Houston’s Best Dressed Rock the Runway In Stunning Fashion — The Dresses, Designers & Heartfelt Stories Of Difference-Making Women

From Neiman Marcus featured designer Adam Lippes to Mugler and Etro, the 2024 class of PaperCity Philanthropy in Fashion’s Houston Best Dressed honorees walked the runway in a cross-section of noted designers. But as storied Vogue editor Diana Vreeland noted, “It’s not about the dress you wear but it’s about the life you lead.” Indeed the 10 Houston women honored certainly dress well, but more importantly they are leaders in the city’s philanthropic circles.

Consider, for example, the three Hall of Fame honorees, so distinguished as this was their third time to be named Houston Best Dressed. Of the 13 events that Brigitte Kalai has chaired in recent years, six of them raised record funds. She and husband Bashar Kalai are among the most generous couples in all of Houston and for this luncheon they offered a $100,000 matching gift, guaranteeing that the event would reach its goal of $1 million.

Equally representative of doing good is Hall of Fame honoree Dr. Sippi Khurana, who supports organizations both at home and abroad. She is a member of UNICEF’s prestigious International Council and last November chaired the start-studded UNICEF gala in New York which raised more than $4 million.

Hall of Fame honoree Linda McReynolds has been raising the bar on philanthropy and community leadership throughout the four decades since she was first recognized as a Houston Best Dressed in 1982. Among her many causes, she is a Lifetime Member of the Salvation Army National Advisory Board.

What Houston’s Best Dressed Wore

Winning kudos for most daring was second time honoree Melissa Juneau, who for her role as luncheon co-chair wore Valentino and for walking the catwalk was stunning in a gorgeous Oscar de la Renta gown. One of the organizations benefiting from Juneau’s philanthropy is Children’s Memorial Hermann, which served as the lead sponsor for this March of Dimes fundraiser. Also wearing Valentino for their presentation were Houston Best Dressed first-timer Stacey Lindseth and Hall of Fame honoree Linda McReynolds.

Two of the ladies walked in Etro — second-time honoree Heidi Smith and first-time honoree Lyndsey Zorich. Dressed in Adam Lippes were Hall of Fame honoree Brigitte Kalai and first-time honoree Stephanie Fleck. Also wearing Lippes were two of the three luncheon chairs — Jordan Seff and Jennifer Allison.

Carrie Brandsberg-Dahl rocked in a black strapless Mugler dress, while Dr. Sippi Khurana gave a fashion nod to her Indian heritage by wearing Bibhu Mohapatra. That designer flew in from New York for the runway salute.

Second-time honoree Stephanie Tsuru tapped popular Houston designer Christy Lynn to create a floaty, feminine gown for the runway. The design success was Lynn’s first couture creation.

Inside a Fashionable Scene

There were many family members of the honorees in the audience, including an entire table of young ladies from the Kinkaid School. Scarlett Juneau, daughter of Houston Best Dressed honoree Melissa Juneau, instigated that turnout. Zorich was accompanied by her young daughter Leighton, who managed half a day off from school.

The Kalais were accompanied by their two movie star handsome adult sons Remy and Alex, while March of Dimes director of donor development Kemah Blair-Flores was joined by her grown daughter Brayda Blair.