Couture, Celebrities and Charity

  (Austin, TX) - St. Thomas' annual "a look...for love" Couture Fashion Show and Black-tie Gala founded
by Tomas Estebes and Riley Estebes de Silva of St Thomas raised $250,000 in net proceeds to benefit the
Austin Museum of Art (AMOA). This 2006 extraordinary event was co-chaired by Junie Johnstone and
Kelly Topfer. The sixth annual "celebration" has raised over $1.3 million for Austin's non-profit community.
"a look...for love" is an organization with a mission to inspire and cultivate awareness for the needs of the
community through philanthropy and fashion.
    

    On Saturday October 21, 2006, more than 450 of Texas' finest attended "a look...for love", including the
legendary Rolling Stone rocker Mick Jagger. The exceptional Haute Couture Fashion Show featuring
guest designer, Zac Posen's 2007 Spring Collection was inspirational and bold. The Rodney P. Hunt
Family Foundation & RSIS Information Systems, Inc, Judith M. Wasserman-Hunt, Rodney P. Hunt and
their son Bradley P. Hunt proudly sponsored Celebrity guest models Lizzy Jagger and Erin O'Connor
setting the tone for an evening of high energy and sophistication.  

   AMOA Executive Director Dana Friis-Hansen thanked Tomas and Riley for their three-year commitment to
AMOA through "a look...for love". Net proceeds from this charity gala will have an immediate impact through
"a look...for love" Title 1 Educational Outreach Program, expanding AMOA's acclaimed arts education program to Central Texas' neediest students. Tomas and Riley have earmarked remaining proceeds towards the future permanent home of the Austin Museum of Art.  We believe this is a perfect pairing of high art and high fashion and look forward to playing a key role in sustaining the vital and healthy cultural community in Austin.

  "a look...for love" was held on tented grounds at the future downtown home of AMOA. The tents transformed
the parking lot into a Modern chic lounge setting with a unique Z shaped runway in honor of Zac Posen.
Guests enjoyed multi-course tapas styled dinner in their lounge while dancing to a live music collaboration
by International DJ D-Nice and percussionist El John of Thievery Corporation. The live auction was a huge
success with the premiere package consisting of a trip for 2 to NYC Fashion Week hosted by Riley and dinner
with Zac Posen, netting a whopping $66 k. Bryan and Rebecca Hardeman of Mercedes-Benz generously
donated a CLK 350 Cabriolet Mercedes-Benz valued at $50,000 which was raffled off at the VIP Post-Gala Bash
held at the Four Seasons. The winner had a 1 in 100 chance of winning the Mercedes with the purchase of a
$1000 ticket. Mr. Hardeman drew the winning ticket at the VIP Bash, announcing Jack Sheppard as the winner.Mr. Sheppard generously shared one of his VIP passes with purchase of his raffle ticket to a bright-eyed guest earlier in the evening, confirming that "karma does come back to those who give".