These Houston Young Professionals Know Dressing for Success Changes Lives

Can it really be 15 years since Dress for Success’s young professionals offspring, Women of Wardrobe (WOW), launched with a cocktail party at Tootsies in Highland Village? Yes. And has it ever grown.

Just ask Lauren Levicki Courville, Dress for Success Houston vice president, and KHOU Channel ll news anchor Mia Gradney, both of whom recalled that initial gathering which saw around 150 young women join the party. Last week’s milestone event drew a well-heeled flock of some 300.

“It’s incredible to see how WOW has grown since we started it 16 years ago. ‘WOW’ is exactly what people say when they learn about Dress for Success Houston’s mission and our program growth,” Levicki Courville said. “It’s so much more than a suit.

“The women we serve just don’t land a job, but they build a career with our ongoing career education programs.”

As co-founder of WOW, Gradney volunteers at Dress for Success and serves as emcee for the late-summer cocktail party.

More than a dozen restaurants put their best food forward for the sophisticated gathering while Tootsies showcased designer Hunter Bell in from New York with her fall collection, jewelry designer Claudia Lobao in from San Antonio, and curated collections from MILLY.

Stepping up as chairs of the energized evening were Karishma Asrani, Courtney Campo, WOW president Allie Danziger and Melissa Sugulas.

Adding to the evening’s excitement was news that Donna and Norman Lewis had finalized purchase of Tootsies, ending much worry about what would happen to the locally-owned boutique following owner Mickey Rosmarin’s death two years ago.

“This is always a wonderful event and we are proud to support Dress for Success and WOW,” Norman Lewis told the gathering. “Giving back to the community is part of the legacy Mickey started and we are proud to continue.”

Who: Katherine Morille, Ashley Miranda, Katelyn Leonard, Lexi Sakowitz, Alison Ketabchi, Roslyn Bazzelle, Stephanie Fuller, Alexandria Williams, Amanda Eccles, Dipali Patel, Julie Longoria, Karina Barbieri, Julie Chen, Brittany Meisner, Lauren Amos and Liz Nguyen.