Miami Vice Makes an Unexpected Comeback in Houston: Ferrari Testarossa Turns Heads, But Those Suits Make Mouths Drop

Once again, Children’s Museum of Houston patrons, typically a lively bunch, took a gala theme and ran with it. With such past creative notions as Madhatter’s Ball, FantAsia and Arabian Nights, it was no surprise  that Saturday night’s bash enjoyed a convincing South Beach vibe.

With “Miami Vice” as the theme, chairs Gina and Dr. Devinder Bhatia and Molly and Matthew LaFauci led the fantasy that would have had Don Johnson (Sonny) and Philip Michael Thomas (Ricardo) right at home. Particularly with that a  white Ferrari Testarossa, thank you jeweler Franco Valobra, parked in front of the Corinthian as if Sonny had just parked and jetted inside.

And he would have been in proper fashion mode as more than a few guests at the black-tie gala opted for costuming as in white linen, white dinner jackets and even a few with their jacket sleeves fashionable pushed to the elbow a la Sonny. Let’s not forget the Ray-Bans aviators (enjoying a 21st century comeback), the flamingo glasses and Martial Burguieres sporting a wicked flamingo and palm tree suit. Yes, a suit.

Rebekah Johnson worked here creative magic to create an environment that conjured the steamy side of Miami. The dance floor was colored Atlantic Ocean blue while “palm” trees swayed in the air conditioning and palm frond chandeliers gently rocked overhead. Neon lighting added an authenticity to the theme saluting the popular ’80s television series.

Always a generous bunch, the crowd brought in $975,000 for museum programs. In a note of community spirit, the museum shared proceeds from the live auction to the Houston Food Bank and its efforts helping families impacted by Hurricane Harvey.

Jackson and Company equally embraced the theme serving a menu that included coffee-crusted beef medallions, roasted boniatos (white flesh sweet potatoes) and arroz azafrán (saffron rice), Cuban coffee chocolate mousse, Cuban flan and key lime tarts.

Who: Honorary chairs Millette and Haag Sherman, underwriting chairs Caroline and John Harrell and Rachel and Sebastien Solar; plus Courtney and Bill Toomey,  Gina Gaston Elie and Mario Elie, Evelyn and Francisco Uzcategui, Lacey and Matt Goossen, Neekie and Amir Kashani, Lyndsey and Brett Zorich, and DeeDee and Aaron Howes.