style with purpose

Houston fashionistas smile with purpose at Valentino-fueled fundraiser

Say cheese? Sometimes, all it takes is the word Valentino to bring a wide grin to the face of a fashion enthusiast, especially for those who frequently refresh their closets with the latest releases from notable designers. With fall-winter pre-collections hitting the racks, a sneak peek from the Italian maison de couture is just what the doctor ordered to entice Houston’s A-listers to grab attention-grabbing outfits, hit the stores, and give their Amex cards a healthy workout.

Especially when a portion of the proceeds supports a nonprofit that makes its clients — and the philanthropists who stand behind it — quite happy.

This exclusive show-and-tell on May 8, 2024, backed the global nonprofit Operation Smile, thanks to loyal allies Sneha Merchant and Viet Hoang. Since 1982, the organization has offered cleft lip and palate repair surgeries in more than 60 countries.

Yes, there were plenty of graphic V's on view, a practice that began with the designer’s 1968 Sala Bianca show. This unveiling continued the tradition of Valentino's contemporary and timeless flair, complemented with opulent embroidery, flowing profiles, and tailored accents. The color palette was awash with sophisticated hues of navy and ivory.

Adding to the fundraising prowess were social scene stalwarts Stacey and Al Lindseth and Carrie and Sverre Brandsberg-Dahl. With Merchant and Hoang, this sextet is set to chair the Eighth Annual Houston Smile Gala on Sept. 14 at the Royal Sonesta Hotel. This fashion party also served to announce 2024 ball honorees Roslyn Bazzelle and Derrick Mitchell with the Wallis Annenberg Public Service Award, Dr. Katie To and Dr. Bar Nguyen with the Medical Visionary Award, and Melissa Holman Juneau with the John Connor Humanitarian Award.

Catering by A Fare Extraordinaire and florals from Thriving Botanicals for each guest enhanced the allure of the evening.

On the scene were Henri Merceron, Tiffany Lee, Donae Charmosta, Nick Merchant, Ceron, Zeb Mamsa, Dr. Hoda Sana, Beth Muecke, Kendra Smith, Hannah Swiggard, Elizabeth Waggett, Vicsandra Jones, Naureen and Ahmad Malik, Leisa Holland Nelson, Tarek El-Bjeirmi, and Vy and Nathan Robertson.

Operation Smile honoree announcement 2024

Courtesy of Operation Smile

Tarek El-Bjeirmi and Ceron.

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Public memorials and services set for 'Houston's anchorman' Dave Ward

Photo courtesy of Dave Ward

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ABC13 anchor emeritus Dave Ward died on December 13 at age 86.

Members of the public are invited to pay their respects to the longtime newsman at visitations and funeral services this week. Plans include:

Wednesday, Dec. 17: Ward will lie in repose from 11 am-6 pm at the Crimestoppers of Houston Dave Ward Building, 3001 Main St., Houston, TX 77002.
Thursday, Dec. 18: Public visitation open to all at George H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Directors at 1010 Bering Dr., Houston, TX 77057 from 11 am-2 pm and 4-8 pm
Friday, Dec. 19: Funeral service open to the public at 12 pm at St. Martin's Episcopal Church at 717 Sage Rd., Houston, TX 77056.

ABC13 will carry the funeral live on television and streaming platforms.

For more than 50 years, Dave was Houston's anchorman. He began each newscast with his signature line, "Good evening, friends." That's how the legendary newsman felt about the viewers who shared his love for the city he was so proud to call his home.

His name was David Henry Ward, but he was known to thousands of Eyewitness News viewers simply as "Dave." Born in Dallas in 1939, Dave grew up in Huntsville and began his radio career with KGKB Radio in Tyler while attending college. Three years later, he joined the staff of WACO Radio as a staff announcer and quickly climbed to Program Director the following year.

Dave moved to Houston in 1962, where he worked for KNUZ Radio as a News Reporter and News Director for four years. He made the move to Channel 13 in 1966 as the station's only on-the-street news reporter and photographer, coming "inside" in early 1967 to anchor Channel 13's weekday 7 am. newscast.

Later that year, he became the first host of the wildly popular "Dialing for Dollars" program, which later evolved into "Good Morning Houston." Houston viewers flocked to see him and hear him, and by January 1968, Dave became the anchor of Eyewitness News at 6 and 10 pm.

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Read more about Dave Ward’s life and legacy, with video, on CultureMap's news partner, ABC13.com.

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