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    Baker Celebration

    Two former presidents help Baker Institute raise $3.4 million at 20th anniversary celebration

    Shelby Hodge
    shelby hodge
    Nov 11, 2013 | 11:51 am

    With 725 black-tie attired guests dining in tented splendor beneath a score of crystal chandeliers, the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy celebrated its 20th anniversary in grand style Friday night. Two former U.S. presidents — George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush — led the impressive coterie of guests that raised a remarkable $3.4 million, and counting.

     

    George W. Bush was featured guest, interviewed in a fireside-style chat by Baker Institute founding director Ed Djerejian. The conversation covered a variety of topics in what many Bush observers noted was his most candid and open discussion since leaving the White House. Topics introduced by Djerejian included Bush's perspectives on the presidency, the economic recovery and immigration. The former president recalled his emotions on 9/11. And he touched on his relationships with foreign leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin.

     

     

    The stellar evening was befitting of the institute that enjoys one of the highest rankings among global think tanks. 

     
     

    The program included a welcome from Rice University president David Leebron, remarks by former Secretary of State James A. Baker III and presentation of the James A. Baker III Prize for Excellence in Leadership. That honor went to former Iranian statesman, businessman and philanthropist Hushang Ansary, who was accompanied to the stage by his wife Shahla.

     

    The stellar evening was befitting of the institute that enjoys one of the highest rankings among global think tanks. Kudos for the evening go to the trio of chair couples — Cynthia and Bucky Allshouse, Phoebe and Bobby Tudor and Sheridan and John Eddie Williams. Hats off to The Events Co.'s Richard Flowers, who brought the chairs' high-level wishes for the evening to reality.

     

    For example, the white glove dinner service featured contributions from some of the city's leading chefs — Bryan Caswell, Michael Cordua, Hugo Ortega, Monica Pope, Chris Shepherd and Philip Speer — in an unprecedented dinner presentation. Far Niente chardonnay, Silver Oak cabernet and Comte de Mazeray champagne complemented the various courses. Such quality wines are seldom seen at charitable fundraisers.

     

    The head table was a powerhouse of notables, including former President George W.H. Bush and Barbara Bush, George W. Bush, the Djerejians, the Bakers, the Ansarys, the Leebrons and Jenna Bush Hager and Henry Hager.

     

    Among the many, many heavy-hitters joining the celebration were two past recipients of the Excellence in Leadership Award, Houston Texans owner Bob McNair and Charles Duncan, businessman, philanthropist and statesman during President Jimmy Carter's administration.

     

    At every turn there were philanthropists, business leaders and high-profile citizenry including Mayor Annise Parker and Kathy Hubbard, Anne and Albert Chao, Nancy and Rich Kinder, Jeri and Marc Shapiro, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Warren Tichenor and wife Rhonda, Molly Crownover, Peggy and Bill Barnett, Cynthia and Tony Petrello, Margaret Alkek Williams, Elizabeth and Malcolm Gillis, Linda and Dr. Walter McReynolds, Kristen and Lee Nix, Joanne King Herring and Heidi Cruz, wife of Sen. Ted Cruz.

    George W. Bush, left, and Ed Djerejian in their fireside-style conversation at the Baker Institute 20th Anniversary Gala.

    George W. Bush, left, and Ed Djerejian at the Baker Institute 20th Anniversary Gala November 2013
      
    Photo by © 2013 Michael Stravato. Provided courtesy of the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, Rice University
    George W. Bush, left, and Ed Djerejian in their fireside-style conversation at the Baker Institute 20th Anniversary Gala.
    unspecified
    news/society

    Silk and Sequins

    Cultural fashion takes center stage at Runway to Asia in Houston

    Joel Luks
    Jul 10, 2025 | 12:30 pm
    Asia Society Runway to Asia fashion show 2025
    Photo by Annie Mulligan
    Rekha Muddaraj, Shazia Sultan, Danny Nguyen, Zang Toi, Bonna Kol, Phoebe Tudor, and Leigh Smith.

    If fashion is a language, Runway to Asia spoke it fabulously fluently.

    The ballroom of The Post Oak Hotel shimmered with silk, sequins, and sartorial splendor as Asia Society Texas debuted its first-ever Runway to Asia style-studded affair — a glamorous gala-meets-catwalk moment where heritage was hand-stitched into haute couture.

    More than 300 guests filled the swanky venue for the event, greeted by models perched like living mannequins in Danny Nguyen’s Fall/Winter 2025 collection, each ensemble a fabric-forward love letter to cultural identity and avant-garde vision. This was a glamnifesto on what it means to wear your roots with pride and purpose.

    Leading the stylish charge were co-chairs Leigh Smith, Shazia Sultan, and Phoebe Tudor, who curated the afternoon like seasoned couturiers. Attendees noshed on a three-course lunch before the real feast began: a full-throttle catwalk presentation honoring two design dynamos — Danny Nguyen, Houston’s own silhouettist supreme, and international fashion luminary Zang Toi.

    Rekha Muddaraj, former KHOU 11 anchor turned emcee extraordinaire, welcomed the crowd with poise, passing the mic to Asia Society Texas president Bonna Kol, who framed the gathering as more than just fashion, but part of the nonprofit’s mission to celebrate cultural diversity through art.

    The applause crescendoed when Michael Buening, the organization’s director of performing arts and culture, announced the event had raised more than $300,000 to fund more than 20 annual programs.

    Pro tip: philanthropy always looks better in couture.

    Then came the honors. Nguyen was honored with the Texas Trendsetter Award, praised by Shazia Sultan for blending traditional elegance with avant-glam silhouettes. Meanwhile, Tudor crowned Toi with the Global Icon Award, charting his runway rise from Malaysia to Manhattan.

    Toi’s “Opulence of the Orient Express” collection brought the house down with 37 jaw-dropping looks: Ottoman-inspired caftans, midnight velvet suits, pearl-dusted evening gowns, and coat-dress hybrids that defied the laws of layering. Each ensemble whispered luxury and screamed craftsmanship.

    The raffle added a thrill of retail roulette with prizes including a luxe Hill Country escape, personal styling sessions with the honorees, and golden tickets to Zang Toi’s Fall 2026 New York show.

    Soaking in the scene were Sushila Agrawal, Nancy Allen, Fady Armanious, Kristy Bradshaw, Divya Brown, Tripp Carter, Theresa Chang, Anne Chao, Molly Crownover, Kari Dagley, Chloe Dao, Debbie Festari, Kathy and Marty Goossen, Brigitte Kalai, Mandy Kao, Sippi Khurana, Karen Kwok, Teri Lee, Kelley Lubanko, Christy Lynn, Petra Martinez, Sneha Merchant, Duyen Nguyen, Cabrina Owsley, Akemi Saitoh, Miya Shay, Sue and Randy Sim, Shawn Stephens, Y. Ping Sun, Ileana Trevino, Janae Tsai, Stephanie Tsuru, Heidi Turney, and Asha Virani.

    Asia Society Runway to Asia fashion show 2025
      

    Photo by Annie Mulligan

    Rekha Muddaraj, Shazia Sultan, Danny Nguyen, Zang Toi, Bonna Kol, Phoebe Tudor, and Leigh Smith.

    fundraisersasia society texas centerfashion show
    news/society
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