout crowd arrived without a hat. And it seemed that all turned out in their best spring frocks.

The success of the day was measured not only by the stellar fashion tableau but also by funds raised for the non-profit that until recently was known as United Cerebral Palsy. Kudos to luncheon chairs Debbie Festari and Courtney Hopson for pulling off such a success in the heat of the charity luncheon season.

Taking bows as mothers of accomplishment were honorees Cynthia Deutser Anhalt, Kelli Blanton, Kara Kinder Howes, Eileen Lawal, Nancy Levicki, Fatima Mawji, Kirby McCool, Melissa Mithoff, Raquel Segal and Phoebe Tudor.

The event was very much a family affair — Courtney and Kirby are sisters and their third sister, Lindsay Holstead, was in the ballroom as was their father Morton Cohn. Proud husbands Bo Hopson and Scott McCool were in the mix as well. Debbie Festari was joined by her husband, menswear guru Rudy Festari, and their youngest son, Valentino.

Rounding out the fashionable crowd were Nancy and Rich Kinder, Aaron Howes, Tiffany Smith, Elizabeth Petersen, Suzette Betts, Diane Lokey Farb, Stacey Soreiro, Erin Florescu, Jon Deutser, Milette Sherman, Eddy Blanton, Frann Lichtenstein and Sue Deutser.