The Sweet Life – “La Dolce Vita” Luncheon & Fashion Show Showcased Italian Culture at its Finest for Italian Cultural & Community Center

The Sweet Life – “La Dolce Vita” Luncheon & Fashion Show Showcased Italian Culture at its Finest for Italian Cultural & Community Center

Red/White/Green – Pasta – Pizza – Prosecco – Cheese – Wine – Opera – Fashion – Ferraris – Family – Friendship … Familiar Items associated with Italy that through the years have endeared themselves into our cultural mainstream. Many of these came together recently to showcase the 2nd annual “La Dolce Vita” Luncheon and Fashion Show, benefiting Italian Cultural & Community Center.

The very successful inaugural Luncheon and Fashion Show (named “Roman Holiday”), helmed by Roz Pactor and Terrie Turner was held at Junior League in February 2020. Roz played a very large role behind the scenes in this second iteration as the conduit for the guest of honor and coordination and styling of the Costa fashions.

The guest of honor was famed fashion designer and Houston native Victor Costa. This octogenarian has been an institution for almost fifty years and during his career, he has designed for Brooke Shields, Ivana Trump as well as First Ladies Lady Bird Johnson and Rosalynn Carter, and President Richard Nixon’s daughters, Tricia Nixon Cox and Julie Nixon Eisenhower. Upon arrival, guests were treated to mannequins dressed in Costa’s vintage couture designs, and several of the gowns on display were donated by Houston families and one that was worn by Kristen Davis in the hit movie Sex and the City 2. Later on in the program, Victor kicked off the fashion show by singing two showstopping Italian songs on stage and received standing ovations from the crowd. At 85 years young, who knew he still had the singing chops, timbre and pitch?

Channel 2 Morning News Anchor Owen Conflenti handled the emcee duties. His first order of business was to introduce Alexandra Gorman from the University of Houston who beautifully sang an operatic performance of Puccini’s “O Mio Babbino Caro.” Luncheon chairs Patti Imbrogno Murphy and Cheryl Arolfo Byington acknowledged their Italian heritage and gave heartfelt thanks to everyone for supporting the event. ICCC Executive Director Erika Myers welcomed the crowd and gave a short statement of how grateful her organization was for everyone’s generous support. Chris Hendel, General Manager of Neiman Marcus, greeted guests and said how proud his store was to participate in this annual event. After a brief interlude, lunch was served. Yes, the grilled chicken salad had Italian vinaigrette on it! A few moments later, Victor Costa fashions, worn by high-profile Houstonians, hit the runway. Among these notable models were: Katie Cullen, Renne Jongebloed, Monica Ercolani, Joyce Frassanito, Jenee Bobbora, Gina Gusemano Leck, Nicole Pactor Graham (wearing mother Roz Pactor’s wedding gown) and Lauren Leck (wearing her mother’s wedding gown).

Neiman Marcus was the next star of the show as they followed with the second half of the runway show wherein Italian designers were highlighted as top trends for the fall and winter seasons, modeled by talent from Page Parkes. Special thanks should go to former Houstonian Jeanne Ruberti, who flew into Houston from her home in Ohio to produce the joint fashion shows.

Chairman Patti Murphy summed up the theme of this wonderful luncheon and organization best, by stating, “I am blessed to be part of a culture which has given the world so much beauty: art, literature, music … and of course cars and fashion! I am happy to support the Italian Cultural and Community Center in their efforts to teach, promote and celebrate the Italian heritage and these wonderful gifts.” Brava!

Socially present (not already mentioned): Jerry Ann Woodfin Costa, Rose Cullen, Linda McReynolds, Beth Wolff, Cynthia Wolff, Leisa Holland-Nelson, Philamena Baird, Betty Tutor, Vicki Rizzo, Mary Milloy, Michael Graham, Ann Ayre, Kristina Somerville, Tara Martin, Brian McCulloch, Lauren Abbott, Jacquie Baly Craig and Heather Almond, Brand Experience Manager for Neiman Marcus.