Shelby's Social Diary

Tiffany does the bling thing at RDG

Amy and Tom Ryan
Photo by Phyllis Hand
Models display million dollar jewels from Tiffany & Co.'s 2009 Blue Bookcollection.
Photo by Phyllis Hand
Tiffany & Co. director Mike McClure gets a friendly squeeze from RDG's Mimi DelGrande.
Photo by Phyllis Hand
Julia Frankel and Tiffany & Co.'s Seth Bright of New York.
Photo by Phyllis Hand
David and Jenny Moore with their 3-month-old baby, Penelope.
Photo by Phyllis Hand
Dr. Scott Sherron and Kimberly Sherron
Photo by Phyllis Hand
Rudy and Karen Wildenstein
Photo by Phyllis Hand
Penny and Townes Pressler
Photo by Phyllis Hand
There were millions of dollars in jewels on display at the Tiffany holiday bash.
Photo by Phyllis Hand
Courtney Lanier Sarofim and Leslie Duncan
Photo by Phyllis Hand

Tiffany & Co. director Mike McClure had a brilliant idea for his annual best-customer holiday bash: Move it from a private home to the terrace at RDG + Bar Annie.

On Tuesday night, a swell crowd of more than 60 gathered in the crisp night air to sip champagne, ogle millions of dollars worth of serious bling and plan their wish lists for Santa.

It was lovely and, for Bar Annie regulars, there was something very different about the terrace. Number one, it was closed for the private party. Number two, the well-dressed security guards were formidable.

Gone was the wicker patio furniture and the casual mood. In its place: A cool ambience and a suave collection of chocolate brown suede sofas and ottomans. Instead of the expected cocktail bar, there was an ice-is-nice-bar — not the stuff for your cocktail glasses; rather diamonds, rubies and emeralds for your jewel box. Bunches of russet-hued roses, orchids and tulips in loose bouquets added color. California heaters took the chill from the air. McClure hit a home run with this vision, interpreted by Jade Devereaux of Prop Rocks.

It was the perfect luxe setting for displaying the beguiling collection of jewels from Tiffany's Blue Book collection, the ultimate selection of high-end baubles for those with oodles of discretionary income. Page Parkes model Katelynn Denney was a stunner in the "Majestic" necklace — an amazing trinket priced at $1.6 million. It almost but not quite overshadowed the 11-carat yellow diamond ring on her left hand.

While the music group Jándo played lively sounds echoing the Gypsy Kings, guests,including Julia Frankel, Karen and Rudy Wildenstein Penny and Townes Pressler and Jenny and David Moore with their 3-month-old daughter, Penelope, perused the offerings. Wearing tiny diamond studs (faux), Penelope was making her jewelry party debut.

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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.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

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