Rodeo committee hosts bilingual fashion brunch
The women of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Committee have their priorities in order. In between last weekend’s busy lineup of concerts — Alicia Keys, Alan Jackson and The Chainsmokers each performed at NRG Stadium — and events, more than 300 stylish rodeogoers squeezed in time for brunch and a little shopping at the Houston Country Club.
Technically, the invitation listed the occasion as a “Ladies’ Luncheon and Fashion Show,” though organizers confirmed that mimosas and quiche salad definitely constitute brunch fare. Two shuttle buses transported out-oftowners from the rodeo grounds to one of the Bayou City’s most exclusive venues on Saturday morning.
There, attendees had one hour to peruse 13 vendors’ pop-up shops before Tootsies’ westerninspired runway show. A mix of Page Parkes models and committee members hit the catwalk in trendy looks from designers, including Mother, Self Portrait and more. Cyndy Garza Roberts, Gretchen Gilliam, Alicia Jimerson-Knox, Laura Sukkar and longtime volunteer BJ Boothe were each escorted by dashing junior rodeo committee volunteers. Tammie Barrier, Becky Barrier and Peyton Barrier —a grandmother-motherdaughter trio — turned their modeling moment into a family affair.
Captain-in-charge Kristina Somerville and captain Jill Watson (that’s rodeo lingo for chair and co-chair) thought that inviting young men to twirl and dip committee members would be a charming addon. Given RodeoHouston’s international bent, John Gunn translated the program into Spanish.
The committee, which formed in 1949 to host foreign consulates and guests, has held the annual luncheon since 1976.