Photo; Michele Grinstead Griffiths
Emma Ross Del Frate is the founder of Herd About Houston (HAH) and was born in Houston a little over five decades ago.
Her parents Sam and Elsa Ross had the foresight to live in the Montrose long before it became the hot spot that it is today. An only child, Emma grew up in the fast lane often attending art openings and performing arts events.
Emma's mother worked for the art patrons, the de Menils and opened a shop where she sold old prints. Emma’s father taught Math at the University of St. Thomas and was one of Houston's early computer programmers.
Emma began working in the fashion and dining industry at a very early age. Trained by Mickey Rosmarin, she worked at Tootsies through high school then did summer stints as a waitress at the original Armando's.
Emma attended St. John’s School from Kindergarten through tenth grade and then moved next door to Lamar High School for her last two years.
After graduating from Lamar in the 1980s, Emma enrolled at the University of New Mexico in Albuquqerque, New Mexico. There she met Victor Del Frate, her best friend and eventual husband. Victor is a luxury custom furniture maker. Her mother, Elsa moved to Albuquerque after she divorced and she and Emma owned a women's clothing boutique which became an institution on the famous Route 66 for 25 years.
Emma and Victor have two children, Eva and Nico. They live in Montrose just a stones throw away from her childhood stomping ground.
Emma has always been interested and inspired by architecture, art, design, fashion, and many forms of self expression. She has always had a genuine curiosity and fascination with people.
Emma decided to create her blog Herd About Houston to give other curious minds some insight into Houston's legendary people.
Herd About Houston is a sneak peek behind closed doors in her beloved H-Town, a glimpse at what ignites the people who have inspired Emma and significantly influenced the culture and image of Houston, a world renowned city with strengths in medicine, the arts, culture, research, ethnicity and opportunity.
Emma is taking off with Herd About Houston with profound pleasure and passion!