Celebrating Diversity in Houston
Houston is known for being one of the most diverse cities in America, and its residents come together to celebrate various heritage months in style. The city recognizes the creative people who make it unique, and people often party with a purpose in the Bayou City.
Sips & Saddles: Supperclub
Certified sommelier Monica Jones presented the Sips & Saddles Supperclub Dinner, a memorable night that celebrated Women’s History Month at Houston’s new Hotel King David. Renowned distiller Marlene Holmes, a recent inductee into the Whisky Magazine’s Hall of Fame, brought a special touch with her masterful whiskey choices from her own distillery Marlene & Greene. Jones worked closely with acclaimed Houston chef Dominick Lee to pair each dish of a three-course menu with an exceptional bottle of wine.
The evening began with a memorable amuse-bouche, followed by smoked turkey necks and lima beans for the first course. The second course consisted of grilled viel chop, and for dessert, Chef Lee served whiskey-infused bananas foster — a nod to Marlene Holmes and her distillery. Jones shared insights on each glass of wine, offering notes that added to this special meal. Guests in attendance included Tiffany Riggs, Kristal Howard, Brianna Mills, Stephanie Franklin, Crystal Fisher, Tonia Labbe, Kaylon Beck, Julia Watson, Mariah Bingham, Lauren Beamon, Jade Waddy, and Corniche Jones.
Sneha Merchant Art Exhibition
Houston artist Sneha Merchant displayed her remarkable artwork at an exhibition hosted by Neiman Marcus, commemorating Women’s History Month. Through her signature kinetic works and detailed mandalas, as well as portraits of empowering female icons, Merchant drove the importance of celebrating women’s history home. Merchant showed off 14 distinct pieces, including "Taylor- Girl Power", "Anna Wintour: Vogue", "Mona Lisa & Madonna: My Body My Choice", "Marilyn Monroe: Marilyn Smile", and "Dolly Parton". The artist also displayed her adoration for Houston with a similar painting dubbed "Astros MVP- Jose Altuve". The artworks featured an inspiring quote alongside each portrait.
Sixty-five lucky art lovers got to experience this special night at Neiman Marcus, and five of Merchant’s pieces sold, making the night even more meaningful for this Houston creative. Attendees included Nick Merchant, Heather Almond, Leisa Holland-Nelson, Laura Ward, Sippi and Ajay Khurana, Stacey and Al Lindseth, Alice Brams, Ruchi Mukherjee, Anna Reger, Paul and Tamatha Caldwell, Ally Shell, Beth Muecke, Ahmad Malik, Doug Harris, Linda and Patrick Magil, Kent and Shara Schaffer, Farah Nasser, Maheen Dhanani, Michele Bell Till, Sandra Cooper, Perri Palermo, and Naureen Malik. Some pieces from the Sneha Merchant exhibition are still available for purchase online.
Kimono Zulu Exhibition at Neiman Marcus
Nearly 50 people gathered on the first floor of Houston’s Neiman Marcus to celebrate the second exhibition for founder Tina Zulu’s Kimono Zulu. The opening reception commemorated Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, with many of the attendees dressed in kimono-inspired looks. The event applauded Zulu’s innovative take on Japanese craftsmanship. The evening put a focus on the role fashion plays in the community, with Zulu calling her kimonos "wearable art with soul", driving home how fashion serves as an outlet for self-expression and authenticity.
Neiman Marcus’ visual merchandising team handpicked each unique piece displayed during the event, which included collaborations with local artists such as Emilie Duval, Ally Ham, Sebastien "Mr. D 1987" Boileau, Selven O’Keef Jarmon, Magpies & Peacocks, and DonRasta Rseenal. The night was especially significant to Tina Zulu, who first started in the fashion industry years ago at Neiman Marcus. Guests in attendance included Rene Garza, Michael Mandola, Danny Nguyen, Josh Zulu, Sarah Aramburo, Stacy Riddle, Roe and Brian Manaveese, Thanh Nguyen, Adrienne Feinberg, and Karla Modesto. The kimono collection can be shopped online or in person at Neiman Marcus by appointment only.
Conclusion
Houston’s diverse community comes together to celebrate various heritage months, recognizing the creative people who make the city unique. Events such as the Sips & Saddles Supperclub, Sneha Merchant Art Exhibition, and Kimono Zulu Exhibition at Neiman Marcus showcase the city’s vibrant culture and commitment to self-expression and authenticity. These events demonstrate that in Houston, people truly party with a purpose, and the city’s diversity is something to be celebrated.
