![\"Leigh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Leigh-and-Reggie-Smith-scaled.jpg\")
Leigh & Reggie Smith at the Hermann Park Conservancy \u2018Evening in the Park\u2019 (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)<\/p>\nThe Philanthropy in Fashion Houston Best Dressed honorees represent a cross section of backgrounds, interests and ages with two unifying characteristics. Each has an altruistic interest in contributing to the Bayou City and each has a defining style. The philanthropic femmes will be saluted on September 15 at a Post Oak Hotel luncheon benefiting March of Dimes.<\/p>\n
In this new\u00a0PaperCity series, we are profiling each of the 2026 Houston Best Dressed honorees leading up to the PaperCity Philanthropy in Fashion Houston Best Dressed Luncheon. Next Up: Leigh Smith, a second-time honoree.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t let Leigh Smith\u2019s dreamy Southern accent (she\u2019s from Georgia) that reminds of Scarlett O\u2019Hara fool you. There is nothing flighty about this former litigation attorney who has an incredibly impressive CV of fundraising efforts and board memberships. For the record, she serves as a trustee on the boards of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; Asia Society Texas Center; and Houston Ballet Foundation. She is past president and board chair of Houston Ballet and past board chair of the Houston Arts Alliance.<\/p>\n
Leigh & Reggie Smith at the Hermann Park Conservancy \u2018Evening in the Park\u2019 (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)<\/p>\n
Her largess extends beyond Houston to Aspen where the family has a second home. Smith has served as National Council chair for Anderson Ranch Arts Center and co-chaired three of the Aspen center\u2019s International Artist Awards Dinners.<\/p>\n
Having chaired myriad fundraising galas including those for Glasstire,<\/a> Houston Ballet, Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, Art League Houston, Herman Park Conversancy and more, Leigh and her attorney husband Reggie Smith will co-chair Houston Arts Alliance\u2019s 20th anniversary gala<\/a> this fall.<\/p>\n Memorable quote: \u201cThe future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.\u201d \u2014 Eleanor Roosevelt<\/p>\n The Style Survey<\/p>\n Favorite designers: Jason Wu, Johnson Hartig (Libertine), Dries Van Noten and Jonathan Anderson<\/p>\n Style icons:\u00a0Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, Michelle Obama<\/p>\n My go-to outfit: Black pants paired with a patterned blouse, minimal jewelry, good shoes and a fabulous Lady Dior Art purse.<\/p>\n Fragrance: Miss Dior<\/p>\n The one accessory you cannot life without: My rings and a Cartier watch<\/p>\n Favorite beauty cream: Dr. Barbara Stern or Augustinus Bader<\/a><\/p>\n Books on your coffee table: New York Times best sellers or National Book Award novels downloaded on my iPad.<\/p>\n Travel destination that inspires: Scotland or Italy<\/p>\n Favorite hotel in the world: A toss up between Fife Arms in the Highlands of Scotland, the Lanesborough in London, and The Royal Mansour<\/a> in Marrakech.<\/p>\n Something that few people know about you: \u201cMy given name at birth was Melissa Leigh.\u00a0 New teachers and anyone who did not really know me always called me Melissa. When I married I legally dropped Melissa and moved my maiden name (McCranie) to the middle. I am Melissa no more!\u201d<\/p>\n![\"340_AsiaSocietyTigerBall_DanielOrtizPhoto_030725](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/340_AsiaSocietyTigerBall_DanielOrtizPhoto_030725.jpg\")
Leigh & Reggie Smith at Asia Society Texas\u2019 Tiger Ball 2025: Enchanting Shanghai, honoring Y. Ping Sun and David Leebron, on Friday, March 7, 2025. (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)<\/p>\n