Haute summer style

Women of Wardrobe Summer Soirée sizzles with fashion and philanthropy

Teaming up with hot retailer Tootsies, young professional's group Women of Wardrobe (WOW) raised more than $20,000 for Dress for Success Houston at the 14th annual Summer Soiree, a record amount for the event.

Decked out in haute summer style, fashionistas were out in full force as approximately 300 guests flooded the West Ave boutique for fun, food, and fundraising.

The atmosphere buzzed as guests sipped, shopped, and socialized. Models from Page Parkes sauntered through the colorful crowd wearing fresh designs by Parker. Luxury shoe brand Schutz showed off its chic fall collection of must-have shoes and boots, and the Lisa Freede contemporary jewelry collection was showcased by Freede's daughter Ashley.

Trendsetters nibbled on festive fare from Armando’s, Eddie V’s, chef Brian Caswell's soon-to-open Oxbow 7, Snap Kitchen, Revolve Kitchen + Bar, Shri Balaji Bhavan, and Del Frisco’s Grille. Refreshing summer beverages included white wine from Total Wine, specialty cocktails crafted with Deep Eddy Vodka, and sparkling water.

Nothing Bundt Cakes donated a sweet step-and-repeat: arriving guests posed against a custom-made backdrop featuring mini bundt cakes. Live saxophonist Andre Killian accompanied DJ Senega, adding a dash of sexy soul to the hip happening. And social media mavens enjoyed plenty of instantly shareable photo-ops with two photo booths provided by My Event is the Bomb.

KHOU’s Mia Gradney formally welcomed the lively ladies gushing, “You put the 'wow' in WOW!” She was joined by co-hosts, Women of Wardrobe president Lauren Granello, Mary Patton of Mary Patton Design, and Bria Wall. The event spotlighted the mission of Dress for Success Houston as the nonprofit's vice president, Lauren Levicki Courville, spoke about the lasting impact the agency will have on more than 3,500 women this year.

WOW’s goal is to assist Dress for Success Houston through fundraising and volunteerism to support the organization's overall mission. Spotted among the smart set were Courtney Zavala, Lexi Sakowitz, Brittany Sakowitz, Kristy Bradshaw, Rachel McNeill, Hannah McNair, Megan Cushing, Courtney Campo, Paige Branam, Lindsey Brown, and Karishma Asrani.

Bria Wall, Mary Patton, Lauren Granello.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Bria Wall, Mary Patton, Lauren Granello.

fundraisers

Toast to Torino

Houston luncheon channels la dolce vita with music, fashion, and heart

Italian Cultural and Community Center luncheon 2025

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Franco Valobra, Eriake Myers, Cheryl Byington, Rose Cullen, and Franelle Rogers.

It was a delightful afternoon at River Oaks Country Club as the Italian Cultural and Community Center (ICCC) hosted its annual luncheon, Saluti da Torino. The room was brimming with amici, amore, and a whole lot of allegria as guests toasted to Italian heritage in Houston style. That means laughter, elegance, and a touch of southern sparkle.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Franco Valobra, Eriake Myers, Cheryl Byington, Rose Cullen, and Franelle Rogers.

Chairs Cheryl Arolfo Byington and Franelle Rogers, along with honorary chair Rosanette Cullen, welcomed guests to a program that blended tradition with a dash of dolce vita. Honoree Franco Valobra, the man of the hour and the creative mind behind the event’s lively new format, set the tone for a vibrant afternoon.

The luncheon opened with a surprise performance by Miguel Delabarca and Maria Daniela, whose renditions of “Anema e Core” and “Roma nun fa’ la stupida stasera” filled the ballroom with nostalgic romance. With Owen Conflenti (formerly of KPRC 2) serving as emcee, the program flowed smoothly. Remarks by Italian Consul General Mauro Lorenzini and ICCC executive director Erika Myers reminded guests of the center’s mission to connect Houston with Italy through education, culture, and community.

Instead of a traditional speech, Valobra delighted the crowd with a playful game of “True or False” — all about Italy, of course — awarding bottles of vino to winners. Then, in a moment of generosity, Valobra announced a special donation to the ICCC scholarship fund in honor of his wife, Nancy Valobra, prompting thunderous applause and a few misty eyes.

Guests were treated to a fashion show by Elizabeth Anthony featuring designer Fabiana Filippi’s Spring 2026 collection, preceded by a performance from soprano Alexa Stracener and concert pianist Lucrezia Slomp.

By the time the final bravo was shouted, more than 300 guests had helped raise $205,000 to support ICCC’s scholarships for students studying abroad.

Spotted were Gina Leck, Patti Murphy, Simone Piga, Debbie Festari, Karen Remington, Joy McCormack, Carol Sawyer, Sydney Faust, Daniel Irion and Kirk Kveton, Ann Ayre, Lu Caltagirone, Robert Sakowitz, Regina Rogers, Heidi Turney, Saula Valente, Blanca Jolly, Lesha Elsenbrook, Denise Monteleone, Tina and Dan Silvestri, Rosalie Gusemano, Sandra Celli Harris, Joyce Frassanito, Mignon Gill, Gina and Devinder Bhatia, Joella and Steve Mach, Laurie Krohn, Constable Alan Rosen, Odilia Conflenti, Donna Lewis, Roz Pactor, Deborah Aspromonte Simon, Julie Roberts, Julie Mastroianni, Francesca Ferro Harrison, Joanne King Herring, and Bill Stubbs.

fundraisers italian cultural & community center