RI Hospitality Association hosted a monthly Women in Hospitality (WIH) event, called HOSPITALI-CHIC with Kent Stetson, on Oct. 25 at Iron Works in Warwick, sponsored by Performance Foodservice. Stetson, a local luxury handbag designer, donated an exquisite, one-of-a-kind handbag to the event. WIH brings together hospitality professionals to network and address industry issues. Described as a “glamorous evening of empowerment and style,” the event also served as a fundraiser for a donation drive for William M. Davies Jr. Career & Technical High School’s student thrift store Drip@Davies, focusing on collecting undergarments and toiletry products for students in need as proper undergarments, a basic necessity, are often overlooked at clothing drives. Guests brought in donations of bras, sports bras and underwear, as well as sanitary products. Established in 2003, Stetson creates instantly recognizable handbags from his studio in Pawtucket and has been featured in New York Times Style, the Boston Globe, Elle and many international publications. Named Boston Magazine’s Handbag Designer of the Year for 2023 and a RI Monthly Best of 2023 Winner, the designer was on hand with a trunk show and stories to share with the group.
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- Attendees enjoyed the RI Hospitality Association’s Women in Hospitality (WIH) event, HOSPITALI-CHIC with Kent Stetson, on Oct. 25 at Iron Works in Warwick.
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- Zoe Jennings and Kerri Battista, Luigi’s Gourmet Express & Restaurant.
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- Dale Venturini, President and CEO, RI Hospitality Association (RIHA); Schelene Plante, William M. Davies Jr. Career & Technical High School; and Tina Faria, Iron Works/Newport Restaurant Group.
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- Dale Venturini, President and CEO, RIHA and Kent Stetson, Handbag Designer.
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- Iron Works/Newport Restaurant Group’s Amanda Trainor, Carolina Franco and Matt White.
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- Alexander Gigliotti, Sous Chef, Iron Works/Newport Restaurant Group.
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- Kent Stetson, Handbag Designer and Heather Singleton, COO, RIHA.
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- Kent Stetson, Handbag Designer and Ronda DePhamphilis, Performance Foodservice, the door prize handbag winner.
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- Kait O’Hara, Falvey Linen Supply; Tina Tomaselli, T’s Restaurant; and Jennifer Luxmoore, Sin.
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- Johana Gil and Paula Castrillon, Mangos Restaurant.
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- Iron Works/Newport Restaurant Group’s Alivia Mussulli and Tina Faria with Schelene Plante, William M. Davies Jr. Career & Technical High School.
Photos courtesy of RI Hospitality Association.
