Models, Tequila and Plenty of Latin Fire Make This Houston Fundraiser Beyond High Energy

When Lunch Turns Into a Rocking Fiesta

BY Shelby Hodge // 05.20.19

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Tequila toasts as models walk the runway in fashions from Tootsie's at the Latin Women's Initiative Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon. (Dave Rossman Photo)

Daisy Mendoza, Michele Leal Farah, Trini Mendenhall, Maritza Gonzales at the Latin Women's Initiative annual luncheon. (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Alexandra Cevallos, Mary Tere Perusquia, Marisol Leiva at the Latin Women's Initiative annual luncheon. (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Blair Bentley, Maria Vilchez Lowrey, Brooke Bentley Gunst, Gina Bhatia at the Latin Women's Initiative annual luncheon. (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Cyndy Garza Roberts & Thomas Roberts at the Latin Women's Initiative Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon at the Hilton Americas Houston. (Dave Rossman Photo)

Donna Lewis, Susan Pohl at the Latin Women's Initiative annual luncheon. (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Dulce Morales, Brenda Rivera at the Latin Women's Initiative annual luncheon. (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Elia Gabbanelli, Sharon Torres at the Latin Women's Initiative annual luncheon. (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Twila Carter, Gloria Luna Bounds and Diane Englet at the Latin Women's Initiative Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon at the Hilton Americas Houston. (Dave Rossman Photo)

Patricia Herrera, Philamena Baird, Bill King at the Latin Women's Initiative luncheon and fashion show. (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Elise Lubanko, Kelley Lubanko at the Latin Women's Initiative annual luncheon. (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Fady Armanious, Kara McCullers at the Latin Women's Initiative annual luncheon. (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Sharron Melton, Maria Sotolongo at the Latin Women's Initiative Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon at the Hilton Americas Houston. (Dave Rossman Photo)

Frances Dyess, Gracie Saenz at the Latin Women's Initiative Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon at the Hilton Americas Houston. (Dave Rossman Photo)

Gloria Luna Bounds, Rosi Hermandez at the Latin Women's Initiative annual luncheon. (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Joanna Amado, Rosangela Copobianco at the Latin Women's Initiative Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon at the Hilton Americas Houston. (Dave Rossman Photo)

Joe & Monica Casiano at the Latin Women's Initiative annual luncheon. (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Luvi Wheelock, Jennifer Allison at the Latin Women's Initiative Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon at the Hilton Americas Houston. (Dave Rossman Photo)

Martha Monia, Beth Wolff at the Latin Women's Initiative annual luncheon. (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Bryan Glass, Mari Trevino Glass and Ileana Trevino at the Latin Women's Initiative Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon at the Hilton Americas Hotel. (Dave Rossman Photo)

George Farah, Manuel Gonzales at the Latin Women's Initiative Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon at the Hilton Americas Houston. (Dave Rossman Photo)

Perla Guerra, Susie Molina, Leticia Rios at the Latin Women's Initiative luncheon and fashion show. (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

A model walks the runway in fashions from Tootsie's at the Latin Women's Initiative Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon. (Dave Rossman Photo)

Tequila toasts as models walk the runway in fashions from Tootsie's at the Latin Women's Initiative Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon. (Dave Rossman Photo)

What: The Latin Women’s Initiative (LWI) annual luncheon and Tootsies fashion show

Where: Hilton Americas-Houston

PC Moment: This high energy, packed fundraiser hasn’t always concluded with tequila toasts, as it did on this day and others, but throughout the 17 years since its founding the Latin Women’s Initiative fundraiser has been one of the most lively and entertaining luncheons of the year. Thus, it was no problem drawing a fashionable crowd of 700 women and men for the rocking midday fiesta that raised more than $300,000 for six nonprofits aiding Latinas and their families.

Adding to the bottom line was the I.W. Marks Jewelers contribution of a lady’s Rolex watch in a raffle which sold all 150 tickets within minutes.

Titanium Tequila provided the spirits for the colorful finale that followed Tootsies euphoric presentation of fashions from Latin designers. Slim, trim models sashayed the runway in looks from Alexis, Borgo De Nor, Carolina Herrera, PatBO, Oscar de la Renta, Robert Rodriguez, Silvia Tcherassi and Casa de Novia.

Much of the fun of the day begins early with Latin-inspired vendors from across Texas and Latin American proffering wares that range from fine leather goods to lacy fashions, jewelry and scarves.

Elizabeth Anthony

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ASSAEL

OLYMPIA LE-TAN

EMILY P. WHEELER

MARIA OLIVER

KATHERINE JETTER

MEREDITH YOUNG

LEIGH MAXWELL

MEREDITH YOUNG

Headlining the popular fundraiser were chairs Michele Leal Farah and Maritza Gonzales, honorary chair Trini Mendenhall, LWI president Daisy Mendoza and emcee Jacob Rascon of KPRC Channel 2, who did a masterful job of managing the exuberant crowd.

PC Seen: Jan and Oneil Mendenhall, Luvi Wheelock, Vicky and John Dominguez, Elia Gabbanelli, Joanna and Brad Marks, Cyndy Garza Roberts and Thomas Roberts, Rosi and Jorge Hernandez, Chree Boydstun, Diane Englet, Monica and Joe Casiano, Mari Trevino Glass and Bryan Glass, Ileana Trevino, Gloria Luna Bounds, Ceron, Mary Tere Perusquia, Maria Vilchez Lowrey, and Kara McCullers.