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Best of Show Jill Smith Crystal Charity's Ten Best Dressed Luncheon at Neiman Marcus launches the social season. Kelly Green Carolyn Tillery Gloria Martindale Yvonne Crum Christi Urschel BY AMY ADAMS. PHOTOGRAPHY DANA DRIENSKY. M ost Dallas doyennes spent their summers in various cooler climes, but all found camaraderie when faced with the challenge of donning fallappropriate fashion in 100-degree heat. Alber Elbaz of Lanvin was the designer of choice at the Crystal Charity Ball Fashion Show and Luncheon at Neiman Marcus Downtown — due, in no small part, to the fact that his was the day's featured collection. (His iconic fall cameo necklace hung from many a swan-like neck, surely warming the heart of Lanvin USA CEO Thierry Andretta.) When chic souls strayed from the formula, the results were outstanding: Heather Esping in Azzedine Alaïa and a Chaneland-Givenchy clad Heather Furniss (one-upping Carine Roitfeld in her sheer black stockings) kept the style quotient high. Neiman Marcus VIPs — including Karen Katz, Jim Gold, Neva Hall, Gabrielle de Papp, Jonathan Joselove, Ann Stordahl, Wanda Gierhart, and Shelle Sills — were out in force, illustrating the importance of this partnership between two of the city's most influential organizations. Post cocktails in The Shoe Salon, the group ascended to the second floor for the luncheon's real entertainment – the Lanvin runway show and the runway walk of this year's Crystal Charity Ten Best Dressed ladies. And to top it off was the exciting announcement from ball chairman Aileen Pratt: Annette and Harold Simmons would be donating one million dollars to the organization for the sixth straight year. Honorary chair Gene Jones, arriving fresh off the plane from a Dallas Cowboys' victory in New York, strolled first down the runway, followed by the Best Dressed lovelies Tricia Besing, Nancy Carter, Ashley Tripplehorn Hunt, Dee Dee Lee, Kim Miller, Lynn McBee, Pat McEvoy, Ellen Winspear, Pam Perella, Nancy Carlson (in a showstopping sequined Lanvin dress), and Hall of Fame Honoree Lana Andrews. Their appearance heralded Lanvin's fall collection, along with the country's first peek at Elbaz's pre-spring collection, a gorgeous assemblage of jeweled colors, sportif influences and feminine draping — although, based on audience reaction, the candy-colored visors sported by the models won't be seen poolside at the Dallas Country Club any time soon. What one does hope to spy at the Crystal Charity Ball, come December, is the black strapless stunner swathed in ivory ruffles. Joining luncheon chairman Robyn Conlon were Ann Carruth, Tanya Foster, Doris Jacobs, Sally Cullum, Carol Quist, Michelle Nussbaumer, Alicia Wood, Melanie Miller, Ann Dyer, Betsy Sowell, Libby Hunt, Virginia Clements, Jo Guerin, Patty Dedman Nail, Debbie Oates, Rachael Dedman, and a smiling section of Best Dressed husbands. Nancy Carlson Still Collum Emily Summers Jim Gold, Lizzie Routman Ward Hunt Ashley Hunt Scott Studenberg Emmie Casey Kimberly Casey Ceron Tricia Besing Nancy Carter Aileen Pratt Lynn McBee Allan McBee Francie Moody Dahlberg Kim Miller Dee Dee Lee Pam Perella Leanne White, Anita Arnold, Amara Durham, Annette Simmons Gene Jones Lana Andrews Jonathan Joselove, Thierry Andretta Gabrielle de Papp, Shelle Sills Ellen Winspear Pat & Charles McEvoy Erin Mathews Angela Malow Lanvin's iconic fall cameo necklace hung from many a swan-like neck. Clint Carlson, Gene Carter OCTOBER | PAGE 20 | 2012 Greg Miller, Vin Perella, Don Winspear, Jack Pratt