Not since LBJ’s 1948 election was decided by dead voters has an outcome been so controversial as the 25th anniversary Mad Hatter’s Tea. But the record-setting Dallas Arboretum fundraiser didn’t start out that way on the chilly morning of April 11. As guests gathered in Ginsburg Plaza only the poor tulips were drooping. That overnight drop in temperatures had really sent them to the ground. However, Event Co-chairs Shay Geyer and Maggie Kipp along with Arboretum Women’s Auxiliary President Sue Ringle had arranged for heaters to keep the guests warm while sipping their champagne.
As guests with low-riding sun hats gathered around the patio heaters that looked like hats themselves, the guests with high-rise hats avoided them like a bill collector.
Evidently the event’s theme, “Adventure in Time,” had inspired creativity to new heights. In fact, hat stature seemed to be the rule of the day, as towering flotillas of floral designs competed for judges’ attention and votes. Steve Kemble’s four-foot-high, 35-pound anniversary cake hat required a courier to deliver it and towered high above all. D’Andra Simmon’s sky-high turban with Taj Mahal and four elephant heads bearing pointed tusks was indeed a threat to Margot LaRocca’s group wearing designer balloon hats.
Honorary Chair Patty Dedman Nail’s group of ladies clad all in black with blue feathers on their hats looked like glamorous Hollywood widows counting the minutes until the will was read.
Seventeen gals with 45 rpm “record hats” took pleasure in explaining how they had hot-glued their hats.
Still another group was resurrecting the Arboretum’s recent love fest with Chihuly. Not only did they look fashionable, they didn’t suffer neck- and headaches like many with heavy toppers.
Joani White, who had just returned from a cruise, appropriately came as a very fashionable survivor of the Titanic, complete with a mini-Louis Vuitton steamer and a Le Cœur de la Mer dangling from her hat.
Doris Jacobs, not quite satisfied with her red-and-white fantail of flowers, added just a touch of greenery to set it off.
And since the theme dealt with time, many like Kate Rose Marquez, Shane Walker and Billy Fulmer, opted to add a timepiece in their bonnets.
Just as the judges (Lawrence Bock, Connie Dufner, Holly Forsythe, Julian Leaver, Paula Caldwell St-Onge, James Shackelford and Anthony Wilkinson) were hunkering down sans judge Amy Vanderoef, who was MIA due to a sick kiddo, Reggie Alexander and Julie Kay Harris-Krause came rushing in. Well, maybe not rushing as in sprinting. With their mega-headpieces, there was just no way one could move that fast. Alas, they were held up in traffic and too late to be judged officially. However, they stole the show. With blonde ringlets and a Miss Muffet dress, Julie’s bonnet looked like a delicious cake of blossoms, bows and feathers. In her hand was a two-tier stand of even-more delicious cupcakes and flowers. Reggie’s spiraling creation dazzled with a glamorous tree with moving parts and photos of the event’s key organizers sprouting from his white top hat. One gal, who was disappointed in her hat, asked Reggie for his card. Smart lady. Making plans for next year.
As the guests adjourned to Rosine Hall, many passed by the judges huddled up in the back of the room. According to some reports, the judges were having their own maddening time trying to figure out which hats fit in which categories. Think Alice trying to use logic with the Mad Hatter and Queen of Hearts.
Ah, but there was even more madness taking place in the rows of chairs. Some guests decided that open seating meant chairs with names or the word “Reserved” were not to be taken seriously.
Shay and Maggie took their assigned seats on the front row. Just as the lights dimmed, the girls’ smiles momentarily turned upside down. The Oscar and Cavalli executives, who were to be seated right behind the co-chairs, were nowhere to be seen. Alas, the reps’ reserved seats had been hijacked by interlopers, with the Oscar and Roberto folks banished to standing against the wall.
But most guests never knew a problem existed as the show got underway with WFAA’s Ron Corning returning as emcee for a second year in a row. He charmed and teased like an adorable kid brother, and the ladies loved it. Shay, Maggie and Sue did a nice job of thanking the appropriate folks, especially Honorary Chair Patty Dedman Nail, who last year was one of the victim of the splash from the runway. Talk about a good sport!
Then Ron presented “the fashion fairy godmother” Carmaleta Whiteley with a special gift — a fashion fairy godmother wand because, “Lord knows, you’ve got a lot of fairies in your life. . . If you need any fairy dust, there’s certainly no shortage of that in this town.” Did he really say that? Yup, he sure did and laughter filled the room.
Then it was Jan Strimple-produced fashion showtime, with a first time joining of Oscar and Cavalli on the runway. The day’s chill was quickly history as the spring and summer collections offered the promise of warmer days to come.
Following the show, the live auction took place with Ron at the helm. Suddenly Hat judge Daniel Lewis who had also donated a package joined Ron and stoked up the bidding.
Despite showing signs of headaches and stiff necks from their weighty chapeaus, guests stayed in place waiting for the judges’ decisions. Finally it was time for the winners to be revealed:
- Gents Top Hats/Timeless — Billy Fulmer
- Most True to Theme/Back to the Future — Joani White
- Botanical/Adam & Eve — Terry Irby
- Most Whimsical/Roaring Twenties — Yvonne Crum
- Most Elegant/Court of Versailles — Elizabeth Mendez
- Best of Show/25th Anniversary — D’Andra Simmons.
- Most Outlandish/Wild Wild West — Nancy Brite-Smith
- Group Hat — (tie) Record in Time and Patty Dedman Nail’s Hollywood Glamour
As the winners were presented, eyebrows raised, mouths formed perfect “O’s” and botoxed brows tried to wrinkle. Steve Kemble’s mammoth hat just hadn’t fit in any of the described categories. Whispers kicked in with claims that one judge had commandeered the vote, making up rules as he/she went along. One well-known hat designer threatened to boycott future Mad Hatter’s Tea and redirect his talents to Kentucky Derby parties. Oh, the agony of it all. Here a record amount of money had been raised for the Arboretum, and such supposed skulduggery was upstaging the post-show luncheon. But as a legendary Houston socialite once said, “To be successful, one must be controversial.”
Well, not really. Just a couple or three were a bit miffed that their favs hadn’t taken home the “gold.” The rest were having a grand time lunching amid the flowers that had withstood the chilly temps. Faye Briggs’ table was especially special, with a three-tier birthday cake celebrating her 80th birthday.
But the controversy proved to be fodder for the hardcore Mad Hatter vets. They adjourned to the Mansion bar for the traditional post-event analysis and something stiffer than tea.
Sue Ringle says
Thank you, Jeanne, for a great wrap-up and great pics! You’ve been a wonderful blogger since way back in the Fall. Shay and Maggie have done a super job! I’m so proud of them, and who benefits from their fundraising prowess???? Why, the Woman’s Garden of the Dallas Arboretum! I hope everyone will enjoy it and the entire Arboretum in the next few months.
Maggie Kipp says
EVERYONE was a WINNER at 25th Anniversary Mad Hatter’s Tea – we had the craziest, coolest, most beautiful hats yet and raised record funds for the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum. Woo hoo! Thank you to our incredible Honorary Chair Patty Dedman Nail, President Sue Ringle, Fairy Godmother Carmaleta, Reservations Queen Linda Spina, Treasuer Helen Tieber – and the lovely, generous and hard-working co-chair Shay Geyer … plus so many more! Hats off to our incredible judges who had such a tough time deciding on hat prizes thanks to so many 25th Anniversary guests going over the top. What a spectacular of success for the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum. Jeanne, the write up is great and we so appreciate all you and My Sweet Charity did to help promote 25th Anniversary Mad Hatter’s Tea!
Shay Geyer says
Kudos for an extremely well written recap Jeanne! We consider you an integral part of the success of this year’s Mad Hatters. Your support throughout the year has helped us generate quite a buzz for the Dallas Arboretum & the Women’s Council. Thank you again for being our blog sponsor!