Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1528557
G arcia and Kim's pieces were worn down the runway by Crystal Charity Ball's Ten Best Dressed, who were swathed in beguiling David Webb jewelry: Monica Eastin, Tracey Kozmetsky, Meredith Land, Tracy Lange, Anne McPherson, Wendy Messmann, Lisa Rocchio, Kim Quinn, Katherine Wyker, and Sunie Solomon. The 2024 Hall of Fame Award, celebrating the 50th anniversary, was presented to Lisa Cooley, a dear friend who generally makes my personal best dressed list at any event. During the runway presentation I saw such wide-eyed enthusiasm that I could imagine many of the ladies in attendance sighing, "Why can't it be Oscar every year?" Yes, the talented design duo held firm to the classic shapes and overall traditions of the label but also brought in a youthful perspective via color: rosehip, lapis, and butter yellow, as well as references to Garcia's own watercolor orchid paintings. This was the sixth year that Neiman Marcus has hosted Oscar de la Renta for Crystal Charity — the most frequent partnership with the fashion show since its inception in 1974. At the subsequent luncheon, I found myself seated at the table of my dear friend Nancy Rogers, along with a lively bunch that included Cornelia Guest, Tina Craig, Shelby Wagner, and Karla McKinley. Standout outfits I saw throughout the day ranged from Melinda Knowles in vibrant orange Akris to Kristin Hallam in an Oscar dress of varying shades of pink with a bow detail at the waist and Niven Morgan in a Dior suit and shoes. Others who looked ready for the social season ahead included fashionable mother/daughter duos Jennie Reeves (who always wins my award for best eyewear) and Lucy Wrubel and Gene Jones and Charlotte Jones; former FLOTUS Laura Bush seated at the luncheon alongside fashion icon Nancy Dedman; Partlow boot designer Kasey Lemkin; titans of real estate Christy Berry and Erin Mathews; Fort Worth's Cami Goff; and, back from myriad summer travels that they shared with me, Brooke Hortenstine, Heather Furniss, Bina Patel, Jenny Esping, Sheryl Maas, Leisa Street, Kim Whitman, fashion show chairman Kim Hext, and Annika Cail. To end my day, I made my way to Park House with many of those aforementioned for a proper recap of what we had seen that day — between sips of rosé, of course. Charlotte Jones Karla McKinley Holly Hutchinson Harris Cutlines Shelby Wagner Dwight & Claire Emanuelson Niven Morgan Gracie Hunt Tavia Hunt Tina Craig Seated: Tracy Lange, Wendy Messmann, Kim Quinn, Lisa Cooley Kim Hext, Cheryl Joyner, Anne McPherson, Monica Eastin Standing: Laura Kim, Meredith Land, Katherine Wyker Tracey Kozmetsky, Ryan Ross, Charlotte Jones, Jodi Kahn Sunie Solomon, Lisa Rocchio, Fernando Garcia The Best Dressed getting dressed Emily Huskinson Kameron Westcott Sharon Lee Clark Marisa Howard Kim Whitman Krystal Davis Brittany Mathews Erin Mathews 41