There was no shortage of sparkle or substance at the Fifth Annual Conversations with an Icon Luncheon, where Houston’s fashion-forward philanthropists gathered to honor one of the city’s most stylish supporters of the arts: Saks Fifth Avenue.
Held March 26 at the Houston Country Club, the afternoon affair was as much about couture as it was about community, with this year’s theme, “Recognition and Appreciation,” celebrating those who continue to shape Houston’s cultural landscape.
The Houston Symphony League rolled out the red carpet — figuratively, if not literally — for Heidi Turney, Saks’s vice president and general manager, who accepted the Icon honor on behalf of the retail giant. A longtime ally of the league, Saks didn’t just show up — they showed out, with a fashion presentation that had the crowd nodding, snapping, and plotting their next wardrobe refresh.
Houston society writer Shelby Hodge served as emcee and guided the afternoon’s central conversation with Turney. From Saks’s enduring partnership with the arts to the retailer’s local impact, the chat was equal parts style report and civic appreciation.
The league spotlighted three Houston standouts. Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees were recognized as Community Honorees for their wide-reaching philanthropic work, while Beth Wolff received the league’s own honor for her leadership in both real estate and civic causes. Cue the standing ovation.
Event co-chairs Brigitte Kalai and Farida Abjani orchestrated the affair with aplomb, welcoming a ballroom full of familiar faces to a luncheon that felt part gala, part garden party, part power brunch. Lesha Elsenbrook served as honorary committee chair. Though she was out of town and unable to attend, she was a busy bee supporting the event behind the scenes.
League president Heidi Rockecharlie took the mic to highlight the group’s record-setting membership growth and to toast its support of the Houston Symphony’s education and outreach efforts. These programs are on track to reach more than 350,000 people this season, including more than 130,000 children.
And yes, there was giving: Proceeds from the event will benefit the Houston Symphony’s Education and Community Engagement programs, including everything from in-school residencies to the Music and Wellness initiative and the Harry and Cora Sue Mach Student Concert Series.
Spotted were Betty Hrncir, Betty Tutor, Alicia Smith, Elizabeth Stein, Bruce Padilla, Ann Ayre, Jacquie Baly, Carrie Bransberg-Dahl, Elizabeth DeLuca, Susan Deison, and Mady Kades.
