Inaugural Fashion Event Benefits Italian Cultural & Community Center
By Jennifer Roosth Photography by Michelle Watson/Catchlight Group
THE SETTING: Pre-COVID-19, more than 250 guests gathered at The Junior League of Houston for the Inaugural Roman Holiday Fashion Show & Luncheon to support the Italian Cultural & Community Center. The festive décor, provided by the ICCC Committee Members, took guests on a Roman Holiday theme. Tables were topped with centerpieces of red and white flowers with divine imported chocolate treats from Baratti & Milano. A mural of the Trevi fountain served as the backdrop for the Italian fashion runway show.
THE STYLE: Upon arrival, guests made their way into the courtyard to mix and mingle. Romolo Bianco from Amalfi Ristorante serenaded them as they participated in the Prosecco pull and raffle. As guests took their seats, the event chairs opened the luncheon with a few brief remarks. They then welcomed Erika Myers, the executive director of the Italian Cultural Community Center. She read a letter from the Consul General of Italy thanking the crowd for their support, followed by a high-spirited fashion show produced by the talented Jeanne Ruberti. The audience cheered as celebrity Houston models strutted down the runway in fashions by Elizabeth Anthony, Festari for Men, and Alice d’Italia.
THE PURPOSE: Roz Pactor and Terri Hogan Turner, the event’s co-chairs, were thrilled that the inaugural luncheon raised more than $130,000 for the Italian Cultural and Community Center’s scholarship program, which prior to this event had granted over $200,000 to college students. Models in the fashion show included Philamena Baird, Donae Chramosta, Monica Ercolani, Giorgio Floridia, Joyce Frassanito, Sam Governale, Mary Ann Hebrank, Renee Jongebloed, Gina Leck, Phyllis Mandola, Tony Mandola, Michael Patronella, Peter Remington, Tina Silvestri, and Dennis Wright with his entertaining Italian greyhound.
