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


Style

Rendering to the bar at The Kennedy, set to open later this summer

A NEW RESTAURANT said to have “refined, classic cuisine in an elevated, cocktail-lounge experience to Montrose and River Oaks” is opening soon, says a rep for the new eatery. A piano bar will be part of the vibe.

Keep Reading Show less
Style+Culture

Chicken and waffles at Buffalo Grille

THE ADAIR FAMILY is no stranger to longstanding, family-run restaurants. Run by siblings Nick Adair and Katie Barnhart, the Adair Concepts umbrella includes Skeeter's Mesquite Grille and Los Tios, plus a number of unique concepts like Adair Kitchen, Bebidas and Eloise Nichols. And now, the beloved breakfast destination Buffalo Grille, with locations in West U and on Voss, is part of the hospitality group.

Keep Reading Show less
Food