Viva la Moda

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

Welcome to a Havana-kissed fantasia.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Omar Alaoui and María Moncada Alaoui.

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

Roses and Gratitude

Life Flight's legacy soars to $4.3 million at Memorial Hermann gala

Memorial Hermann Foundation spring gala 2026

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Angie and Zach Matula.

Guests at the Memorial Hermann Foundation Spring Gala stepped straight into a scene worthy of a love letter, one written in candlelight, crimson roses, and gratitude.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Angie and Zach Matula.

The Hilton Americas ballroom glowed as attendees made their way through a dramatic entrance lined with illuminated handwritten messages from grateful patients, setting the tone for the evening’s aptly named Signed, Sealed and Delivered.

The gala honored Gail and Greg Garland and Anna and Scott McLean, whose leadership helped drive the Memorial Hermann Life Flight campaign past its goal, raising more than $60 million to fund five new state-of-the-art helicopters.

Emotions ran high as former patients shared personal recovery stories. Event chairs Angie and Zach Matula added a moving family connection of their own when Zach Matula recalled how Life Flight saved his father’s life when he was an infant. The room responded with applause, and even louder cheers moments later when Angie Matula announced that more than $4.3 million had been contributed during the evening.

Guests enjoyed a menu created by chef Aaron Bludorn before crowding the dance floor to favorites performed by The Grove Merchants.

On the scene were Bill and Cheryl Boblitt King, Laurie and Tracy Krohn, Tonya and David Callender, Jennifer and Scott Allison, Meredith and Langston Turner, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees, Anne Neeson and Craig Janies, and Lacey and Alec King.

fundraisers memorial hermann