New Society Power Women Shake Up the Houston Scene

Despite the sluggish price of oil, the city is definitely growing, at least in the social ranks. How many times have I heard the venerable social throng lament that they simply “don’t know who these people are”? Well, these people are the new breed of individuals who are stepping up to the plate in a big way to support the city’s numerous and worthy nonprofits.

Case in point is the Una Notte in Italia kickoff luncheon at Tootsies. Embracing the new faces with typical Houston enthusiasm is Debbie Festari, founder and honorary chair of the annual men’s fashion benefit which this year shows the love to the Houston Area Women’s Center. The fashionable gathering perusing the must-have racks in the West Ave emporium was filled with social scene ingenues.

Of course, we know Courtney Hopson, Diane Lokey Farb, Vivian Wise and others. But there were the relative newcomers to scene — Sneha Merchant, Nancy Almodovar and Stacey Lindseth. And then there were the fresh new faces that Festari was glowing over — Iradia Brown, Felicia Sireno, Jessica Bertuccio, Yulia Faist and more.

The guest list for the invitation-only affair included major event underwriters and wives of the gentlemen who will walk the runway in Festari for Men fashions during the November 3 event to be held at the Royal Sonesta.

Kickoff luncheon chairs Melissa Mithoff and Brigette Kalai were joined by Una Notte in Italia gala chairs Sippi Khurana and Kendra Smith in welcoming the fashionable throng for the midday repast from Caswell and Company Catering. Tootsies creative director Fady Armanious introduced dazzling fashions pitch-perfect for the gala while Chau Nguyen, HAWC media director, spoke on behalf of families affected by domestic violence.

Who: Dominique Sachse, Laurel Ross, Rachel Bagwell, Kristy Phillips, Jennifer Pinkerton, Rachelle Ball, Amanda Mills, Ally Shell, Tiffany Wong, Tricia Oliver and Donae Chramosta.