It’s time to start those creative brain cells revving. 2014 Mad Hatter’s Chair Lisa Loy Laughlin revealed all types of good things at Lela Rose Boutique in Highland Park Village Monday. Despite a brisk wind and a chilly temperature outside, the crowd didn’t let that dissuade them from being on hand to learn about the April 10 “tea.” Let’s face it. This fundraiser is a tea in name only. It’s a heck of a lot more — champagne reception in the Dallas Arboretum’s Ginsburg Plaza, fashion show in Rosine Hall and back to the plaza for a seated luncheon overlooking the grounds. All this benefits the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden and A Woman’s Garden.
Speaking of Ginsburg Plaza, Honorary Chair Gina Ginsburg was on hand for the news along with Dallas Woman’s Council President Bettina Hennessy, Underwriting Chair Kathy Cothrum, Carol Seay, Kay Weeks, Karen Settle, Linda Spina, Anna Bland Aston, Carole Lawson, Jill Goldberg, Janie Robertson, Sue Ringle, Elsa Norwood, Kim Mathews, Linda Loy Funk and Tea emcee/advisor Jocelyn White topped off with an animal-friendly alpaca hat and scarf.
But back to the announcements. Centered around this year’s theme of “Serenade To Style,” Lisa revealed the categories will be:
- Over the Rainbow: Most Colorfully Flamboyant
- My Favorite Things: Chic Couture
- The Yellow Rose of Texas: Most Elegant
- Edelweiss: A Vintage Look
- Tip Toe Through the Tulips: Most Whimsical
- Do Re Mi: Most Creative use of Natural Materials
- Best of Show. Criteria: Integrity of Design and
- Creative Use of Botanical.
If you’re new to Mad Hatter’s, the reveal of the categories is very important. Some guests spend loads of time, effort and money in trying to come up with a potential winning hat to fit the categories. Hat designers, in particular, take the information and hit the drawing boards to provide their clients with real eye catchers.
In addition to the categories, Jocelyn announced the hat judges, who include: Heidi Dillon, Founder of The Fashionistas; Michael Faircloth, Fashion Designer; Patti Flowers, owner of Patti Flowers Design Studio; Sam Ratcliffe, head of Bywaters Special Collections in SMU’s Jake and Nancy Hamon Arts Library; Gary Riggs, interior designer and artist; Clarice Tinsley, news anchor, FOX 4; Maxine Trowbridge, editor, PaperCity; and Janine Turner, actress, author, talk radio host.
Other news included the return of Jan Strimple as fashion show producer for the April 10 fundraiser at the Dallas Arboretum; plus, fashions will come from Diane von Furstenberg, Lela Rose and Escada.
Suggestion: Receive your tickets now because you’re gonna need to concentrate on your chapeau.
* Photo credit: Dana Driensky
Jan Strimple says
Thanks for your fun coverage on this MADCAP event, Jeanne! This dedicated group of women wrap their arms around The Dallas Arboretum and A Woman\’s Garden and their collective efforts make this one of Dallas\’s most beloved fundraisers!