Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/389461
Grey Goose-fueled man-sized cocktails ANNA SCHUSTER REPORTS ON THE ROCK 'N' NIGHT SPONSORED BY VOGUE AND PAPERCITY THAT KICKED OFF GALLERIA'S SIGNATURE FASHION EVENT. PHOTOGRAPHY SHAU LIN HON. OCTOBER | PAGE 38 | 2014 I t was a night for rock stars, both on and off the runway — and an evening that departed from tradition as the launch of an eagerly awaited menswear destination. Members of the dapper and distinguished Y-chromosome club flocked to the Galleria's latest retail entrée, the gleaming, expansive John Varvatos boutique, met by a dramatic installation of strikingly sculptural vintage light bulb fixtures and a polished cache of rocker jeans, shearling and leather jackets, Peace tees, vests, dapper paint- splattered scarves, leatherwear from Motocross to parkas and handsome Fleetwood lace boots and penny-loafer boots to the Dylan chukka. The night did double duty as the pre-soirée for the reimagined Vogue- and PaperCity-sponsored Galleria Signature Fashion Event and runway show that followed. The men's emporium serves as a stage for the kings of rock 'n' roll, represented in a gallery of important limited-edition photographs on display and available for acquisition; ranging from Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, Mick Jagger, Jimi Hendrix and David Bowie to Ringo Starr, who is the official Varvatos style influencer for fall. Also drawing admiration and acquisitions were the limited-edition statement timepieces by Swiss watchmaker Ernst Benz, the cool and collectible Converse footwear Varvatos editions, and the manly Grey Goose-fueled cocktails. John Varvatos Houston GM Mike Starr welcomed a dozen RenGen influencers, who served as the event's host committee: Lindley and Jason Arnoldy, Divya and Chris Brown, Nicole and Evan Katz, Rachael and Jason Volz (the charming couple, who are about to become parents for the second time, co-own A Fare Extraordinaire which provided the evening's beautiful bites), Sannam and Scott Warrender, and Lyndsey and Bret Zorich. Also making the scene: Simon's Andrew Huang (marketing director for Houston Galleria, who stopped by for a PA during this very busy evening), Dancie Ware, Neal Hamil, Rosemarie Johnson, Jeanne Ruberti, Emily Brlansky, Alton LaDay, Jonathon Glus, Sarah and Felipe Lozano, Recipe for Success founder Gracie Cavnar and husband Bob, Michael Mandola, Matt Johns, sisters Christine and Kimberly Falgout, Leigh Dalio, Kathleen and James Jennings, D'Arcy Wainwright, and Oscar Guevara. As the night progressed, the Varvatos contingent adjourned to the main stage of the Galleria and VIP seating for the Galleria Signature Fashion Event: a spectacular runway production on the ice, which was covered and transformed into a catwalk for fall collections from Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, CH Carolina Herrera, Ermenegildo Zegna, M Missoni, St. John and, of course, John Varvatos. TV actress Ashley Madekwe (known for her fashion blog, Ring My Bell, and saucy role on Revenge) and Vogue market stylist Cara Crowley opened the show. THE GENTS ARE IN THE HOUSE John Varvatos opens its doors with a verrry VIP fête. PARTY QUERY: YOUR ROCK STAR ALTER EGO? "JIMI HENDRIX." — Chris Adams "I ALREADY HAVE A ROCK-STAR NAME." — Mike Starr, John Varvatos GM "STEVIE NICKS." — Kary Guthrie "MICK JAGGER." — Bob Cavnar "STEVE PERRY." — Brandon Buras "HARRY CONNICK JR." — Clark Mercer "STING." — John Oakley "MADONNA." — Dana Kantalis "DAVID BOWIE." — Michael Mandola "BOB MARLEY!" — Alton LaDay Alton LaDay Laura Moritz Charles Hampton Gabriela Gerhart Gary Gerhart Hudson Hoosier Lauren Coles Peace to all Monica Abney James Jennings Stephanie Mays Lauren Zboril D'Arcy Wainwright Sarah Lozano Oscar Guevara James Stewart Erin Stewart Calvin Thoede Emily Brlansky Felipe Lozano Mike Starr Libby Pauley Bret Zorich Jason Volz Gracie Cavnar Nicole Katz Holly Radom Scott Warrender Sannam Warrender Colleen Clayton Clark Mercer Bites from A Fare Extraordinaire Stevie Vu John Oakley Elizabeth Webster Cullen Kappler Bob Cavnar Kaitlin Mandic Ashley Madekwe Rachael Volz Lyndsey Zorich Kathleen Jennings John Taylor Dancie Ware Robert Sakowitz Janus Lazaris Houston Morgan TJ James Beth Lindsey Fall 2014 Varvatos runway Tripping the lights