Standing in the lobby of the Meyerson on Wednesday, May 9, it was hard to imagine that just 24 hours before the marble floors had been filled with women and men in dark attire. They were there waiting for the doors of the Eugene McDermott Hall to open for the memorial service for Margaret Milam McDermott.
But on this day, the dark clothing had been replaced with colorful, spring outfits on 98% women for The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary’s 2018 Fashion Show and Luncheon’s “Giving In Style.” The few men included Event Chair Lisa Singleton’s husband, Marvin Singleton, with his mother Barbara Singleton, and Presenting Sponsor Anne Davidson’s pal Mark Porter.
Before the doors opened, the silent auction on the main floor provided a lot of eye candy especially the Sue Gragg white gold earrings with whiskey quartz and 1.99 karats diamonds valued at $5,200. Upstairs the Chic Boutique coordinated by the Tootsies team was being shopped nonstop. Joyce Fox spotted a pink jacket that she thought would be perfect for daughter Stephanie Fox. New Acquisitions Chair Bela Cooley was scouring the racks for that green Versace blouse that she had spotted earlier in assembling the goodies. She not only found it with a price tag of $20, she also spotted some other top designer labeled clothes nearby.
Another favorite activity was catching up. Kelly Green admitted that due to the summer heat, she and husband Norm Green would be looking forward to Canada’s cooler temps… Lisa Troutt was in an adorable dress with big roses. She wore it to the Kentucky Derby last year and decided to bring it back to life, since the Troutt’s Justice won the Run for the Roses Saturday… Another knockout was Kelly Ford in gold Chanel, who said she just might wear it from now on…Jimmy Westcott reported that following the Monday night’s Triumph Over Alzheimer’s, she had had breakfast with Rudy Tanzi, who shared his vision on things to come in the battle against the disease… Tucker Enthoven was in great spirits despite the bruised left side of her face and her left arm. The black and blues were the result of a cycling accident at White Rock. Luckily, Tucker was wearing a helmet and only suffered a minor concussion. Still, she’s following doctor’s orders and chilling with exercise until he gives her the okay… Also on the mend was Reservations Co-Chair Carol Seay, who picked up a nasty bug from her grandchild over the weekend. She was so weak from “the episode,” she had to have her co-chair Nancy Gopez drive her to the Meyerson Tuesday afternoon to go over table assignments… Still another in recovery was Lisa Cooley, who in trying to be healthy, by-passed her usual Sunday night Whataburger and had sushi. Evidently it didn’t prove to be all that healthy resulting in Lisa’s missing Monday’s Can Do! Luncheon and just now getting back into the swing of fundraising… Fashion Producer Jan Strimple was sporting some peach fuzz on the top of her pate. It’s hard to think that since December Jan has produced St. Valentine’s Day Fashion Show, Dallas Symphony Orchestra League Debutante Presentation, Mad Hatter’s Tea Fashion Show and the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Fashion Show while going through cancer treatments. Evidently cancer picked the wrong person to hit. Jan hit back strong!
Other fashion lovers in the crowd included Honorary Chair Michal Powell with daughter Abigail Powell and daughter-in-law Felicia Powell, Brooke Shelby, Cindy Stager, Annette Simmons, Nancy Dedman, Kelli Ford, Gene Jones, Anita Arnold, Marilyn Augur with daughter Margaret Hancock, Ramona Jones, Lynn Townsend, Ellen McStay, Amanda Goldstein, Shelly Slater, Brill Garrett, Barbara Marinelli, Anne Williams, 2018 Margot Perot Service Awardee Jan Pickens and Lisa’s Underwriting Co-Chairs Nikki Webb, Merry Wyatt, Candace Winslow and Kim Quinn.
At 11 a.m. the doors opened for the 600 guests to get their places for the fashion presentation that ran as well as the Troutt’s Justice. Okay, there were a couple of oops, but more about that later.
Lisa Singleton was first at the podium thanking various key people, who had helped her throughout the project. When she pointed out that former First Lady Laura Bush was in the audience, the room filled with applause. Following Lisa, Major Barbara Rich’s provided the invocation and told how The Salvation Army works with children through their various programs. The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary President Betsy Willis and Margot Perot presented the Margot Perot Service Award to longtime Salvation Army supporter Jan Pickens, who said that while receiving the award from the Army was truly appreciated, it meant all the more with Margot present.
As Betsy and Jan exited the stage, Margot paid tribute to the late Ruth Altshuler, who had been an important part of The Salvation Army D/FW Metroplex Command.
Lisa returned to the podium and asked for guests to donate for what she described as “Labors Of Love” benefiting The Army’s children’s programs. Transitioning to the fashion show, Lisa introduced Tina “Bag Snog” Craig to provide fashion tips for the season.
Tina knocked it out of the park blending tips with humor and she rallied the guests to disregard friendship when it came to post-fashion show bidding on the new and recycled fashions that would be on the runway.
The runway featured more than 100 outfits that curated by Jan from clothes that had been donated. The labels included Christian LaCroix, Oscar De La Renta, Chanel, Herrera, Patti Flowers, Alexander McQueen, Jean Paul Gaultier, Escada, Yves Saint Laurent, Dolce And Gabbana, Abi Ferrin, Lanvin, Stella McCartney, Zac Posen, Fendi, Nardos, A. Stone Custom and Bladi Duran. And that last one was the double oops of the day.
As the model wearing the Bladi was walking past the model in the A. Stone, she fell. As the crowd moaned in sympathy, A. Stone immediately stopped in her heels to help her cohort back on her feet. Then the parade continued… only as the A. Stone struck her pose at the end of the runway, Bladi fell again just before going off stage. Another feel of cringing and sympathy was felt.
But moments later as the lineup of models took place, there seemed to be a greater applause as A. Stone and Bladi took their places with heads held high and smiles.
With that the lights went up, the guests headed to the tables in the lobby for lunch and the bidding got underway for the day’s finds.
But the shopping didn’t stop at the Meyerson. The clothes that hadn’t found homes were shipped over to 9216 Harry Hines Boulevard for the annual Wearhouse Sale that would end Saturday, May 12.