In New ‘Cool 100,’ Mag Counts Down Houston’s Top Movers, Shakers and Makers. Did You Make the List?

THE MEANING OF “cool” evolves. In the ’50s you might have thought greasers were cool, with their leather jackets à la Danny Zuko. In the ’70s, a long-haired activist or a Studio 54 reveler in Halston. In the ’80s, a Wall Street master of the universe?

Deciding who and what is cool is not only a moving target but also entirely subjective. And you might say attempting to “rank” the coolest people in Houston is a fool’s errand, one that will leave us immediately open to criticism. “You think she is cooler than him? You included this person?! You left off that one!?”

To that, we say: You’re right, it’s crazy. Also: Lighten up. These aren’t the Nobel Prizes. This is a lark, a fun way to fill some magazine pages. But, then again, it's not not important. The Cool 100 — graciously sponsored by Four Seasons Hotel Houston, the Post Oak Collection and Insólito Tequila — is our way of commenting on Houstonians drawing our attention right now.

We’re interested in highbrow, and low. We like fun and sexy, and cerebral and poised. We like people who have made it to the top, and those striving to get there. We like the rich and famous, and those doing their thing quietly their own way, outside the limelight.

We have a bias, we admit, for young, beautiful and artistic. We’re not necessarily honoring the legends of Houston or the most generous philanthropists, and we’re not ranking the saints. (That’s another list.) However, we are impressed by maturity — and accomplishment in all fields. And kindness is always cool.

Also, to be on the CityBook list, you must live and work primarily in Houston. Sorry, Beyoncé.

Those named to the inaugural Cool 100 stood apart for their aesthetic and impact, their attitude and intrigue. We love what they’ve been doing lately, and we’re genuinely curious about what they’ll do next.

To borrow from The New York Times, which presented a similar list recently: We welcome dissent. But we are, without a doubt, correct.

1. Jordan Santana

Photo by Jhane Hoang

Skateboarding sensation Santana was the talk of the whole country when the sport was set to make its Olympic debut. While she narrowly missed a spot on the Tokyo team, the 20-year-old, who trains at North Houston Skate Park, has her sights set on Paris 2024: At press time, she’s in Argentina for the Olympic qualifiers.

2. Jeremy Peña

Photo by by Mary De Cicco

At 25, the Dominican-American was the youngest position player to ever be named World Series MVP in ’22. But the main reason the cute shortstop, who has eight homers this season, is so cool? Heart hands for Mom!

3. Don Toliver

Photo by Gunner Stahl

Née Caleb Zackery Toliver, he’s the next international face of Houston-born hip-hop. The 28-year-old rapper blends sounds of R&B, trap and classical music, and has churned out four studio albums in five years, including 2023’s Love Sick, which he’s touring this summer.

6. Lynn Wyatt

Photo by Steven Visneau

Think people can’t be described as “cool” past a certain age? Well Wyatt, at 87, embodies the word. Once a Warhol muse, she is the mother of all fashionistas and undisputed queen of Houston society. Wonder if BFF Elton John will turn up at the upcoming grand opening of the Downtown park named for her.

8. Mohammed Amer

Photo courtesy of Netflix

An observational comedian known around town — and now to Netflix fans everywhere — as Mo, Palestinian-American Amer has been name-checked in countdowns by Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair. His series Mo was picked up for a second and final season.

11. Bryan Washington

Photo by Jhane Hoang

A bestselling, award-winning author (Lot, Memorial) whose muse is the city of Houston, Washington drops his second novel, Family Meal, in October. He wrote and edited it over the course of nearly three years, during travels to places like Tokyo. He turns 30 this year.

12. Tobe Nwigwe

Photo by Steven Visneau

Since gracing the cover of CityBook’s Music Issue in 2018, first-gen Nigerian-American rapper Nwigwe has released five studio albums, become a dad (times four!), received a 2023 Grammy nom for Best New Artist — and performed at Coachella in a viral Moncler ’fit.

13.Christy Lynn Lee

In her growing collection of womenswear created in a Montrose atelier, RISD grad Lee weaves together her Korean-American heritage, East Coast flair and Texas roots.

18. John Berger

The handsome young founder of residential solar company Sunnova, Berger has high hopes for the city’s transition away from fossil fuels.

21. Gin Braverman

Photo by Andrea Mendoza

Does every restaurant that Braverman decorates become cool, or do all cool restaurants just know to hire Braverman? The answer is yes. The interior designer’s magic touch can be seen at Jun, The Lymbar, Mala Sichuan at M-K-T — and even new concept suites at the Toyota Center.

22 & 23. Reagan Bregman and Alex Bregman

Photo by Steven Visneau

A new baby, a World Series victory, a red-hot side biz … Last year was winning, but what more could be on deck for the Bregmans in 2023? Digital content-creator Reagan is pursuing a more traditional medium — television — while Alex bolsters his rep as one of baseball’s best clutch hitters.

24. Pete Bell

Photo courtesy of Cotton Holdings

His day job is running a global conglomerate with subsidiaries in construction, staffing, housing and more. But Cotton Holdings honcho Bell has earned a rep for throwing killer parties. An invite to Cotton’s Rodeo Cookoff tent is a hot ticket; an invite to the VIP tent-within-a-tent is pure gold.

28. Lauren Anderson

The life of the beautiful, age-defying ballerina Anderson — who works closely with the Houston Ballet’s education program — was the subject of a talked-about world-premiere play at Stages last year.

31. Dan Zimmerman

Photo by Phoebe Rourke

This next-gen developer is doing dad Steve proud. Dan was a driving force in the recent redo of storied La Colombe d’Or hotel, which The New York Times just praised as “glamorously moody.” Now he’s sustainably renovating his fourth historic building Downtown.

32. Chris Williams

Ten years after opening his first restaurant, Lucille’s in the Museum District, James Beard-nominated chef-activist Williams has much more on his plate: He just opened a three-in-one concept in the renovated Eldorado Ballroom and inked his first cookbook deal.

33. Fady Armanious

Photo from @fadyarmanious on Instagram

The Egypt-born creative director of Tootsies dresses many of Houston’s trendsetting socialites. But none turn more heads than bold sartorial superstar Armanious himself. He and his real-estate-titan partner Bill Baldwin just chaired the Holocaust Museum gala.

35. Casey Barbles

The Houston native is the pretty face behind the city’s best farmers markets, including two new ones Downtown. This summer, her Feel Good Group brings more art, live music and food to White Linen Night in the Heights.

36. Ben Berg

Photo by Andrew Gittings

If opening hot restaurants was a sport, Berg would be an Olympic champ. On the menu for 2023: Buttermilk Baby diner, Dune Road seafood, Annabelle Brasserie, Turner’s Cut steakhouse and, opening soon, Benny Chows and Canopy Social on Wash Ave.

38. Khori Dastoor

Photo by Lynn Lane

The first woman and person of color to lead HGO, she in two years at the helm has innovated in digital outreach, and commissioning new works — and presided over the receipt of the company’s largest-ever donation of $22 mil.

39. Christopher Paul

Photo by Ellen Sabin

A sculptor of wearable art, Paul, 27, uses his work to encourage viewers to “untether” from racism. The Art Is Bond gallery assistant will graduate UH in 2024, and plans to eventually launch an art residency program for Black youth.

41. Israel Rodriguez

He’s been known to be controversial. Ask artist Rodriguez sometime about his murals remarking on Ted Cruz’s Cancun trip, or the killing of Breonna Taylor. But it’s his bright, abstracted, close-up portraits — that’s his Jeremy Peña on the cover — that have hip arty types abuzz.

Brian Ching

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

The Dynamo’s all-time leading goalscorer, Ching pivoted to become the Houston Dash managing director, then a nightlife impresario (Pitch 25, East End Backyard). Look for Ching to enter the medical-marijuana arena later this year.

45. Chris Shepherd

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

He spent years helping carve out the city’s now-famous foodie reputation, but last year left his restaurant empire to focus on his Southern Smoke nonprofit, whose reach and influence has exploded. It provides no-cost mental health services and crisis funds to industry workers and their families.

46. Daniel Garcia

Photo by Kelli Durham

Garcia first opened the Mend Center in 2016, and recently moved it into a beautifully decorated Heights bungalow, where he compassionately treats adult patients with chronic and severe mental illness.

49. Niki Lassiter

Photo @creationsbynikilassiter on Instagram

After being diagnosed with a troubling mix of debilitating auto-immune disorders a few years ago, Lassiter, an ex-Miss Texas USA, found purpose in her new, less physically active lifestyle. She’s become a celebrated handbag maker, sharing proceeds with charities.

50. Adam Ross

Ross, the Suit Boss, has built a booming bespoke menswear biz by combining refined style and craftmanship with bro-savvy service. He’s got a whiskey bar! Celebs and pro jocks are fans. He just made Mr. Simone Biles’ Cabo-cool wedding suit, which you might’ve seen in People mag.

53. Cherif Mbodji

Photo by Julie Soefer

Senegal-raised Mbodji moved here to help Aaron Bludorn open his first Houston restaurant, and just two years later, he’s a partner at Bludorn, Navy Blue and a new project in Memorial.

54. Washington Ho

Photograph by Callaghan O’Hare/HBO Max

HBO Max’s House of Ho follows the Crazy Rich Asians-esque lifestyle of first-gen Vietnamese-American Ho and his fam. The businessman just launched a THC-infused seltzer called HoBuzz.

55. William Farley

A trip to South America with his father inspired Farley to swap his energy career for wine. And now the outdoorsman and entrepreneur has opened Padre’s wine shop and bar in the Heights, in his dad’s honor.

56 & 57. Rama Walker & Philipp Sitter

Photo by Jhane Hoang

Seeking to solve the staffing problems in the healthcare field, Nurseify — run by Walker, a nurse and motivational speaker — is a new app connecting facilities in need with per-diem nurses. For his part, Sitter launched the smartphone platform RepeatMD to help clinics and doctor’s offices incentivize client loyalty and referrals.

59. Itai Ben Eli

The man behind Sof Hospitality (Hamsa, Doris Metropolitan, Badolina) knows beef. He pioneered the dry-aging process and operated a butcher shop in Israel before opening a restaurant in Costa Rica and moving to Houston. Meaty tidbit: He’s eyeing Austin next.

60. Jennifer Pinkerton

She’s a gorgeous redheaded sexologist. Sounds like a movie, but Pinkerton, also an author and podcaster, is an actual, cutting-edge psychotherapist. She specializes in LGBTQ and couples issues — and does compassionate work on nonsexual matters with families and kids.

61. Mimi Swartz

Photo by Jhane Hoang

The executive editor of Texas Monthly, New York Times contributor and author is a longtime Heights resident. One of her most recent pieces was TM’s March cover story about the government’s push to privatize Texas’ public schools.

65. Matthew Massey

Photo by Phoebe Rourke

He fell in love with Champagne while frequenting France for oil and gas biz roles. Today, his Madame Zéro Champagne produced in France is the first touted for low sugar and transparent nutritional labeling. Massey will uncork a subscription service as well as his first grand vintage Champagne this fall.

68. Lucinda Loya

Her pied-a-terre in Manhattan used to be a church, and her funky home here boasts The Houstonian in its backyard. All to say, interior designer and gal-about-town Loya — whose bedroom in the 2022 Kips Bay showhouse generated serious buzz — has great taste.

70. Bianca Bucaram

Photo by Sofia van der Dys

She’s a globally engaged publicist and fundraiser for charitable causes and a brand manager who’s helped raise the profile of clients from a dizzying range of fields, from physicians and thinkers to artists and Olympians. No wonder she’s been lauded by PR News and HBJ's "40 Under 40."

72. Sevy Marie Eicher

To be an internationally collected artist as a teenager is certainly cool. But what’s more, Eicher, who was born in Bulgaria and adopted by her Houston parents, has Down syndrome. She inspired her family to start Sandal Gap Studio, an inclusive arts space where the differently abled can express themselves.

74. David Cordua

He’s been a hot chef almost since childhood, working with his chef dad at the fam’s restos. Now his own Lymbar is an anchor at the Ion biz and tech innovation center. Texas Monthly just called his fried potato “rose” starter with garlic aioli a “tour de force.”

75. R'Bonney Gabriel

Prior to winning Miss Universe in January, Gabriel, the first Filipina-American to wear the Miss USA crown, had only been competing in pageants for two years — and was about to age out. Luckily, she just scraped by, allowing the spotlight to shine on her sustainable-fashion efforts with Houston’s nonprofit studio Magpies and Peacocks.

76. John Michael Race

A founding senior instructor at Barry’s fitness studio, Race, who has a nursing degree, packs the Red Room with his fire playlists. TikTokkers — and Ellen fans — may also know him from his viral video of his first time drinking boba tea.

77. Charlene Flash

Photo by Fulton Davenport

She became executive director of sprawling, multi-clinic health center Avenue 360, which offers care for all income levels, days before the Covid pandemic hit. Having navigated that storm, with pioneering efforts in telemedicine and drive-through testing, physician Flash continues to steer the burgeoning, innovative nonprofit to new heights.

78. Demola

Viral TikTokker Ademola Daniel Babafemi, a.k.a. Demola, has earned raves as much for his hip-hop violin tunes as for his vibrant streetwear and custom suits (with or without a shirt). His summer tour includes a hometown show Aug. 19.

79. Jastin Martin

Photo by Jhane Hoang

A self-taught musician who’s been writing songs since age 9, Martin was just signed to Def Jam Records, and is gearing up for a summer album release. But she’s already won over fans with her minimalist, vibey, trap-soul songs like “Right My Wrongs.”

80. Colby Smith

Photo by Jhane Hoang

Smith is VP of operations and the boots-on-the-ground at Katy’s new Home Run Dugout venue (think Topgolf, but baseball). It’s fitting, since Smith was the baseball team captain at West Point. He earned a Bronze Star and Purple Heart during deployments to Afghanistan before getting his MBA at MIT.

81. Ricardo Nuila

Ben Taub physician Nuila, 44, sheds light on all the things that the public hospital system is doing right in his new book, The People’s Hospital. The dad of two thought he’d have to choose between a career as a doctor or one as a writer — but knew that he’d find the best stories in medicine.

82. Micah Edwards

Photo by Steven Visneau

With a smooth, retro sound he calls “Texas soul,” Micah Edwards is a hard-working singer on the rise. He recently opened for his sister, country star Madeline Edwards, and his own debut album, Jean Leon, drew more than a million followers on Spotify.

83. Nicky Sohn

Korean-American Sohn is the composer-in-residence of Houston’s 16-member, conductor-less Kinetic Ensemble string orchestra. Earlier this year, she premiered her violin concerto “Home,” inspired by the stories of previously unhoused graduates of The Women’s Home.

85. Prince Varughese Thomas

Indian-American artist and professor Thomas showcases the work of others in his own backyard. Literally. He and his life and art partner Britt Thomas erect a movie screen in their yard and invite viewers to park at T.C Jester Park and tune in via radio for short films by local artists.

89. Julie Friedman

Photo by Jhane Hoang

Three times in as many years, Friedman’s business Young, Wild & Friedman — which sells nontoxic play-dough and themed accessories in prettily packaged kits — has had to break a lease in order to move into a bigger warehouse.

89. Harper Watters

Photo self-portrait by Harper Watters

With his own YouTube channel and more than half a mil TikTok followers, Houston Ballet first soloist Watters, 31, is almost single-handedly redefining the classical art form. All while wearing sky-high heels.

94 & 95. Katie McClure & Erin Breen

Photo by Jhane Hoang

Mirth Caftans long ago outgrew its name. The sisters’ line of comfy-cool caftans became one of comfy-cool dresses, blouses and more — but they’re all still made from ethically sourced artisan textiles that McClure and Breen travel to select themselves.

96. Andrew Solis

Artist-entrepreneur Solis enjoys everything about drinking … except, sometimes, the alcohol. Last year, he created zero-proof whiskey, tequila, gin and mezcal under the brand name Cut Above Spirits — all with less than one gram of sugar and all natural flavors.

99. Mistress Isabelle Brooks

Fan favorite Brooks was the first contestant from Houston to compete on RuPaul’s Drag Race, where she served looks and attitude. She regularly performs at JR’s and South Beach and this summer is on a North American tour.

100 (& 101). Angelique Gioldasis

Photo by Jhane Hoang

Former professional model Gioldasis, who’s been photographed by the likes of Bruce Weber and Juergen Teller, has dabbled in catering, wardrobe styling and event planning. She opened The Park HTX, a Downtown photo studio, in January — the same month she gave birth to her daughter, Gisele Elizabeth.