Houston’s Fashion Community and Rescue Dogs Hit the Runway for Hurricane Harvey Relief

Could there be any kinder hearts than those of Tamara Klosz Bonar and Lenny Matuszewski and the fashion world team that joined them for the SALUTE Houston, a fashionable nod to the resilience that the city is showing following Hurricane Harvey. The duo, known for producing the city’s top fashion events, gathered a strong cast of volunteers — everyone from photographers to J&D Entertainment to models — to support the fundraising effort for Harvey victims.

Among those making the evening possible were Joe Pachioli of The Astorian, where the cocktail reception and show were held; Cordua Catering which provided hors d’oeuvres; and KTRK Channel 13 news anchor Melanie Lawson who emceed the evening. Add to the underwriter list Vivian Wise‘s Texas Legacy Foundation. Neal Hamil Agency and Page Parkes Texas provided the 60 models who were dressed in a variety of fashions from Cavender’s, Cotton Club, Elizabeth Anthony, M Penner, Sloan Hall and Tootsies. Think blue jeans to ball gowns.

“Like many Houstonians asked when the storm happened on that August night and the aftermath that followed in those following days we asked ourselves ‘What could we do,'” Matuszewski told the gathering. “This effort, Salute Houston, is what we could do. We asked our colleagues and friends in our fashion community to each share what they could in their talents and services.”

Thus, every dollar of ticket sales was divided equally between the three charities designated as the night’s recipients — The 100 Club, Houston Children’s Charity, Houston PetSet.

The most heart-touching moment of the evening occurred as uniformed members of the Houston Police Department and the Houston Fire Department walked the runway as escorts for rescue animals from Houston PetSet and K-9 Rescue Angels.

As the Salute Houston tagline stated, “It’s a beautiful thing when compassion, fashion and Houston unite for Harvey relief.” Indeed.

Who: Guest designer Robert Comstock, Houston Children’s Charity president and CEO Laura Ward, Tena Lundquist Faust and Tyson Faust, Lisa and Mike O’Leary, Sidney Faust, Jan Duncan, Penny Wright, Tama Lundquist, Dr. James Bonar, Susan Boggio, Dr. Jennifer Segal, Michael Bickham, Edna Myer-Nelson, Karen Payne, Donae Chramosta, and Marge Lundquist.