Glam Squads

One of the city’s largest galas, hosted by the Altus Foundation and the mayor’s office, once again raised more than $1 million. Emceed by Tyra Banks and featuring a performance by pop star Taylor Thi, the event was attended by 1,300 guests, who bid on items like trips to the Super Bowl, the Grammys — and to Bali! Meanwhile, another 1,000 people packed the ballroom of the Post Oak Hotel for the inaugural Karya Kares Foundation gala, which benefited youth programs in the United States and India.

Ashwin Shetty at ‘Karya’
Ashwin Shetty at ‘Karya’



Nick Florescu and Dominique Sachse, Tyra Banks and Taseer Badar at ‘Altus’
Parties
Leadership in Action: John Kuykendall Traded Newcaster Dream for Success in Luxury Retail

John Kuykendall, Showroom Manager, Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove

How did you get to where you are today? Growing up I had envisioned myself as a news anchor, living in NY and enthusiastically saying into the camera “Good Morning America!”. To this day, I am still a news/political junkie. My mother owned fur salons so specialty retail, luxury retail was in my blood through the family business. Eventually, mom shuttered the stores and I was recruited to a large specialty retailer. Over the next 30 years, I was in commissioned sales on the sales floor, became a department manager, worked my way up to buyer and store manager. Although I never became a newscaster, I did live in NYC for a few years. But Texas is home and with aging grandparents, I felt the pull to come back to my roots. A headhunter approached me. I never envisioned myself in the high-end appliance market, but there are so many similarities. Clients want a memorable experience; whether shopping for diamonds and fur or remodeling their kitchen.

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Kathryn Lott, Guy Hagstette and Barry Mandel

EVERY TWO YEARS, some of Houston's best-known names and most generous patrons descend upon Downtown's Discovery Green park for a night of dinner, dancing and art-admiring.

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Parties

Brasserie 19

THE RODEO OFFICIALLY opens on March 4, but Houston restaurants have already started saddling up with specials! So boot-scoot on over to one of these restaurants to savor the Texas tradition.

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Food