Shelby About Town

Maserati & Bulgari join forces, Women of Distinction reunite and Clarence Thomaslunches

Vanessa Sendukas and Shawn Stephens at Women of Distinction event.
Bulgari North Ameria president Alberto Festa, left, and Italy's Consul GeneralFabrizio Nava at the Bulgari/Maserati bash.
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
Scott Brogan enjoys a moment at Maserati with models wearing Bulgari jewels.
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
Betty Tutor, from left, Albert Rubio and Donna Bruni at Saks Fifth Avenue forthe Women of Distinction reunion.

Fast car and hot timepieces — who could argue with that as the ultimate luxury focus? More than 50 lucky guests experienced the best of both of those worlds when Bulgari teamed with Maserati to show off its Grandes Complications watches in the Maserati of Houston showroom.

Bulgari's North America president Alberto Festa flew in for the evening that saw the car dealership showroom transformed into a stylish showroom with plenty of enticements for aficionados of both Italian fine cars and fine watches. Italian Consul General Fabrizio Nava and wife Monserrat Montez were among those admiring the cars and the watch collection that included the special edition Octo Maserati watch.

The chichi group included Maria and Giorgio Bassa, Scott Brogan, Nadia and Nicki Tajalli, Dr. Roland Maldonado and Joel Bickley, Ameer Jumabhoy,Chaden and Dr. Michael Yaffi and Bulgari's Karen Turner-Smith.

A night for the ladies

More than 50 past Women of Distinction honorees and the 2013 class gathered at Saks Fifth Avenue 10022 Shoe on One to try the glam footwear and view portraits of the women who will be presented at the Winter Ball on Jan. 26. Saks GM Terry Zmyslo hosted the group that included 2013 ball chairs Danielle Ellis and Mary Ann McKeithan.

Swooning over the Jimmy Choos were Betty Tudor, Shawn Stephens, Susan Hansen, Philamena Baird, Ellie Francisco, Merhnaz Gill and Nidhika Mehta.

New Orleans honors

The ever-popular Joanne King Herring takes the spotlight at the grand reopening preview reception of New Orleans Auction Galleries on Nov. 29. She is among a coterie of Houstonians expected to attend the gala reception and participate in the three-day auction that runs Nov. 30-Dec. 2.

Houstonian Susan Krohn bought the auction house last spring and has been doing a bang-up job of transforming the venerable auction house into a showplace.

Palette pleaser

Chaine des Rotisseurs members and guests took over the ballroom of the Hotel Sonesta for a divine wine tasting sponsored by California's Howell Mountain Vintners. Sixteen vintners, including Pina, Red Cap, Cakebread and Aloft, poured their prized wines for 150 guests.

Among those sampling the vino were Kay Palacious, Mary Dee Holtzapple, Don Eastveld, Mary and Tyler Moore, Debbie and Dr. Tom Woehler and Chaine de Rotisseurs baillis (leaders) from chapters in the area — Robyn Wood, Cherly Kenny, Jan Pozzi and Franelle Rogers — hosted the evening.

Sight 'ems

Supreme Court JusticeClarence Thomas lunching with Harris County Commissioner Steve Radack and State Appeals Court Judge Sherry Radack at Tony's . . .

Allison Bagley, Yvonne Boustany, Lauren Levicki and designer Cheryl Schulke making the rounds at Sparrow Bar + Cookshop . . .

Gallerist John Muir Lockhart and husband/ wife retailing team Adrian and Brian Kreps celebrating over cocktails at Bistro Alex the successful openings of their new CityCentre ventures – Muir Fine Art Gallery and upscale men’s retailer Dryden Kreps . . .

Volunteer Houston board members Mike Gustafson, Danya Bogart, Dawn Rawson and Jerome Gray sampling dishes at Hotel ICON with chef David Luna for the second annual Taste-ful fundraiser set for Nov. 29 . . .

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson dining at Sullivan's Steakhouse where they supped on oysters Rockefeller, chili-crusted rib-eye, mac and cheese, creamed corn and more . . .

The lovely Faith Majors and her Six Million Dollar Man hubby Lee Majors having dinner at Tony Mandola's with former Houston Rockets owner and big-time auto dealer Charlie Thomas and wife, Kittsie, and their daughter and son-in-law, Robin and Danny Klaes.

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Recipe for Success

Houston’s chicest support kids’ health at farm fashion show

Photo by Michelle Watson

Founder Gracie Cavnar, center, with the participating chefs.

On a picture-perfect spring afternoon, Houston’s haute families traded their city stilettos for stylish wedges and sun hats at Hope Farms, where fashion met philanthropy at the Seventh Annual Fashion in the Fields Brunch and Fashion Show. With Japanese umbrellas dancing in the breeze and the scent of ranunculus and rose wafting from centerpiece watering cans, the event proved once again that cultivating health and style are not mutually exclusive.

The star of the show — aside from the petal-perfect runway looks — was the event’s uniquely multi-generational leadership. Elizabeth Phillips chaired the event alongside daughters Ariel Lopez and Brittany Faulk, with granddaughters Finley Lopez, Hallie Faulk, and Rose Faulk making it a family affair to remember. Sheree Frede, Sarah Phillips, and Sara DeJay Willis served as co-chairs, reinforcing the event’s legacy-minded ethos.

And legacy was the buzzword of the day.

“To see the next generation picking up the torch is deeply inspiring,” said Recipe for Success founder Gracie Cavnar, who’s spent 19 years growing the organization’s mission to inspire children to eat fresh, nutritious food. That mission took center stage — quite literally — when a pack of pint-sized models dressed by Itsy Bitsy Boutique (and some dapper dads in M Penner) pranced down the runway to collective awws and camera flashes.

Photo by Michelle Watson

Founder Gracie Cavnar, center, with the participating chefs.

The main event unfolded with spring collections from presenting sponsors Mason’s Daughter, Sachin and Babi, and City Boots, punctuated by sustainable style highlights from Magpies and Peacocks. ABC13 Houston anchor and style savant Miya Shay emceed with flair, serving commentary as vibrant as the garments.

Of course, no fashion fête is complete without a fitting feast.

Guests noshed on a Michelin-pedigree brunch courtesy of a chef dream team: Tommy Laczynski (Barcelona Wine Bar), Barbara McKnight (Culinaire), JC Ricks (Dandelion Café), Drake Leonard (Eunice), Felipe Botero (Le Jardinier), and Patti Delgado (The Original Ninfa’s). Glasses clinked over Down the Rabbit Hole cocktails, a botanical blend with carrot juice from Hope Farms and wines courtesy of 55 Seventy Private Member’s Club.

The day’s emotional high came during Paddles Up, raising scholarships for Hope Farms’ summer camps. Cynthia and Tony Petrello led the charge with a $5,000 gift to fund a dozen weeklong experiences for local kids. Raffle winners walked away with floral subscriptions, design consults, private cocktail classes, and fresh produce deliveries. The Foundation also honored Chef Kevin Bryant as Chef of the Year and Samuel Jackson as Volunteer of the Year for their unwavering commitment to sustainable food education.

Looking ahead, Lyndsey Zorich, a Foundation Advisory Board member and fashion entrepreneur, is already at work assembling next year’s dream team of stylish moms to chair the 2026 event.

Among the stylish crowd were Beth Harp, Gayla Gardner, Celina Hellmund, Anita and David Garten, Rudy Guerra, Veronica Neal, Sara Morgan and Oscar Brown, Laura and Etai Funk, and Gina Gaston Elie.

fundraisers fashion show recipe for success

Shelby About Town

Maserati & Bulgari join forces, Women of Distinction reunite and Clarence Thomaslunches

Recipe for Success

Houston’s chicest support kids’ health at farm fashion show

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