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25 GOLD STANDARD By Christina Geyer. Photography Lara Bierner, Kristina Bowman. T he Dallas Symphony Orchestra Gala is one of the best-dressed events in town — the fi rst black-tie gala of the fall social season, and one of those rare occasions where old-guard DSO patrons mix with the next generation of arts philan thropists. The standards are high when it comes to one's attire, as evidenced by the jaw-dropping gems worn by honorary chair Sherwood Noël Wagner. Town & Country style writer Sarah Bray, in from New York, wore a divine fl oral number from emerging designer Elizabeth Kennedy; blogger pals Krystal Schlegel and Amy Havins both wore custom dresses by Dallas designer Nardos Imam; and Kara Goss donned a peach cape suit by Rosie Assoulin. But, of course, the primary reason why the DSO Gala is such a hot ticket is the cali- ber of talent brought in for the event. This year, chairs Marena and Roger Gault, along with DSO music director Jaap Van Zweden, secured internationally renowned pianist Lang Lang. His post-dinner performance inside the I.M. Pei-designed Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center brought the audience to its feet not once, but twice, prompting an encore performance. Following the Tchaikovsky and Prokofi ev, guests made their way to the Meyerson's foyer for the after-party hosted by the DSO's Vivaldi Patron Circle. This year, it was chaired by VPC board member Nick Boulle, heir apparent to deBoulle jewelry. Cocktails continued well into the wee hours, with tunes spun by DJ Steffi Burns, a fi rst-timer at the DSO Gala after-party. Who was there … Gala underwriting chairs Kristi and Ron Hoyl and Margaret and Barry Hancock; DSO president and CEO Jonathan Martin; New York banker and fi nancier Sanford I. Weill; and attendees Colleen O'Connor and Joseph Hubach, Barbara and Don Averitt, Jennifer and Coley Clark, Katherine and Key Coker, Laree Hulshoff and Ben Fischer, Nancy Nasher and David Haemisegger, Carolyn and Karl Rathjen, and Margaret McDermott. Todd Clendening, Sherwood Wagner Marena & Roger Gault MiChel & Dan Hagood Luke Davis Krystal Schlegel David Haemisegger & Nancy Nasher Wade & Amy Havins Margaret McDermott, Reed Ruschhaupt Sarah Catherine Perot Lang Lang, Jonathan Martin Sarah Bray Christina Geyer Katherine & Key Coker Charles & Cindy Field Ron & Kristi Hoyl Rhonda & Fraser Marcus Aaltje & Jaap van Zweden Randall & Kara Goss Claire Maclay Sam Huffi nes