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A duo of smart parties tapped into the cross- pollination of the fashion and art sets. Avant-garde DiverseWorks tossed out its rowdy gala in favor of "Fashion Fête: Art of the Runway," an idea dreamed up by director Elizabeth Dunbar. Well-connected tri- chairs Liz Gorman, Tiffany Halik, and Alton LaDay worked their Rolodexes, while boutiques Dryden Kreps, Laboratoria, Leap, Settlement Goods & Design and Sloan/ Hall provided sleek runway looks as inspiration for artists who concocted accessories to pair with each ensemble, destined for the silent auction. Ten talents participated: Elaine Bradford, Jillian Conrad, Sharon Engelstein (creating a saucy sash emblazoned with her own girl scout badges), Gonzo247, Rachel Hecker (her clown head went to performance artist Jumper Maybach), Will Henry, Selven O'Keef Jarmon (a lampshade hat, the perfect foil for a gent's outfit from Settlement), Rahul Mitra, Aaron Parazette, and Robert Pruitt. The high-voltage parade upon an elevated catwalk — formed from scaffolding designed by Brit Graham Hudson — was set to music by The Manichean, led by vocalist Cory Sinclair. The production was truly performance art. Over at Saks Fifth Avenue, we reveled in a mod moment, when groovily elegant French fashion house Courrèges mounted a runway presentation. The luncheon adjoining Saks' second-floor couture salon, catered by Grille 5115, served as a toast to the Blaffer Art Museum Gala (save the date: Friday, May 16). Co-chairs Leslie Hull and Cullen Geiselman raised flutes and welcomed supporters including Judy Nyquist (in vintage navy Courrèges), Heidi Gerger, Joanne Guest Wilson (who, with husband Welcome Wilson Sr., will be honored at "A Nod to Mod"), Saks' Sylvia Forsythe, Misty Matin, Reya Wannessian, Kelly Hamman, Blaffer director Claudia Schmuckli, and, in from Paris, Courrèges' Margot Christmann. Catherine D. Anspon Fashion-Fueled Fêtes Pas de Deux DiverseWorks Runway Revel, Saks Fifth Avenue's Courrèges Kickoff for Blaffer PHOTOGRAPHY DANIEL ORTIZ, ROSWITHA VOGLER. APRIL | PAGE 66 | 2014 Shannon Hall at DW Settlement and Jarmon on the runway Chairman Liz Gorman at DW Gonzo247 at DW Vivian Wise at DW Judy Nyquist at Saks Misty Matin at Saks Katherine Phelps at Saks Kelly Hamman Katy Nelson Alecia Harris Matt Johns Jo Furr Jonathon Glus at DW Cindi Proler at Saks Margot Christmann at Saks Emily Church at Saks Sylvia Forsythe at Saks Claudia Schmuckli at Saks Heidi Gerger at Saks Co-chairman Leslie Hull Co-chairman Cullen Geiselman Honoree Joanne Guest Wilson Elizabeth Dunbar Selven O'Keef Jarmon Robert Pruitt Chairman Alton LaDay Chairman Tiffany Halik Evelyn Gorman Marcus Sloan POUR: Glammed up Minnette Boesel and husband Peter; Samina Farid with Steven Wagner, plotting a Hawaiian trip with United Airlines tix she scored on the big board; jeweler-craft artist extraordinaire Edward Lane McCartney and David Gooding; art advisor Jana Cothren in a mad scramble for the perfect martini glass to add to her collection; Clint Willour, who always models Craft Center wares in the art space's annual luncheon; and directress Julie Farr sporting a jaunty fascinator, with beau Bob Lordi. Catherine D. Anspon Martini Madness Clink, Clinks for the Craft Center PHOTOGRAPHY KIM COFFMAN. Shaken, Not Stirred, for This Evening in Havana THE RECIPE: Houston Center for Contemporary Craft's sixth annual Martini Madness looks South, with a smoldering "Night in Havana" theme. THE FINEST INGREDIENTS: Latin jazz riffs from Trio Fórte; bites by Cordúa Catering followed by sweet treats from Cacao & Cardamom's artisan chocolates. Deep Eddy Vodka fueled the Tropicana martinis, while Fresh Take Photobooth snapped revelers. And gallerist Wade Wilson manned the big board. MIXOLOGISTS: Chairmen Betsy and Chuck Powell, honorary chairs Mary Louise and David Kinder. PC PARTY MOMENT: CLINKING 'TINIS WITH BOARD PREZ VICTORIA LIGHTMAN IN A SWEET FLORAL SWEATER SET, AND HUSBAND MARSHAL LIGHTMAN IN THE LOUDEST COLOR-BLOCKED JACKET WE'VE EVER LOCKED EYES ON. Minnette Boesel Bianca Bucaram Peter Boesel Mary Headrick Victoria Lightman Julie Farr Chairman Chuck Powell Chairman Betsy Powell Bobbie Nau Steven Wagner Samina Farid John Nau Robert Guevara Karina Barbieri Carlos Barbieri Clint Willour Kelly Reynolds Ulises Vidal Kara Vidal Marshal Lightman Jacqueline Guevara