WOW Factor

In an effort to raise funds and awareness for Dress for Success Houston, Women of Wardrobe (WOW) celebrated its highest-grossing evening at the 14th annual Tootsies Summer Soiree. KHOU’s Mia Gradney played emcee for the evening and Dress for Success Vice President Lauren Levicki Courville shed light on the lasting impact the organization will have on over 3,500 women this year. Dressed in “haute” summer looks, over 300 guests perused the trendy West Avenue store where eye-catching fashions by Parker and jewels by Lisa Freede were on display, along with a very popular “bundt wall” — exclusively handcrafted by Nothing Bundt Cakes and donated to Dress for Success — where guests were welcome to handpick their preferred flavor right off the wall.

Hannah McNair,Shaina Park, Raelyn McNair, Joanna Marks



Parties
Leadership in Action: John Kuykendall Traded Newcaster Dream for Success in Luxury Retail

John Kuykendall, Showroom Manager, Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove

How did you get to where you are today? Growing up I had envisioned myself as a news anchor, living in NY and enthusiastically saying into the camera “Good Morning America!”. To this day, I am still a news/political junkie. My mother owned fur salons so specialty retail, luxury retail was in my blood through the family business. Eventually, mom shuttered the stores and I was recruited to a large specialty retailer. Over the next 30 years, I was in commissioned sales on the sales floor, became a department manager, worked my way up to buyer and store manager. Although I never became a newscaster, I did live in NYC for a few years. But Texas is home and with aging grandparents, I felt the pull to come back to my roots. A headhunter approached me. I never envisioned myself in the high-end appliance market, but there are so many similarities. Clients want a memorable experience; whether shopping for diamonds and fur or remodeling their kitchen.

Keep Reading Show less

THE CORINTHIAN WAS the scene for a haunted happening benefiting Children’s Museum Houston. The decidedly adult bash was filled with dark allure, gothic glamour, and generosity to the tune of $1.14 million, the second-highest total in the event’s history.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties

Morris Smith, Tilman Fertitta and Toni Smith

THE HOUSTON CHILDREN'S Charity gala is always anticipated, thanks to the big-deal musical acts brought in to entertain; this year it was Chicago. But the headliners this year were the generous donors, who seemed to surprise even event organizer with their largesse, with a total till of $6.2 million, a record.

Keep Reading Show less
Party People