2025 Sweetheart Ball Chair Ola Fojtasek, an avid gardener and former fashion model, is the very soul of nourishing femininity. Consider the Fojtasek’s Dallas home, which just oozes with finery and beauty without sacrificing comfort.
At the same time, Ola’s household has been very much a “man’s world,” with her husband Randall Fojtasek and the four Fojtasek sons: Jack, Joe, Michael and Randall Jr.
So, perhaps Ola’s desire to please the guys in her life explains her creation of the imaginative and exclusive black-tie Sweetheart Ball benefiting cardiology at The University of Texas Southwestern Center at Dallas that took place at Brook Hollow Golf Club on Saturday, April 12.
For one family, it was an especially poignant occasion to celebrate their son’s recent successful heart surgery.
From eschewing a formal reception line to keeping the spirits flowing (literally) throughout the evening, Ola’s 2025 fundraiser provided a night of relaxed conviviality amid a salute to the family’s longtime summer home on the Massachusetts island of Nantucket.
With an almost-perfect moon looking down on Brook Hollow, its Oak Room and Ballroom had been transformed magically by floral design company Three Branches into Nantucket-to-the-nines, overflowing with purple, blue, pink and lavender hydrangeas, the island’s iconic summer flower. In reality the Dallas version was better than Nantucket’s, since the hydrangeas there actually were covered in snow.
The easy-going elegance of the New England island made a perfect setting for the Ball’s roughly 270 guests, who found multiple bars set up around the Ballroom and Oak Room for cocktail time. There was such an emphasis on the spirits, in fact, that 20 beverage servers had been retained, up from 12 for last year’s Ball.
One of the bars was modeled on the Nantucket Yacht Club’s famed Burgee Bar, a cherished haunt of the Fojtaseks when they’re living on the island, typically every June through September. Their home on Brant Point is a focal point for the grandkids — trips into town for ice cream are a favorite pastime — and for Ola’s green thumb, renowned for raising hydrangeas (natch) and climbing roses, among other flora.
The Fojtaseks’ beloved Nantucket even was reflected in their choice of a gift at the Ball’s patron party, held earlier: Each guest there received a copy of Nathaniel Philbrick’s much-lauded book “In the Heart of the Sea,” about the loss of a Nantucket whaling ship in the early 1800s.
“Ola had the vision to make sure the evening was accessible to men,” Randall said, standing outside the re-created, nautically themed Burgee Bar. “They like good food and a good glass of wine in a relaxed setting — getting together and just enjoying themselves.”
Soon enough, all the hydrangeas, daffodils and other flowery arrangements took a back seat as the ladies showed off an array of gowns with floral designs of their own. It was a couture designer’s dream of perfection.
Ola’s gown, for example, was by Carolina Herrera, as were those worn by Susan Butts and Robyn Conlon. Rachael Dedman was in Valentino. Pat McEvoy had chosen Pamella Rowland.
Libby Hunt said her Oscar de la Renta gown was purchased to wear to the Elton John Oscar Viewing Dinner and After Party in L.A. last year. Elton’s husband David Furnish invited Libby to the annual bash, which benefits the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Charlotte Jones was stopped by several photographers for just … one … more … shot, but later was somewhat upstaged by her mom, Gene Jones. Gene, who was clad in a white Michael Faircloth gown with shoulder train, said, “Michael’s fabulous. He helps me a lot.”
The accessory of the night in addition to Judith Leiber clutches were the guests with canes in hand, like Alan White, Jack Pratt, Larry Lacerte, Kenny Troutt and Nancy Dedman on the arm of Brad Kelly.
Meantime, Ross Perot Jr. was locked in conversation with Clark Hunt (whose wife, Tavia Hunt, will be chairing next year’s Sweetheart Ball). Later, Ross would peel off to greet his arriving mother, Margot Perot, while his wife, Sarah Perot, talked with Josie and Carl Sewell III.
Ray Washburne and Jeanne Phillips also were having a tete-a-tete (why do we think the topic might have involved downtown Dallas?). Outgoing SMU President R. Gerald Turner, asked about his future plans, said, “I’m going to be president emeritus and do a few things.”
Others in the passing parade included Claire and Dwight Emanuelson, Jill and Bob Smith, Meredith Land, Pam and Vin Perella, Heather and Todd Furniss, Nancy and Jeremy Halbreich, Stacey and Dan Branch, Vicki and Bob Chapman with daughter Lauren Bellemare and her husband Francois Bellemare, Shelby and Travis Goff with her mom Sheri Krause, Annette Simmons and Gage Prichard with her daughter Amy Simmons Crafton and her husband Joe Crafton, Kelli Ford with Georgina Hartland and Cornelia Guest and Huffines twins Don and Phil with their wives Mary Catherine and Holly, respectively.
Beholding this throng — and that absence of any reception line, which meant guests were funneled directly from the front driveway into the Oak Room — had some attendees taken aback by the jam-packed space full of sharp-dressed high-rollers. So, more than one late arrival was reluctant to plunge directly into the pack.
Luckily, a couple of male models in tuxedos helped the hesitant ones down the steps. Garry Weber simply avoided the step-down, with Maura Young wheeling him down the adjacent slanted walkway.
As the guests adjourned to the Ballroom for the seated supper, the Fojtasek clan was MIA. Not to worry. It was a family thing as all gathered together for a group photo including gal friends.
As quickly as the last shot was snapped, though, the family headed to the chairman’s table for a dinner that started with Lobster Tower (chilled Maine lobster, avocado, hearts of palm with diced tomatoes, baby green bundle with citrus dressing) with Kongsgaard Chardonnay, followed by filet of beef with Maitre d’ Butter and red wine demi and grilled quail with blackberry gastrique, cheese grits souffle and haricots verts with Peter Michael Les Pavot.
Finally came the traditional Sweetheart Ball dessert: heart-sharped chocolate pâté, vanilla ice cream in a lace cup, and long-stemmed strawberries on a caramel painted plate accompanied by Veuve Clicquot Champagne.