On Saturday, August 27, 2016, the Martinez-Arpin Foundation (MA Foundation) held the Indigo Night: Couture Soirée celebrating its 3rd Annual School Supply Drive, and kicked off a scholarship program for students seeking to advance their studies in the arts. 

 

Alex Martinez-Arpin and Indigo Night co-chairs, Carmen Marian Montiel and Tommy O’Neill, welcomed over 300 guests into O’Neill’s home, an 18,000-square-foot French country mansion. Attendees were wowed by live music and a fashion runway show featuring designer Cesar Galindo’s fall collection, accessorized with the much desired pieces of Grazia Fortuna Ward and stunning JulieBeth handbags.

 

Guests enjoyed sumptuous bites prepared and delivered by Ibiza’s Charles Clark and sipped organic wine generously donated by Domaine Bousquet. Earlier in the evening, there was a presentation of Roberto Cavalli’s 2016 men’s line, as well as children’s fashions modeled by audience favorites Carmina, Macarena, and Natalia Chavez-Zamorano, who are eleven, nine, and five, respectively, and the daughters of prominent Mexico City and Houston entrepreneurs Raphael Chavez and Carmina Zamorano.

 

A curated silent auction included an original sketch by Mexican artist Diego Rivera provided by an anonymous donor; a beautiful set of diamond drop earrings from New York jeweler Peter Martino; Jessie Dugan jewelry; Shamballa eyewear; a special art piece by Grazia Fortuna Ward; art works from Glassell School Dean, Patrick Palmer and Gallery Sonja Roach; Cesar Galindo gowns; Roberto Cavalli handbags; Elizabeth and James, donated by Tootsies; a one-of-a-kind CKW Collection crystal clutch donated by Connie Kwan-Wong; hand-woven rugs by Postmodern Traditions; and portraiture by Bradford Portraits. 

 

Proceeds raised during the Indigo Night: Couture Soiree will fund the MA Foundation's inaugural scholarship program, which focuses on junior- and senior-level students in need of tuition assistance pursuing art degrees. One generous donor provided over 200 monogrammed backpacks filled with shirts, shoes, dental care, and school supplies. More than $5,000 worth of school supplies were brought by guests to help students start their year, and the MA Foundation received over $50,000 for its inaugural scholarship fund.

 

Among the esteemed guests enjoying the excitement of the evening in Indigo Couture fashion were Vivian Fox, Cindi and Dr. Franklin Rose, Ajay and Dr. Sippi Khurana, Peter Martino, Christine and Matt Tabrizi, Manuel de Leon, Tammie and Dr. Charles Johnson, Leisa Holland-Nelson, Linda and Patrick Sweet, Lynne Mathre and Stuart Odell, Bob Fretz, Mauricio and Liliana Molina, Quan and Staci Henderson, Edward Sanchez, Ernie Manouse, Dana Kervin, and Harry and Tracy Faulkner.