spring is served
Houston’s hottest spring fashion show dazzles with lavish looks and fluttering butterflies
Dramatic and dazzling gowns, a shower of fluttering butterflies, and the elegant backdrop of the River Oaks Country Club marked what's known as Houston's spring fashion season kickoff event. Beloved fashion retailer Tootsies recently continued its colorful tradition with the Spring Is Served Fashion Show and Luncheon, the annual two-day event that's a time-honored part of the Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship.
Tootsies’ creative director Fady Armanious and chairwoman Terri Havens created a bright and beautiful ode to Mother Nature with fresh floral, bold colors with a "Le Jardin" theme and dramatic sweeping gowns.
“Not surprisingly, we are all about color, color and more color this season at Tootsies. Spring is bright and floral, feminine and fun,” Armanious said in a statement.
As part of the floral-laden them, event producers Lenny Matuszewski and Tamara Bonar incorporated fresh flowers into every look, with Bonar making each crown by hand just days before the show. The grand finale of the fashion show included the release of butterflies across the pool and into the crowd.
Tootsies and Tenenbaum Jewelers teamed up for looks on and off the runway, with jewelry provided by Lucrezia Buccellati during the show and in the Pop-Up Shop Boutique at The Courtyard at River Oaks Country Club.
Tootsies’ owner Norman Lewis says he is proud of the legacy forged over the last three decades between Tootsies and the annual fashion show and luncheon. “This marks the 37th year Tootsies has been involved in the Rivers Oaks Tennis Tournament Luncheon, and Donna [his wife] and I are so pleased to continue the tradition that brings the best in fashion to the best in Houston,” Lewis said in a statement.
The Tootsies creative team curated 81 looks from various designers, including Oscar de la Renta, PatBo, Versace, Hellessey, Borgo de Nor, Alex Perry, Alice+Olivia and Andrew Gn.
— Heather Staible contributed to this story.