Two Posh Purveyors Bling in the Season with a Series of Sizzling VIP Soirees

Daniel Ortiz and Alex Montoya
Two Posh Purveyors Bling in the Season with a Series of Sizzling VIP Soirees

Abigail Henningsen, Antonio Cortez, Blake Kilgore and Ally Ondarza

LIKE THE SOCIAL scene, the art scene may slow down in the summer — but that’s no excuse for two Upper Kirby businesses, who teamed up to throw a truly hot bash.

Valobra Master Jewelers and Christopher Martin Gallery plan to host a series of VIP events throughout the season, and the first two were smashing successes. One benefited Dress for Success, and the second was a Father’s Day-themed party from which proceeds went to Urban Harvest.

At the latter, guests ventured into the still-new outpost of the Aspen-based gallery, peeping Bentley and Ferrari and Porsche cars on display. (Christopher Martin parked his own Porsche Boxster, wrapped in one of his own art pieces, out front!)

Once inside, patrons snagged cocktails from Gentle Ben and hefty bites from Steak 48 and browsed a cool collection of vintage watches and accessories like cufflinks from Valobra. Men’s clothier Lucho also popped up with a selection of seasonal items. Solar-powered turntables, spun by DJ Chris Zane, provided a chill soundtrack to the night, which featured an art exhibition called The Whale Tail Project, in which artist Johans Lamic — who was in attendance at the party — reimagined a number of Porsche spoilers.

Teresa Henderson, Danielle Deleon and Cheryl Byington

Amanda Mills and Roland Maldonado

​Roz and Alan Pastor

Bryan Caswell and Erin Hicks

Page Parkes model Sophie Johnson wearing Valobra jewels

Bahara Anna and Lana Page and Albina Kond and Hector Villarreal

Johans Lamic and Susan Frania

David Victor and Bryce Bell

Liz Sian, Chanelle Rebiere and Marxli Mettauer

The scene at Christopher Martin Gallery

Parties
‘Embrace Changes,’ Says Valobra, Whose Namesake Jewelry Store Has Become a Houston Institution
How did you get to where you are today? I had little choice in the matter; I grew up being trained to become the fourth-generation jewelry designer behind my great grandfather, grandfather, and father. It was my duty to carry on the family business and continue the hard work and success they built from nothing, beginning in Torino, Italy in 1905. I was surrounded by jewelry and its craftmanship as a young child and was taught the business from a very young age.
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