Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1439511
T he main attractions of the evening for me, however, were the dresses. The Roaring '20s had obviously begun, as everyone came ready to dazzle. Hardly a demure or minimal frock could be seen. There were too many favorites to mention, but here's some who caught my eye. Bela Cooley's Marchesa gown was adorned with so much plumage that I thought she might take flight in a strong breeze; she complemented it with a suite of jewelry she'd recently found at Grange Hall. One of my new favorite girls is Hilary Pisor, whom I knew by first name only until later that night. She's from Chicago — yet another intriguing new transplant to our fair hamlet. She was on the fur-trimmed arm of always- It-boy Kyle Branch from Forty Five Ten. Pisor looked holiday appropriate in a sparkling silver Dries Van Noten frock that resembled an ornament on the most festive of Christmas trees. Piper Wyatt came with a good read — yet another Olympia Tan clutch, this one titled Diamonds Are Forever, to add to her ever-growing library of chic evening bags. And apparently green is the new black, as worn by Janie Condon and Claire Emanuelson. Maggie Kipp, awash in tie-dye sequins, shared, "This dress is frivolous, free, and joyous, just like I imagine life was like in '60s London." Later that night, I spied Christy Berry from across the dimly lit ballroom in a flowy Tiffany-blue chiffon gown. She gets the distinction of receiving the most über- glamorous vintage vibe award. "Who designed it?" I posed. "Nardos, of course. You know I always wear Nardos — and, by the way, Nardos is here." The evening was a smashing success — and a celebration of the committee's year-long campaign to raise $5.3 million for eight Dallas children's charities: Baylor Scott & White Foundation, Café Momentum, Dallas CASA, Dallas Children's Advocacy Center, Dallas Symphony Association, Network of Community Ministries, Phoenix House Texas, and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Fund-raising credit must also be given this year to Lisa Cooley, chair of the 47th annual Crystal Charity Ball Ten Best Dressed Women of Dallas and the Art of Fashion Brunch, which was held at Neiman Marcus NorthPark in early October. She pivoted gracefully by switching up the normal agenda with a morning brunch and afternoon tea, with the fashion show occurring twice, once for each group. This year's fashion show featured a collection of the best of Neiman Marcus luxury labels, such as Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta, and Alexander McQueen. It was quite fun that morning, playing Name that Designer as looks came down the runway. For the Ball, others spotted on the dance floor included April Manson with handsome husband Jeff Manson, who said they'd just hopped off the new JSX Service from Austin, where they now reside; Annette Simmons, who donated $1 million for the 12th consecutive year, and husband Jerry Fronterhouse; Tasha Leilani; representing Neiman Marcus, Marjon Henderson and Teresa Heidt; Moody Foundation president Francie Moody-Dahlberg and husband Kevin Dahlberg (Moody Foundation was also a $1 million+ donor); Reed Robertson; T.J. Griffin; Forty Five Ten's Jordan Jones Munoz and Robin Wilkes; Robert Weatherly; Luis Araujo; Amy Green; Myrna and Bob Schlegel; Christopher Wood; and 2020 ball chairman Tucker Enthoven and her family, who were seated at a King's Table for 12 as a tribute to the ball that was canceled last year due to COVID. Gracie Hunt Lester Melnick Chris & Robyn Chauvin Judee Barrett, Marjon Henderson Amy Grissen Kira Nasrat Elisabeth Crain Sikors Travis & Kelli Hunter Gavin & Cannon McClintock