W.O.W. (Women of Wardrobe) Young Professional Group of Dress for Success. Co-founder, and Emcee for the eventing, Mia Gradney with New Tootsies Owner, Norman Lewis and fellow Co-founder, Lauren Levicki
Wednesday night was a night of celebration in Houston and it all took place within one square block in the River Oaks area of the city. At Tootsies, there were two things happening that had all of us abuzz for the evening. First was the reason that we were there…..the annual Summer Soire, hosted every year by Tootsies and Dress for Success‘ Young Professional Group, Women of Wardrobe, known as W.O.W. Celebrating the 15th year of this event and the 20th Anniversary of Dress for Success were WOW co-founders, many board members and loyal attendees that never miss this fun night that was celebrating this organization. Secondly, was the BIG NEWS that Tootsies now has a new owner, Norman Lewis and wife Donna have purchased the store that he has meticulously co-governed for 21 years, with former owner, the late fashion and retail visionary, Mickey Rosmarin. For all of us that knew and loved Mickey and have also respected Norman and his abilities to always make it all work at Tootsies, this was a collective and emotional joyful sigh of relief! (more details on Norman’s new ownership in separate post!)
About the WOW Summer Soiree: This event has become the unofficial kickoff to Houston’s Fall party season. Always a fun night that I have personally rarely missed, this was a particularly great evening as 250+ fashion gals came together to celebrate and renew their commitment to this great organization that does so much to aid our community of over 40,000 women in its 20 year existence. Another reason to join the festivities was to see the latest fashions and have a chance to visit with one of our own……transplanted New Yorker and now Houstonian, designer Hunter Bell who featured her newest Fall collection, available at Tootsies. Also on hand was a ‘regular’ at this event, jewelry designer, Claudia Lobao with her newest collection and many special pieces brought in for this event. There were also curated capsule collections being featured by Sam Edelman footwear and Milly Contemporary Sportswear. Lots of fashion to enjoy for the evening and if purchased, 15% of the sale was being donated by Tootsies to back to DFSH.
Regarding this event, Lauren Levicki, co-founder and Vice President of Dress for Success says, “We are so appreciative of Tootsies, who has supported DFSH and WOW since the beginning and makes this party such a success! Thank you Tootsies.” “It’s a wonderful example of women helping women”, says Mia Gradney, KHOU Anchor, Emcee of the evening and Co-founder of WOW!
Chairs for the night: Karisham Asrani, Courtney Campo, Melissa Sugulas and current President of WOWk, Allie Danzinger.
Party Pics…..
Jewelry designer, Claudia Lobao, Co-founder of WOW and V.P. of Dress for Success Houston, Designer Hunter Bell and Co-founder, KHOU Anchor, Mia Gradney
Allie Danzinger, current President of W.O.W. with Event Chairs; Courtney Campo, Karishma Asrani, and Melissa Sugulas
Claudia Ayala and Beatrice Olmedilo
DJ Senega
Julie Chen, Audrey White, Daniella Hernandez, Camille Connelly
Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell and Karina Barbieri
Tiffany Halik and Jennifer Achor
Brittany Meisner and Katelyn Leonard
Roseanne Rogers, Deborah Elias and Jacquie Baly
Grace Gibson, Nick Scurfield and Amber Elliott
Kim Padgett, yours truly, Roz Pactor and Roseanne Rogers
Hunter Bell Designer Denim
photos courtesy of Daniel Ortiz