Viva la Moda

Havana flair fills the runway at Latin Women’s Initiative fashion fête

Welcome to a Havana-kissed fantasia.

Photo by Jacob Power

Rochelle Deiso, Ashlee Rubbo, Naimeh Salem, and Samantha Werber.

The 24th Annual Latin Women’s Initiative Fashion Show and Luncheon, themes Viva la Comunidad, Viva la Moda, unfolded at the Hilton Americas in a whirl of style and unapologetic Latin flair. More than 900 guests slipped into the scene for an afternoon where the stilettos were sharp, the tequila flowed, and the energy never dipped below high-decibel mode.

Luncheon committee chairman Julie Garza and Latin Women’s Initiative (LWI) president Vicky Dominguez welcomed guests into a space transformed by Johanna Terry Events. The marketplace opened early and quickly turned into its own social runway as shoppers browsed, mingled, and paused for Titanium Tequila tastings. Then came the mariachis, weaving through the ballroom to enthusiastic applause.

The fashion show, presented with Tootsies, delivered exactly what the city’s fashion faithful came for: drama, movement, and Latin designers who understand that clothing should enter a room before you do. Under the creative direction of Fady Armanious and production by Lenny Matuszewski, models swept past towering LED visuals in looks accented with jewelry by Brazilian designer Claudia Lobao, while menswear by Festari added a polished counterpoint. Telemundo Houston produced the event videos, and KPRC’s Daniella Guzman emceed the afternoon.

Nearby, an electric Porsche gleamed beside the stage like a very expensive plus-one.

The luncheon honored María Moncada Alaoui, recognized for her generosity and longstanding commitment to Houston’s community causes.

The event raised more than $550,000 benefiting Sunshine Kids, The Rose, Prelude Music Foundation, Finca Tres Robles, A Small Place Farm, and BridgeYear.

Supporting the cause were April Fabre, Lisa Flores, Lisset Garza Ceron, Omar Alaoui, Patricia Herrera, Rosi Hernandez, Gloria Luna Bounds, Trini Mendenhall-Royalty, Becky Reyes, Maritza Gonzales, Vicki Luna-Lerma and Horacio Lerma, Chree Boydstun, Patricia Garcia, Jolene Treviño, Mari Salazar, Leanne Schneider, Hoda Sana, Xochitl Ljuboja, Cathryn Martinez, Monica Alvarez, Cyndya Garza Roberts, Estela Cockrell, Cinthya Reade, Maria Morales, Jovanny and Samuel Orellana, Anna Reger, Hallie Vanderhider, Debbie Festari, Ally Shell, Edna Meyer-Nelson, Zinat Ahmed, Nora Jarrard, Stephanie Tsuru, Laurie Sanders, and Chelsea Collmer.

fundraisers latin women’s initiative

Raising Expectations

3 nights of Michelin-starred cuisine fuel Houston nonprofit’s mission

Genuine Cup Hope and Opportunity Dinners 2026

Photo by Jenny Antill

This team came together to execute the Hope and Opportunity dinners.

Fine dining dished with purpose? We’ll have seconds, please.

The Genuine Cup’s second annual Hope and Opportunity Dinner Series brought three evenings of Spanish-inspired hospitality to Soleil June 11-13, raising $665,350 to expand employment pathways and opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Co-founders Ignacio Torras and Lorna Ortiz welcomed approximately 300 guests across three sold-out dinners for a culinary collaboration featuring Spain’s celebrated Roca Brothers of El Celler de Can Roca alongside Houston chefs who lead four of the city’s six Michelin-starred restaurants — Felipe Botero (Le Jardinier), Felipe Riccio (March), Mayank Istwal (Musaafer), and Luis Roger (BCN).

Attendees began with Spanish-inspired bites and wine pairings before settling in for a multi-course tasting menu accompanied by Edward Grigassy’s live Spanish guitar performance, creating an evening that felt more Barcelona than Boulevard.

“This event is about more than raising funds — it’s about raising expectations,” said Torras. “Every individual deserves the opportunity to contribute, succeed, and be recognized for their talents. Through hospitality, sport, and community, we are creating pathways that help make that possible.”

The program spotlighted the Genuine Cup’s mission through remarks from Senator Ted Cruz, Commissioner Lesley Briones, and Robert Rule, whose story as a Genuine Cup athlete and Rocambolesc employee reinforced the importance of meaningful employment opportunities for neurodiverse individuals.

Throughout the dinners, members of the Genuine Cup community played active roles in the guest experience.

Funds will benefit the Genuine Cup, an international soccer tournament that will bring together athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Houston from July 27 - August 1. In total, teams from 50 countries will participate in the event, which is being held at Rice Stadium.

On the scene were Anne and Karl Stern, Ivan Perez, Kathleen Sledge, Tony and Francis Buzbee, Daniel Briones, Albert and Anne Chao, Sammi and Mithu Malick, Michael and Megan Bartz, David and Laura Piccione, William and Constanza Restrepo, Neil and Elizabeth Chapman, Kyle and Erin Cummings, and Heidi and Senator Ted Cruz.

Photo by Jenny Antill

This team came together to execute the Hope and Opportunity dinners.

chefs fundraisers