Ending on a high note

Monique Lhuillier, Gemma Kahng & Houston Texans party with CultureMap at FashionHouston finale

Photo by © Eric Hester
Photo by © Eric Hester
Photo by © Eric Hester
Models paraded in designs by Gemma Kahng.
Photo by © Eric Hester
Photo by © Eric Hester
Designs by Gemma Kahng were showcased by models posing on elevated platforms.
Photo by © Eric Hester
Photo by © Eric Hester
Who knew a floral headpiece could be so striking?
Photo by © Eric Hester
Photo by © Eric Hester
Flowers as fashionable art by Events in Bloom.
Photo by © Eric Hester
Photo by © Eric Hester
Photo by © Eric Hester
Photo by © Eric Hester
Floral arrangements buy Events in Bloom had this chic crowd chatting up thecreativity.
Photo by © Eric Hester

The final curtain might have fallen on the Fashion Houston scene at Wortham Theater Center around 10 p.m. Thursday, but the party continued at Hotel ZaZa as CultureMap and the Fashion Houston crowd teamed up for a fashionista-infused conclusion to the four-night style fest. Party headliners were designers Monique Lhuillier and Gemma Kahng and 2012 Style IconDiane Lokey Farb.

The fashion set took over Monarch Bistro where DJ John Tran kept the music grooving and where models on elevated platforms showcased designs by Kahng, hot looks that had been shown earlier in the evening at the Wortham.

Events in Bloom added its special touch to the atmosphere by providing eight one-of-a-kind, fashion-themed arrangements that had everyone talking about the playful creativity.

Monarch chef Jonathan Jones provided sustenance to keep the late-night energy flowing while Grey Goose cocktails inspired the chatty fun.

Holding up the local end of the design focus wereDavid Peck, Chloe Dao and Jerri Moore, each of whom had had a moment in the Fashion Houston spotlight earlier in the week.

VIPs in the mix included Fashion Houston founder Jared Lang, Fashion Houston executive director Neal Hamil, Houston Texans Connor Barwin and J.J. Watt and Tootsies' Mickey Rosemarin.

Rounding out the party scene were Neera Patidar, Elizabeth Petersen, Joyce Echols, Todd Ramos, Estela Cockrell, Edward Sanchez, Bubba McNeely, Sarah Tressler, Brigitte Segura, Chris Goins, Jeff Shell, Michelle Yeglic and James Sivco.

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legacy and lyrics

High notes and higher hopes put Houston's Omega House in the spotlight

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Deborah Duncan, Brigitte Kalai, Dr. Charlene Flash, and Alicia Smith.

For Avenue 360, it was time to get back in the gala game with Voices for Hope — its first big fundraising celebration since the pandemic. This year’s event marked a lively return to in-person gatherings, joining the ranks of busy, bustling parties that have defined 2024.

The evening celebrated the legacy of Omega House, Texas’s residential hospice for AIDS patients.

Co-chaired by Alicia Smith and Brigitte Kalai, Voices for Hope revived an important tradition of honoring Omega House’s legacy of compassionate end-of-life care. The night opened with a cocktail reception emceed by Great Day Houston host Deborah Duncan, during which guests entered raffles for luxurious prizes, including jewelry from Nini Jewels and Wayne Smith Jewels, a shopping spree at Tootsie’s, and a staycation at The Post Oak Hotel with a Porsche weekend rental.

About those voices: the Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts choir’s charming performance of “Seasons of Love” set the evening’s emotional tone. Blues artist Luke Whitney continued with soulful melodies before America’s Got Talent semi-finalist Christina Wells brought down the house with dynamic interpretations of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “We Are Family.”

Houston’s social scribe Shelby Hodge gifted Wells her raffle prize, honoring the performer for her roles as a singer, nurse, and mother. The gala also celebrated the 25th anniversary of Bering Omega Community Services, with board member Ken Bohan receiving the Harmony of the Heart Award. Omega House medical director Dr. Gus Krucke, director of dental services Dr. Mark Nichols, and director Sandy Stacy were honored with the Symphony of Service Award, with Stacy’s 30 years of service encouraging standing applause.

Spotted were Lance Smith, Bashar Kalai, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees, Leisa Holland Nelson, Farida Abjani, Shafik Rifaat, Maria and Omar Moncada Alaoui, Jody Merritt, Christine Johnson, Michele Till, Anna Reger, Mandy Kao, Mark Folkes and Christopher Johnston, Brandon Weinbrenner and Mitchell Greco, Fady Armanious, and Tony Bradfield.