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A SPARKLING NIGHT Crystal Charity Ball glitters on. BY JANE ROZELLE. PHOTOGRAPHY DANA DRIENSKY. FEBRUARY | PAGE 10 | 2015 "Tiffany's … Cartier … Black Starr … Frost Gorham … Talk to me, Harry Winston, tell me all about it!" Marilyn certainly knew what she was talking about — it's no secret that women love their jewels. So when Robyn Conlon, 2014 chairman of The Crystal Charity Ball, selected "Jewels of the Garden" as this year's theme, radiant results were guaranteed: An extraordinary $5.2 million was raised for the cause. Unlike last year's polar vortex, this time the weather gods shined upon the Hilton Anatole. More than 1,600 well-heeled guests crossed a sidewalk strewn with red rose petals and entered a Garden of Eden-like utopia where purple and white orchids cascaded from the trees in the foyer. "Combining my love of flowers and beautiful jewelry was the easy part of coming up with a ball theme," said Conlon, stunning in a bejeweled gown of her own design by Patti Flowers. Tom Addis ran with her exotic theme and designed an extravagant mise en scène that was sheer perfection, from the first handshake at coat check until the last glass of champagne was poured. Festivities began with a decadent cocktail hour where guests snapped selfies with statuesque models flanking the entrance hall who were draped in rare jewels from the Diamond Doctor, perused lustrous goodies at the Sparkle Boutique and placed their bets at casino tables. Then the ballroom doors opened to reveal an opulent scene of white and hot-pink orchids and roses, mixed with pops of gold, and a surprise performance by the 50-member-strong Gospel of Light Choir, who performed pop hits on a diamond-shaped revolving dance floor. Revelers made their way to their seats — each kept warm by a Tiffany & Co. blue box. As wine continued to pour, Professor D took to the stage with a lively cover of Michael Jackson's "Pretty Young Thing," prompting guests to moonwalk to the dance floor. Precious gems: Jennifer Sampson, Mary Martha Pickens, Steve and Linda Ivy, Alicia Wood, Mike and Piper Wyatt, Stephen and Elisa Summers, Shelby Wagner, Niven Morgan, Victoria Snee, Jeff Crilley, D'Andra Simmons-Lock, and Jeremy Lock. Be our guest at the best parties in Houston and Dallas. Visit papercitymag.com for more party pics online. YOU ARE IN A GARDEN FILLED WITH PRECIOUS JEWELS. WHAT WOULD YOU CREATE? "A South Sea pearl and diamond bracelet. Pearls and diamonds — my absolute favorites." — DeeDee Lee "Rose-gold Wonder Woman cuffs encrusted with green diamonds that come with super powers!" — Lynn McBee "Big, 20mm and larger, perfectly round South Sea pearls for a long, long necklace and matching earrings." — Pat McEvoy "THE FUN PART WAS CHANGING THE FORMAT TO INCLUDE THE REVOLVING STAGE AND THE GOSPEL OF LIGHT CHOIR. IT WAS A REAL CHALLENGE TO KEEP IT A SECRET, BUT IT WAS WORTH IT WHEN THE DOORS OPENED AND GUESTS HEARD THE 50 POWERFUL VOICES." — Robyn Conlon Kevin Kadesky Aileen Pratt Jack Pratt Clarice Tinsley Alex Laurenzi Elizabeth Laurenzi Ward Hunt Ashley Hunt Betsy Eiseman Richard Eiseman Neils Agather DeeDee Lee Jim Lee Kristi Bare Pam Perella Vin Perella Paul Divis Tiffany Divis Tricia Besing Paige Locke Billie Leigh Rippey Jody Bare Leighton Callan Ryan Friend Leigh Friend Linda Secrest MacKenzie Brittingham Sumrall Nardos Imam Otis Felton Carmaleta Whiteley Les Secrest Lizzie Herbert Kevin Conlon Marybeth Conlon Megan Somerville Keith Conlon Kimberly Schlegel Whitman Moll Anderson Casey Conlon Helen Brock Kevin Dahlberg Elaine Agather Stephen Giles Don Conlon Chairman Robyn Conlon Angie Kadesky Apryl Churchill Patty Leyendecker Mark Leyendecker Bill Churchill Joe Crafton Amy Simmons Francie Moody- Dahlberg