Despite the unseasonably chilly temps on Wednesday, there was no question in the ballroom of the Westin Galleria Hotel that spring had sprung as 500 femmes and a few gents stepped out in a frothy tableau of warm-weather fashions for the 31st Best Dressed luncheon benefiting the March of Dimes.
Setting the stylish pace was luncheon chair Jana Arnoldy in turquoise dress by Pucci, a friendly nod to the designer of the hour Pucci's Peter Dundas who presented a stunning lineup of his latest creations. He was front and center along with Neiman's GM Bob Devlin to applaud the ladies.
Those stepping into the style spotlight for the first time strutted to their own fashion beat.
Each of the 10 Best Dressed honorees, presented by the Houston Chronicle, stepped out in their signature styling that earned them the coveted fashion positioning. For example, Best Dressed Hall of Fame honorees Melissa Mithoff and Merele Yarborough could not have taken more distant fashion paths, Melissa in a hip one-shouldered and cinched tunic with pants ensemble by Pucci and Merele in lady-like black and white polka dot dress by Kevan Hall. The Los Angeles-based designer was a guest at Merele's table.
Long gone are the days when the Best Dressed honorees seldom ventured past the comfort zones of Chanel, Oscar de la Renta and Valentino. Second-time honorees showed their fashion spunk — Greggory Burk in Mary Katrantzou, Lisa Holthouse in Barbara Bui, Susan Krohn in Giambattista Valli and Rosemary Schatzman in Kaufman Franco.
Those stepping into the style spotlight for the first time strutted to their own fashion beat as well — Sima Ladjevardian in Lanvin, Tiffany Smith in Max Mara, Isabel David in Givenchy and Stephanie Cockrell in Peter Pilotto.
Helping raise $350,000 for the March of Dimes campaign for healthy babies were a number of Best Dressed Hall of Fame honorees including Lynn Wyatt, Pat Breen, Lucinda Loya, Anita Smith, Laura Sweeney, Lora Clemmons, Diane Lokey Farb, Sue Smith, Sheridan Williams, Karen Mayell and Yvonne Cormier.
Peter Dundas and Jana Arnoldy
