That's Amore

La dolce vita takes the runway at sold-out Houston luncheon

When it comes to la dolce vita, Houston's Italian community knows how to make an entrance. Fashion, family, and a little amore took center stage October 20 as the Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston celebrated its seventh annual fashion show and luncheon.

Chairs Donae Cangelosi Chramosta and Rachel Regan welcomed a sold-out crowd for a Capri-inspired afternoon honoring Italian heritage and the Houston families keeping its traditions alive.

Emcee Deborah Duncan guided the festivities, which featured a runway presentation of Italian designers curated by Saks Fifth Avenue and produced by Lenny Matuszewski and Tamara Klosz. Uptown Dance Centre added movement to the Mediterranean mood.

The spotlight also shone on honorees Chris Canetti, recognized for his leadership in Houston sports; the Maida family, whose six-generation leatherworking legacy includes Houston Shoe Hospital; and the Mandola family, whose culinary contributions have helped shape Houston's restaurant scene.

From bespoke boots to beloved Italian kitchens, the afternoon offered plenty of hometown history with an Italian accent.

The sold-out gathering of 350 guests raised $215,000 for scholarships supporting advanced study of Italian culture. The organization has awarded more than $355,000 in study-abroad scholarships to date.

Among those enjoying la bella vita were Kim Moody, Anne Carl, Stephanie Perkins, Zinat Ahmed, Amy Pierce, Ann Ayre, Valerie Dietrich, Pam Lovett, Debbie Festari, Laura Davenport, Paulina Padilla, Katie Tsuru, Chris Goins, Sandra Porter, Sidney Faust, Beth Wolff, Sippi Khurana, Anita Seggal, Beth Muecke, Elsie Eckert, Leisha Elsenbrook, Leisa Holland Nelson, Saula Valente, Brittany Ros Wetterer, Chiara Casiraghi Brody, and Sheree Frede.

Italian Cultural & Community Center Dolce Vita fashion show 2026

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Amalia Stanton, Audrey White, Amanda Boffone, Jennifer Allison, Kathy de la Mora, and Shannon Addison.

fashion show fundraisers

Best In Show

A soap-and-loofah duo cleans up at Houston's Haute Howloween gala

Corridor Rescue Haute Halloween Gala 2026

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Michelle Bill Briggs with the Chairs.

Halloween’s best-dressed weren’t necessarily on two legs.

Corridor Rescue brought costumes, cocktails, and a cause worth barking about to its inaugural Haute Howloween Gala on October 31 at The Ballroom at Bayou Place.

Gala chairs Bruce Padilla and Shelby Kibodeaux, alongside honorary chairs Patti and Don Murphy, welcomed a costumed crowd for an evening of tricks, treats, and tail-wagging philanthropy. The Murphys’ honorary corridor pup, Langley, lent a personal touch as Patti shared the rescued dog’s story of resilience.

Honorees Edna Meyer-Nelson and Ed McMahon received recognition for their support of Houston’s animal community, while Corridor Rescue President and Medical Director Page Moore spoke about the organization’s work rescuing animals from Houston’s notorious Corridor of Cruelty.

Emcee Casey Curry kept the festivities moving as auctioneer Vincent Montalbano coaxed bids for a Tony’s chef’s dinner, a 55 Seventy wine tasting, and a Puerto Vallarta getaway. DJ Bruce Waine supplied the soundtrack. Meanwhile, Michelle and Bill Briggs made a clean sweep of the costume contest, dressed as a soapy loofah and bar of soap.

The 250 guests raised more than $275,000, enough to fund a year of rescue efforts and medical care.

On the scene were Jeff and Erica Hoke, Cortney Cole-Hall, Elizabeth and Alan Stein, Laura Stein, Michelle and Doug Holland, Marcia Willson and Earl Berkhimer, Anna Kaplan, Elsie and Les Eckert, Lenny Matuszewski, Kirby and David Lodholz, Ann Bean, Beth Muecke, Leisa Holland-Nelson, Tatiana Sorkin, Roland Maldonado, Kayvon Sohrabi, and Edward Sanchez.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Michelle Bill Briggs with the Chairs.

fundraisers galas corridor rescue