$27,000 Lady Dior Handbag Shows The Power of The Purse Remains Strong at This Rollicking Houston Party
Bringing a Vibrant French Cafe Scene to H-Town
BY Shelby Hodge // 11.20.24Excitement built at the Power of the Purse fundraiser benefiting Women's Resource.
What: The Women’s Resource (TWR) of Greater Houston “Power of the Purse” benefit
Where: The Revaire
PC Moment: For certain it was naming of the luckiest woman in the room — the femme who won the raffle of the $27,100 Lady Dior bag — that gave The Women’sResource of Greater Houston “Power of the Purse” benefit an extra jolt. The lively event was all about designer handbags with well-known fashion maven Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell leading the charge that raised a record $236,710 in support of The Women’s Resource‘s mission of empowering women through financial literacy and professional development programs.
The theme of the third “Power of the Purse” fundraiser was “A Night in Paris,” and there was plenty of ooh la la from all 400 attendees as The Revaire was transformed into a vibrant French cafe scene. Think flowing champagne, burlesque dancers and a very active mime.
Perhaps the second most exciting moment of the evening came when one lucky lady, participating in the Mystery Grab Bag, got the bag containing a $2,350 tennis bracelet donated by Diamonds Direct.
The whimsical desire for designer handbags was balanced by testimonial from Deanna Mathieson, a former client of TWR’s career coaching program. She shared that she successfully landed a meaningful job thanks to the counseling. Her words confirmed the value of the nonprofit’s work investing in the financial literacy and professional skills of the women in the Houston community.
The celebrity parade of handbags in the auction began with Bazzelle Mitchell swanning the runway with the coveted Dior bag in hand, followed by her walk carrying an Oscar de la Renta Crystal Pave Mini TRO bag.
She was joined in the purse parade by SheSpace cofounder Stephanie Tsuru, showcasing a striking Bottega Veneta cassette bag; fashion designer Christy Lynn with a sophisticated Wandler black leather tote; Houston powerhouse philanthropist Edna Meyer-Nelson, displaying a stunning metallic Prada tote; and event honoree and TDECU Market President Laura Whitley, who stepped in for energy industry leader and philanthropist Hallie Vanderhider, presenting a luxurious purple Prada Saffiano handbag.
PC Seen: Emcee Courtney Zavala, Elizabeth Howe Rotenberg, Beth Wolff, Cynthia Wolff, Tiffany Dugar Hatchett, Cheri A. Green, Bjana Adams, Robin Porter, Michelle Hubbard, Danielle Grossman, Natalie Robinson, Mia Zugheri, Angelia Williams, and Isabella McConahy.