Greggory Burk isn't a regular host. She's a cool host.

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It's become tradition for each year's Houston Chronicle Best Dressed Luncheon and Neiman Marcus Fashion Presentation hall of fame inductee to host a get together for her class of fellow honorees. In the past, soirées have ranged from Sunday night suppers to husbands-allowed seated affairs in the aforementioned Galleria department store.

 

Burk took a different approach. She envisioned a house party for her turn to entertain.

"I just want tonight to be fun," she said on Wednesday evening. "Like a girls night out -- well, in."

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So she tapped Moda Operandi, the luxury online retailer founded by Vogue contributing editor Lauren Santo Domingo, to co-host. And what a striking trio Burk, Moda Operandi private client advisor Brian McCulloch, and business development and client experience manager Belén Hormaeche made. With Burk in an architectural, ecru jumpsuit, McCulloch's English tweed suit offset by a pearl necklace, and Hormaeche holding court in black lace Paco Rabanne duster, welcome wagons never looked so chic.

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They perfectly suited the setting. Upon entering Burk's shindig via double brass doors -- which are original to her recently renovated 1960s River Oaks manse -- J&D Entertainment sketch artist Andre Roberts sat perched on a stool, rapid-fire illustrating twins Joanna Hartland Marks, a first-time 'Best Dressed' honoree, and Hannah McNair, this year's March of Dimes family ambassador, on canvas paper.

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In one corner, guests fawned over DeMartino Design Group's orchid treatment in the dining room. On the opposite end of the foyer, Burk's sister-in-law and past 'Best Dressed' honoree Allie Fields dazzled in a two-piece crop top and matching trouser set.

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City Kitchen's all-male waitstaff circled the space with serving trays bearing shrimp fritters, crab cakes and ceviche. Occasionally, they'd offer to fetch a Paloma, the signature cocktail, or other drink orders from the bar.

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-CHRON.COM​