As social scene-savvy Houstonians know, one men’s runway romp rules them all when it comes to gentlemen’s fashion events: “Una Notte in Italia.” For 26 years, the gala/runway show has been the soiree to catch sports celebs (think J.J. Watt, Lance McCullers, Jr., and more) and handsome Houston power players strut their stuff in front of a totally rowdy crowd.
But recently, it was local ladies who headlined an Una Notte event, the brainchild of power couple Debbie Festari and her husband Rudy — owners of Festari for Men — at a pre-celebration ahead of the November 4 affair at Omni Houston. More than 500 are expected to attend the bash chaired Dr. Alice Mao Brams and Stacey Lindseth. Houston celeb Dominque Sachse will return to co-emcee.
Dr. Alice Mao Brams, luncheon co-chair Courtney Hopson, and Stacey LindsethPhoto by Quy Tran
In news that will certainly shock many, this year’s Una Notte Gala will be the last, Debbie and her handsome husband Rudy revealed.
Brigitte Kalai and Anne AyrePhoto by Quy Tran
Debbie Festari and Amy ZadokPhoto by Quy Tran
Back to those lovely ladies: Some of Houston’s most elegant hit Zadok Jewelers’s posh palace for Una Notte’s Ladies Kickoff Luncheon. Co-chair Courtney Hopson (she joins Melissa Mithoff as co-chair this year) and honorary chair Debbie Festari welcomed 40 women, who included top sponsors and spouses of this year’s participating male models.
Mason Clark and Danielle NemiroffPhoto by Quy Tran
Guests sipped bubbly and champagne at the event that started in the sleek cocktail lounge (crafted by noted interior designer, Nina Magon), then it was on to an Italian lunch courtesy of Tony Gutierrez of Monarch Hospitality Group.
Dr. Sippi Khurana and Marla HurleyPhoto by Quy Tran
Debbie Festari then introduced Devika Kornbacher, a former president and current board Member of Children at Risk, this year’s nonprofit beneficiary of the event. Kornbacher shared her group’s mission to battle the scourge of sex trafficking of children.
Felicia Stone, Amy Zadok, and Devika KornbacherPhoto by Quy Tran
Fun came via some retail therapy, as the ladies shopped til they dropped; a big draw was jewelry was showcased by Phillips House, owned by family members Lisa Frankel and Danielle Nemiroff.
Michelle Reyna Wymes, Lauren Paine, and Crystal Del ToroPhoto by Quy Tran
While a tad bittersweet with the news of the final Una Notte, the day proved to be a fun tease of the red-hot event.
Naureen Malik, Rachel Bagwell, and Iraida BrownPhoto by Quy Tran
Lisa Zadok, Lisa Frankel, Helene Zadok, Danielle Nemiroff, and Amy ZadokPhoto by Quy Tran
