PaperCity‘s 25th Anniversary Party at Neiman Marcus Brings a Major Surprise

Special Mayoral Proclamation Caps Off the Ultimate Silver Bash

By Shelby Hodge // Feb 11, 2020

Photography Johnny Than

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Courtnay Tartt Elias toasts PaperCity's Jim Kastleman and Holly Moore during the PaperCity 25th anniversary celebration held in early February at Neiman Marcus. (Photo by Johnny Than)

Hannah Swiggard, Paulina Padilla, Stephanie Wilcox (Photo by Johnny Than)

Libby Cagle, Greg Fourticq, Lauren Taft (Photo by Johnny Than)

Ryan O. Harris, India Lovejoy (Photo by Johnny Than)

PaperCity's Kara Smith, Virginia Reynolds, Meghan West, Farrell Lawo (Photo by Johnny Than)

Tatiana Massey, Tatiana Sorkin (Photo by Johnny Than)

George Lancaster, Courtnay Tartt Elias & Mark Elias, Stephen Brunelle (Photo by Johnny Than)

Chad & Bobbi Jo Miller (Photo by Johnny Than)

Joyce Echols, Becca Cason Thrash (Photo by Johnny Than)

Chandos Epley, Catherine Giuffre, Chelsea McDermott (Photo by Johnny Than)

Jailyn Marcel, Bryce Kennard (Photo by Johnny Than)

Maria Bassa Wilson, Beth Muecke (Photo by Johnny Than)

Anne Lee Phillips, Nancy Bihlmaier (Photo by Johnny Than)

Christopher Alexander, Monica Bickers, Tony Bradfield (Photo by Johnny Than)

Anita Smith, Simin Banister (Photo by Chris P. Bachman)

Mary Ann Cuellar, Caroline Dawson, Molly McMurtry(Photo by Johnny Than)

Linda McReynolds, Rose Cullen (Photo by Johnny Than)

City Councilman David Robinson, Jim Kastleman, Holly Moore, Stephen Brunelle (Photo by Johnny Than)

Laurann Claridge, Catherine Anspon (Photo by Johnny Than)

Beth Wolff, Ann Ayre (Photo by Johnny Than)

Samantha Huang, Justin Henderson (Photo by Johnny Than)

Carlos & Karina Barbieri (Photo by Johnny Than)

Maddy Lassetter, Virginia Reynolds (Photo by Johnny Than)

Barbara Davis, Alina Hernandez (Photo by Johnny Than)

Cynthia & Bucky Allshouse (Photo by Johnny Than)

Dr. Kriti Mohan, Marcus & DeeAnn Thigpen (Photo by Johnny Than)

Belinda Gardner, Raquel Cepeda (Photo by Johnny Than)

Ting Bresnehan, EE Kachinski (Photo by Johnny Than)

Sherry Menger, Lacy Baird, Devin Babbit (Photo by Johnny Than)

Dr. Kevin Smith, Marnie Greenwood (Photo by Johnny Than)

Duyen Huynh & Marc Nguyen, Yoon Smith (Photo by Johnny Than)

Lisa Gochman, Meghan Tejpal, Emily Hanley (Photo by Johnny Than)

Cliff Helmcamp, Jane Wood, Jerry Jeanmard (Photo by Johnny Than)

Gigi Huamg, John David Robbins, Yvonne Cormier (Photo by Johnny Than)

Becca Cason Thrash (Photo by Johnny Than)

Greg & Lisa Pope Westerman (Photo by Johnny Than)

Michelle Reid (Photo by Johnny Than)

Earlene Buggs, Christopher Miller (Photo by Johnny Than)

Maria Zorilla (Photo by Johnny Than)

Elise Gaultier-Hollingsworth, Mary Ann McKeithan (Photo by Johnny Than)

The PaperCity 2020 team celebrating the magazine's 25th anniversary. (Photo by Johnny Than)

While PaperCity‘s 25th anniversary fête in the couture salon of Neiman Marcus was not a surprise, after all some 200 chic friends attending were well-informed, the gala soirée did hold a shock for all but a handful. Innocent of what was to come, guests swanned between the Chanel boutique and the Tom Ford installation, champagne and raspberry margaritas fueling the frivolity.

We have attended many fashion fêtes in this rarified space but none have surpassed the gaiety and enthusiasm exhibited on this silver anniversary. It was, in short, quite a vibrant scene amid the clutch that included interior designers, stylistas, gallerists, cute young things and friends of PaperCity.

The ever-fashionables Katy Mayell Ellis, Emily Hanley and Hannah Swiggard were among those playfully posing for photos in front of the Houston Flower Wall Co.‘s frothy white floral canvas, which was emblazoned with the PaperCity logo in neon.

Others cruised over to the pop-up bar for the sublime raspberry ‘ritas from Clase Azul Tequila. Spotted socializing over the classy cocktails were Marcelo Saenz, Lacy Baird, DeeAnn and Marcus Thigpen, Cliff Helmcamp and Jerry Jeanmard.

Beverages flowed, appetizers were served from Neiman’s Mariposa cafe, and DJ Hiram Trevino spun discs that ramped up the already high energy. In a nice touch, Neiman’s Stacey Swift also arranged for the clever Liquid n Lights installation that featured “PC 25” in pipettes filled with adult libations. Contributing high style to the proceedings, the sleekist of young models in glam fashions made the rounds and posed atop low pedestals for all to admire the latest fashions.

The night was long on fun and short on program other than greetings from party host Stephen Brunelle, Neiman Marcus vice president and general manager, and the big surprise.

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City Councilman David Robinson took the mic to announce that February 6, 2020, was declared by mayoral proclamation “PaperCity Day in Houston.” PaperCity editor in chief Holly Moore, PaperCity president Jim Kastleman, PaperCity digital president Chad Miller and the rest of the PC team were over the moon with the unexpected accolade.

PC Seen: Courtnay Tartt Elias and Mark Elias, Anita Smith, Becca Cason Thrash, Duyen and Marc Nguyen, Cliff Helmcamp and Jerry Jeanmard, Tatiana Massey, George Lancaster, Barbara Davis, Jane Wood, Beth Wolff, Belinda Gardner, Cynthia and Bucky Allshouse, Marnie Greenwood, Joyce Echols, Christopher Alexander, Bryce Kennard, Lisa Pope Westerman and Greg Westerman, Molly McMurtry, Ryan O. Harris, Tatiana Sorkin, DeeAnn and Marcus Thigpen, Lisa Gochman, Meghan Tejpal, and Samantha Huang.