They looked so movie-star successful Tuesday night — Gene Locke and Annise Parker.

He in a black Ralph Lauren suit and practical Express for Men tie, she in a navy Kapser ensemble accented with Marquita Masterson jewelry.

Who dressed these mayoral candidates for election night success?

Political consultant Kathryn McNiel advised Parker on her winning wardrobe. No nerdy Tootsie look a la former Houston Mayor Kathy Whitmire. "We wanted Annise to look professional," McNiel said, "but to wear something that would work with jewelry showcasing a successful Houston artist." Thus, the navy suit worn with Masterson's signature blue crystal earrings and pearl necklace with blue crystal drop — from Parker's own jewelry box.

Aubrey Locke, the candidate's wife, was responsible for his look on election night. She said that she picked up the patriotic red tie only that afternoon and that, most often, she is responsible for her husband's wardrobe selections.

Party animals

Days before most tricksters donned their Halloween costumes, a wicked crowd slipped into Gigi's Asian Bistro for a wild night billed as a "search party" for Jim Thompson.

Yes, it was a whacky take on Halloween for restaurateur Gigi Huang and investor John Goodman. The back story: American businessman Jim Thompson, who revived Thailand's silk industry, mysteriously disappeared in Malaysia in 1967. The Asian bistro party called for re-opening the case.

It was an invitation to dress in one of several motifs -- "silk, safari, Thai or scary." No matter what guests chose, it was mostly scary. Picture Ceron in a sort of Pussy Galore drag, Lara Bell in three-foot-high cotton candy wig, Linda Brown as The Wizard of Oz's Dorothy (husband Greg Brown on crutches after a fall from a horse) and Laura and John Spalding channeling The King and I.

Disco dancing to the sounds of the '80s kept the costumed crowd jiving into the early morning hours.

Leading ladies

With tom-toms beating on the subject since August, there were few, if any, surprises when the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation announced the 2010 ABC Channel 13 Women of Distinction at Saks Fifth Avenue.

The honorees are Joan Dunlap, Harriet Gertner, Melissa King, Traci Lee, Linda Lorelle, Carmen Maria Montiel-Lechin, Patti Murphy, Helen Shaffer, Laura Spalding and Donna Vallone. Jan Carson was named 2010 Women of Distinction Ambassador.

Look for them to take their bows at the Winter Ball, Jan. 23 at the InterContinental Houston. Connie Cooke and Phyllis Williams chair with Margaret Williams serving as honorary chair.

Lounge act

Lingerie designer Josie Natori cut a dramatic swath through town last week on a whirlwind schedule surrounding her perfume launch at Saks Fifth Avenue. More than a dozen fashionistas got up-close-and-personal with Natori at a cozy dinner party hosted by Becca Cason Thrash.

Toasting Natori's creativity with slinky nighties, Suzanne Ebrahimi allowed that the designer's creations had inspired magic moments with husband, Ali Ebrahimi, that resulted in the making of two babies. Maintaining that line of thinking, the star of the International Best Dressed Hall of Fame revealed that men often confess that they "sleep" with Natori every night.

No blushing in this sophisticated mix that included Diane Lokey Farb, Anita Smith, Annie Amante, Karen Mayell, Karen Pulaski and Kimberly DeLape.

The next day, it was all about the new Natori fragrance at Saks where Sylvia Forsyth hosted a luncheon in the designer's honor and organized an evening for the Children's Assessment Center.

Moving pictures

We were jazzed last month when Weingarten Realty Inc. allowed Cinema Arts Festival Houston to host its H Box launch party in the venerable Alabama Theater and to call the space home until the festival ends Nov. 15.

The vampy movie theater, absent the cluttering bookshelves, captured the imagination. Great party place. Susan Christian, special events director for the city, and Sharon Adams, Houston Cinema Arts Society board member, were among those swooning over the Art Deco interiors. "It shows you that the building should be preserved," Adams said.

Among the crowd of heavy-hitters including Karen and Harry Pinson, Gracie and Bob Cavnar and Sheridan and John Eddie Williams, some were thinking weddings, holiday parties, bar mitzvahs. Weingarten was not.

A Weingarten spokeswoman said that the company is not granting any short leases. Rather the real estate firm is looking for a long-term tenant. In real estate parlance, according to the spokeswoman, that means five to 10 years or longer. Preservationist can breathe at least a temporary sigh of relief. The wrecking ball is apparently not in the immediate future for the 14,000 square-foot theater.

Sight 'ems

Best-selling cookbook author Lidia Bastianich dining with 50 foodies at Catalan. The dinner doubled as a book-signing for her latest, Lidia Cooks from the Heart of Italy. Bad weather delayed her flight from New York causing the famed Bastianich to miss her lunch at Ibiza where chef Charles Clark was ready to roll out the best from kitchen . . .

Marketing and PR specialist Cindy Clifford celebrating her 50th with a Saturday night bash at the home of Neighborhood Center's Inc. CEO Angela Blanchard. Clifford's husband, David Bray, and Jason Fuller, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's area director, co-hosted. More than 150 made the party including City Controller Annise Parker, Liz Ghrist, Beverly and Oliver Pennington, Kris and Neil Thomas, Andrea White and State Rep. Carol Alvarado . . .

Cindy Clifford still celebrating her birthday a few days later with a luncheon at RDG. Among the 50 powerhouse well-wishers (all women) were Port Commissioner and University of Texas regent Janiece Longoria, political consultant Sue Walden, U.S. District Judge Vanessa Gilmore, Society for the Performing Arts' Priscilla Larson and City Councilwomen Anne Clutterbuck, Sue Lovell and Toni Lawrence.