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    Supermodel Visits

    Sexy ladies in red shine at a supermodel's Houston candle party

    Heather Staible
    Dec 14, 2013 | 9:58 am

    The holiday spirit was in generous supply Thursday as supermodel and philanthropist Petra Nemcova unveiled her Be The Light line of luxury candles in Houston at a private luncheon hosted by Cakewalk Style Shop and CultureMap’s Shelby Hodge.

    The coterie of VIPs, gathered at Triniti Restaurant, added pops of red to their ensembles enhancing the festive mood that had the ladies and a sprinkling of gents in high midday spirits. The flowing bubbly and Cotillion specialty drinks (Triniti's version of the Cosmo) surely added to the lively feel. But it was Nemcova, dressed in a white pantsuit, red tank and red heels who set the tone.

    “Don’t leave without saying hello. I want to have a conversation with each of you,” the supermodel said.

    Naturally stunning, Nemcova was also immediately engaging. Kind, intelligent and personable, the supermodel thanked the gathering for attending and took time to pose for pictures and personally sign every candle purchased.

    “Don’t leave without saying hello. I want to have a conversation with each of you,” Nemcova said.

    Her Be The Light candle collection certainly gives her plenty to talk about. The six-candle collection is inspired by Nemcova’s travels and countries that hold special meaning to her. The United States, Indonesia, Czechoslovakia, Spain, Mexico and Haiti are featured with scents reminiscent of each location blended into each handcrafted candle.

    Nemcova proudly makes the candle collection in the United States and employs artisans to create maps on each candle. The process takes four to five days and Nemcova is attached to each candle produced.

    “I am invited to so many people’s homes and they have everything, but I want to bring them a gift. I usually bring chocolates and candles because they are unisex, so I wanted to create a candle that was personal and an extension of me. Each candle has a story,” Nemcova said.

    The candle collection is available at Cakewalk Style Shop on Persa Street, a coup for the cute boutique that carries Elizabeth and James, Halston Heritage, Mackage, Charmed Circle and other contemporary women’s lines.

    It was also quite a coup for owners Gina Cartwright and Jennifer Grigsby to bring Nemcova to Houston, especially during the busy holiday season. But Nemcova said she was drawn to the fresh look and philosophy of their website. They connected, collaborated and in just five short weeks, created the event, launching the collection in Houston. The result was an elegant lunch inspired by the origin of the candle collection.

    Chef Ryan Hildebrand started with butternut squash soup and spiced vanilla gel from Mexico, moved to brussels sprout salad and hibiscus glaze from Haiti, served for the main course salmon with saffron risotto from Spain and closed out the meal with a selection of bite-sized sweets hailing from the world collection.

    Nemcova’s fervor for joy is woven into each element of her life and the feel of the event reflected her enthusiasm.

    “I like to create joy,” Nemcova said. “There’s joy in building schools. There’s joy in employing artisans. There’s joy in gifting someone a gift that’s meaningful.”

    The ladies-in-red sipping and lunching at the launch party included Isabel David, Kathryn Smith, Anne Carl, Lora Clemmons, Fredda Friedlander, Alicia Smith, Melissa Mithoff, Elizabeth Glanville, Debra Grierson, Divya Brown, Carla Valencia, Ursaline Hamilton, Dominique Sachse, Julie Bortnick, Allie Fields, Tena Lundquist Faust and Tama Lundquist.

    Petra Nemcova poses with her luxury candle line at the Cakewalk Style Shop luncheon at Triniti Restaurant.

      
    Photo by © Michelle Watson CultureMapSNAP.com
    Petra Nemcova poses with her luxury candle line at the Cakewalk Style Shop luncheon at Triniti Restaurant.
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    Stage With Purpose

    Broadway stars and Houston youth shine at Covenant House Texas gala

    Joel Luks
    Jun 11, 2025 | 2:00 pm
    Covenant House Night of Broadway Stars gala 2025
    Photo by Katy Anderson
    Rayshun LaMar performed "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours."

    The curtain rose, and so did hearts, as Night of Broadway Stars lit up the Wortham Theater Center, merging musical razzle-dazzle with a mission rooted in compassion. Benefiting Covenant House Texas, the evening offered both Broadway brilliance and deeply personal testimony in support of youth experiencing homelessness.

    The stage sparkled with talent flown in from New York, including Houston’s own Kevin Cahoon, who returned to his hometown to perform “Maybe Love” from Shucked. Josh Young brought heat with “Heaven on Their Minds” from Jesus Christ Superstar, Brook Wood belted “Save Me,” and Rayshun LaMar had guests dancing in their seats to “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours.” Rita Harvey teamed up with Young for a romantic rendition of “Come What May” from Moulin Rouge.

    But the real headliners were the Covenant House youth, who joined the Broadway pros onstage.

    Their performances were acts of courage, resilience, and transformation. During the seated dinner in the Wortham’s grand foyer, guests were visibly moved as the youth shared their journeys using signs that contrasted their lives before and after Covenant House.

    A key fundraising feature — Scholarships of Hope — invited attendees to fund holistic care for the youth, including shelter, meals, mental health services, and career development.

    The evening was chaired by April and Wells McGee and Flo McGee and Wade Upton, and honored the Hamill Foundation for its longstanding support. Incoming Covenant House Texas CEO Anthony Flynn took the mic to share his personal connection to the cause, his own experience with housing instability, and his excitement for the organization’s future.

    Seen on the scene were Heidi and Todd Binet, Cheryl Boblitt King and Bill King, Kurt and Marlene Nondorf, Randy Walker, Elaine and Robert Shaffer, Patti and Tom Turner, Amy Pierce, Joe and Cathy Cleary, and Barbara Strobel and George Bement.

    Covenant House Night of Broadway Stars gala 2025
      

    Photo by Katy Anderson

    Rayshun LaMar performed "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours."

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