The Fendi boutique in the Galleria was hopping Thursday night when more than 100 guys and gals turned out for a very fashionable kickoff for Houston Grand Opera's "Singing With the Houston Idols." Fendi is major underwriter of the evening and that retailer proved its philanthropic mettle by donating a complete set of new design luggage (value $15,000) for the auction.

Fendi is so jazzed about its support of the fundraising evening (it's almost sold out) that president Stacy Van Praagh flew in from New York to make the luggage presentation. It was an ooh-la-la moment for those who hadn't yet seen the smashing new luggage design.

HGO managing director Perryn Leech and Guyla Pircher, HGO's director of special events, welcomed the Fendi crowd that included traditional HGO patrons and members of the young professionals set. Due to business conflicts and travels only one of the idols who will be "competing" at the Nov. 8 fundraiser was able to make the lively evening and that was Lynn Wyatt.

La Wyatt was among a number of partygoers combining socializing with shopping. She picked up a pair of shoes while others in the crowd sent their charge cards searing with a variety of purchases. A happy night for Fendi.

The fundraiser at the home of John and Becca Cason Thrash is going to be a rollicking event with competitors such as Tony Mandola and Bobby Tudor joining Wyatt in the spotlight. This is an anything-goes competition with probably only one or two of the singers actually performing opera. Think showmanship as opposed to vocal prowess.

"Bubbles for Boobies"

OK, I didn't make that up. That was the name of the Susan G. Komen Foundation fundraiser held Tuesday night at the spanking new men's shop Q Custom Clothier in West Ave. And as the title of the event would suggest, the champagne flowed courtesy of Max's Wine Dive, which also provided servings of the restaurant's famed truffle mac and cheese along with various other libations.

Q Custom Clothier owner Raja Ratan welcomed a fashionable coterie of guests to his bespoke atelier and to Rye 51, Q's casual cousin located just next door. He was joined by Lasco Enterprises (owner of Max's) partner and veep Jonathan Horowitz.

The stylistas included were Gables president and CEO David Fitch, Cara Morales and Jared Lang, Hasti Taghi and James Geitz, Candice and Lonnie Schiller, Roz and Alan Pactor, Cerón, Mary Beth Aspromonte, Gigi Huang, Mike Mayell, Liz Gorman and Stephen Jones, Nic Phillips, Rachel Walton, Greg Scheinman, Kristen Cannon and on and on.

Putting on a pretty face

We're not talking Max Factor or Estee Lauder here. Rather the subject is a beautiful Houston and efforts to keep our city esthetically appealing. Applause, applause for Ann Lents, who received Scenic Houston's Scenic Visionary Award at the annual benefit dinner, held at Houston Country Club. Mayor Annise Parker did the honors presenting the award.

Lents, a prominent attorney and former president and CEO of the Center for Houston's Future, was recognized for her volunteerism dedicated to helping the city grow its parks, trails, inviting streetscapes and walkable, tree-lined neighborhoods.

METRO received the Scenic Integrity Award, noted in particular for keeping its transit vehicles and shelters free from commercial signage.

No dressing up required

The Houston Humane Society has tapped into a popular approach to black-tie fundraising: the no-gala gala. The invitations have gone out declaring "No ball gowns, no tuxes, no valet parking lines, no late night gala!" Music to this social scribe's ears. (The stack of invitations on my desk for October events is four inches thick and climbing with every mail delivery.)

Chairs Connie Reeves Cooke, Jan Carson, Virginia Reisman and Phyllis Williams are planning a beautiful evening to stay at home and you pick the date. The request is, however, for donations. And the invitation includes a pledge card for making your donation the the Humane Society.

And you should see the honorary committee list. It seems that everyone is enthused at the prospect of paying up without partying down. A few notables on the committee include Sandy and Dr. Barney Barrett, Roseann Rogers and Dr. Aashish Shah, Lynda Transier, Kathryn and Jeff Smith and Cora Sue and Harry Mach.