Houston’s Models For Success Turn Business Suits Into Catwalk Attire

Making a Difference in Real Women's Lives

By Shelby Hodge // Mar 9, 2019

Photography Johnny Than

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Ilona Carson, Lauren Levicki Courville, Pam Jesse, Kristi McCarthy, Eric Blumrosen at the Dress for Success Models of Success event. (Photo by Johnny Than)

Kristin Pylant, Amanda Polich, Seante Johnson at the Dress for Success Models of Success event. (Photo by Johnny Than)

Liz Schaffner, Kerry Brooks, Jennifer McSorley at the Dress for Success Models of Success event. (Photo by Johnny Than)

Courtney Hopson, Neal Hamil, Libby Cagle Taft at the Dress for Success Models of Success event in 2019. (Photo by Johnny Than)

Courtney Hopson, Neal Hamil, Libby Cagle at the Dress for Success Models of Success event in 2019. (Photo by Johnny Than)

Ilona Carson with Dress for Success' Models of Success. (Photo by Johnny Than)

Genora Boykins, Sidney Evans at the Dress for Success Models of Success event. (Photo by Johnny Than)

Emily George, Katie Tipper-McWhorter at the Dress for Success Models of Success event. (Photo by Johnny Than)

E. Phileda Tennant, Brittany Smith, Liz Snyder, Mary Daniel Morgan, Allie McWilliams at the Dress for Success Models of Success event. (Photo by Johnny Than)

Jerri Moore, Lauren Levicki Courville, Berthica Fitzsimons at the Dress for Success Models of Success event. (Photo by Johnny Than)

Donald Wayne, Tali Blumrosen at the Dress for Success Models of Success event. (Photo by Johnny Than)

DFSH Client Ambassador Kristin Sullivan at the Dress for Success Models of Success event. (Photo by Johnny Than)

Cristiana Pimentel, Theresa Bazan, Shahnaz Ghafoor at the Dress for Success Models of Success event. (Photo by Johnny Than)

Claire Strande, Tessa Judson at the Dress for Success Models of Success event. (Photo by Johnny Than)

Audrey Fersten, Jennifer Briscoe, Christie Amezquita, Jillian Nel, Annette Santamaria, Christine Johnson, Cheri Carborara at the Dress for Success Models of Success event. (Photo by Johnny Than)

Amanda Johansen, Kimberly Clark at the Dress for Success Models of Success event. (Photo by Johnny Than)

Carol Sandvick, Karen Bloomfield at the Dress for Success Models of Success event. (Photo by Johnny Than)

Bertha Rodriguez, Cynthia Cisneros at the Dress for Success Models of Success event. (Photo by Johnny Than)

What: Dress for Success Houston 16th annual “Models of Success” evening

Where: DFSH headquarters on Eastside

PC Moment: As Dress for Success Houston president Lauren Levicki Courville said, it’s one of her favorite events of the year. “Our supporters see the impact their investments have on the women we serve and the effect of the continuing educational programs.”

Indeed, the heart of the evening was the parade of well-suited models, DFSH clients, who strode the catwalk while Ilona Carson, KTRK Channel 13 news anchor, shared their success stories. The emotional, uplifting presentation left nary a dry eye in the gathering of 200 Dress of Success supporters.

Before the presentation, guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres from A Fare Extraordinaire, served on the roof top terrace.

The event also noted the kickoff of Send One Suit Month during which more than 145 Houston companies host suit drives across the city throughout March, the effort an earnest nod to the DFSH mantra: “It starts with a suit.”

PC Seen: DFSH board chairman and corporate partner at Foley Gardere Eric Blumrosen and wife Tali, corporate guild president Pam Jesse of Midway, Chevron’s Kristi McCarthy; board members Kim Hartz, Kasey Dunn, Ben Patton, Courtney Hopson, Jerri Moore and Carla Kneipp; plus Neal Hamil, Libby Cagle, Niloufar Molavi, Genora Boykins, Jillian Nel, Jennifer Briscoe, Alison Johnson and Sidney Evans.