This evening 2024 Mad Hatter’s Luncheon Chair Allison Brodnax found herself surrounded by her committee and all type of North Texans ranging from the very young like Barrett Gibbins, Ella Kate Nayfa and NorthPark First Daughters Izzy Haemisegger and Sarah Haemisegger to the very generous philanthropists like Georgina Hartland at NorthPark’s Zimmermann’s.
While Allison’s plan had been to announce the judges to her committee for the annual Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum fundraiser on Thursday, April 18, at the Dallas Arboretum, it soon became apparent that the official opening night of NorthPark’s incredible floral extravaganza “Fleurs des Villes – Artiste,” which extended from Neiman Marcus to Nordstrom, had caused an overwhelming turnout, with cellphones burning up their batteries in an effort to capture the amazing floral displays.
The good news was that the floral event provided an opportunity for countless newcomers to learn about the Women’s Council fundraiser as the announcement was made, resulting in a fashionable body jam at Zimmermann’s front door.
But let’s cut to the chase. This year’s judges and their categories include the following:
- Sabina Carr, CEO of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
- Category: Olympic Games
- Patti Flowers, Owner and Chief Designer of the Patti Flowers Design Studio
- Category: Greek Goddesses (Best group category of three or more, don’t have to be dressed up as Goddesses)
- Nathan Johnson, Creative Director and Owner of GRO Designs
- Category: Best Botanical Using Fresh Flowers
- Kameron Westcott, Television personality, Influencer and Entrepreneur
- Category: Greek Life
- Esé Azenabor-Grembowski, Owner and Creative Director/Head Designer for namesake brand Esé Azenabor
- Category: My Big Fat Greek Wedding
- Kristen Gibbins, General Manager of NorthPark
- Category: Greek Mythology
With just four weeks to go, glue guns are sizzling and designers are hard at work creating heady looks for the “Gardens of Greece” theme.
If you haven’t already got your reservation in for the day of champagne sipping, NorthPark fashion gazing and chapeau competition, your only hope is the infamous wait list.
And speaking of not stalling around, better hurry to NorthPark, because Fleurs is only in full bloom until Sunday, March 24.The reason for this gorgeous exhibition to have a “Brigadoon” stay is that the creations are made of ultra-fresh flowers and by Sunday even the freshest are going to be in the waning stages of beauty.
So, don’t hesitate to drop by NorthPark to check out the statues representing 15 area non-profits Amon Carter Museum Of American Art, Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico, Crow Museum Of Asian Art Of The University Of Texas at Dallas, Dallas Arboretum And Botanical Garden, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Dallas Museum Of Art, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Theater Center, Kimbell Art Museum, Meadows Museum, Modern Art Museum Of Fort Worth, Nasher Sculpture Center, Texas Ballet Theater, The Cliburn and The Dallas Opera and also featuring Bellissimi Fiori at Eataly.