Handsome Festari Men Walk The Runway For Houston Area Women's Center

Houston was on cloud nine with plenty of reasons to be proud of, while the world was cheering for the Houston Astros winning the World Series, the much awaited gala of the season, Una Notte In Italia (A Night In Italy), hit the glam slam raising over $320,000. Houston witnessed another sell out fun evening, with over 600 guests, in support of a new beneficiary this year, the Houston Area Women’s Center popularity known as HAWC.

Rudy Festari, Mario Elie and Debbie Festari

Rudy Festari is known for his reserved sophisticated style, a hard working successful businessman who along with his wife Debbie proudly run this family owned concept which is located on the prestigious Post Oak Boulevard in the galleria area. Rudy originally from Rome, Italy, is known for his many years of fashion experience. The gala is known for its “celebrity” men’s fashion show presented by Festari for Men and this year was cheered as the best one ever with the support of Co-Chairs Dr. Sippi Khurana and Kendra Smith along with Honorary Chair Debbie Festari.

Domestic violence is a serious issue but often a taboo in our society, men and women shy away from this issue. The center makes a sincere effort to help families affected by domestic violence and the event was a perfect way to raise awareness while having a good time. The fashionable crowd enjoyed all things Italian including food, wine and of course the fabulous men’s fashions modeled on the runway by a select group of businessmen and athletes.

As always, Rudy Festari outfitted the men in the latest fall fashions and the crowd, filled with friends and family, responded with cheers and whistles. Houston’s media celebrity KPRC’s Dominique Sachse served as the Mistress of Ceremonies, while Andy Cerota worked his magic as the auctioneer.

Those rocking the runway for this noble cause included: Duke Ensell, Kiki Dikmen, Chad Pinkerton, Al Lindseth, Ajay Khurana, Nick Merchant, Martijn Von Kookwijk, Sam Governale, Dr. Roland Maldonado and Dean Putterman to name a few. The popular athletes on the catwalk included former Houston Rocket Mario Elie, Houston Texans Whitney Mercilus, Andre Hal and Lamar Miller and for the finale, star of the show, Houston Astro’s great and Hall of Famer, Jeff Bagwell.

Surprise proposals having always been a highlight and most certainly after the much talked about Astro’s proposal, maintaining the tradition, a surprise proposal was planned by “model” Ryan Bass of Imperial PFS with his longtime girlfriend Victoria Nguyen where she was brought to tears as she accepted. Guests danced the night away to the sounds of popular DJ Senega. Fun and fabulous supporters included Lucinda and Javier Loya, Brigitte and Bashar Kalai, Melissa and Micheal Mithoff, Tatiana and Guillermo Sierra, Stacey and Al Lindseth, Angela and John Nichols, Michelle Reyna, Lisa Whipple, Jonathan Phillips, Rachel Bagwell, Vivian Wise, Joanne King Herring, Stacey Lindseth, Wendy Phillips, Neal Hamil, Jessica Rossman and Gordon Bethune, and Diane Lokey Farb.