Despite the wintry chills haunting North Texas, the fashion lovers were hot to check out the 2025 spring fashions, especially with the year’s first major fashion extravaganza — St. Valentine’s Day Luncheon and Fashion Show benefiting the Leukemia And Lymphoma Society Red River Region — just days away. And what better place to sip vino and check the always delicious Carolina Herrera collection than at Highland Park Village on Wednesday, January 21? Here’s a report from the field:
St. Valentine’s Day Luncheon And Fashion Show Co-Chairs Courtney Petit and Caitlin Wilson welcomed more than 40 sponsors and supporters including Dawn and Jon Mellon, Victoria Snee, Claire Emanuelson, Kate Leyendecker, Natali Tyson, Lisa Singleton, Brooke Shelby, Bianca Benefield, Tina Adams-Mason, Whitney Cameron, Laura Price, Katy Brooks and Kate Cutshall to a celebration in their honor on Wednesday, January 22, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Hosted by Carolina Herrera at Highland Park Village, attendees arrived and enjoyed wine and light bites while perusing the latest collections, with a percentage of proceeds benefiting The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society Red River Region (LLS).
LLS Red River Region Executive Director Leah Swanson gathered the crowd midway through the evening to thank everyone for their support of the upcoming 41st Annual St. Valentine’s Day Luncheon And Fashion Show, including Highland Park Village and Carolina Herrera for hosting the evening.
She also shared that LLS is celebrating 75 years this year – and since its inception the organization has worked each day to create a world free of blood cancers through research, advocacy and ongoing patient financial, educational and emotional support.
In the last year, LLS released a new strategic plan with a bold goal for our future: by 2040 – to have a million more years of lives saved. As well, LLS has:
- Invested more than $1.7 billion in scientific research, which has led to the development of nearly every major blood cancer research breakthrough. This sustained scientific investment has led to cures and to patients living longer, healthier lives.
- LLS has been unstoppable in serving thousands of patient households and their families in the Red River Region…
- LLS raised over $10 million in Dallas-Fort Worth alone for financial aid in 2024.
- Granted 4,553 financial awards, which includes scholarships, patient access, travel funds and more, and reached 2,675 patients last year
In closing Swanson said, “These are just a few examples of the amazing work that’s being done by dollars raised. And, of course we get to go to enjoy a wonderful fashion show and luncheon and celebrate with our friends, but to bring it back to our mission and why we do it; we do it so more people can have more years of life, more time with loved ones and be able to see your kids graduate with school.”
The co-chairs followed to add their gratitude to this year’s generous sponsors that included Advisory Co-Chairs Nancy Gopez, Maggie Kipp, Melinda Knowles and Samantha Wortley, Honorary Co-Chairs Mona and Grey Stogner and Luncheon Co-Founders Rusty Duvall and Janet Evans.
They also announced a special silent auction instant bid opportunity during the patron party – with a chance to win for four box seats, including food and drink, to the women’s finals at the upcoming Dallas Tennis Open.
In closing they reminded everyone that a few tickets were still available for the February 12 luncheon, which in addition to the fashion show and seated luncheon, will honor this year’s award recipients:
- ICON Award recipient — former First Lady Mrs. Laura Bush;
- Spirit of Tom Landry Award recipient — Jude Cobler;
- Memorial Award recipient — the late Larry Hagman; and
- Lynda Adleta Heart of Gold Award recipient — Dr. Robert (Brian) Berryman.
2025 Saint Valentine’s Day Luncheon and Fashion Show signature sponsors include: Melody and Rick Rogers, Susie and Mike Barnett/Benchmark Bank, Elbit Systems, Highland Park Village, Kathleen Walgreen, Lisa and Clay Cooley, Sewell, Allie Beth Allman, Bela and Chase Cooley, Robyn and Don Conlon and Ruth Robinson.
* Photo credit: Celeste Cass