Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/184605
Potentates& International Swells At The Consular Ball Neal Hamil, honoree Becca Cason Thrash, Randy Powers Annie Amante CATHERINE D. ANSPON DECIPHERS THE DIPLOMATIC CREDENTIALS. PHOTOGRAPHY KIM COFFMAN. F Dominique Sachse, Nick Florescu Joanne King Herring White-Tie Night for Scholarships or the 60th anniversary of our town's stately fall fund-raiser, an imaginative trio of chairs came together to break the evening (slightly) from tradition. The result? A re-imagined Consular Ball at the Hilton Americas–Houston that preserved the pomp and pageantry of years past while interjecting a new glamour, tapping next-generation supporters and un-stuffing and reviving this splendidly formal fête. One of the grande ladies of Houston fund-raising, Philamena Baird, presided as chair, alongside next-generation socially conscious swans/fellow chairs Melissa Edwards and PaperCity's Kate Allen Stukenberg, who wore Nini Jewels and a custom gown by designer David Peck. Which nation did this trio anoint for its salute? None other than la République Française. For the International Service Award, the chair triumvirate tapped the recent recipient of a prestigious Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur. She, also one of our ultimate Francophiles, whose name is synonymous with all things Louvre, thanks to her chairing two over-the-top international benefits at the musée itself. Obviously you know we're talking about Becca Cason Thrash, who turned out in vintage Gianfranco Ferre on the arm of husband John Thrash to accept her accolade, murmuring an acceptance in perfectly accented français. The beautiful evening, designed by Darryl Murchison, benefitted the Junior Chamber of Commerce's diplomatic mission: funding scholarships and international education at Rice University, the University of Houston, the University of St. Thomas and more. Terrific in tails: GDF Suez North America's Zin Smati and wife Nora and patron chair Lina Corinth, along with Michelle Fraga, chanteuse Deborah Boily, Vice Mayor Pro Temp Ed Gonzalez and wife Melissa, Bill Caudell, Rania Margaret Williams, Jim Daniel and Jamal Daniel, Rick and Karen Lee Goulding, Jessica Phifer, Aimee Woodall, Janice Harrison, Sherman Yeager, Geert Visser, and Jared and Caroline Starry LeBlanc. If you were the ruler of a kingdom, which one would it be? And what would Chair Melissa Edwards, Kelli Cohen Fein Diane Lokey Farb, Ceron Anat Kaufman, Jay Zeidman Chair Kate Allen Stukenberg & Will Stukenberg Terry Zmyslo, William Dobbs Chair Philamena Baird & Arthur Baird Karen Wildenstein, Ronald Herrmann, Cheryl Byington Frédéric & Armelle Bontems Mica Mosbacher Y. Ping Sun & David Leebron Marlene McClinton & Richard Kaplan Peter Brown decree? "It would be France. Bien sûr! I would create Sultan Al Angari, Eve Ruhlman John Thrash Phillip & Lynne Aronoff Bill & Joann Crassas Renu & Suresh Khator Ken DeDominicis Abo & Fatou Sall Charles & Lily Foster every city in matter where eat there." — honoree Becca Cason Thrash Karen & Roland Garcia