Houston may have been all fired up with the Democrats’ debate, but North Texas was burning with preparations for North Texas Giving Day a week away. And on Thursday, September 12, with a near-full moon in the sky, a couple of non-North Texans — Carolina Herrera Creative Director Wes Gordon and newest member of the Neiman Marcus executive team Lana Todorovich — were experiencing true Texas hospitality courtesy of Lana and Barry Andrews’ home-sweet-estate in Highland Park.
The occasion was the 2019 Crystal Charity Ball Ten Best Dressed Cocktail party hosted by J.P. Morgan, with Daffan Nettle greeting guests at the front door. While the crowd like 2019 CC Chair Pat McEvoy and Bela Cooley dressed up so purty in Carolina Herrera resort fashions to complement featured designer Wes Gordon, there were a couple of MIAs, like jeweler Margot McKinney, who was nursing a bout of the flu, and Ten Best Dressers Amy Hegi and Amy Prestidge and Hall of Famer Francie Moody-Dahlberg, all of whom were tending to their kids’ activities.
But never fear. Neiman Marcus CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck brought along a surprise guest — NM’s new President and Chief Merchandising Officer Lana Todorovich. And when the crowd, including Annette Simmons and Jerry Fronterhouse, Gene Jones, Ola Fojtasek with her mom-in-law Jacqueline Fojtasek and Ross Ameringer, Joan Levy, Elaine and Trevor Pearlman, Tucker and Rich Enthoven, Delilah and Sam Boyd, Karla and Mark McKinley and Alice and Curt Farmer, got so tight that the servers had to invent new avenues to make their way through the rooms, Wes laughingly joined Lana and NM Senior VP Lisa Kazor on the terrace.
And speaking of fashion, dutiful dad Clay Cooley pulled up in his white GM SUV and stood by the doorway holding a pair of Louboutins. Seems daughter Ciara Cooley shares the same shoe size as her mother Lisa Cooley and needed a pair from mom’s closet. Upon Ciara’s arrival with Hunt Biggers, the swap was made.
Another fashion note was NM’s Mimi Sterling, who fessed up that she was sporting a baby bump. The little Sterling is due this February due to a Memorial Day weekend get-together.
On the other hand, 2013 CCB Chair Caren Kline was checking out the Herrera wedding gown in the entry foyer. Her daughter Christina Kline is getting hitched.
In keeping with the seasonal ritual of “catching up,” the game continued on. Dwight Emanuelson told how he and 2018 CCB Chair/wife Claire Emanuelson were just back from two weeks in the south of France. Alas, before staying too long at the party, they vanished with their soon-to-be neighbors Niven Morgan and Shelby Wagner. Niven swore that their new digs, which used to be owned years ago by the late Bea Haggerty, will be ready for move-in by October. He also reported that Libby and David Hunt were prepping their new digs across the street. It seems that the Hunts had bought the colonial previously owned by the late Rita and Bill Clements.
Robyn and Don Conlon‘s moving into their new digs in the Caymans was a bit more challenging than originally planned. According to Don, the previous residents left a great deal behind, so he carried out dozens of giant garbage bags of “stuff” to the dump. And then there was word of the possible arrival of an uninvited house guest: Hurricane Dorian. Luckily, the big blowhard took a turn to the north and left the Conlons safe and sound.
Susan and John Farris were still enjoying memories of the summer after celebrating Lauren Chapman and Francoise Bellemare’s wedding in Los Angeles, where the University of Southern California brass band announced the newlyweds at the seated dinner. Evidently the USC tuba player at one point had it looking like his instrument was going to inhale Rachal Dedman.
And speaking of newlyweds, Isabell Novakov Higginbotham and Trey Higginbotham were laughing over their making it past the halfway mark of newlywed-ism… With the summer heat continuing through September, 2015 CCB first husband Loyd Powell, sporting a beard and some lost pounds, wished he was still back in Colorado… Lee Ann White was just back from summering in Colorado and joint-celebrating her birthday with Lisa Troutt aboard the Eugenia… The Andrews’ down-the-block neighbors, CCB Chair 2017 Pam and Vin Perella and 2019 10 Best Dresser Cate and Jeremy Ford, opted to arrive in their vehicles instead of strolling over because of the heat… Jerry Ford, when asked if he was going to watch the Democrats debate, said, “No.” Not worth watching? Not the reason. He and wife Kelli Ford had another commitment before heading home… Linda and Steve Ivy were all smiles about moving into their new digs at The Mansion Residences. Word on the street is that it’s out of this world!
But, the evening didn’t go way into the night. The next morning would be an early call for the 10 Besties and Hall of Famer for the annual fashion show and luncheon that this year would benefit the 2019 Dallas children’s nonprofits including Child And Family Guidance Center, Community Partners Of Dallas, Cristo Rey Dallas High School Inc., For The Nations Refugee Outreach, Interfaith Family Services, Jubilee Park And Community Center, Los Barrios Unidos Community Clinic Inc., Mercy Street Inc., Promise House Inc. and Readers 2 Leaders.
For loads more photos of the night, check out MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.