Amber Elliott

Houston

Society Reporter at Chron

Arts & Philanthropy Writer at Houston Chronicle

Articles

Best day ever in Houston, according to Tootsies creative director Fady Armanious

2 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Amber Elliott

By day, Tootsies' longtime creative director Fady Armanious' focus is fashion with a capital 'F.' When he's not in Paris or Milan for a runway show or market appointment, the Egyptian-native can be found on the retail floor, styling a client or pulling clothing for a photo shoot or hosting an event for the River Oaks-adjacent womenswear flagship. How would you spend your Best Day Ever in Houston? That's the question we're asking Houston's influencers.
Artist behind Houston's giant president sculptures wants to find them new homes

3 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Amber Elliott

Houstonians who may not recognize artist David Adickes by name, are likely to recognize his work. There's the "We Love Houston, Too" installation at William P. Hobby Airport; "Winds of Change" (bronze bust of President George H.W. Bush) at George Bush Intercontinental Airport inside Terminal C; 10-foot tall "Sam Houston Statue" in Huntsville; and American Statesmanship Park a.k.a. "Mount Rush Hour," a series of 18-foot, two-ton busts in the likeness of Stephen F.
Fashion designer Hunter Bell shares how to have the best day ever in Houston

4 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Amber Elliott

Hunter Bell is a bit of an enigma. Hunter Bell the brand is often spotted around Houston, and beyond; more than 120 retailers carry the women's wear line. Hunter Bell the person is trickier to spot in real life, though when she appears unexpectedly, her presence often causes a stir. How would you spend your Best Day Ever in Houston? That's the question we're asking Houston's influencers.
Rarely seen de Menil House photographs, letters and artwork inspire new exhibit

1 month ago | houstonchronicle.com | Amber Elliott

The jewel box gallery in the east wing of the Menil Collection's main building is the closest visitors can get to Dominique and John de Menil's Houston home — for now, at least. The Menil House residence, an approved Houston Historic Landmark, is currently undergoing construction. The project will sensitively restore the grounds and make essential updates to the dwelling.
Meet the Houstonian who customized Lauren Sánchez's Parisian bachelorette swag

1 month ago | houstonchronicle.com | Amber Elliott

Lauren Sánchez, who became engaged to Amazon and Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos back in 2023, made headlines last month for becoming one of the first female journalists to fly into space. This month, she and fellow flight passenger Katy Perry are back in the news for a different kind of celebration: Sánchez's French bachelorette parties. The festivities began in Paris last week, with A-listers including Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, and Eva Longoria in tow.
Fertitta, Whitmire, and Cecilia Abbott award 66 wheelchair-accessible vans

1 month ago | houstonchronicle.com | Amber Elliott

A fleet of 66 white, Chrysler vans dotted the parking lot, typically reserved for valet, next to the Post Oak Hotel at Uptown midday on Monday. Shiny red bows decorated each car's hood. Dozens of families and underwriters filled the hotel's ballroom for Houston Children's Charity's 2025 spring van distribution event.
Houston fashion designer Bach Mai brings 'Texas glamour' to the Frick Collection

1 month ago | houstonchronicle.com | Amber Elliott

A line of fine arts patrons, mostly between the ages of 21 and 45, snaked around the Frick Collection on Thursday evening. Their floral gowns, crisp tuxedos, and several pairs velvet smoking slippers hugged the corner parallel to Central Park, creating a scene reminiscent of the Gilded Age, when Henry Clay Frick resided in the Fifth Avenue mansion. Though on this occasion, fashion designer and Houston native Bach Mai played host as honorary chair of the 2025 Young Fellows Ball.
A Waco mailman designed 17 scarves for Hermès. They're on view in Galveston.

1 month ago | houstonchronicle.com | Amber Elliott

Bryan Museum curator Meg Tucker does not recall meeting Kermit Oliver, the elusive mailman turned artist who currently resides in her hometown of Waco. A painting that is part of "Kermit Oliver & Hermès: Storytelling on Silk & Canvas" suggests otherwise. Upstairs in the Galveston museum, she's depicted as a young girl with a brunette bow cut poking out from under a straw hat. There's a colt, small dog, and white bird in the frame, too. The animals were pets from her grandparents' farm.
Michelin Sommelier of Year draws record attendance, funds raised to wine dinner

1 month ago | houstonchronicle.com | Amber Elliott

In the grand tradition of the Houston Symphony's annual Wine Dinner and Collector's Auction, which began in 2001 as the brainchild of Robert T. Sakowitz and then-music director Hans Graf, this year's rendition onstage at Jones Hall ever so coyly upped its own ante. Steven McDonald, the school teacher turned Pappas Bros. Steakhouse master sommelier, is no stranger to the event. Ann and Jonathan Ayre enlisted his expertise when they hosted the fundraiser at the Astorian in 2021, too.
See inside James, a members-only speakeasy, for a derby party in the Heights

1 month ago | houstonchronicle.com | Amber Elliott

Permission Whiskey & Service Co. hugs an unassuming corner on White Oak. The small-ish cocktail bar specializing in bourbon and other brown spirits stays pretty busy; most days, the first customers turn up around 4 p.m. and steadily occupy high top chairs until midnight, or 2 a.m. on weekends. The Kentucky Derby is another story. By 1 p.m. on Saturday, Permission owner Peter Nolan has spent the previous 12 hours transforming his little slice of the Heights into a compact Churchill Downs.