While 2023 Crystal Charity Ball Ten Best Dresser Meredith Land had to use her shortcut strategy to make it from her 6 p.m. KXAS newscast in Fort Worth to the CCB Ten BD announcement reception at Neiman Marcus NorthPark on time, she wasn’t the only one having challenges making it on the evening of Thursday, April 27.
Giving it their best effort, 2023 CCB Chair Angie Kadesky and 2023 CCB Fashion Show Chair Patty Leyendecker had tried and tried to get a date for the event that would fit into everyone’s schedule. Unfortunately, two of the group still couldn’t swing it — Wendy Messmann and Lisa Rocchio.
But, creative minds and knowing the right people paid off despite the absences. The organizers had Real News Public Relations Founder Jeff Crilley’s production crew produce and donate a video in which Angie, Patty and each of the Ten BD-ers (Marybeth Conlon, Monica Eastin, Libby Hegi, Kim Hext, Meredith Land, Wendy Messmann, Anne McPherson, Lisa Rocchio, Kim Quinn and Sunie Solomon), plus 2023 Hall of Famer Claire Emanuelson, were interviewed about the CCB mission and their favorite NM memory.
Okay, so it took a bit of the thrill out of things when the ladies were introduced on stage afterward. But even so, each one received a rip-roaring cheer from family and friends like Piper Wyatt, who was subbing as Claire’s escort while husband Dwight Emanuelson was off fishing in Wyoming. Afterward, Claire and Piper headed to Café Pacific to celebrate the eve of Claire’s birthday.
Someone else marking a birthday was Richard Dix, whose wife Jennifer Dix had been the previous year’s Fashion Show Chair and had been on the Ten BD List for three years. Richard, who was turning 55, was “taking one for the team” by attending the announcement, Jennifer explained. Would they be going out to dinner afterward to celebrate? Replied Jennifer: “His greatest joy will be if I take him home.”
There was a bright side to the April 27 date, though. The travel schedule of this year’s featured designer Adam Lippes happily had Adam in town for the announcement. His presence meant that for the “first time in the history of the fashion show our designer [attended] the announcement party.” If ever there was one to brighten up the occasion, he was the pick of the litter.
Prior to having his own line, Adam had cut his fashion teeth at Ralph Lauren before moving to Oscar de la Renta, where he grew to be one of the youngest creative directors of a luxury fashion house.
Adam, who first visited Dallas a decade ago, told the crowd that he had met many “glamorous, generous and warm ladies” in Big D, and that his designs were “old-fashioned American style.” Among those listening to his every word were Shelle Sills, Cara French, Victoria Snee, Leslie and Bryan Diers, Tiffany Divis, Lisa Singleton, Lisa Cooley, and Mary Martha Pickens, plus 10 BD-er hubbies like Kevin Conlon, Brian Hegi, John McPherson, Steve Solomon and Greg Hext.
Also on hand for the announcement and Adam were some of NM’s top executives including President Ryan Ross, Regional VP Mary McGreevy, recently announced Chief Brand Officer Nabil Aliffi, Luxury Fashion VP Jodi Kahn, Market GM/VP Scott Mitchell and Downtown GM/VP Tim Adair plus Williams Sonoma Finance, Inventory Management and Operations Senior VP Erin Nolan, who had worked with Ryan at Williams Sonoma just months before.
In welcoming the group, Scott shared that in addition to having closed on his new home, he was preparing for his daughter’s May wedding.
Following Scott, Angie welcomed to the podium the evening’s sponsor International Bank of Commerce – Oklahoma President/CEO Bill Schonacher, who had been so impressed last year when IBC sponsored the CCB Hall of Fame reception that he signed up to underwrite the announcement.
Patty reported that the fashion show would be returning to its home turf of the NM Downtown. Instead of two events from the past couple of years, it would be “one-show only” complete with a champagne reception leading to the fashion show featuring Adam and followed by a seated luncheon on Friday, September 8. Leading up to the show will be a Platinum Dinner at the Nasher Sculpture Center and a cocktail reception sponsored by JP Morgan the night before the runway show. Patty added that it was strongly suggested that contracts be returned as soon as possible, since this event is a quick sell-out.
Patty then invited Adam to the podium, who told how he was looking forward to the fall event and many more visits to North Texas.
Scott returned to the podium to introduce the video and then the 10 BD-ers and Hall Of Famer.
Funds raised from the fashion show and luncheon will go to supporting the goal of $6,686,131 for the 2023 CCB beneficiaries (After-School All-Stars, Buckner Children and Family Services, Fair Park First, Family Gateway, Metrocare Services, Salvation Army of North Texas and YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas).
For a lot more looks of the evening, check out MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.