Simone Biles Cheers on Football-Star-Turned-Male-Model Boyfriend at Festaris’ Fash Bash

Daniel Ortiz
Simone Biles Cheers on Football-Star-Turned-Male-Model Boyfriend at Festaris’ Fash Bash

Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens

SIMONE BILES TURNED up at one of the city's most raucous fall events, to cheer on BF Jonathan Owens, formerly of the Houston Texans, in a men's fashion show.


For many of the city's most party-hearty philanthropists and socialites, clothiers Debbie and Rudy Festari's annual Una Notte in Italia "celebrity" men's fashion show to-do is as much a part of the autumn as al fresco dinners, droptop drives and cheering on the Astros in the playoffs.

This year's affair, staged at the Royal Sonesta Hotel and touting a guest list of more than 500, sold out eight weeks before invitations went to print, said Debbie, honorary chair of this year's event, who also noted that the popular bash raised a record of nearly $450,000 for Children at Risk's efforts to fight child trafficking.

Co-chairs for the successful evening were Melissa Holman Juneau and Jennifer Pinkerton. Handsome media personality Johnny Bravo was emcee, and he doubled as auctioneer for the live auction.

Per the ritual, a slew of notable men took to the runway in Festari for Men duds for the night's main event — to the inevitable hoots and hollers of the boisterous crowd, sauced up on Italian wine and satiated by an Italian-inspired meal. Many athletes were among those strutting their stuff, like Olympic great Carl Lewis, Dynamo stars Zarek Valentin and Tim Parker, Sabercats rugby player Ken Nasoqeqe and ex Texans safety Owens. Other fashion-forward dudes included Chad Pinkerton, Moez Mangalji, Matthew Brams, Stephen Chen, Bob Sanborn, Brandon Dewan, Adrian Duenas, Jonathan Zadok, Clayton Katz, Hugo Guerrero, Mark Theissen and Al Lindseth.

Sponsors for the fete included Rolls Royce Motor Cars North Houston and Veneno Tequila. In addition to Biles, boldface names in attendance included Gary Petersen, Hallie Vanderhider, Melissa and Michael Mithoff, and Astros Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell.

Adrian Duenas, Desiree Jacobs, and Axel Sadek

Carl Lewis

Mellisa Holman Juneau, Lara Goodson and Jennifer Pinkerton

Clayton Katz

Debbie and Rudy Festari

Greg Fourticq and John Cone

Mark Thiessen

Joyce Echols and Brian McCulloch

Todd Phillips, Jessica Rossman, Katherine Ross and Robert Gamch

Tiffany Wong and Courtney Hopson

Roberto and Claudia Contreras with Lucinda and Javier Loya

From Your Site Articles
Related Articles Around the Web
Parties
Fall Philanthropy Report: Urban Harvest Farmers Market Helps ‘Transform Food Accessibility’

What year was your organization launched? Urban Harvest’s Saturday Farmers Market started in 2004 with just seven vendors, providing an outlet for local farms, community and backyard gardeners to sell fresh produce harvested directly from their soils. Now in its 20th year, the market has grown to be one of the largest markets in Texas, supporting over 100 local farmers, ranchers, and food artisans all from within 180 miles of Houston. The market draws 3,000 customers every Saturday morning and includes many original vendors like Animal Farm, Atkinson Farms, and Wood Duck Farm.

Keep Reading Show less

Bashar and Brigitte Kalai, and Alicia and Lance Smith

ONE OF HOUSTON'S most beloved charitable galas made a comeback, as the newly renamed “Voices for Hope” in support of Avenue 360 Health and Wellness and its nearly 40-year-old Omega House hospice for HIV patients bowed at River Oaks Country Club.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties

Michelle and Jonathan Zadok (photo by Jacob Power)

WITH A COWBOY theme and terrific country band — think big hats and big hearts, said organizers — the Crime Stoppers gala was a huge hit and moving evening.

Keep Reading Show less