Serial entrepreneur and spa visionary LeBrina Jackson
Intrigued by the legacy of Vichy's wellness traditions, serial entrepreneur and spa visionary LeBrina Jackson founded and aptly named her very first spa Pure Vichy, knowing she wanted to incorporate the healing powers of water into her offerings. Drawing inspiration from a visit to France and her passion for water-based wellness, LeBrina aimed to bring the essence of Vichy's healing waters to Texas, creating a sanctuary where clients could experience the revitalizing benefits of hydrotherapy that she had fallen in love with.
Today, LeBrina's dedication to Vichy's legacy lives on at her Escape Spa in Cypress, just outside of Houston. Offering a range of Hydrotherapy services, LeBrina’s treatments seamlessly integrate Vichy practices with contemporary spa techniques to stimulate circulation, aid in relaxation, and promote healing and wellness. Water therapy has proven beneficial for a variety of health conditions including arthritis, fibromyalgia, back pain, cardiovascular diseases, and sports injuries, making the spa’s treatments perfect for anyone seeking an overall boost in their health and wellbeing.
“I read years ago that in Latin SPA stands for ‘solus per aqua’ or ‘health by water.’ Water has always held almost sacred space when it comes to healing,” explains LeBrina. “Then after experiencing the healing power of natural geothermal hot springs around the world as well as visiting Vichy, France, I realized I always felt like I pushed a hard reset button on my personal renewal. It became clear that if I wanted to offer authentic wellness therapies in any spa I would create, it was essential to incorporate water-based treatments into the service menu."
Among the spa’s signature treatments is the Nourishing Glow Wrap, a standout service that combines exfoliation with a luxurious volcanic clay mask. As warm water cascades over the body, detoxification and relaxation intertwine, leaving your skin feeling soft, hydrated, and radiant. Similarly, the Vichy Recovery Massage melts away stress under eight shower heads, followed by a full body massage and a body scrub — a synergistic blend that relieves tension. Additional signature treatments include the Sleek and Slim and Illuminating Vichy Body Peel, also designed to harness the power of water to boost relaxation and rehabilitation.
These offerings not only pay homage to the rich heritage of Vichy's spa culture, but also reflect Escape Spa's commitment to modernizing traditional wellness rituals.
Book a service at Escape Spa to experience the magic of Vichy hydrotherapy and expand your self-care regime.
LeBrina Jackson
Lilith's Lullaby cocktail (photo by Angie Cavazos)
Co-founded in 2023 by long-time hospitality pros Alexis Mijares and Angelique Cook Cavazos, this spooky, seasonal immersive pop-up has everything a glamourous ghoul could want: crazy, creative cocktails (more on those in a minute), tarot card readings by The Aunty Alchemist, and spellbinding burlesque performances by the bodacious Belle be Damned & Jadore Productions. “We are going even bigger this year with creative design and spirited activities,” says Mijares. “This year has completely different visuals for a new experience for those who have visited us before.”
Cook, who serves The Cursed Cauldron as its artistic director, has led the transformation of Aero Cocktail Co. into a witchy woman’s abode, complete with curated artwork, a 3D fireplace (we’re not sure what that is…), and plenty of Instagram-worthy nooks and crannies. “I love incorporating tiny details into the installation,” says Cook. “We’ve spent a lot of time crafting this multi-layered experience, and I’m excited for our guests to find new mystical details to explore.”
Meanwhile, Mijares has concocted a menu of creative libations for guests to consume. Along with such classics as the Hexpresso Martini and Sex Magic On The Beach, the new cocktails include Oshun’s Offering, a combination of rum, pumpkin, brown butter, almond, orange liqueur, and lime; Coven’s Calling, an alchemic blend of gin, dry sherry, elderflower, sage, black pepper, lemon, and Fever-Tree Indian Tonic Water; and Freyja’s Cup, a fertile mix of vodka, strawberry, rose, honey, lemon, and Fever-Tree Blood Orange Ginger Beer. Spirit-free options will also be on tap, and to keep your stomach full, Aero Cocktail Co.’s kitchen offers Hocus Pocus Popcorn, Paranormal Pizza, and Char-Boo-terie Boards.
“The design transformation, the drinks, it’s all very first-class,” says Nick Galvan, owner of Aero Cocktail Co. “We can’t wait for everyone to come check it out!” (Cue: Thunder, a black cat screeching, and maniacal laughter.)
Alexis Mijares and Angie Cavazos
Oshun's Offering cocktail
Sex Magic on the Beach cocktail
- Wicked Eats, Spooky Sips and the Best Bashes for Halloween (No Tricks Here!) ›
- Here Are Halloweekend’s Wickedly Wonderful Eats, Sips and Treats ›
- Iconic Burger Joint Expands, Sushi Fave Rolls Out a Sandwich Pop-Up, and More of This Week’s Food News! ›
- The Traveling Spirit Mobile Bar Revs Up, Offering Pandemic-Friendly Pours ›
- Downtown Bar Becomes a Bewitchingly Festive Cocktail Destination for the Holidays ›
- Downtown Bar Becomes a Bewitchingly Festive Cocktail Destination for the Holidays ›
- 'Cursed Cauldron' Pops Up at Industry Haunt on Friday the 13th, Serves Spooky Sips through End of October ›
A Page Parkes model during the fashion show
Per the custom, the highlight of the party was a semi-scandalous fashion show featuring swimwear, underwear and lingerie, produced by Todd Ramos with hair and makeup by Edward Sanchez and his team. Male and female models from the Page Parkes agency, a longtime CityBook partner, strutted the hip bar in sometimes revealing looks by clothiers including Top Drawer Lingerie, Leather by Val, Manready Mercantile and Manbuns.
Chapman & Kirby servers handed out delicious bites including miniature beef Wellingtons. And bartenders mixed up special cocktails for the occasion such as mango margaritas, smoked Old Fashioneds and espresso martinis, thanks in part to generous spirits sponsors Cazadores tequila, Angels Envy bourbon and Grey Goose vodka. Wine and sparkling wine also flowed.
Magazine editor Jeff Gremillion welcomed about 200 guests, including Valen Custer and her Brazilian fiancé Vitor Villar, the real-life model couple who appeared in the 2024 Sexy Issue’s racy fashion shoot. “People always marvel at how attractive the crowd is at the Sexy Party,” Gremillion brags. “I guess we stack the deck a bit, when we make sure our hottest models turn up!”
As presenting sponsor of the Sexy Issue and co-host of the bodacious bash, Indigo displayed fabulous cars out front for guests to consider renting. Lamborghini or Rolls Royce, anyone?
CityBook’s Sexy Issue, with its provocative fashion imagery, has been a staple of summer in Houston since the magazine launched in 2016.
Lindsay Yates and Brian Ching
Jason Clayden and Aaron Matthews
Thy Mitchell
Valen Custer and Vitor Villar
Jazmin Porter
Addison Freeman and Amanda Pascali
A Page Parkes model during the fashion show
David Croatto, Valeria Croatto, Lukkaew Arasrisuwan, Krystal Hatchett
Rosendo Mendoza, Joshua Schirmer, Nicholas Guidry
Tyler Treadwell, Joshua T. Dada and Shawn Harris
A Page Parkes model during the fashion show
Tom Hedge, Lety Turullols and Andrea Oliver
Magen Pastor and Rene Garza
Anisa Hoxha
A Page Parkes model during the fashion show
Maricela Olivo, Dieter Lehman and Ashley Escobar
Richard Hester and Mary Patton
Jeff Jacobitz and Chris Casey
A Page Parkes model during the fashion show
Greta Connolly and Steven Rodriguez
Karen Parker, Michael Gilg
Mitchell Greco, Todd Ramos, Brandon Weinbrenner
A Page Parkes model during the fashion show
Demitri Benson and Nicholas Glenn
A Page Parkes model during the fashion show
Lisa Gochman and Chris Beverly
Van Morris and Patrick Curphey