In Fall Social Season’s First Fete, Fashionistas Gather at Tootsies to Help Women in Need

Daniel Ortiz
In Fall Social Season’s First Fete, Fashionistas Gather at Tootsies to Help Women in Need

Liz McDonald, Emily Robinson, Karishma Asrani, Dipali Ely

ITS ORGANIZERS CALL it the unofficial kickoff of the fall social season, and, despite Delta concerns, Dress for Success Houston's annual Women of Wardrobe to-do came off without a hitch last week.


In its 18th year, the fashionista event, dubbed the "Summer Soiree," raised more than $13,000, and featured fall collections from designers Tanya Taylor and Mignonne Gavigan. "We find it incredible how [DFSH gives] women the tools to really feel empowered and strong at moments of their lives when they need it," said Taylor.

DJ Joe Ross provided the soundtrack for the sipping, socializing and shopping. Sparkling rosé and prosciutto bruschetta were among the menu highlights.

Those spotted in the crowd included event chair Sarika Patel, Dress for Success Houston President Lauren Levicki Courville, Tootsies President Norman Lewis with wife Donna and daughter Allison Cattan and daughter-in-law Emily Lewis, TV reporter Miya Shay, Katherine Ross, Daisy Mendoza, Paulina Padilla, Bethany Buchanan, Katy Ellis, Lauren Abel, Hannah Swiggard, Vidhya Rama, Claire Hodges, Karina Barbieri and Dress For Success Advisory Council Members Paige Branam and Crystal Wright.

"The mission of Dress for Success Houston is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and development tools to help women thrive in work and life," the organization says.

Allison Cattan, Norman Lewis, Donna Lewis, Emily Lewis

Blanca Jolly, Dr. Emma Lopez, Daisy Mendoza

Catherine Murray, Anne Kalenits, Meredith Shields, Zan Winter

Joy Ku, Amy Becket, Jacquie Baly, Star Hand

Kathryn Knoblauch, Winnie Hung, Natalie Dang, Gini Dube

Lauren Levicki Courville, Sarika Patel

Paulina Padilla, Marissa Wergin

William Finnorn, Hannah Swiggard

Parties
Golden Hour at The Marigold Club: A Decadent Escape

THERE'S A MOMENT just before dusk when everything turns to gold—the light softens, the world slows, and indulgence feels not just necessary, but deserved. Welcome to Golden Hour at The Marigold Club, where opulence meets effortless charm and your midweek unwind turns into an exquisite ritual.

Keep Reading Show less

Debbie Festari, Ann Carl, Alicia Smith and Edward Sanchez (photo by Jacob Power)

A FABULOUSLY FASHIONABLE crowd of more than 650 turned up at the American Cancer Society’s annual Tickled Pink luncheon at the Post Oak Hotel. All wearing pink, because of course, they came to raise money for breast cancer research, and also to support some of Houston’s most generous and beloved ladies — chair Sippi Khurana and honorary chairs Leisa Holland-Nelson-Bowman, Donna Lewis, and Beth Wolff.

Keep Reading Show less
Wellness+Giving Back

AHH, A TRIP to the spa. What are you thinking about now? Therapeutic aromas, relaxing music, inventive hydration... The Thompson Houston's new spa has it all, plus absolutely stellar views from its sixth-floor perch overlooking the greenest swaths of Buffalo Bayou Park.

Keep Reading Show less
Style