LOCAL Houston | The City Guide June 2017 | Page 73

FOOD | ARTS | COMMUNITY | STYLE+LEISURE
SCENE
EVENT: THE MENNINGER 2017 ANNUAL SIGNATURE LUNCHEON
WHERE: THE WESTIN GALLERIA HOTEL
The Westin Galleria Hotel hosted The Menninger 2017
Annual Signature Luncheon Thursday, May 4. With
above-and-beyond loyalty and support from guests, the
event raised $575,000 to benefit mental health treat-
ment, research and training at The Menninger Clinic. The
Menninger is a nationally ranked mental healthcare system
offering inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment.
Former patient Simone Hunt shared her story about coming to
Menninger as a malnourished, drug addicted and traumatized
20-year-old. She now understands that her purpose in life is to
cultivate authentic connections with others.
KTRK’s Melanie Lawson interviewed Emmy-award winner and
ABC news anchor Elizabeth Vargas about her struggles with
anxiety and addiction as well as her road to recovery. She
shared the importance of remembering that addiction is a
disease and that the reason only one in 10 people who suffer
with addiction get help is because of stigma. To help remove
that stigma, Vargas said it’s important for people to talk more
openly about mental health.
Photography by John R. Lewis + Jenny Antill
EVENT: PRESENTATION OF THE
VIVIENNE TAM HOUSTON COLLECTION
WHERE: BAANOU
More than 75 guests attended a private luncheon
and fashion presentation by designer Vivienne Tam at
Baanou at River Oaks District on Thursday, May 4.
The event was hosted by Judy Nyquist, Y. Ping Sun
and Claire Cormier Thielke. A portion of proceeds from
sales that day benefited Buffalo Bayou Partnership.
Tam presented looks from her Spring/Summer 2017
collection, which was devoted to the city of Houston
per a special brand partnership with Visit Houston. The
45-piece collection featured an eclectic mix of looks,
from “Eastern cowboy” to Mexican flower dresses and
NASA-influenced metallic jackets. Even logos from the
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Pondicheri and
Rice University’s owl mascot were incorporated.
Local designer Chloe Dao from “Project Runway” made
an appearance alongside philanthropist Carolyn Farb
and “The Voice”’s Tamar Davis. Guests enjoyed grape-
fruit mimosas and a sit-down lunch of grilled Norwegian
salmon in a beurre blanc sauce with vegetable bouque-
tiere and chocolate fondant cake from Toulouse Cafe.
Photography by Tara Flannery
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