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94 CRIMSON TIDES BILLY FONG TAKES ON UNICEF'S INAUGURAL DALLAS GALA — PACKED WITH SOCIAL STARS AND A DUCHESS. PHOTOGRAPHY KIM LEESON G iven Dallas' philanthropic landscape, it can be difficult for a new event to sprout and grow. That was not the case with the inaugural UNICEF Gala. Since my better half was on call that evening, I se- cured my personal Edward Scissorhands, recent Aspen transplant Joshua Rossignol (owner of Rossi + King salon in Dallas Design District), to be my arm candy. Admittedly, invitations calling for a certain dress code or color discombobulate my natural instincts when perusing my wardrobe arsenal. The UNICEF Gala requested ladies in red and men in hints of the bold color. I contemplated showing up in my favorite black-tie ensemble of the moment (sans red) with either excuse: "I normally go 'commando,' but tonight I have on red skivvies" or "I drank quite a bit last night and assumed my eyes would be bloodshot." Deborah and John Scott offered pre-party drinks at their super-fun pad, which is equal parts sophisticated London townhouse and shagalicious Austin Powers set. After a few sips, our group went en masse to the The Ritz-Carlton for the evening's festivities, emceed by the stunning Brooke Burke-Charvet. Co-chairs Moll Anderson and Jan Miller Rich greeted the sea of red at the door. The evening honored Rob and Sheryl Lowe with the Global Philanthropist Award for their work in raising awareness for women, education, and children's rights, but it was the auction that was wild, with Rob Lowe and (surprise!) Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, presenting special packages (tea — or shots! — with the duchess in London, anyone?); the total raised exceeded $1.3 million for UNICEF USA. Later in the eve, I witnessed a phenomenal performance by singer/ songwriter Skylar Gray. Prior to this night, I had never heard of her — but, then again, each year I know fewer and fewer of the Grammy nominees, as my knowledge of music seems to fade post-Nirvana. SEEN: Nancy Rogers, Taylor Tomasi-Hill, Cindy and Howard Rachofsky, Joyce Goss, Kenny Goss, Logan Waller, Rajan Patel, Maxine and Ben Trowbridge, Brian Bolke and Faisal Halum, and Michael McCray and Gonzalo Bueno. Rob & Sheryl Lowe Howard Rachofsky, Gonzalo Bueno Cindy Rachofsky, Michael McCray Diamond Mahone Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, Jan Miller Rich Moll Anderson, Brooke Burke-Charvet Bob Schlegel snaps a selfie with Sarah Ferguson Max & Ben Trowbridge Brian Bolke & Faisal Halum Bora Song, Tina Craig Nancy Rogers Filippo Tattoni-Marcozzi Skylar Grey Kara & Randall Goss