Clayton Katz, on the Una Notte in Italia runway. PC Daniel Ortiz
gThe annual Una Notte in Italia “celebrity” men’s fashion show is always one of the most anticipated galas of the Fall season. This year was no different when it sold out 8 weeks before invitations went to print. Co-chairs Melissa Holman Juneau and Jennifer Pinkerton and Honorary Chair Debbie Festari set a record for the gala raising over $438,000.00 on behalf of Children at Risk!
Over 500 guests gathered at the Royal Sonesta Hotel on November 12th, 2021 to celebrate this special night. The crowd enjoyed fine wines, great food, and of course the highlight of the evening – the philanthropic men and athletes who took to the runway for a wonderful cause. Fabulous fall fashions from Rudy Festari of Festari for Men adorned each gentleman as they pranced and danced to their favorite song!
Popular Emcee Johnny Bravo and Honorary Chair Debbie Festari spoke to accolades of each gentleman as they walked the catwalk. Some of the participants included Olympic great Carl Lewis, Dynamo stars Zarek Valentin and Tim Parker, Sabercats Rugby player Keni Nasoqeqe, Houston Texas Jonathan Owens, and businessmen Chad Pinkerton, Moez Mangalji, Drs. Matthew Brams, Stephen Chen and Bob Sanborn, Pablo Delgado, Adrian Duenas, Jonathan Zadok, Clayton Katz, Hugo Guerrero, Mark Thiessen, and Al Lindseth to name a few.
As usual, there were plenty of face signs, glitter and flowers tossed as the crowd cheered for their favorite “model”. The evening was capped off with the most successful live auction in the event’s history! Guests closed the night down dancing the night away to the sounds of the lively DJ. Beautiful people in the crowd included Olympian great Simone Biles, Rachel and Jeff Bagwell, Francis and Tony Buzbee, Tina and Dan Silvestri, Ally Shell and Martin Van Kookwijk, Melissa and Michael Mithoff, Nicole and James Lassiter, Gena and David Rush, Brigitte Kalai, Courtney Hopson, Michelle Reyna Wymes, Steven Devadanam, and Tiffany and Randall Wong among many others.
On behalf of Children At Risk and Festari for Men, thank you to all who attended and supported the annual Una Notte in Italia “celebrity” men’s fashion show and gala!
We deeply appreciate your support and hope you had a wonderful evening.
Thank you to our fabulous event Co-Chairs, Melissa Holman Juneau and Jennifer Pinkerton, and Honorary Chair Debbie Festari. And a special thank you to the fabulous gentlemen who took to the runway in support of our cause!
The generosity of our community enables us to continue protecting children from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Thanks to you, Children At Risk will be able to touch the lives of thousands of children and their families!
For information about the gala contact Briauna Derry at events@childrenatrisk.org, or (713) 869-7740. For the quickest response, we encourage email correspondence.
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