In Fall Social Season’s First Fete, Fashionistas Gather at Tootsies to Help Women in Need

Daniel Ortiz
In Fall Social Season’s First Fete, Fashionistas Gather at Tootsies to Help Women in Need

Liz McDonald, Emily Robinson, Karishma Asrani, Dipali Ely

ITS ORGANIZERS CALL it the unofficial kickoff of the fall social season, and, despite Delta concerns, Dress for Success Houston's annual Women of Wardrobe to-do came off without a hitch last week.


In its 18th year, the fashionista event, dubbed the "Summer Soiree," raised more than $13,000, and featured fall collections from designers Tanya Taylor and Mignonne Gavigan. "We find it incredible how [DFSH gives] women the tools to really feel empowered and strong at moments of their lives when they need it," said Taylor.

DJ Joe Ross provided the soundtrack for the sipping, socializing and shopping. Sparkling rosé and prosciutto bruschetta were among the menu highlights.

Those spotted in the crowd included event chair Sarika Patel, Dress for Success Houston President Lauren Levicki Courville, Tootsies President Norman Lewis with wife Donna and daughter Allison Cattan and daughter-in-law Emily Lewis, TV reporter Miya Shay, Katherine Ross, Daisy Mendoza, Paulina Padilla, Bethany Buchanan, Katy Ellis, Lauren Abel, Hannah Swiggard, Vidhya Rama, Claire Hodges, Karina Barbieri and Dress For Success Advisory Council Members Paige Branam and Crystal Wright.

"The mission of Dress for Success Houston is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and development tools to help women thrive in work and life," the organization says.

Allison Cattan, Norman Lewis, Donna Lewis, Emily Lewis

Blanca Jolly, Dr. Emma Lopez, Daisy Mendoza

Catherine Murray, Anne Kalenits, Meredith Shields, Zan Winter

Joy Ku, Amy Becket, Jacquie Baly, Star Hand

Kathryn Knoblauch, Winnie Hung, Natalie Dang, Gini Dube

Lauren Levicki Courville, Sarika Patel

Paulina Padilla, Marissa Wergin

William Finnorn, Hannah Swiggard

Parties
Top Attorney Lauren Varnado Says Networking Is Key: ‘Relationships Are Everything’
How did you get to where you are today? It takes a village. I was fortunate enough to have great mentors and individuals who instilled confidence in me. I think that when you face a challenge or an obstacle, you are able to overcome and make things happen. You can continue moving forward, more resilient over time.
Keep Reading Show less

Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian cocktail

SPOOKY SEASON IS starting early this year with the release of the Beetlejuice sequel in theaters on Friday. Houston cocktail bar and pizza joint Betelgeuse Betelgeuse is celebrating the film with two weekends of events and specials.

Keep Reading Show less
Food

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Taste America, James Beard Foundation's 20-city culinary series, is coming to town Sept. 12 with a lineup of award-winning Houston chefs.

Keep Reading Show less