Crystal Charity Ball Fashion Show organizers are smart. Very smart. While other fashion shows may have more guests and over-the-top extras, the CCB ladies have been wise enough to keep their’s elegantly simple and limited to about 500 guests. Perhaps that’s why, regardless of the financial times, it’s a sellout way before plans are finalized. This may also explain why the group’s take has risen from its initial $10,000 in 1974 to more than $500,000 at last Friday’s event.
Of course, it doesn’t hurt to have such elements as the queen of retailing institutions (Neiman Marcus), internationally renowned designers, and presentation of the Ten Best Dressed (pictured, the class of 2010).
That last one has become a double-edged sword over the years. To be one of the ten is highly coveted. Every woman who has been named to the list has style and exquisite taste. However, each year there are rumblings about who didn’t make the list. The selection is made by a CCB committee, each member of which knows that they can’t make everyone happy. But to quote a well-known socialite, “In order to be successful, one must be controversial.” That’s what makes Crystal Charity’s fashion show maintain its position: it takes a stand in the ever-controversial world of fashion.
But don’t worry. There were no picketers or protesters at Friday’s lunch. Not even PETA. Instead it was a celebration of fashion and a brief respite from the chores of the day.
The day started early. With the honorees arriving hours before the show for hair and makeup, NM staffers were ready to rock and roll. As NM couture department manager David Koca put it, “Let the games begin.”
While Akris designer Albert Kriemler (picture right with Jan Strimple) was on the second floor being interviewed by the media before the ladies arrived, the NM staff was scurrying around putting the finishing touches on the set. Not only would they have the first floor filled with 500 well-heeled guests, NM was streaming the fashion extravaganza online and on mega-screens throughout. NM President/CEO Karen Katz told folks that she had tried to get Jerry Jones to lend the Jumbo Tron, but it was already scheduled for the Tim McGraw concert that night at Cowboys Stadium.
While the aisle in front of the elevators looked like a fashionable black hole of Calcutta packed with ladies (pictured) who could have easily made the 10 BD list themselves, a private gathering was taking place around the corner in the shoe salon for sponsors. As CCB greeters Libby Allred and Gigi Potter welcomed VIP guests via the Main Street entrance, some of the invited couldn’t resist kicking off their own shoes to try on some of those on display.
Lunch Chair Alison Farrow, her arm in an Albert-autographed black sling, was surrounded by her family. While husband Bob took it all in stride, the kids (Elizabeth, Robert and Joseph) in their school uniforms bravely put up with all the adults.
Then Albert arrived and was immediately surrounded by the women who couture. The Swiss designer charmed everyone from NM associate to longtime client. Who would have guessed he was just minutes away from back staging his fall and resort lines?
2002 Hall of Famer Nancy Dedman arrived to be greeted by the newest member of the Hall of Fame, Marilyn Augur (pictured right with Nancy Dedman). When asked about the construction of her new home, Nancy admitted that she wouldn’t be moving into it anytime soon, but “that’s all anyone asks me about.”
As the start time for the show nearly, NM ramrod Sandy Marple and her crew started herding guests to their seats. Veterans of past CCB fashion shows like Alan White and Don Conlon (wives Lee Ann White and Robyn Conlon were on their second year of being BD-ed) knew exactly where their places were and how to handle the predominantly female event. Why Don even brought his camera to record the show! Alan, on the other hand, looked a little preoccupied since he, Lee Ann and her son Michael needed to catch a flight immediately after the show.
CCB Chair Cynthia Mitchell‘s husband Tom admitted that this was his first rodeo, but he pulled his role off flawlessly. He agreed that many people don’t realize the responsibilities that a fundraising chairman faces in running the “business” of charity. It’s like coordinating a major corporation for two years, where failure is not allowed. Tom’s a very smart fella. Instead of waiting til after the CCB’s December gala, he presented Cynthia with a gold necklace recently. Guess he was providing a little pat on the back to help her through the final months of her tenure. Like we said, Tom’s a smart fella.
Just as the show was about to begin, poor Denise Wofford was still searching for her seat. Rules of CCB stress that no one is to be seated after the show starts.
Karen Katz welcomed the group and took care of some housekeeping, like saluting her former boss Burt “Mr. Luxury” Tansky (pictured), who is moving back to NYC with wife Rita, and welcoming reps from Harper’s Bazaar, that is now the CCB national magazine of record. Seems that with the departure of editor Pamela Fiori from Town & Country, the longtime relationship with T&C had to be adjusted.
Then Cynthia took over the podium to announce some VERY good news — Annette and Harold Simmons were gifting $1 million to CCB to help them meet their 2010 goal of $4,112,273. Thank heaven, HoF-er Annette’s good friend and sister HoF-er Gene Jones (pictured right with Annette Simmons) was seated next to her to support her as the announcement resulted in a standing O. Quite frankly, Annette looked a little overwhelmed by all the hoopla. After being presented with a magnificent bouquet of flowers and a banner extolling the moment, Annette looked relieved that attention was being returned to the fashion of the day.
Sidenote: Charlotte Jones Anderson (pictured) was seated across the aisle from Gene and Annette and looked darn fabulous in beige boots past the knee that missed the hem of her skirt by half a foot. The rest of the outfit defies description.
Then the show started with the presentation of the BD ladies (Nancy Carter, Claire Emanuelson, Pat McEvoy, Kim Miller, Robyn Conlon, Aileen Pratt, Nancy Rogers, Amy Turner, Lee Ann White and Ellen Winspear) and HoF-er Marilyn Augur. You would have thought it was a high-fashion pep rally with the multi-leveled seating and the cheers going up as each lady was presented in Akris ensembles. The only thing missing was pom poms.
On the sidelines, two generations of Turners including Amy’s mom Julie and dad Jim along with Amy’s son Turner Carreker (pictured with Amy) were cheering BD Amy Turner as she was presented.
As soon as the honorees took their place on the 50-yard line of the layout, the show got underway with painfully: thin models registering expressions of zombie-ism. But that’s what they’re supposed to do, don’t you know? Models are simply breathing mannequins whose sole purpose is to showcase the clothing, not their personalities. And these gals did a great job. The clothes looked elegant, tailored and perfect for any well-heeled closet.
The good news for the hosiery industry is that stockings and leggings are back (pictured) with a vengeance.
Editorial comment: Yes, the excruciatingly high heels make legs look longer and more attractive (pictured), but those stilts also force even the most accomplished walker to look like they’ve had one too many Cosmopolitans. Even if you are convinced that these nose-bleed-creating shoes are comfortable to wear, they’re painful to watch in action.
Ah, but what price beauty and fashion?
Mark says
Wow, Albert Kriemler is a genius. He’s eye for detail is impeccable and his fabric blends and choices are heaven on the skin. I’m so glad that he chose to team up with Neiman Marcus and Crystal Ball Charity its shows how dedicated he is to charitable causes. Annette and Harold Simmons gifting $1 million dollars is beyond words… they’re heart is bigger than the room they were in. And the Model pictured in this article Karen Manco looks stunning!
Neiman Marcus and AKRIS…you have a long time fan in me!
_Mark