Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1188754
26 ART BALL 55 COMETH BY CHRISTINA GEYER. PHOTOGRAPHY TAMYTHA CAMERON. R etail visionary Brian Bolke isn't known for playing it safe. In fact, it's quite the opposite for the brilliantly creative gent who founded Forty Five Ten — and who most recently made head- lines for launching his über-chic new concept, The Conservatory, in New York City's Hudson Yards and Dallas' Highland Park Village. This time, though, the master of reinvention isn't shaking up retail, fashion, or the world of shopping. Instead, he's putting his touch on the 2020 Art Ball as chair of the Dallas Museum of Art's an- nual fundraiser (set for Saturday, April 18, 2020; sponsored by PaperCity). To kick things off, Bolke assembled an intimate group of longtime friends, DMA patrons, and fresh faces — next year's Art Ball host committee, perhaps — for a beautiful brunch held in Louis Vuitton's temporary pop-up concept boutique at Highland Park Village, which became a sensation for the few weeks it was open in October. Surrounded by Louis Vuitton steamer trunks, limited-edition leather accessories, off-the-runway ready-to-wear, and other impossible-to-find items, Bolke spilled details about his updated take on the storied black-tie evening. Just before brunch, he addressed the group, taking us through his vision for Art Ball 55: Seeing the DMA — aptly named for the number of times the ball has been held and for celebrating its impressive permanent collection of art and its stamp on the com- munity. Bolke is flipping the traditional way of fundraising on its head. In lieu of a tent, he's moving the gala back inside the DMA, trading the typical 10-top rounds for a series of long tables that will evoke exclusive high-profile dinner parties of eras past. He's also nixing the live auction in favor of a must-win chance ticket effort — a commendable approach in our books, as live auctions held post-dinner feel stale. Most importantly, the evening will be held in three parts: a cocktail reception called Foreshadow, which will take a futuristic look at the DMA; Déjà Vu, the seated dinner that will reference dinner parties held 55 years ago; and the Mirage after-party, which will take its cue from swank St. Tropez beach clubs. We're counting the days until April 18. SEEN: Louis Vuitton's director of client relations, central region, Megan Bailey, and vice president Kim Harrington; and Bradley Agather Means, Suzanne Droese, Missy Rogers Peck, Agustín Arteaga, Nancy Rogers, Sue Gragg, Claire Emanuelson, Gonzalo Bueno, Elisa Summers, Catherine Rose, Lael Brodsky, Jennifer Karol, Michelle Nussbaumer, Selwyn Rayzor, and Lucy Wrubel. Lucy Wrubel, Selwyn Razor, Capera Ryan, Muffin Lemak Michelle Nussbaumer Karla McKinley, Jan Miller Missy Rogers Peck Suzanne Droese Nancy Rogers Capera Ryan, Rusty Duvall Claire Emanuelson Gonzalo Bueno Lael Brodsky, Alana Sada Gayle Stoffel, Agustín Arteaga Catherine Rose LV initials are always right. Brian Bolke, Sue Gragg, Stacie McDavid