Heart of Fashion delivers with ‘mystery’ show for charity
Vivian Wise promised a fashion show with intrigue.
She delivered with her Heart of Fashion Mystery Show, benefiting the Lupus Foundation Texas Gulf Chapter, at downtown’s historic Julia Ideson Library. Though the event was in the works for months, Wise was hush-hush about the location until the day before.
In front of the library, with its captivating Spanish Renaissance architecture, guests mingled around the large bed of purple petunias and took in the perfect night air. Many had never visited the library, considered one of Houston’s historical treasures, so they couldn’t help but be in awe of its breathtaking facade. Even nearby City Hall, which was glowing with neon lights, looked glamorous.
Inside, some 250 guests stopped for photos on the red — make that pink — carpet, then climbed the colossal stairway to the second floor, where they sipped champagne and wine and chatted around an enormous centerpiece of white roses and candles.
Once the doors opened to the seating area, guests claimed their spots, still unsure what was to come next. Models sauntered in, weaving in and out of the rows of seats wearing Carolina Herrera’s collection from Tootsies, jewelry by de Boulle in River Oaks District and hair styled by Ceron. It was a refreshing take on the traditional runway experience.
Shortly after the last model left the room, there was a bit of a commotion with a man yelling that a diamond necklace was missing and a model was dead. Guests were scanning the room in confusion, then six more characters took to the floor. It was all a part of a scene from “Clue” carried out by seven actors from Catastrophic Theatre.
And who stole the necklace? Well, Wise, of course.
The dramatics were all in fun and for a good cause. Wise was recently diagnosed with lupus; her sister, Mary Elizabeth Sand, has had the disease for many years.
“My sister has been struggling with this strange disease called lupus,” Wise said. “The whole thing sucks. If we could research more, we could understand this disease and how it affects us so we can treat it better.”
Part of the proceeds from the event will be given to the Texas Legacy Foundation, which will make a donation to the Lupus Foundation of America, Texas Gulf Coast Chapter.
Last fall, Wise produced the inaugural three-day Heart of Fashion event at the Million Air Houston near Hobby Airport.