Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/141325
Knuckle Hotel Gets the Kimberly McDonald geode and diamond cocktail ring $8,650, at Neiman Marcus. Busters Galleria-area mega hotel The Royal Sonesta (formerly the InterContinental on 610 near the Galleria) has embarked on a $25 million renovation of its interior spaces, 485 guest rooms, 50,000 square feet of meeting and event venues, and rooftop swimming pool. Dallas-based Looney & Associates — which has handled the designs of such top-notch luxury hotel properties as California's Hotel del Coronado and Ventana Inn & Spa, plus the Ritz Carlton, Maui, and New York's Grand Hyatt — is managing the overhaul. Science and technology, two of the cornerstones of industry in Houston, are inspiring the new decor: a contemporary design with sculptural light fixtures incorporating star-like qualities and orbital carpeting patterns, all in a warm color palette. We're excited about the revamp of the pool area, which we're told will be elevated to "urban resort status" and available as an event space in the evenings — at 23 stories, up, that should be quite an impressive view. The dramatic reinvention is set to debut in early Fall 2013. sonesta.com. Kate Stukenberg Royal (Sonesta) Pamela Love $650, at Katia, net-aporter.com, shopbop.com F Treatment rom knuckle dusters to between-the-fingers, this bling trend dates to ancient Roman times when knuckle rings were used as weapons in combat. In recent years, they've been garbed by the edgy and punk, yet we can thank the late, great Alexander McQueen for bridging the gap with his notorious Knuckle Duster clutch. Even classic jeweler Van Cleef & Arpels has designed a Rooney Mara-esque in-between ring, and edgier designers Pamela Love and Martin Margiela are making statements on the digits of Victoria Beckham, Ashley Olsen and Anne Hathaway. We're coveting the Mawi jewel-encrusted ringer and the beautifully articulated Eddie Borgo number. Megan Pruitt Winder Loree Rodkin Spiderweb Bondage ring $32,500, at net-a-porter.com Alexander McQueen Apple & Bird Knuckle Duster python clutch $3,095, at Tootsies Van Cleef & Arpels Lotus diamond ring $32,600, at Van Cleef & Arpels at Neiman Marcus Cherry Au Natural Say goodbye to super-red confections Maison Martin Margiela and hello to maraschino cherries au Knuckle Duster ring natural. CherryMan Farm-to-Market Maraschino Eddie Borgo set $442, at netHinged Ratchet a-porter.com Cherries are just as crisp and sweet as their vividly ring $275, at colored step-cousin but without artificial colors, flavors Neiman Marcus, Kelly and preservatives. Not only are they good for you, they're Saks Fifth Mawi Wearstler Avenue also good for American farmers. Don't believe us? Just $583, black at Houston scan the QR code on the jar and learn everything you diamond Museum of Natural ring $1,650, at need to know about the history of the U.S. farm where Science Shop Tootsies they're sourced. And if that's not a big enough cherry on top for you and your summer We're currently cocktail, on Wednesday July 24, BRC compiling Gastropub features these cherry our Fall 2013 stunners in a special four-course Social Calendar and need all the juicy details regarding upcoming Pig Dinner. CherryMan Farm to happenings. Please send specifics — event name; day, date and Market Maraschino Cherries $9, starting time; chairmen, honorary chairs and honorees; beneficiary; at H-E-B; CherryMan Pig Dinner at party notes (theme, attire, special appearances, entertainment); BRC Gastropub, $34 per person; ticket and table starting prices; and contact info, including phone, information 713.861.2233. e-mail address and Web site — to seth@papercitymag.com by Kate Stukenberg Thursday, July 10. HOT DATES Stud ALERT W e're seeing red — Valentino red — as the Italian fashion house debuts the Rockstud Rogue capsule collection of shoes and handbags in crimson leather covered completely with PVC red-lacquered studs, from a classic catch-all clutch to cage flats. From $995 to $4,000, at the Valentino boutique. Megan Pruitt Winder Hello, Bobby! Saks Fifth Avenue's new GM is the talk of the town at Tony's. KELLEY ROWLAND TAKES NOTES TABLESIDE. PHOTOGRAPHY PRISCILLA DICKSON. W hen welcoming a gentleman who stands to oversee one of Houston's foremost luxury retailers, there's only one place for lunch: Tony's. So when the coveted invitation went out to dish and dine with new Saks Fifth Avenue GM Bobby Dees at the bastion of the power social lunch, the responses were overwhelmingly affirmative. Alighting that afternoon for a midday repast in the restaurant's wine cellar was a smattering of Saks' most loyal ladies and ardent style-setters. For the occasion, the discreet and private dining room was delightfully staged with David Brown's chic flowers, and a lovely lunch concluded with lofty Grand Marnier souffles. During the intime gathering, the guest of honor introduced his leading lady, wife Wezy Dees, then shared stories of their devotion to animals and ongoing commitment to Tama charitable causes, and we also learned that Lundquist he burns rubber on days off on a cycle rumored to be a hog. Other leading ladies in the tony crowd: the restaurant's first lady Donna Vallone; Saks' Sylvia Forsythe; Mary Ann McKeithan; Beth Sanders Moore, whose nonprofit CancerForward is always the beneficiary of Saks' big shopping night every October, Key to the Cure; Tama Lundquist and twin sis Tena Lundquist Faust; Kimberly DeLape; Nidhika Mehta; Mehrnaz Gill; Wendy O'Hanna; Mrs. St. Luke's Susan Fine (her husband is hospital CEO); Carmen Lechin; Pamela Wright; Alicia Smith; Anne Richardson; Pily Simon; Anne Carl; Kim Moody; busy interior designer Lucinda Loya; Amy Lee; Ericka Bagwell; Janet Walker; Mary Ann McKeithan and Michelle Smith. Susan Fine Anne Carl Wendy O'Hanna Kim Moody Lucinda Loya Amy Lee Bobby Dees Wezy Dees Carmen Lechin Nidhika Mehta Kimberly DeLape Tena Lundquist Faust Mehrnaz Gill Ericka Bagwell Anne Richardson Pily Simon Pamela Wright Beth Sanders Moore Janet Walker Michelle Smith Alicia Smith JULY | PAGE 8 | 2013 Sylvia Forsythe Donna Vallone