Photography: Michelle Watson, CatchLight Group
Event: Luncheon
Event Date: March 12, 2020
Location: Junior League of Houston
Money Raised: $130,000
Beneficiary: Italian Cultural & Community Center (ICCC)
Number of Attendees: 250+
Chairperson: Roz Pactor and Terrie Hogan Turner
Everything but the “pizza pie” at ICCC’s Roman Holiday & Fashion Show
All things Italian were on hand to celebrate the inaugural Roman Holiday Fashion Show & Luncheon, held at Junior League of Houston to benefit the Italian Cultural and Community Center.
Chairpersons Roz Pactor and Terrie Hogan Turner greeted the more than 250 guests with serenades outside by Romolo Bianco from Amalfi Ristorante as they participated in the Prosecco pull and raffle.
Once inside, silent auction items on view included: Stays in Italy and Carmel, CA; a dine-around of Houston’s top Italian restaurants; an impressive collection of wine; a one-night stay at the Four Seasons along with tickets to the Houston Grand Opera plus many more stunning Italian-made accessories gifts from Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and many more.
The festive décor—provided by ICCC Committee Members—took guests on a Roman Holiday vacation! Tables were topped with centerpieces of red and white flowers with divine imported chocolate treats from Baratti & Milano and a mural of the Trevi fountain, which served as the backdrop for the high-spirited Italian fashion runway show, produced by 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. Models 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, Tina Silvestri and Dennis Wright with his entertaining Italian greyhound.
Socially present were: Monica Ercolani, Tina and Dan Silvestri, Gina Leck, Chaille Strake, Cathy Brock, Janet Gurwitch, Stacey Swift, Cindy Soefer, Sandra Porter, Christine Sabatini, Lisa Holthouse, Mary Ann Yamin, Rosie Carrabba, Sandra Harris, Elsie Eckert, Karen Mayell, Katy Mayell Ellis, Julie Roberts, Debbie and Rudy Festari, Leisa Holland-Nelson, Mauri Oliver, Sandra Porter, Joan Cohen, and Crystin Pactor.
