Fashion Fusion Winners

Fashion Fusion winners strut their stuff in downtown Houston exhibition

Houston Community College students and designs at Arts Brookfield exhibit

Houston Community College fashion design students stand near their designs at the Arts Brookfield exhibit, The Refinement of Line in Fashion and Machine.

Courtesy photo

What: Opening of The Refinement of Line in Fashion and Machine exhibition.

Where: Two Allen Center.

The scoop: Eight Houston Community College students who took part in a Fashion Fusion design competition inspired by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston exhibition,Sculpted in Steel: Art Deco Automobiles and Motorcycles, 1929—1940, were selected to have their work on display in Art Brookfield's latest exhibition. Their fashion designs mirrored the high-style exhibition of sleek vehicles from the Art Deco period.

Several shared how participating in the exhibition helped them to dream big. Alan Gonzalez, the first place winner for Most Sculptural Design, presented his collection at the Houston Museum of Natural Science and Fashion X Dallas, with more shows coming this fall. He hopes to start his own line with a showroom in the Bayou City.

Peruvian-born student Luisa Nadarajah said the experience taught her how far she can go in this industry. Last year she hosted a fashion show fundraiser in Houston to build a day care center for malnourished children in Peru. She hopes the recognition allows her to continue to work to improve the lives of Peruvians.

As the cultural arm of real estate company Brookfield, Arts Brookfield organizes exhibitions in the lobby of its properties. This exhibition will remain up until September 29. Admission is free.

Who: HCC Division Chair of Lifestyle, Arts & Design Careers Suzette Brimmer, Bridget Fizer, Kitty Dupus, Teresa Rangel, Luisa Nadarajah, Maria Hammond, Criseyda Arriaza, Silvia Otaola, Sally Reynolds, Alex Chapman, Waverly Gooding, Terri DiRaddo, Kimberly Beatty, and Caroline Goeser.

awards

raising glasses

Wine and dine raises spirits for Houston's Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities wine and dine fundraiser 2024

Photo by Johnny Than

Alicia Reggie Freysinger, His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Catholic Charities President Cynthia Nunes Colbert.

An evening of fine dining and philanthropy unfolded at The Revaire for the 2024 Wine and Dine Dinner, benefitting Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston on November 16. With wine glasses in hand and wallets wide open, the stylish and pious savored a night dedicated to lifting up the most vulnerable in the community.

Co-chairs Mikki Hebl and David E. Harvey, Jr., alongside Kerri and Downey Bridgwater, welcomed the crowd, which included His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, who blessed the meal. The highlight? A four-course feast by master sommelier Brandon Kerne and chef Ryan Bouillet, paired with wines selected to enhance each bite.

An interactive twist with the secret sip challenge surely added a playful element. Attendees worked together to identify the mystery wine — a 2015 Merite Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia’s Wrattonbully region.

But the night wasn’t just about indulgence. The live auction, emceed by Johnny Bravo, and a moving “fund a need” segment inspired oenophiles to dig deep for Catholic Charities’ programs. Last year, the organization served people in need 358,000 times across Harris, Fort Bend, and Galveston counties, providing essentials like food, housing assistance, and legal aid for immigrants.

Generous support came from sponsors like the Hildebrand Foundation, Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, and Cuenod Families.

Wining and dining were Alicia Reggie Freysinger, Cynthia Nunes Colbert, Penny and Paul Layne, Monit Cheung and Patrick Leung, Ashley and Doug Plaeger, Sandi and Jim Lemming, Carol and Paul Beck, Louise and Bob Parsley, Avalyn Langemeier, Suzanne Werner, Amie Springmeyer, Lori Hessel, Ginger Niemann, Peggy Idstein, Karina and Mark Amelang,and Ellen and Jim Ginty.

Photo by Johnny Than

Alicia Reggie Freysinger, His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Catholic Charities President Cynthia Nunes Colbert.

catholic charities of the archdiocese of galveston-houston fundraisers