Hoda Sana, Nina Magon, Reshma Varughese, April Salazar and Natalia Gillebaard
Co-owners and life partners Adrian Duenas and Marcelo Saenz welcomed more than 200 clients, friends and industry pros to the West Alabama store, which carries B&B Italia, Ligne Roset, Fendi Casa and dozens of other sought-after European lines. Guests enjoyed touring the three-story space, and lined up to congratulate the couple while sipping French rosé and enjoying bites from MAD and Musaafer (truffle-and-cumin macarons?! Say no more).
On the first floor, Divisi Strings serenaded partygoers as they arrived; upstairs, Lady Lauranza turned the volume up with lively renditions such as "I Wanna Dance with Somebody." The indoor-outdoor rooftop lounge beckoned everyone to the third floor, and the picture-perfect skyline views did not disappoint.
Adrian Dueñas, Shoshana Gilbert and Marcelo Saenz
David Cremezza and Federicco Podesta
Ellie Strehli, Kate Jackson and Anna McGrath
Paul Althaus and Beth Wolff
Lydia Ortiz, Jeff Horing and Yadira Sanchez
Paola and Sam Katz
Rooftop patio
Musaafer's truffle and cumin macaron
Alina Grove, Karen Hernandez and Monica Amariz
Vivi and Christopher Robertson
Felipe Riccio, Hayley Reese Riccio, Carrie and Sverre Brandsberg-Dahl
Diana Fisher, Bernie Cantu and Jasmine Reese
The fabulous affair began with Champagne and hors d’oeuvres at a freshly renovated Jones Hall before a performance featuring Juraj Valčuha leading the large, stage-filling orchestra and Houston Symphony Chorus — including a special performance by soprano Erin Morley. The night shifted into a new gear after the show, as some 350 patrons were ferried on luxury busses to a regally decked-out Corinthian for a lavish dinner, per the custom.
“The décor, created by The Events Company, drew inspiration from Paris,” noted a Symphony rep. “Tables, dressed in French-inspired blue linens filled the room, and were topped with candelabras and varying high and low floral centerpieces in shades of pink and red with hints of blue and green. Additionally, an Eiffel Tower adorned with florals accompanied the red carpet.”
The rep described the menu. “Dinner began with a bib lettuce wedge salad with toasted walnuts, grilled pear, pickled celery, radishes, crumbled roquefort and moutard de meaux vinaigrette.” The entrée was grilled sea bass with saffron beurre blanc and fennel-olive vierge, spaghetti squash, jumbo asparagus and cute mini-muffins of potato and dill. Thanks to a long and enduring partnership with Lindy and John Rydman of Spec’s Wine, Spirits, & Finer Foods, wine selections for the meal were first-rate. For dessert: a chocolate terrine with crème anaglaise, almond tuile and melon sorbet.
Mariglyn and Stephen Glenn were chairs for the lovely night, in which performing arts champion Beth Madison was honored. ConocoPhillips was a major sponsor for the event for the 38th year. VIP guests included Margaret Alkek Williams, Bobbie Nau, Betty and Jesse Tutor, Suresh and Renu Khator, Hallie Vanderhider, Bobby Dees, Janet Gurwitch and Ron Franklin.
Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees
Betty and Jesse Tutor
Asley and Peggy Smith and Betsy and Rick Weber
Beth Madison
Suresh and Renu Khator
Janet Gurtwitch and Ron Franklin
Margaret Alkek Williams and Bill Stubbs
Lea and Dee Hunt
Janet Clark, Ginger Clark
Wayne and Tammy Nguyen
Bill and Brittany Bullock
Tammie and Charles Johnson
Mariglyn and Stephen Glenn
Darlene Clark and Edwin Friedrichs
Joan and Bob Duff
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