Fashion, Four Wheels and Fabulous as Reflections on Style Luncheon and Chic Boutique Crosses the Finish Line at $1.1 Million

Fashion, Four Wheels and Fabulous as Reflections on Style Luncheon and Chic Boutique Crosses the Finish Line at $1.1 Million

Rarely does the River Oaks Country Club ballroom attract such a crowd of guests as to overflow into the salon area. Such was the case as the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary hosted its 21st Annual Reflections on Style Luncheon and Chic Boutique. Fashion and Porsche enthusiast Ann Ayre chaired this sold-out event, and due to her affinity for style and racing, she coined the theme, “Fashion in the Fast Lane,” which focused on the intersection of timeless style and speed and embodied elegance, and women coming together to make a difference. Assisting the Auxiliary with event leadership were Alison Gemp and Melanie Jarrell as Chic Boutique Co-Chairs; Stick Delaup and Maura Montgomery as Chic Boutique Showroom Co-Chairs; Donae Chramosta as Fashion Chair and Jean Peck as Silent Auction Chair.

Ann, resplendent in a red dress by Verdavainne that was a nod to the eye-catching Salvation Army’s logo color, welcomed the crowd and introduced Hannah McNair, vice president of the Houston Texans Foundation, who took a well-deserved bow as honoree. Her commitment to philanthropy is deeply rooted in her family’s legacy. Hannah’s mother-in-law, Janice McNair, served as the 2014 Reflections on Style honoree and was on hand to celebrate Hannah’s merited award.

Now, solidly in its second decade of service, memories return to the inaugural event, helmed by Michelle Bain and held inside Sidney Faust’s River Oaks garage apartment. Over the last few years, the luncheon and Chic Boutique have raised over a million dollars each year, and $900,000 of those funds have been distributed in grants to benefit the Salvation Army Corps in the Greater Houston area. A unique feature of this organization is that it is an entirely volunteer-based group. From the work to gathering the clothing, assembling and manning the boutique, decorating the ballroom and more, this team consistently gives from the heart to this worthy cause.

Heading the fashion component of the incredibly successful luncheon were the team of Lenny Matuszewski and Tamara Klosz Bonar. The clothing is “pre-loved” from many notable Houston closets. All the donated items are divided into three main groups (Gold, Silver and Bronze). The Gold group is the only section that is featured in the runway show and includes designer brands such as Valentino, Chanel, Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Lela Rose and Fendi to name a few. Silver and Bronze categories are featured for sale in the Chic Boutique (along with the aforementioned Gold), including contemporary brands such as Alice and Olivia, Cinq à Sept, Simkhai, Maje, and Zimmermann. Following the luncheon, the Chic Boutique Showroom opens to the public for four days only in April. Every year people mark their calendars and the sale is noted for the lines that wrap around the building for entry.

As the checkered flag came down at this 21st luncheon and the Chic Boutique tallied its final purse, the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary and its team of remarkable women can rest proud knowing its treasury was increased by a whopping $1.1 million. What a fashionable race!

In the Social Scene (not previously mentioned):  Major Robert Webb, Major Carolynn Webb, Lt. Colonel Ann Penhale, Cal McNair, Janice McNair, Honorable Joanne King Herring, Rose Cullen, Linda McReynolds, Jeanie Kilroy Wilson, Lilly Andress, Vicki West, Ann Bookout, Mary Lynn Marks, Cynthia Allshouse, Betty Hrncir, Sippi Khurana, Brigitte Kalai, Sidney Faust, Elsie Eckert, Jane Wise, Cherie Lindley, Melissa Sandefer, Jana Arnoldy, Ginger Blanton, Susan Hansen, Robin Klaes, Kit Klaes, Susan Binney, Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell, Maria Moncada Alaoui, Elia Gabbanelli, Kaleta Blaffer Johnson, Erica Littlejohn Burnette, Sandra Smith-Cooper, Joanna Marks, Cynthia Petrello, Amanda Boffone, Jennifer Allison, Tena Lundquist Faust, Tama Lundquist, Rachelle Ball, Maureen Higdon, Joan Johnson, Ileana Treviño, Stacey Lindseth, Daniel Irion, Kirk Kveton, Karen Payne, Chris Kase, Leila Perrin, Kelli Anzilotti, Jacquie Baly, Rose Chen, Kathryn Smith and Elizabeth Abraham Colombowala