Houston’s Best Dressed Party in Billionaire’s New Post Oak Hotel, Raises a Record $638,000: Lynn Wyatt’s Already Calling the Swank Spot Houston’s Best Hotel — and Fashionistas are Swooning

It’s the one event of the year for which you dress to kill or you die of embarrassment, the ultimate see and be seen congregation of fashion devotees. The Houston Chronicle Best Dressed Luncheon and Neiman Marcus Fashion Presentation has for more than three decades inspired a fashion frenzy that annually benefits March of Dimes. Tuesday’s event was over the top in so many ways.

Record breaking proceeds of $638,000 had the gathering of close to 600 cheering. The swank ballroom of Tilman Fertitta‘s Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston was declared the city’s finest five-star hotel by none other than Lynn Wyatt. Fashion world guru Ken Downing, aka Neiman Marcus fashion director, shared bon mots from the catwalk. Akris designer and creative director Albert Kriemler, in from home base in Switzerland, ruled the runway with his spring and summer looks and headlined the Neiman Marcus table, hosted by GM Bob Devlin.

Applause, applause for luncheon chairs, the very glamorous duo of Laura Davenport and Dr. Sippi Khurana. Congratulations to Fertitta who not only received rave reviews for the hotel but also, along with son Patrick Fertitta, observed the honoree presentation from the back of the room.

The class of 2018 and the designer ensembles they chose for the day: Hall of Famers Paige Fertitta wearing Valentino, Stephanie Cockrell in Proenza Schouler, and Millette Sherman in Saint Laurent;  plus Lindley Arnoldy in Oscar de la Renta; Karina Barbieri in Gucci;  Brigitte Kalai and Claire Cormier-Thielke both in Dolce & Gabbana; Shawntell McWilliams in Stella McCartney; Alicia Smith in an Oscar de la Renta top and Valentino skirt; and Hallie Vanderhider in Roland Mouret.

Adding to the fashionable event in both style and largesse were Maureen Hackett and Sheridan Williams, who together made the top bid for the February trip to Paris for the Akris show and a special visit with Kriemler. Both, seated with Kriemler at the Neiman’s table, wore Akris.

On this 80th anniversary of March of Dimes, the Roosevelt Society (a new, national membership of generous MOD supporters) was announced and its founding Houston members introduced on stage — Brigitte and Bashar Kalai, Dr. Sippi and Ajay Khurana, Carol and Mike Linn, Cynthia and Tony Petrello, Millette and Haag Sherman, Sue and Lester Smith Foundation , Michelle and Alan Smith and  Brett and Ashley McClellan, CEO of the Woman’s Hospital of Texas, which was presenting sponsor of the luncheon.

Fashionistas: Phoebe Tudor, Melissa Juneau, Lora Clemmons, Beth Zdeblick, Diane Lokey Farb, Frances Marzio, Eileen Lawal, Anne Carl, Phyllis Williams, Jana and Scotty Arnoldy, Susan Sarofim, Rishma Mohamed, Yvonne and Rufus Cormier, Dancie Ware, Cynthia Allshouse, Allie Fields, Rachel Volz, Kim Moody, Ericka Bagwell, Deborah Duncan, Stephanie Fleck, Neekie Kashani, Rachel Regan, Warner Roberts, Fady Armanious and so many more.