Hope Grows at ‘Fashion in the Fields’ Fundraiser

Johnny Than and Daniel Ortiz
Hope Grows at ‘Fashion in the Fields’ Fundraiser

Model wearing Mason's Daughters Designs & The Vintage Contessa

IN WHAT HAS now become an annual tradition (with spectacular spring weather!), Recipe for Success Foundation's Fashion in the Fields brunch was an al fresco, floral-savvy soiree held at its Hope Farms facility.


A seasonal fashion show featured lots of local talent, including clothing and accessories by M. Penner, Miron Crosby and Vintage Contessa, with commentary by Lyndsey Zorich of The Avenue and Ahshia Berry with Sarah Jayne Smith of Magpies & Peacocks. Select items were available before and after the fashion show at the Hope Farms Store, which was transformed into a chic boutique for the day.

Guests took in the lovely looks from their seats at tables dressed in paisley linens with centerpieces of white watering cans spilling over with gorgeous hand-picked flowers — zinnias, snapdragons, mums and more — from the Hope Farms fields. Central Market put on a beautiful charcuterie spread, while Bistro Menil, Le Jardinier, Josephine's Gulf Coast, Kriti Kitchen and Culinaire teamed up to provide the rest of the brunch buffet — salmon with grits and greens, and fruit-covered pancakes with smoked ham were among the hits.

A paddles-up raffle sale resulted in an instant $5,000 raised for R4S's Delivering Hope mission, and the adorable daughters of the day's chairs, Jen and James Cunningham, drew for prizes that included shopping sprees, cooking classes and more.

Jen Cunningham with Virginia McMullen and Kristin Blomquist

Aashish Parehk, Rudy Guerra & RJ Jenkins with Gracie Cavnar

The team from Le Jardinier

Lyndsey Zorich

Models wearing Magpies & Peacocks

Greg Martin, Felipe Botero, Gracie, Lucas McKinney, Mary Cuclis, Juan Gonzalez, Karla Espinosa

Miya Shay and Vanessa McGowan

Virginia McMullen with daughters Elizabeth and Vivienne

The Cunningham family

Style
Leadership in Action: Clothiers Murry and Karen Penner Celebrate Family Business’ 50-Year Anny

Murry & Karen Penner, Owners, M PENNER

How did you get where you are today? We’ve stayed true to the vision of the store’s founder, Morris Penner, who relentlessly sought out unique product, with exceptional quality being a key element. Morris always used to say, “The fastest way to lose a customer is to bore him” and we agree. A percentage of every season’s budget is allocated to something new and unique. While product is key, it’s not enough. Having an excellent staff and discipline in business practices is also critical.

Keep Reading Show less

The lobby of White Elephant Palm Beach

COVERED IN VERDANT vines and flanked by tall palm trees, the entrance to the White Elephant Palm Beach feels like passing into a stately home, rather than one of the island’s newest resorts. The building is 101 years old, and while the original footprint and façade remain, the interior has a decidedly updated, ultra-luxe beach vibe.

Keep Reading Show less

Photographer Jhane Hoang with two covers she photographed

ONE OF Houston CityBook’s most beloved photographers was recently diagnosed with stage four cervical cancer. Jhane Hoang has been behind the camera for some of the magazine’s most ambitious shoots — including an overnight shoot at the then-new Weiss Energy Hall at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, and a cold rainy shoot at the Houston Zoo where the crew used a concessions stand as a staging area for hair and makeup.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment