Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/322791
T he Houston Museum of Natural Science's blockbuster exhibition "Bulgari: 130 Years of the Masterpieces" (through October 5) just happens to coincide with the 130 anniversary of famed Roman jeweler. To herald the imminent opening, Becca Cason Thrash (in a Bulgari suite of diamonds, peridots and sapphires) and husband John Thrash welcomed friends to their home for a sparkling suppertime affair. On their own Roman holiday were Veronica Bulgari, great-granddaughter of founder Sotorio; Alberto Festa, president of Bulgari North America; and Livia Marotta, VP media and communications. Weeks earlier, the anniversary had been celebrated in Rome at 10 via dei Condotti, the site of the original Bulgari boutique, with current ad campaign star Carla Bruni-Sarkozy charming all. Not to be outdone, Cason Thrash created an unforgettable soirée. The airy nave of the Thrashes' Preston Bolton-designed home was turned into an expansive dinning chamber; cocktails preceded the Italian dinner, prepared by City Kitchen and served atop two long tables, each seating 44, positioned over the pool. Arranged down both tables were terracotta cachepots filled with moss, roses, ivy and the heads of flowering kale, designed by Richard Flowers and The Events Company. Interspersed were glass cloche bells displaying 62 choice Bulgari pieces totaling $10 million, allowing guests to wreathe themselves in diamonds, rubies and emeralds. Ah, yes, the guests … Among them were Joanne King Herring, wearing her 1970s gold Bulgari sautoir with diamonds (two years after its creation, Vogue heralded it as "pure geometry"; she has since lent it to the exhibition); Texans general manager Rick Smith with wife Tiffany; Windi and David Grimes, (she orchestrated HMNS's last jewelry ode to Verdura, as well as the Bulgari exhibition opening-night dinner); Greggory and Patrick Burk; Terri and John Havens; Houston boutique manager Karen Turner-Smith; Joyce and Hugh Echols; Diane Lokey Farb; Leigh and Reggie Smith; Lucinda and Javier Loya; Jo Lynn and Gregg Falgout; Courtney and Bo Hopson; Sara Dodd; Renee Lewis and John Cary; Greg Fourticq Jr.; Lisa Santos; Barbara and Michael Gamson; Karen and Mike Mayell; Lora and John Clemmons; and Ann and Mathew Wolf. BULGARI! SETH VAUGHAN DECONSTRUCTS THE DAZZLING NIGHT. PHOTOGRAPHY MICHELLE WATSON/CATCHLIGHT GROUP. JUNE | PAGE 10 | 2014 Benvenuto, A Multifaceted Night at Villa Thrash Celebrating the Bold and Daring Roman Jeweler to the Stars Host Becca Cason Thrash Host John Thrash Jay Fields Greggory Burk Patrick Burk Ben Bourgeois Windi Grimes David Grimes Melissa Mithoff Centerpiece decadence Courtney Hopson Karen Turner- Smith Sima Ladjevardian Monsour Taghdisi Tiffany Smith Rick Smith Leigh Smith Reggie Smith Joanne King Herring Kelli Blanton Lucinda Loya Laura Greenberg Mathew Wolf Alberto Festa Eternal city ambiance Steve Summers Glen Gonzalez Monica Blaisdell John Blaisdell Sara Dodd Allie Fields Catherine Ozdogan Cenk Ozdogan Diane Lokey Farb Mark Sullivan Livia Marotta Greg Fourticq Jr. Renee Lewis Bobby Tudor Phoebe Tudor Monica Blaisdell John Havens Javier Loya Hugh Echols Veronica Bulgari Lora Clemmons Mike Mayell Karen Mayell John Clemmons