Houston Chronicle Best Dressed Luncheon celebrates 40 years
Event raises $1 million for March of Dimes as Naeem Khan showcases 20 years of looks at the Post Oak Hotel
They came, they saw, they raised more than $1 million for March of Dimes.
On Sept. 20, two classes of Houston Chronicle Best Dressed were honored during the annual luncheon, with a fashion show presented by Neiman Marcus.
First, the honorees of 2022: Kristy Bradshaw, Gayla Gardner and Vicki West were inducted into the Hall of Fame after three years of being recognized; two-time honorees Brigitte Kalai and Sippi Khurana were celebrated; and this year’s first-year class, Elia Gabbanelli, Michele Leal Farah, Kelley Lubanko, Lauren Randle and Crystal Wright added fun with a capital “F” to the day of fashion and philanthropy.
Gabbanelli and Wright enjoyed thunderous receptions as they hit the catwalk. Gabbanelli supporters thrust a lifesize cutout of the first-time honoree onto the runway as her name was announced. And a six-table cheering section roared as Wright made her debut, waving hand-held signs featuring her likeness.
Perhaps the loudest and longest ovation was for West, who broke her leg during a scooter incident on Nantucket. Ever the good sport, two Neal Hamil Agency models escorted the Chanel-wearing honoree. Even her cast boasted interlocking Cs.
Some members of the 2020 — and, unintentionally 2021 — Best Dressed were recognized at the 40th anniversary fundraiser in the Post Oak Hotel ballroom. Ann Ayre, Alice Mao Brams, Estela Cockrell, Joanna Hartland Mark, Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell and Leigh Smith were finally able to walk across the stage; Gaynell Drexler was applauded from her seat in the audience; Melissa Juneau and Hall of Famer Greggory Burk were unable to attend.
After a two-year hiatus, Best Dressed is back, live and in person — and with a sevenfigure bang. In total, honorees and luncheon chair Hallie Vanderhider raised $1,086,000 for March of Dimes’ mission to support healthy moms and babies.
Since the luncheon’s inception, more than $15.5 million has been raised to reduce the number of premature births and birth defects, prevent maternal mortality and close the existing health equity gap. The nonprofit fights for the health of all moms and babies, regardless of race or income, through research, programming, education and advocacy.
In Houston, March of Dimes has three neonatal intensive care unit family support sites: Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, which is a presenting sponsor for the Best Dressed luncheon; the Woman’s Hospital of Texas; and Harris Health Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital. “The latter is coming soon and was really funded by Best Dressed donors,” said Jennifer Torres, March of Dimes senior executive director.
March of Dimes recently added a new initiative: closing the health equity gap between white women and women of color. Internal findings identify a higher chance of maternal death or preterm birth based on race and ethnicity; Black women are 50 percent more likely to experience a preterm birth. To combat the discrepancy, March of Dimes offers training to identify implicit bias, behavior modification tools and resources earmarked for mothers experiencing mental health challenges.
Before the luncheon, an unexpected $100,000 gift from within the Chronicle Best Dressed family helped push fundraising efforts past its goal.
Neiman Marcus welcomed Houston-favorite Naeem Khan as a fashion partner. The Indian American designer rings in 20 years in 2023 and showed a “best of ” collection on Tuesday. Hot pink daytime looks and golden black-tie gowns wowed the crowd. Backstage, teammates from Ceron Hair Studio and new makeup line, FaceForward, with Andrea Simmons, created the ultimate behind-the-scenes moment.
Not only was 2022 a record, milestone year, it also ushered in a new presenting sponsor: Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital. Memorial Hermann Foundation president Anne Neeson introduced four physicians and some of their patients — as well as Dexter, one the hospital’s facility dogs — to honor their contribution and sacrifice during the COVID pandemic.
Raffle co-chairs Julie Longoria Chen, Michele Marandi and Jennifer Allison wrapped the program by announcing prize winners. Items up for grabs ranged from stays at private residences in Colorado and Nice to a year of free valet parking at Neiman Marcus.
It’s good to be back.