Anything but Old Hat! Glam Al Fresco Luncheon Draws Chic Millinery, Raises Big Bucks for Park

Anything but Old Hat! Glam Al Fresco Luncheon Draws Chic Millinery, Raises Big Bucks for Park

Kristy Bradshaw, Kelley Lubanko, Phoebe Tudor

ONE OF SPRINGTIME'S most lovely events — the annual Hats in the Park luncheon, served up in a beautifully tented space at Hermann Park’s McGovern Centennial Gardens — was more spectacular than ever. Thanks, weather, for the crisp, blue-sky day!


The 16th annual event, which raised nearly half a million bucks for the park’s conservancy, drew a who’s-who of lovely ladies — some 480 in all — each trying good-naturedly to outdo the other with haute headgear! Julie Longoria Chen, Isabel David and Rishma Mohamed served as chairs; Paula Harris, a Houston Astros Foundation honcho and longtime park patron, was the honoree.

“The amount of excitement was abundant amongst all the mingling and catching up during the Champagne reception,” gushed a rep for Hermann Park Conservancy, “before the guests were ushered to their seats on the formal lawn for an alfresco lunch crafted by City Kitchen.” Poached shrimp and sliced beef were on the menu, with cheesecake for dessert.

Conservancy board chair Kristy Bradshaw updated guests on developments at the park, including the imminent opening of the long-under-construction McWilliams Dog Park and the Commons. “To say that I’m excited to bring my family to the Commons is a massive understatement,” said Bradshaw. “This excitement is matched by just how grateful I am for each and every person who has worked on this and supported this incredible project as it’s nearly ready to be enjoyed by our community.”

“We have this amazing milestone just around the corner, but we would be remiss to forget the daily work that has maintained the rest of our beloved Park, keeping it the oasis that it is for our six million annual visitors.”

Spotted in the miles of millinery were Fady Armanious, Susie Criner, Allie Fields, Brigitte Kalai, Melissa Juneau, Doreen Stoller, Phoebe Tudor, Hallie Vanderhider.

Allison Stasney, Ting Bresnahan

Lindley Arnoldy, Allie Fields

Ayesha Rashid, Brigitte Kalai, Alice Mao Brams

Brooke Bentley Gunst, Holly Radom, Carolyn Sabat

Phyllis Williams, Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell, Lauren Randle

Catherine Matthews, Elizabeth Abraham Colombowala

Kristen Berger

Gracie Cavnar, Laura McWilliams

Demetra Jones

Hats in the Park Chairs Isabel David, Rishma Mohamed, Julie Longoria Chen

Holly Alvis

Neekie Kashani, Katherine Whaley

Ping Sun, Mei Leebron

Susie Criner

Paula DesRoches, Morgan Garvey, Doreen Stoller

Parties
For Realty Pro Sarah Callaway Sulma, ‘Real Estate Is a Relationship Business’

HOW DID YOU get to where you are today? I was raised by a family that had a strong work ethic coupled with high moral standards. I was pretty much given the groundwork - I just had to put it in play!

Keep Reading Show less
People + Places

Spritzes at Tavola

WHILE FALL WEATHER might still be a couple of weeks away (boooo), Houston restaurants are rolling out new patio-friendly brunch menus just in time for al fresco season! From spritz carts to toast topped with caviar, these new brunches have it all for fall.

Keep Reading Show less
Food

Alex Au-Yeung (photo by Jenn Duncan)

WHEN IT OPENED a few months ago, The Woodlands outpost of acclaimed Katy restaurant Phat Eatery was billed as Alex Au-Yeung's dream restaurant. Unfortunately, Au-Yeung never got to see it come to fruition, as he passed away earlier this year. But the James Beared-nominated chef-owner certainly left his mark — and in honor of what would be his 53rd birthday, operating partners Kevin Lee and Marvin He have organized two pop-up tribute dinners.

Keep Reading Show less
Food