This Parent Teacher Organization and School Reform Advocate Channels Milan and Madrid Style as One of Houston’s Best Dressed — Ellecia Knolle’s Heart Is Full

Appreciating the Magic Of John Saladino

By Shelby Hodge // Aug 13, 2026

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Ellecia Knolle, wearing a 1971 vintage gown from Neiman Marcus, poses for photographer Alejandro Salinas at the Houston Best Dressed shoot.

Ellecia Knolle, with one of her daughters in Paris, is ready for a tour in a sidecar motorcycle

First time Houston Best Dressed honoree Ellecia Knolle enjoys an out-of-the-box fashion impression.

Ellecia Knolle making the scene during the Round Top Antiques Fair (Photo by José Rodríguez)

Mary Kathryn Anderson-Gould of Fort Worth with her daughter Ellecia Knolle at the PaperCity Philanthropy in Fashion Best Dressed announcement party held at Neiman Marcus.

Edmund & Ellecia Knolle with their four children on a mountain holiday

The Philanthropy in Fashion Houston Best Dressed honorees represent a cross section of backgrounds, interests and ages with two unifying characteristics. Each has an altruistic interest in contributing to the Bayou City and each has a defining style. The philanthropic femmes will be saluted on September 15 at a Post Oak Hotel luncheon benefiting March of Dimes.

In this new PaperCity series, we are profiling each of the 2026 Houston Best Dressed honorees leading up to the PaperCity Philanthropy in Fashion Houston Best Dressed Luncheon. Next Up: First-time Best Dressed honoree Ellecia Knolle.

For this third generation Texan and native of Fort Worth, community involvement and volunteer leadership comes naturally as it was instilled by her parents who set the example throughout her childhood.

“My heart has been fullest,” Knolle says, “when behind the table serving teens dinner at St. Cecilia Sunday night confirmation classes, digging in the dirt at the gardens of Bayou Bend, building school gardens, leading and fundraising for Parent Teacher Organizations, leading a book club at the elementary school, and so on.”

Her current project is co-chairing the Kappa Kappa Gamma Charitable Foundation of Houston’s Key to Design: A Tablescape Event. In addition her volunteer commitments include work with the River Oaks Garden Club, Magpies & Peacocks, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft and Western Academy.

Memorable quote: “In a world full of roses, be a wildflower.” — Anonymous

First-time Houston Best Dressed honoree Ellecia Knolle enjoys an out-of-the-box fashion impression.

The Style Survey

Favorite designers: “Typically, small designers I find when traveling. Then, of course, anything vintage of the icons — Prada, Dior, YSL, Loewe, Oscar.”

Style icon: “Two European women whom I met when abroad — one in Madrid and the other in Milan. These friends are my style north stars — they dress with an authenticity that exudes a unique sophistication and cool confidence without a trace of being trendy.

Your go-to outfit: My upcycled barrel jeans with anything on top.

Fragrance: Parfums de Marly Paris

What is the one accessory you cannot live without: My grandmother’s gold wedding band.

Favorite beauty product: Cetaphil

Ellecia Knolle and daughter in Paris — Ellecia Knolle, with one of her daughters in Paris, is ready for a tour in a sidecar motorcycle

Books on your coffee table: Style by Saladino by John Saladino (her favorite designer), Villa by John Saladino

Travel destination that inspires: Paris

Favorite Hotel in the world: Casa Polanco in Mexico City

Something about you that would surprise: “I was heavily involved in HISD as a parent at the campus and district level advocating for rigor in all classrooms and education reform. As a result, I was asked to make a strong run for the HISD school board in 2016. However, I declined because to my surprise I had just learned I was pregnant with my fourth.”