Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1538826
OBSESSIONS. DECORATION. SALIENT FACTS. Where to Be Scene Party Fouls and awareness for DCAC, this party — co-chaired by Chris Kimbrough, Marjon Henderson, and Kelly Sporich — celebrates the transformative healing power of art. Then it's time to don canine couture for the SPCA of Texas Fur Ball on Friday, September 19, at the Frontiers of Flight Museum. Expect dinner and dancing and remember their mantra: "There's nothing more glamorous than a big heart." On Saturday, September 20, fashion pivots toward the avant-garde with the Dallas Contemporary Gala, chaired by Shayna Fontana Horowitz and Robyn Siegel. Also on Saturday, September 20, you'll want to double-book with the Turtle Creek Chorale's Rhapsody fundraiser. This black-tie affair promises to be an intimate evening with David Foster and Katharine McPhee at The Statler Hotel. The best news: "No speeches. No awards. All entertainment." The last time we attended an agenda-free evening like this was possibly Brian Bolke's 2022 Art Ball. On Wednesday, September 24, let your competitive side emerge at River Crest Country Club in Fort Worth for Mahj for Meals, in support of Tarrant Area Food Bank. It's never too early to start shopping for the holidays, so head to the Dallas Market Hall Wednesday through Saturday, September 24 through 27, for the Chi Omega Christmas Market. Since 1978; they've raised $10.95 million and granted funds to 154 beneficiaries. We end our month with an afternoon of coveted runway looks at the KidneyTexas Luncheon & Fashion Show at The Ritz- Carlton Dallas o n F r i d a y, September 26. Heads-up, your social calendar promises to be even more packed n e x t m o n t h . Billy Fong W e trust you got plenty of R&R this summer, since we're about to embark on one of the busiest fall social seasons since … we don't remember when. Starting this month through Thanksgiving, you'll likely see me in black tie at least six times. And, if you recall, the annual Crystal Charity Ball doesn't occur until early December (the 6th, to be precise), so we might as well say seven times before we close out 2025. Our Smythson datebook is jammed with back- to-back-to-back trunk shows, luncheons, and galas. We hope to see you there! One of our favorite events of the year is The Crystal Charity Ball Ten Best Dressed Fashion Show and Luncheon at Neiman Marcus downtown Thursday, September 11. We'll be suited up (and by suit, may I suggest Chanel, or maybe a chic outfit from this year's featured designer, Brunello Cucinelli) for what is usually a full day of fun, when you factor in gathering your girlfriends for late-afternoon cocktails to dish about all you saw and heard at the event. On Friday, September 12, you'll find us at the New Friends New Life Luncheon at the Omni Dallas Hotel with this year's featured speaker, Lucy Liu. On Saturday, September 13, it's time for Dallas C h i l d r e n ' s A d v o c a c y C e n t e r 's A r t for Advocacy. In addition to raising funds Y our three intrepid society scribes — Billy Fong, Shelby Hodge, and Melissa Smrekar — have done our fair share of eating hotel ballroom chicken and doing the cha-cha late into the evening in our black-tie finery … and never think that we don't enjoy every moment. We are living our best lives watching the Dallas and Houston social circuit swirl like a whirling Dervish. And alas, we've been witness to some things that unfortunately cannot be unseen. Yes, time and again, we jot down in our little leather notebooks (monogrammed TEA) what we've collectively decided to label Party Fouls. For your enjoyment (or perhaps warning), here are 12 of the most notable as we all peruse our wardrobe arsenals to suit up for the fall soirées. • One woman's pool cover-up is another woman's black tie, but even caftans have limits. • Don't be the reason the charity has to clarify "no live animals" as part of the dress code. • Bringing your own photographer to the ball? If you're that thirsty, just head to the bar. • Long story short: Your dress should be longer than your Spanx. • A drunken wave during the live auction? That's a bid, babe. And it just cost you $15,000. • Don't be a one-trick pony, speaking only to the person on one side of you at a seated dinner. • Candles and dried flowers, a beautiful centerpiece mix until … an inadvertent display of flames and smoke gets in your eyes. • An ill-prepared live auctioneer once actually pronounced the label as "Brunello Coo-senelee." • Women without children, we don't need to know that your husband "shoots blanks." • Guys and dolls smoking in the lady's loo. Naughty, not nice. • Sex behind the pipe and drape. Get a room. • You didn't buy a ticket for the gala but made the scene. We know who you are. NATE REHLANDER