The fashion-forward celebrated a relatively new niche last week when Shannon Hall and Marcus Sloan welcomed Project Runway hit Logan Neitzel to their Sloan/Hall emporium. You might recall that in January, they took over the Riaro Salon space next door to expand into the fashion business.

Among those joining in the cocktail meet-and-greet with Neitzel were sisters Jenna Stubbe and Blair Stubbe, Rosie Meyers and Tony Gonzalez, Dan Bamford, Luis Bernardo Perez, Holly Waltrip and Mike Long, David LeMer, Becca Cason Thrash, John Kidd and Fady Armanious.

Sloan/Hall is focusing on a handful of creative talents — Peter Pilotto of London, Tsumori Chisato of Tokyo and Irini Arakas of New York. For fall, look for the restrained modernism of Canadian Jeremy Laing and the rocker French label Balmain.

Ashley Judd talks recovery

It was record crowd of 1,280 that turned out for the Waggoners Foundation Speaker Series 29th annual spring luncheon benefiting The Council on Alcohol and Drugs Houston, the huge draw due in large part to guest speaker Ashley Judd. She shared with the audience her take on recovery from issues that develop around unhealthy family systems.

Chaired by Jonathan Avery, Krista Borstell and Pierce Bush, the luncheon brought in $450,000 before expenses. Sharing the spotlight with Judd was luncheon honoree Dr. Craig Bushong, recognized for his dedication to helping those suffering from alcoholism and addiction.

Sculptor in the house

Nana Booker and David Lowe opened their high-rise aerie to a swell dinner crowd Friday night in celebration of renowned metal sculptor Albert Paley. The Rochester, N.Y., based artist was in town to deliver the fourth annual Booker-Lowe Lecture at the MFAH Glassell School the previous Sunday and had remained here to produce a suite of monoprints at Burning Bones Press.

You'll recognize his work as the classical "ribbons" that grace the escalators at Wortham Theater Center.

Breaking bread with Paley were sculptor Jesus Bautista Moroles, Minnette and Peter Boesel, Leslie and Brad Bucher, Victoria Lightman, Sharon and Gus Kopriva, John Guess Jr., Marquita Masterson, Charles Masterson, Linda and Peter Zweig, Joe Havel and Lisa Ludwig.

Also in the mix were Marion and Harry Tindall, both just back from Washington D.C. where he was honored with the American Bar Association's Lawyer As Problem Solver Award.

Birthday with the Mayor

You know you're special when the city's top gun shows up for your birthday and so it was Saturday night when Mayor Annise Parker arrived at the Rice University-area home of Deborah McAbee and Byron Morris to wish political consultant Kathryn McNiel a happy, happy. It was a busy, busy night for the mayor who had already made appearances at the 100 Black Men Gala and the Transgender Unity banquet. Making the rounds with her was Judge Steve Kirkland.

Diving into the oyster shooters and a southern supper of fried chicken, ham, potato salad and more were Sallie and George Alcorn, Katy Caldwell, Lisa and Baron Wallace, Kris and Neil Thomas, Kim Jessup and Justin Garvia, Steve Roddy and Sally and Bill Russ.