Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1535713
MOODY BLUE Tall, Dark and P rada is finally open in NorthPark Center, after more than a year of construction. To herald their second coming (the Italian house had a store a few decades back in Highland Park Village), Prada launched a three-tiered celebration. First off, an intimate ladies' brunch- type event was held on the same day as the Prada Fall/ Winter 2025 runway show in Milan, with moi hosting and providing an introduction and a discussion afterwards. Alas, given the time difference, it wasn't a live viewing — 7 am our time is a wee bit early for Dallas' swellegant social set. Instead, we watched at 11 am via a large screen installed for the day, as the fall collection parading down the runway questioned what femininity means today. Models traversed an Escher-like landscape of metal scaffolding and a Catherine Martin-designed carpet. Next up was a dinner at Mister Charles for close to 50 fashionable types. Under the supervision of fabulous party planner Missy Peck of Missy RSVP, who wore a black A-line Prada dress with a low back, Prada conjured the moodier, darker side of dining at the always hard-to-score- a-res restaurant. I found myself at a fun table with Natalie Chu, who had just landed back in Dallas after almost two months of travel to chic locales in the UK, Italy, and Asia; Tina Craig, who had also landed at DFW mere hours before; Christen Wilson; Kim and Justin Whitman; and NorthPark Center owner Nancy Nasher. Everyone wore head-to-toe Prada, of course. Dinner included some of my favorites from this hot spot; in fact, I had to pardon myself from the enchanting conversations to savor the caviar starter and Dover sole. Prada's Trifecta Opening By Billy Fong. Photography Afritina Coker and Kaitlin Saragusa. Christen Wilson, Billy Fong Tina Craig Michelle Jiongo Madelaine Lagrone Kimberly Schlegel Whitman & Justin Whitman The dinner scene at Mister Charles Nancy Nasher Maureen & Bo Wilkinson