Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1506595
Partygoers: 1. Francie Moody-Dahlberg, 2015 2. Julie Hawes, 2015 3. Christi Carter-Urschel, 2013 4. Mary Clare Finney, 2014 5. Margaret Hancock, 2014 6. Nancy Dedman, Laura Bush, Annette Simmons, Gene Jones, 2015 7. Tucker Enthoven, 2015 8. Lynn McBee, 2013 9. Patricia Lansing, Carolina Herrera, Carolina Herrera de Baez, 2016 P aperCity and the C r y s t a l C h a r i t y Ball Fashion Show and Luncheon have enjoyed one another's company for 25 years. We're like two grand dames who remember their meet cute vividly — spying a kindred spirit in a matching Chanel bouclé jacket across a stunning arrangement of hot-pink roses and blue hydrangea and knowing years of fun are ahead. As always, we've set aside a whole day for this year's Crystal Charity Ball Fashion Show and Luncheon on Friday, September 8. Here's a primer for those unfamiliar with the iconic annual event. In 1974, Annette Strauss, who went on to become Dallas mayor, was chairman of the Crystal Charity Ball. That same year, an idea was hatched, and a ballot was mailed for the selection of the Ten Best Dressed Women of Dallas. Voilà, a new fashion show was born. The women named to that first list were Joanne Stroud Bilby, Carla Francis, Norma Hunt, Betty Meadows, Lupe Murchison, Mary Jo Vaughn Rauscher, Sharon Simon, Annette Strauss, Patti Williams Hunt, and Jacque Wynne. Held at the Fairmont Hotel, the event was underwritten and hosted by Albert Lidji and the legendary Lou Lattimore boutique, and raised $10,000. The following year, the luncheon and fashion show were hosted by Neiman Marcus Downtown and turned into a three-day affair to accommodate the sell-out event. Notable highlights of the past five decades (2024 will be the 50th anniversary) are the BBC television documentary of the 1984 event, attended by 800; and 1989 when Arnold Scaasi came to town and the first Hall of Fame Honoree was announced. Other noted designers who have come to air-kiss Dallas' swans: Gianfranco Ferré, Michael Kors, Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, and Zac Posen. This year's runway presentation is going to be equally fun with the arrival of Adam Lippes — If you haven't met him on one of his previous trips, then you must— a designer with movie-star good looks that hearken back to the era of Paul Newman and William Holden. We were elated to hear that the event has moved back to Neiman Marcus Downtown (after several years at the NorthPark Center store). Look for us front-row as usual. Years of Friendship PAPERCITY AND THE CRYSTAL CHARITY BALL FASHION SHOW AND LUNCHEON PAPERCITY PROMOTION 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 7. 8. 9. 6. 154