Fashion Group International of Dallas’ 2016 Night of Stars Gala was a universe of dazzling fashion delights at FIG on Friday, November 4. One of the shining stars was none other than petite designer Monique Lhuillier and her equally adorable husband Tom Bugbee. They were there for Monique’s being presented with the Career Achievement Award.
But the evening began with a reception along FIG’s upper level hallway that was decked out with a faux garden backdrop and a lot of folks strutting their fashionable bests.
As Event Co-Chairs Britt Harless and Rachel Roberts and Fashion Group International of Dallas Regional Chair Chuck Steelman visited with guests like Sonia Black, Tanya and Pete Foster, Lisa and Clay Cooley, Holly and Tom Mayer, John Phifer Marrs, James Campbell, Bob Gibbs, Simona Beal, Ryan Green, Rhi Lee, Keith Green, Alex Small, Fasial Halum, Amy Turner and Claire and Dwight Emanuelson in the reception area, models posed wearing Lhuillier designs with a matching standard poodle (“He matches the color of the clothes,” Chuck smiled).
But back in the main room, a threesome sat at a table all by their lonely. It wasn’t a front row table. In fact it was three rows back. Calling a friend over, local lifestyle entrepreneur Niven Morgan said, “Let me introduce you to Jerry Hall and Rupert Murdoch.”
Seriously! Just one of the twosome would have been a paparazzi’s delight, but America’s super-nova newlyweds — Mick Jagger’s ex-gal-pal and the billionaire media mogul — were just as down-to-earth as they could have been. Jerry looked amazing. Age has only enhanced the former Mesquite resident. And Rupert couldn’t have been more charming or cute. Why, he even accommodated Sassy Steve Kemble’s request for a joint selfie. Soon word made its way around the gathering and peeps clustered around them.
But back to the reception. It was getting tighter than Spanx and made for memorable sights. One gal looked like a mermaid seal-wrapped in seaweed with a death-defying neckline. Still another guest seemed wrapped up by her overly attentive escort. And then there was the arrival of a fashion vet. One guest feigned not recognizing her. A nearby puss meowed, “Some women change wardrobes each season. She just gets a new face.”
As the reception finally moved to the main room, Fancy Nancy Rogers and her posse (Brian Bolke, Dallas Snadon, Kathleen Hutchinson, Nasiba and Thomas Hartland-Mackie, Georgina Hartland-Mackie and Sue and Jimmy Gragg) settled back at tables on the front row for the presentation of awards.
After welcoming the crowd, Chuck introduced the evening emcee, soap opera’s hunky/Dallas native son Greg Vaughan, as the best-looking guy in the room. True, Greg was a doll, but he had a devil of a time trying to read his script. Seems the podium and the stage lighting just didn’t connect.
Next up was NM Taste Arbitrator Ken Downing, whose frequent flier points are probably in the seven-digit neighborhood. He presented the Career Achievement Award to Monique, as Tom taped the occasion.
Almost immediately, a parade of models in Lhuillier fashion appeared from backstage and strolled through the audience.
In addition to Monique, the following awards were presented:
- Allan Knight — Career Achievement in Interior/Furniture Design
- Lynn McBee — Art Patron of the Year
- Sue Gragg — Career Achievement in Jewelry Design
- Jerry Hall — Lifetime Achieve Award
Proceeds from the night of fashion, food and fabulous folks will benefit the Fashion Group International of Dallas’ Scholarship Foundation.