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CATHERINE D. ANSPON DEBRIEFS THREE KEY PLAYERS. PHOTOGRAPHY PRISCILLA DICKSON. CATWALK FOR A CURE'S EXTRAORDINARY RECORD-SETTING CANCER CRUSADE +SAKS FIFTH AVENUE MARCHESA DECEMBER | PAGE 12 | 2014 THE LOOK BOOK CATWALK FOR A CURE GALA, YEAR II WHERE: Royal Sonesta Hotel. WHO: Chairmen Francine and Westy Ballard, Lindley and Jason Arnoldy; founder Missy Amschwand Bellinger; honorees for Survivorship Lauri Mauldin, Commitment to Care Dr. Dejka Araujo, Commitment to Cause Alexandra and Brady Knight; auctioneer Jeff Smith; emcee Deborah Duncan; underwriter dinner chairs Jana and Scotty Arnoldy. NOTES: Presented by Saks Fifth Avenue with Marchesa Spring 2015 on the runway, featuring PAs by designers Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig, in from NYC. The glamorous record-bursting evening benefitted research and patient/family support for Amschwand Sarcoma Cancer Foundation. Jewelry sponsor Tenenbaum & Co. curated the sparkling champagne pull, Diamonds & Ice, and donated a lavish emerald-and-diamond necklace that went to Stinelli Castaneda in the live auction. CATWALK'S CHAIR LADIES WEIGH IN Francine Ballard recalls: "It was such a wonderful evening. Lindley and I enjoyed watching the models primp backstage before the guests arrived. This collection is outrageous — and even more intimidating on six- foot-tall models wearing six-inch heels. Keren and Georgina were lovely — perfect, proper English ladies greeting guests with a smile and mingling during the cocktail hour and after the show. Westy and I sat with Lindley and Jason and Keren and Georgina for dinner. Others at our table were Terri Havens, Anne and Dave Dunlap, Gayelene and Ralph McIngvale, and Becca Cason Thrash. "The runway presentation was breathtaking, but the most memorable part of the night was Greggory Burk presenting Alex Knight with her award. And Greggory owned the catwalk when it came time to model the Tenenbaum jewels for the auction. All of the auction items were spectacular, thanks to our very generous supporters and sponsors, and everyone was in a benevolent mood. The Tenenbaum Diamonds & Ice bar was flawless. Everyone marveled at seeing jewels suspended in ice. "My favorite part of the evening was when everything was winding down. Westy and I shared a nightcap with co-chairs Lindley and Jason and some of our good friends who lingered after most people had gone home — Maggie and John Nicholson, Maggie and Rob Vermillion, and Brenda and Brad Jones." Lindley Arnoldy divulges: "The Houston Symphony musicians playing among the decadence of the Tenenbaum Ice bar flowing with Veuve and jewels set the tone for a beautiful night. Guests were abuzz when Georgina and Keren arrived and mingled for a moment before heading into the ballroom. Deborah Duncan did an amazing job as emcee, breaking out into "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" as the final glasses of Veuve were auctioned off for the champagne raffle. The Marchesa runway show was off the charts, with one highlight being a blush plunging- neckline tulle gown with floral appliqué. Also, the shoe collaboration between Christian Louboutin and Marchesa, shown on the runway, was stunning." THE NIGHT BEFORE Founder Missy Amschwand Bellinger writes in: "The Underwriter Dinner was generously hosted by Jana and Scotty Arnoldy at their beautiful home. They tended to every detail and made sure everyone felt welcome. Besides our hosts, chairmen and Marchesa's Georgina and Keren, the following made up the dinner party: Stinelli Castaneda and her sister Michelle Delgado; Brady Knight, who represented the Knight family while Alexandra rested for the next evening; Saks' Bobby Dees, wife Wezy and Sylvia Forsythe; Tenenbaum & Co. trio Tony Bradfield and Kevin Black with Christina Stith; Dr. Dejka Araujo; Marcia and David Solomon, and moi." "I'D ONLY VISITED DALLAS BEFORE, BUT LADIES IN HOUSTON REALLY DRESS UP — THIS IS OUR TOWN." — MARCHESA'S GEORGINA CHAPMAN Honoree Alexandra Knight Chairman Jason Arnoldy Chairman Lindley Arnoldy Chairman Francine Ballard Chairman Westy Ballard Keren Craig Bobby Dees Georgina Chapman Missy Amschwand Bellinger James Bellinger Becca Cason Thrash Allie Fields Brenda Jones Wezy Dees Sylvia Forsythe Stephanie Fleck Luvi Wheelock Elizabeth Fertitta Melissa Juneau Kathleen Jennings Rosemarie Johnson Courtney Hopson Melissa Mithoff Ting Bresnahan Kent Chenevert Debbie Chenevert Honoree Brady Knight Sheldon Araujo Monica Hartland Blaisdell Erin Stewart Ernie Cockrell Stephanie Cockrell Jana Arnoldy Scotty Arnoldy Greggory Burk Patrick Burk Honoree Dejka Araujo Staci Belew, Stinelli Castaneda Michelle Delgado Stephen Fadem, David Solomon Caroline Richards, Amanda Hawes Honoree Lauri Mauldin Tenenbaum & Co. Diamonds & Ice Tenenbaum Diamonds are a girl's best friend. Marchesa's runway shoes Marchesa Spring 2015