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An Elegant Salute at Valentino Christie Sullivan Kicking Off Una Notte in Italia Gwen Le Megan SuttonReed SETH VAUGHAN REPORTS FROM THE RACKS. PHOTOGRAPHY CATCHLIGHT GROUP. W hen ladies are planning an evening that revolves around men, it's customary to applaud one another for the effort required to make it happen. And is there any better environ than Valentino's splendid Galleria boutique? We think not. Indeed, neither did this year's Margie Una Notte in Italia chairs, Megan Van Elten Sutton-Reed and Diane Caplan, nor the event's founder Debbie Festari, and event beneficiary Bo's place's Mary Beth Staine, and Dena Prasher. Thus, they called up their glamorous girlfriends to join them for a luncheon in the sublime and chic space, with a salute to Una Notte's beneficiary, Bo's Place. Valentino's new Rockstud collection carried the day, with Margie Van Elten toting a beige clutch, kickoff chairman Yelena Katchan Millette Sherman choosing a sublime leopard pocketbook, Tatiana Green opting for a timeless putty tote, Christie Sullivan wearing smart bow pumps, and store manager Sonya Shernak, in Rockstud kitten heels. Lunching for the cause: Pat Breen, Meredith Riddle, Jennifer Brown, Shannon Kroger, Vivian Wise, Beth Muecke, Karen Susman, Valentino corporate's Yelena Katchan and Mary Massey in from New York, and Kathleen Jennings. Diane Caplan Chairman Millette Sherman Dena Prasher Heel appeal Sonya Shernak Vivian Wise Debbie Festari Beth Muecke Mary Massey Tatiana Green Katherine Treistman The tablescape Karen Susman Suzette Betts Jennifer Brown Mary Beth Staine Edvin Marton Makes Sweet, Sweet Music at His Texas Debut PHOTOGRAPHY CHRIS BROWN V iolin virtuoso and award-winning composer Edvin Marton received a jubilant welcome when he arrived in town for Stradivarius Show, a concert co-presented by Tenenbaum & Co. Classic Jewelers and the Brilliant Lecture Series. The always elegant Lynn Wyatt invited Marton and two dozen of Houston's artistic elite to her home for a kickoff cocktail party. After a few words about his experiences as a world-famous musician, Marton offered the group a preview of his concert. Everyone held their breaths as he carefully removed his instrument from its case: a 316-year-old violin handcrafted by the Stradivarius family in 1697 and worth more than $3 million. Entranced: Tenenbaum co-owners Kevin Black and Tony Bradfield, Brilliant Lecture Series' founder Scott Brogan, Antoine Plante with wife Lori Muratta, Karen Farber, Gracie and Bob Cavnar, Michael Linn, Isabel and Danny David, William William Middleton, Melissa and Michael Middleton Mithoff, Christina Stith, and Patrick Summers. When the big night arrived, music enthusiasts packed the Wortham Theater as Marton took the stage and filled the room with breathtaking harmonies, his fingers moving expertly across the strings. He performed such classics as Vivaldi's Storm and Spring, Beethoven's Fifth and the original compositions Tosca Fantasy and Romeo and Juliet, which he wrote to accompany 2006 Winter Olympics figure skaters. By the end of the night, the audience was on its feet. Awestruck aficionados: Judith Oudt, Lacy Baird, Paula and Irving Pozmantier, Bianca and Gilbert Yipp, Richard Hernandez, Laura Hendlmyer, Charlene Simmons, Shelby and Jeff Damiani, Mark Nance, and Missi Cash. Erin Oppenheim Valentino's signature hue Jonathon Glus Edvin Marton Lynn Wyatt Shannon Kroger Tony Bradfield Kevin Black Brian McCulloch Jeremy Garcia Judith Oudt Lacy Baird Shelby Damiani Jeff Damiani Lora Clemmons Don Emerson John Clemmons Misty Emerson Antoine Plante Laura Hendlmyer Missi Cash Christina Stith Charlene Simmons Irving Pozmantier Paula Pozmantier DECEMBER | PAGE 22 | 2013 Kate Gabrielle Mark Nance