Houston’s Most Stunning Moms and Their Kids Strut the Runway: This International Gala Shows the Bayou City’s Real Strength

What: LCAHouston International Mother’s Day Soirée

Where: Asia Society Texas Center

PC Moment: With Houston’s vast international population, a duo of Egyptian American femmes — philanthropist Brigitte Kalai and CrimeStoppers CEO Rania Mankarious — chaired the sixth annual evening, founded by Lights, Camera, Action editor Ruchi Mukherjee in the noble effort of bridging the gap between the city’s ethnic and mainstream communities.

As is tradition, the event honored Houston mothers of all origins and saw the ladies walk the runway hand-in-hand with one or two of their children. Taking bows were Grammy Award winner Yolanda Adams with her daughter, Taylor Crawford; Mona Khan; Dr. Alice Mao; Dr. Gia Merlo; Britta Merwin; Maria Morales; Tia Neyman; Dallas Rowden; Rashi Vats; Laurette Veres;  Christina Zhou; and Audrey Toll with her stunning daughter KPRC 2 news anchor Dominique Sachse.

“The Mother’s Day Soirée is always a very emotional affair for me,” Mukherjee said. “I grew up in India watching a lot of injustice in the society towards women and today I am so proud to recognize women who are mothers making a difference.” She was joined by her mother, Kaberi, and her daughter, Aryika.

In another nod to cultural unity, emcees were Houston Chronicle Best Dressed honoree Dr. Sippi Khurana and KPRC 2 meteorologist Justin Stapleton.

The night was international from start to finish with event planner Nirali Shah working with Events to Attend’s Tabitha Smith, who decorated the room in Tiffany & Company blue in a nod to the “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” themed fête. Even the menu enjoyed a diverse flair with KUU providing appetizers, Kiran’s restaurant tempting with its Tandoori spiced salmon with tamarind glaze and baby green cranberry chutney while chef Claudia Echeverrai from Ginn’s Gourmet served short rib crepes topped with burgundy demi-glace and mornay sauce.

Who: Toni and Howard Tate, Laura and Dave Ward, Ursaline Hamilton, Hallie Vanderhider, Tammy Tran Nguyen, Rania Edlebi, Gabriela Dror,  Clifford Pugh, Shamika Johnson, Alicia Smith, Maha Rasheed Khan, Geeta and Vipul Anand, Sue Habib, David Peck, Mauri Oliver, Monisha and Wayne Lewis, and Jempy Neyman.