The sidewalk along North Harwood was a true mix of opposites on the evening of Tuesday, May 14. As young people in t-shirts and shorts on scooters zoomed from Klyde Warren Park to Ross Avenue, the VIP set was stuck in a traffic jam trying to make it to the Dallas Museum of Art‘s “Dior: From Paris To The World” reception in the tent adjacent to the museum.
But then what could one expect after the luncheon the day before that had resulted in more than 100 notables gushing like Spindletop about the wonders of the exhibition?
Lucky were those who walked over like Ken Malcolmson (wife Stacey Paddock Malcolmson Ubered), while others resorted to parking at neighboring lots for a couple of Hamiltons.
But this vehicular hiccup didn’t discourage the 700 guests like Laura and Walter Elcock, Kara and Randall Goss, Roger Horchow, Moll and Charlie Anderson, Louise Eiseman with son Richard Eiseman, Lucilo Pena, Kelli and Allen Questrom, Shonn and Clarence Brown, fashion journalist Hamish Bowles and Denver Art Museum Senior Curatorial Assistant of Textile Art and Fashion Jane Burke from attending the invitation-only reception at the DMA.
While Christian Dior stars like Kate Bosworth, Zoey Deutch with her mom Lea Thompson, Kat Graham and Michael Polish held back until the private dinner in the Hamon Atrium, others Dior inner-circle types like Dior milliner Stephen Jones, Christian Dior head of Cultural Projects Helene Starkman, “Dior: From Paris To The World” architect Shohei Shigematsu and Denver Art Museum’s Avenir Foundation Curator of Textile Art and Fashion Florence Müller with her husband media artist Goran Vejvoda were in the crowd.
Florence had spent years researching and searching for Dior designs for the exhibition and, with the help of Shohei and DMA Margot B. Perot Senior Curator of Decorative Arts and Design/Interim Chief Curator Sarah Schleuning, had created the Dallas presentation that was getting rave reviews. It was Sarah who had been responsible in “carefully choosing extraordinary works of art from the DMA collections to enhance the exhibit.”
Reception host Neiman Marcus CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck was joined by his NM posse including Digital VP Carrie Tharp, Dallas Downtown GM Tim Adair, Fort Worth GM Scott Mitchell, Marjon Henderson, Mimi Sterling, Chuck Steelman and soon-to-retire Sandy Marple.
Calling the guests’ attention to the stage, DMA Eugene McDermott Director Agustin Arteaga welcomed the group (“This is a big party. We’re thrilled to have you all”) and thanked the exhibition’s presenting sponsor, PNC. He was followed by PNC Regional President Brendan McGuire and Geoffroy, who called the exhibit “stunning” and, smiling at a blonde at the corner of the stage, recognized Dior designer Maria Grazia Chiuri. As guests headed to see the exhibition, Geoffroy went straight to Maria, thanking her for her presence and talent with a kiss on each cheek.
For more photos of the night, check out MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.