Purple is plum for fall

I have developed a passion for purple this season. In the garden, it’s salvia, snapdragons and clematis. And at the mall, well, it’s everywhere.

Designer Michelle Smith recently showed her fall Milly collection at NeimanMarcus, and purple gave the trunk show its punch, just as it had on the runway during NewYork’s Mercedes- Benz FashionWeek, with a Heliotrope tweed skirt, a plum,

ruched leather dress, plus purple coats, jackets and minidresses. Tory Burch’s fall collection has several shades: cranberry, violet, plum and eggplant.

Lancôme calls its deep purple shade “Prune Mantille.” It’s one of the hues in the Violet Magnetique color design palette compact. Nars pairs metallic lavender with steel blue in itsMarie- Galante shadowcompact. Opi dubs its metallic violet nail color EveryMonth Is Oktoberfest. Purple Rain is a true hue.

Apair of purple suede shoes, such as Sam Edelman’s, available atNordstrom, can add edge to a little black dress. Accessorize with translucent purple earrings and a bangle, or a ring of purple turquoise. If you need accessory inspiration, J. Silver will host an Alexis Bittar trunk show Thursday and Friday.

Headed to the NutcrackerMarketNov. 8- 11? Check out Beyond Baroque’s violet fox and chinchilla wrap.

Youwon’t have trouble spotting a plumLipault carry- on spinning on the airport carousel. Purple stands out.

Need another reason to try on some purple this month? TheHouston Area Women’s Center points out that October is Domestic Violence Prevention Month. If you or someone you knowis suffering domestic violence, the hot line number is 713- 528- 2121. If you’d like to volunteer, call 713- 528- 6798.

Women’s center president and chief executive officer Rebecca White has beenwearing purple all month to represent.

You can, too.

The tent alsowas the scene of Thursday’s glamorous gala for more than 1,000 Rice patrons, alums and friends. Apanorama of historic images played on four video screens on the sidewalls, while a faux Sallyport glowed behind the podium.

Crownover led the gala festivities, and a number of other prominent Rice grads offered congrats via video. To this crowd, Leebron noted that the school is nearing the completion of its $ 1 billion campaign— eight times the amountWilliamMarsh Rice gave to establish the university. Rice’s original endowment giftwas $ 4.6 million, he said, “and since then about 70 people have given that much or more.” Their names will be inscribed in stone as part of the centennial, he added.

Something less tangible thrilled Thursday’s crowd after a dinner ofNiman Ranch braised beef short ribs: “The Spectacle,” a 20- minute animated sound and light showby the German production companyUrbanscreen. Technically astounding, it featured whizzy images that swept across the facades of the Quad, celebrating Rice’s academic strengths.

At one point, waveswashed and splashed thrillingly across the buildings. Perhaps most profoundwas the straightforward final image of an owl, itswingspan extending across LovettHall, “flying” toward the black- tie crowd with a chillingly majestic gaze. “Mind- bending,” commented

there with husband

Judy Nyquist,

Scott.

Kudos to Centennial Commission co- chairs and

Cynthia Bucky Allshouse, Teveia Barnes Alan Sankin Janice Stephen Doty;

Barbara Gibbs Joseph Amy Grinstein;

and and co- chairsDavid and Dr. and and

and centennial campaign co- chairs and and gala

Susanne Melbern Glasscock Bobby

and

Phoebe Tudor.

and

Upfront in the tent- full of proud supporters and alums:

and Dr.

Linda

WalterMcReynolds,