Lynn Wyatt and HM Queen Sofia (photo by Alex Montoya)
The beautiful function, which began with the opportunity for all guests to meet Her Majesty in an hour-long receiving line, was the annual Sophia Awards for Excellence Gala, held in Texas for the first time. Honorees included Latina superstar Gloria Estefan, her music producer husband Emilio Estefan, widely celebrated MFAH Latin American curator Mari Carmen Ramírez, and Houston energy mogul and restaurateur Ignacio Torras of MAD and BCN Taste and Tradition.
A rep for the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute — the New York-based nonprofit founded in 1954 to promote American interest in the art, culture, customs, language, literature and history of Spain and the Spanish-speaking world that organized the event — said the honorees are “four remarkable leaders in their respective fields who have contributed to the international appreciation of Spain and the Americas through their time, expertise and innate wisdom.”
In her remarks at the awards presentation in the Brown Auditorium, the Queen called Houston “one of the most important urban areas of the country, and probably the most diverse, inclusive and international city in the USA … a place where English and Spanish languages coexist in the history of this beautiful state.”
After the presentation, at which gala chair and institute board trustee Dixie Deluca served as emcee,guests made their way through “Cromosaturación MFAH,” a vivid blue, pink and green tunnel by Venezuelan artist Carlos Cruz-Diez, and into the Nancy and Rich Kinder Building for an elegant meal by Torras’ Spanish eateries. “Supporters were also given goodie bags with paella kits from specialty international food supplier TerraMar Imports upon departure,” said the institute rep.
Guests included Ransom and Isabel Stude Lummis, Joanne King Herring, Frances Moody Buzbee,Princess Tatiana Galitzine, Cal and Hannah McNair, Lizzie Sullivan, Libbie Masterson, Bobby and Phoebe Tudor, Margaret Alkek Williams, Lynn Wyatt, David Leebron, Y. Ping Sun, Bernard “Bun B” Freeman, Jim and Whitney Crane, Cynthia Petrello, Craig Biggio, Jim and Molly Crownover, Albert and Anne Chao, Tiffany Masterson, Cerón, Lady Penny Mountbatten, Rice University President Reginald DesRoches, and Santiago Cabanas, Spanish ambassador to the United States.
Emilio and Gloria Estefan (photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Libbie Masterson, Ceron, Mundi Elam (photo by Alex Montoya)
Margaret Alkek Williams and Joanne King Herring (photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Cal and Hannah McNair, Whitney and Jim Crane (photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Mari Carmen Ramirez (photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Queenie and Bun B (photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Linda McReynolds, Anne duncan, Gary Tinterow (photo by Alex Montoya)
Craig Biggio, Her Majesty Queen Sofia, Ignacio Torras, Isabel Torras, and Rocambolesc Employees (photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Benny Ballarin, Nicholas Condos, James Whitley, Harrison Condos, Fay Whitley
Speaking of, it doesn't hurt that Harbour cofounders, brothers Nicholas and Harrison Condos are incredibly good-looking. The guests, including interior designers, real estate mavens and other VIPs, rubbed shoulders with the Condos bros while perusing Harbour's chic offerings and enjoying the evening's signature cocktail, the aperol-fueled Bondi Beach Spritz.
“From spending time here in Houston, we feel a deep link between the way Houstonians treat one another — and visitors such as ourselves — and how we were raised in Australia to be kind and generous to anyone we encountered,” said Nicholas. “Our father taught us how to work hard and prioritized dedication to one’s craft, and I hope that is borne out in the pieces that you all see here this evening. We are very proud of Harbour and feel that it is worthy of being a part of this exceptional community.”
Harbour was initially known as Tecno Furniture, launched by their father Jim Condos in the 1970s.
Linda Sheldon, Peta Rubinstein
Kenya Ocampo, Paola Leoz
Cara Panyard, Nicole Graf, Morgan Peters
Adam Koch, Rajani Alvarado
Anna McGrath, Kate Weldon, Kate Jackson
Benny Ballarin, Renee Lewis, Susan Gray, Nicholas Condos
Samantha Mansur, Eloisa Talarico
Carrie Evans, Steve Summers
Shelia and Adya Roy
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