Bellissimo! Prosecco-Fueled Lunch and Fashion Show Benefits Italian Cultural & Community Center

Michelle Watson
Bellissimo! Prosecco-Fueled Lunch and Fashion Show Benefits Italian Cultural & Community Center

Ally Shell, Kendra Smith, Hannah Swiggard, Chiara Casiraghi

A ‘FANTASTICO’ FASHION show at River Oaks Country Club celebrated chic Italian apparel, jewels — and prosecco, of course.

Chaired by Sandra Porter and Gina Gusemano Leck and benefiting the Italian Cultural & Community Center, this year’s event honored Rosie Carrabba. Her son, Johnny Carrabba, introduced her to the crowd of 300. Rosie took the mic and immediately began ripping colorful jokes that “Johnny told [her] not to tell,” but the audience was sure glad she did.

Soprano Bailey Bower moved listeners with an Italian aria before the main event began. Beautiful models took to the catwalk in fabulous fall fashion from Neiman Marcus. All proceeds from the luncheon directly fund scholarships for college students studying here in Houston and abroad in Italy.

Donna Vallone, Philamena Baird

Cassandra Hurst, Charity Yarborough, Warner Roberts, Mollie Steele

A look from Neiman Marcus

Mary Bea Wickman, Elizabeth Smith, Molly Evans, Elizabeth Borski

Cherri Carbonara, Leisa Holland-Nelson, Marilu Garza, Patti Murphy

Erika Myers, Owen Conflenti

Baily Bower

A look from Neiman Marcus

Mary Ann Yamin, Lisa Holthouse

Johnny Carrabba, Roz Pactor, Erika Myers, Rose “Rosie” Carrabba

Sandra Porter, Gina Gusemano Leck

Peter Remington, Karen DeGuerin


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Colleen Walker, Scott McClelland, Judy Tate

WONDERFULLY WHIMSICAL DÉCOR, colorful cocktail attire, and vivacious live music — what more could partygoers ask for? How about raising more than $850K for an important cause that impacts at-risk students all over Houston!

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IT'S AL FRESCO brunch season in Houston, and Candente has rolled out a new menu for the occasion. Boasting a large buzzy patio — with lots of fans! — the Montrose Tex-Mex charmer is known for its live-fire cooking technique that gives food a signature Mesquite-grilled flavor.

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