Adrian Santos, Jonathan Paiz, Alan Prewitt, Sean Malone, Wayne Lopes, Jeff Easley and Josh Richards work on their Taylor Swift themed house
Galvanized by drag performer Duckie DuJour, guests bopped to beats by DJ Cheeks as they channeled their creativity into designing unique gingerbread houses in hopes of taking home a trophy in one of the categories: “Queer Realness” for the best LGBTQ+ themed house, “Sleigh Queen'' for the best holiday themed house and “Your Fifteen Minutes of Fame'' for the best pop culture-themed house. The evening’s entries included odes to Barbie and Oppenheimer, The Eras Tour, Netflix’s Love is Blind, horror movie M3gan, and a recreation of Houston’s pride parade.
Local personalities Emilio Coochie, Papi Culo and Hugh Stone were the evening’s judges. But, before the winners were announced, guests were brought to their feet as a surprise donation of $60,000 was made by Salem Lutheran Church, bringing the till for the night to $87,000. “This event continues to grow every year and we are blown away by the support of our community, donors, and attendees,” said Courtney Sellers, Grace Place executive director.
Grace Place provides a safe environment for vulnerable youth of all sexualities and genders experiencing homelessness. The organization provides meals, clothing, toiletries, bus passes and computers with Wi-Fi access, plus assistance obtaining identification, housing, job readiness and legal aid.
Sarah Yates, Melissa Bacak and Kenny Bacak
Barbenheimer themed gingerbread house
Andrew Clarke, Francesca's CEO, provides opening remarks
Judges Papi Culo, Emilio Coochie, and Hugh Stone
The Wizard of Oz themed house
Drew Hope serving cocktails, beer, and wine donated by local breweries
Rebecca Schlosser and Phanuel Roxas
Team poses in photo booth
Grace Place staff and volunteers with Salem Lutheran Church members during check presentation
Guests pose in photo booth
Duckie DuJour
The Francescas team works on their house
Onjheney Warren and Zach Mckenzie
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Gown, $2,995, by Koltson at Neiman Marcus, with jewelry, all at Cotton Club.
Jacket and jewelry, all by Chanel.
Dress, by Oscar de la Renta, with diamond feather bangle bracelet, $16,425, and diamond feather earrings, $56,000, both by Sutra Jewels at Zadok Jewelers.
Sweater and skirt, both by Valentino; with cocktail ring, oval link chain and mother of pearl and topaz charm, all by Doves by Doron Paloma, at Bella Madre Jewelry; diamond hoops, by Bella Madre, Terry Roi et Moi ring, by My Story, and stack ring, by Urbaetis, all at Bella Madre Jewelry.
Gown, by Armani, with bangle bracelet, link bracelet, diamond rings and hoops, all by Zadok Collection at Zadok Jewelers.
Pink tourmaline and diamond earrings, $17,500, and mixed sapphire necklace, $24,500, both at Valobra Master Jewelers.
King gold pavé Spirit of Big Bang watch, $24,600, by Hublot.
Earrings, necklace, bracelets and ring, all at Elizabeth Anthony.
Dress, by Gucci, with onyx earrings, $18,200, signature stacking bangle, $11,500, pavé bangle, $9,350, pyramid cuff with diamonds, $7,450, X Marks the Spot ring, $3,300, all by deBoulle Collection at deBoulle.
Blouse and skirt, by Versace, with white and black diamond earrings, $42,000, diamond link necklace, $25,800, and diamond cuff, $25,000, all at Valobra Master Jewelers.
Styling by Todd Ramos
Art Direction by Patrick Magee
Hair and Makeup by Edward Sanchez for Arched Beauty
Models Carmen Sienna Saumell and Le’neisha White
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