Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1110880
37 BEST DRESSED … IN PAPER T he decision to make this night cocktail, not black-tie, sparked creativity. The four chair women enlisted Maryam Torabi of Ultra Design to create individual looks that explored the possibilities of paper. Board member Marcy Taub Wessel tapped Texas artist and fashion designer Selven O'Keef Jarmon to create her hand-pleated cocktail frock — an ode to ancient Greece, palm fronds, and Asian fans. Among the standouts were Ceron in John Galliano for Dior vintage white trousers imprinted with newspaper headlines; architect Shafik Rifaat sporting a paper tie formed from The New York Times culinary section and a folded paper hat; the Moody Center's Alison Weaver in a chic white paper blossom headpiece; Duyen Nguyen in a runway-ready cape designed and crafted from Tyvek by husband Marc Nguyen: and, in from Dallas and New York, Chris Byrne of the Elaine de Kooning House, sporting a sparkly paper-flower boutonnière designed by Debra Linse. MORE GREAT ART PEOPLE Paper dolls: Museum board chair Janet Hobby, with husband Paul Hobby, and board president Doug Lawing with Guy Hagstette; Menil trustee Caroline Huber, in from California (her late husband, Walter Hopps, was the museum's founding director); in from Austin, Menil trustee Suzanne Deal Booth with LeMel Humes; Franci Neely; de Menil descendant and museum trustee Anne Schlumberger; Mary Hale Lovett McLean; Sanford Dow with gallerist Barbara Davis; gallerist Hiram Butler and husband, antiquarian Andrew Spindler; collector Leigh Smith; Houston Arts Alliance CEO John Abodeely; Chinhui and Eddie Allen (who, in a celebratory gesture, dispensed foreign paper currency); Tatiana and Craig Massey; Orange Show founder and Menil trustee Marilyn Oshman; BeDesign's Adrián Dueñas and Marcelo Saenz; Francine and Westy Ballard; Beverly and John Berry; CAMH board chair Jereann Chaney; Melissa and Michael Mithoff; and Marc Melcher, who quipped that his paper accessory was the greenbacks in his wallet. THE BOTTOM LINE IN GREEN INK The final proceeds mirrored the energy of this auspicious art night: More than $405,000 was raised. The only question that lingered as guests departed: Who will be next year's chairs, and what theme can they devise that could possibly equal the Paper Ball. Ceron Diane Lokey Farb Elizabeth & Barry Young Leigh Smith, John Abodeely Katharine Barthelme Melissa & Albert Grobmyer Mark Wawro & Melanie Gray Suzanne Deal Booth LeMel Humes, Caroline Huber Terri Havens, Hilda Curran Bill & Susanne Pritchard Sverre & Carrie Brandsberg-Dahl, Duyen & Marc Nguyen Paul & Janet Hobby Marcy Taub Wessel & Tom Wessel Richmond Hall transformed Jessica Phifer