Last year it was a big move and news that the annual Crystal Charity Ball Fashion Show and Luncheon was picking up and moving north to NorthPark. But despite the best efforts of 2020 CCB Chair Tucker Enthoven and 2020 Fashion Show Chair Margaret Hancock, it wasn’t meant to be, courtesy of the stringent pandemic restrictions.
But those efforts were dashed to the curb. 2021 CCB Chair Leslie Diers and 2021 Fashion Show Chair Lisa Cooley, NM’s Marjon Henderson and the NorthPark Center crew picked up the ball and rushed for the goal posts faster than the 2021 Dallas Cowboys.
Still, it wasn’t without challenges. The word du jour was “pivot.” That’s a nice way of saying a lot of juggling was going on. There was the status of the pandemic protocol; there was the exact location of where the event would take place; there was whether the tradition of a couture designer being featured would be part of the festivities; and there was always the question of the weather. After all, having an out-in-the-open event could be dicey, depending on the mood of Mother Nature. And the NorthPark’s Center Garden was already filled to the brim with the orange ladies of #IfThenShe Can.
But like a prima ballerina on pointe, the committee of 100, Neiman Marcus NorthPark and NorthPark Center pivoted again and again. With negotiations that Washington would have envied, CCB-ers, NMNP-ers and NorthParkers came up with a game plan that created a whole new POA. There would be a morning event (Brunch) and an afternoon repeat (Tea). Each event would start with a champagne reception in NMNP’s third floor’s gift gallery and children’s department followed by a fashion show featuring the latest NM fashions in the adjacent designer area. Then guests would escalator down to the NM Garden Courtyard for refreshments.
For some this was a real head scratcher. It was one thing to move from NM’s flagship in downtown Dallas, but two events on Friday, October 1?
The naysayers were so disappointed when the Early Bird Brunch and Afternoon Delight Tea both sold out in lickety-split time.
Now the big question was, “Would it work?” After all, the legendary fashion show had earned the reputation of being North Texas’ grand dame of fashion luncheons.
Throwing a glitch into the plan was Mother Nature. Evidently she hadn’t gotten her reservation in on time and was a pouty puss. Instead of throwing a temper tantrum, she decided to rain on their plans. Without hesitation, the organizers pivoted once again, moving the seated brunch and tea from the garden to NM’s second floor.
It was a big commitment by NM. After all, closing down its third floor was a big gulp. But to dedicate a hefty area of its second floor probably caused the NM accounting folks to have heart palpitations.
Again, the question continued to loom — would the changes work?
While the write-up is being finished up, check the 200+ pictures from both events at MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.