A spectacle of color. In a season of life, yes life. Fashion returns with a flourish.
Photos by Jhane Hoang, Styling by Leslie Rivas, Shot on location at RootLab in EaDo, Models Betrice Hiller and Jake Busse for Wallflower Management, Hair and Makeup by Bianca Linette, Fashion assistance by Tanesha Seafous
Drawing inspiration from across continents, cultures and generations, and from the chic style of Palm Beach and the Amalfi Coast, Concetto Limone is the quintessential footwear choice for the discerning individual's resort attire. Concetto Limone is a Miami-based luxury house that specializes in the micro-production of artisan footwear and designer goods. With world-class craftsmanship, advanced production methods, and an array of rich materials, Limone creates proffers impeccable design that elegantly infuses historical motifs with a modern sensibility.
In February of 2020, Concetto Limone, led by Houstonian Marcus Spagnoletti and Matthew Chevallard, launched its first line of unisex products, the Limone Loafer, in the Miami Design District.
The hand-woven natural raffia loafer loafers and mules are meticulously sewn together by hand by master craftsmen and craftswomen with a distinct design language. Raffia is made from the segments of the leaves on the Palmyra palm, a tree native to Madagascar that offers breathable textile. Each pair is adorned with calf leather lining, a cushioned insole, and natural rubber outsole — inspected and touched by over 12 sets of hands through a production process that ensures that attention to detail and technical innovation is paramount for these statement pieces.
Valobra Master Jewelers has been creating jewelry for 115 years, beginning in 1905 in Torino, Italy as the official master jeweler to the Italian Royal family. Being the fourth-generation master jeweler, Franco Valobra continues this legacy by creating the most exquisite one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry made in the Houston showroom and offering luxury timepieces to clients and the community. Valobra Master Jewelers, situated in the heart of River Oaks in Houston, also has locations in New Orleans and Lugano, Switzerland.
Pastries at Cafe Leonelli
Operated by The Bastion Collection, the hospitality company behind La Table on Post Oak, Café Leonelli is helmed by Michelin-starred chef Jonathan Benno, and serves traditional Italian fare at an accessible price point. Beginning with breakfast at 8am, the casual-yet-artful cafe offers pastries like sfogliatelle and babka, and cornetto stuffed with savory combos like spinach, leeks, mushroom and egg.
Cafe Leonelli at night
Prosciutto Sandwich
Cinnamon Roll
Focaccias
Lunch — served until 5pm daily (8pm on Thursdays, when the museum stays open later) — brings fresh salads, stacked sandwiches and mouthwatering focaccia by the slice, half sheet or full sheet; larger plates include chicken cacciatore for just $12, and eggplant parm for $10.
Pasty chef Salvatore Martone — also a Michelin Star recipient, by the way — sells his Italian cookies by the pound, or grab abomboloni, eclair or cannoli to-go. Martone also opened an outpost of his famous Miami ice cream shop, Frohzen, within the café; the colorful creations include scoopable flavors like red-velvet, s'mores and Frutti di Bosco sorbet, plus popsicles, ice-cream-cookie-sandwiches and an incredibly rich tres-leches milkshake.
The creations are almost as artful as the masterpieces on display throughout the rest of the building — and, for what it's worth, in the restaurant itself. Patrons can dine indoors underneath Spencer Finch's Moon Dust (Apollo 17), or outside with a view of the art and verdant grounds of the Cullen Sculpture Garden.
Abbie Preston Edmonson gives a special presentation this weekend
DESPITE SOME APRIL showers, there's still plenty of fun to be had! From art-centric and Earth Day activities to family-friendly fests, check out a rundown of the weekend's best bets.
LEARN FROM AN ARTIST Tune in tonight for an hour-long talk by ceramicist and Houston Center for Contemporary Craft resident artist Abbie Preston Edmonson about her creative process. She'll give a virtual presentation about her work and a special demonstration in her studio space.
Brennen's exec chef Joey Chavez (photo by Kimberly Park)
TAKE A VIRTUAL PAINTING LESSON OR COOKING CLASS Be inspired by the great state of Texas during a virtual painting lesson hosted by Honey Art Cafe on Friday night. For only $20, stream a two-hour virtual lesson and make a series of stylized mini paintings inspired by West Texas and Big Bend National Park. Honey Art Cafe also has supply kits available for purchase for beginners or artists low on supplies.
And if painting isn't quite your speed, see what you can cook up in the kitchen! Brennen's exec chef Joey Chavez leads a "date night" cooking lesson for couples on Friday at 6:30pm. Hosted at the restaurant, the socially distanced demonstration, which costs $150, includes a reception, followed by an interactive demonstration and seated dinner.
CELEBRATE EARTH DAY! Join the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center from 10am-4pm on Saturday for a fun- and information-filled day! Explore informative booths, nature hikes, fun displays in the Discovery Room, and Earth-friendly take-home activities. Or join Discovery Green on Sunday from 12-5pm, when the park will screen a series of short films about Houston's environment, host a panel about February's freeze, and showcase a live painting demo by local artists working on murals to decorate the park.
GO ON AN OUT-OF-THIS WORLD ADVENTURE Fifty-one years ago, the Apollo 13 crew splashed down safely back on Earth after their famously harrowing mission to the moon and back. Space Center Houston is celebrating that anniversary on Saturday, hosting two livestreamed panel discussions with current NASA experts as well as Apollo-era legends.And now through May 2, local NASA and Apollo 13 fans can check out the center's new spring exhibition, titled "Apollo: When We Went to the Moon," that looks at the legacy of the Apollo era through the lens of the engineers and astronauts who actually lived the experience.
FIND FUN AT THE INTERNATIONAL KIDS FEST Traders Village hosts Kids Fest on Sunday, with games, activities, interactive shows, live music, acrobats, magicians, clowns and more. Parking is $5, but the event itself is free, sure to keep the whole family entertained from 12-4pm.
