Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1543536
Crystal Ball Gaze into the E ach year in early December, I look into my crystal ball and ponder: What does the Crystal Charity Ball gala have in store for me this year. The short answer is that I journeyed to the South of France for Expedition d'Elegance, joining more than 1,500 guests for cocktailing, dinner, and dancing. This year's chair, Mary Martha Pickens, chose the jet-setting vibe due to her love of travel, coupled with the knowledge that Dallas' well-heeled love glittering and glamorous excursions. She didn't reveal the final port of call until the doors of the Hilton Anatole's ballroom flung open to channel the South of France. For the uninitiated, the Crystal Charity Ball has been the grande dame of our social season since 1952, raising funds to aid, support, and make meaningful contributions to children's charities in Dallas County. Over the years, the committee steering the nonprofit has given close to $200 million to 160 beneficiaries. For the second year, I invited one of my besties, Pete West, to witness the cavalcade of gowns and glittering jewels alongside me. Pickens, in Michael Faircloth couture, greeted everyone as we passed through the doors, which were opened by male models in white tie and top hats. The scene was bustling in the casino and silent auction areas, but of course my mission was to check out the main attraction of the evening: the fashion. I spied Melinda Knowles on the arm of her dashing husband, Mark Knowles, and asked who she was wearing. She twirled in her frock and revealed, "It's Pamella Roland. And my bag is vintage Judith Leiber, which I inherited from my mother." Awww, I love a moment in fashion that spans generations. Other standouts included Kim Hext in Badgley Mischka, chosen to complement her stunning necklace; Katherine Coker in Monique Lhuillier; Cary Deuber in Alexander Wang; Kim Quinn in a gown by Patti Flowers, the acclaimed local designer who was also in attendance that evening; Victoria Snee in Valentino; and Sabrina Harrison in a Stéphane Rolland dress with Schiaparelli earrings and a Judith Leiber bag. The 100 active committee members put the goal of $7,459,305 on the table to support seven Dallas charities: Café Momentum, Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep, Dallas CASA, Foundation for the Callier Center for Communication Disorders, Retina Foundation of the Southwest, The Stewpot, and West Dallas Community School. I joined a table filled with the finest of the Neiman Marcus team, including Marjon Zabihi Henderson with husband Gibbs Henderson, Scott Mitchell with wife Judy, Hayley and Derek Hightower, and Tim Adair. Spotted throughout the night: Lisa and Clay Cooley, Field Harrison, Janet and Vince Hunter, Key Coker, Katie and Allan Oster, Megan and Brandon Morrow, Amy Green, Annette Simmons, Bob and Jill Smith, Claire Emanuelson, Nardos Imam, Nancy Gopez, Lynn McBee, Jeff Netzer, Lisa Rocchio, Mark Deuber, Katy Bock, Christa Brown- Sanford, Caroline Snell Wagner, Andrea Cheek, Maggie Kipp, Livia Perez, Paige Locke, Laura Downing, and Heather and Pete Wick. By Billy Fong. Photography Tamytha Cameron, Nate Rehlander Lisa Ray, Leila Ahlin Henderson Gary Sabrina Harrison Lisa Cooley Mise en scène 70