There are folks who think the Crystal Charity Ball’s Ten Best Dressed announcement reception is a stuffy occasion where teacups are held with little pinkies at 90-degree angles and propriety rules as though the British royals were in attendance.

Au contraire! The announcement is a fun affair that takes on the personality of the luncheon chair and the 10 fashion plates. This year’s announcement made earlier today at Neiman Marcus Downtown proved that the Crystal Charity Ball gals work hard as well as have fun in raising mega-bucks for children’s charities. No, NM VP/GM Shelle Sills did not roll out a kegger, and tattoos and piercing were as scant as snow flakes in Death Valley. But there was a light-hearted spirit and a true sense of esprit de corp about the whole event, which was like sipping a perfect glass of Dom Perignon with just the right person.

Scott Studenberg

Today’s announcement started with a reception held at the Commerce Street end of the second-floor couture salon. Lanvin’s Scott Studenberg in his oh-so-casual chic Lanvin menswear was the first hint that the day was not going to be a rigid button-down affair. The cute New Yorker admitted to being mighty impressed with Dallas women and their take on fashion.

Connie O’Neill

The rest of the crowd in attendance consisted of veteran and newbie CCB-ers including last year’s CCB chair Connie O’Neill, who simply sparkled. Ask her about her two puppies that arrived in the O’Neill household over the holidays and she’ll ramp up the sparkle meter. Connie even admitted that she had replaced her kids’ photos on her phone’s screensaver with puppies “Milly” and “Dorothy.”

Speaking of photos shown on phones, fashion show/luncheon chair Robyn Conlon whipped out her phone to show photos of her 17-month old grandson, who has already bonded with husband Don.

Charm bracelet

Across the way, Tricia Besing was the newest one to be dazzled by DeeDee Lee‘s weighs-more-than-an-iPad charm bracelet. Tricia admitted that she and sister Paige had had charm bracelets as youngsters, but had not kept up. However, DeeDee’s jangly wrist wear was giving her second thoughts of adding to her own collection.

But time was rushing. Many of the ladies had to head their heels over to the Hilton Anatole for the Linz Award luncheon honoring Erle Nye, which would start at 11:30.

OMG, it was already 10:50!

With NM cool, Shelle and lieutenant-in-charge of extra-special events Sandy Marple herded the 60 gals to the other end of the salon, where staging and chairs were set up for the announcement. Looking around, it became apparent that certain faces from the earlier crowd were now MIA. Perhaps they were in the powder room, or backstage preparing to be announced?

Tick, tick, tick. What was the delay? Everyone was seated. Yup, but they had to wait for the “gold man”– NM President of Specialty Retail Jim Gold, that is.

Just on cue he appeared and headed straight to his place on the side of the stage.

Shelle Sills addressing the audience for 10 Best Dressed

In typical Shelle style, the retailing maven of the downtown store welcomed the ladies and introduced Jim. The ladies politely applauded. That’s when the oops happened.

With an All-American smile and polished look, Jim took his place at the podium. Looking down at his notes, he looked up with confidence as Shelle and NM Corporate VP of PR Gabrielle de Papp smiled on the sidelines and Dallas socialites sat with perfect posture like happy schoolgirls in front of him.

“Good morning, everybody.” The ladies reciprocated with “Good morning” back to Jim.

No problem so far. . . and then it happened.

Jim Gold

“Well, we know spring is in the air when we have our uh. . . er. . . Ten Breast . . . Ten Best Dressed . . .” and the room exploded with laughter. Even the fellows working the audio in the back of the room perked up and looked around the room as if to say, “We couldn’t have bleeped that one.”

But Jim is not a man who blushes and is mortified. He recovered as perfectly as a Louboutin stiletto heel. . . right on point.

“Auspicious start. . . okay, let’s try again” and he did and carried it off perfectly. Think Hugh Jackman immediately joking after accidently riding a zip line into a lighting rig on the Oprah Show. It was an accident that endeared him to one and all.

After Jim introduced CCB Chair Aileen Pratt to the stage, he immediately went to Shelle to check on damage control. None needed.

Aileen thanked the NM crew for all their work. Then she announced that the “oldest and hottest couture house in Paris,” Lanvin, would be bringing their collection to Dallas for the September 6th luncheon and fashion show.

She also told of the perks that came with the Platinum Patron level — a seated dinner on August 29 at the Dallas Country Club and a cocktail buffet on the night before the show on September 5.

Aileen then introduced Robyn, who announced that for only the fourth time in the luncheon’s history there would be an honorary chair, and it would be Gene Jones. Heads spun around looking for the tall, slender brunette, but no luck. She was with husband Jerry at the NFL owners meeting. Don’t worry. She’ll be at the luncheon.

Before asking Shelle and Gabrielle up to the stage to announce the 10 BD’s, Robyn said she hoped everyone would buy tickets at the most expensive level. Laughter.

As Shelle handled the announcement of the 10BD and their dossier, Gabrielle presented them with gifts and found herself assisting some of the ladies on and off the stage. You see, those very fashionable tight skirts and high heels may get you on the best dressed list, but they’re murder in trying to climb up and down the platform.

Ellen Winspear, Pam Perella, Kim Miller, Pat McEvoy, Lynn McBee, Robyn Conlon, Lana Andrews, Aileen Pratt, DeeDee Lee, Ashley Tripplehorn Hunt, Tricia Besing, Nancy Carlson and Nancy Carter

It was an amazing group of ten including previous 10 BD members Tricia Besing, Nancy Carter, Pat McEvoy, Kim Miller, Pam Perella and Ellen Winspear, and new-kids-on-the-list Nancy Carlson, Ashley Tripplehorn Hunt, DeeDee Lee and Lynn McBee.

Very few in the audience were surprised at the accomplishments of the ten until Ashley’s name was read off. She was described as the member who would make the group ten-and-a-half. Ashley and her husband Ward are expecting a baby. How far along will she be in September? Eight months. Shelle calmly told the group not to worry about what’s she’s going to wear in the fashion presentation, because, “We have it all figured out.”

Still more laughter.

For the grand finale, Shelle introduced the Hall of Fame honoree — Lana Andrews. As Lana took her place on stage, Shelle advised her to stay put because Lana’s list of accomplishments was going to take some time.

Then it was time for the 10.5 BD plus Lana to be photographed with Scott, Jim, Aileen and Robyn, as others shopped or took off for the Anatole.