Up, Up, and Away

High-rolling Dallas YPs soar at alluring annual auction party

Guests at the Junior League of Dallas' annual auction party were whisked away from the everyday on March 23, with the theme "Take Flight" establishing the jet-setting tone for the evening.

Held at the Frontiers of Flight Museum, the event brought together community-minded young professionals who were ready to escape for a night of dancing, gambling, and, of course, bidding. Junior League president Alicia Hall and auction chair Caytie Langford assembled dozens of fabulous items, ranging from sports memorabilia to portrait sessions to entertainment packages, which the attendees could bid on through their phones.

Cook Diamonds was on hand not only with sparkly baubles for bidding, but also a special giveaway for one lucky party-goer. For $100, guests could buy one of 150 keys and then try their luck at unlocking a box housing a truly stunning pair of diamond hoop earrings. The winner flaunted her new jewels — and good fortune — for the rest of the night.

Four big-ticket auction items dominated the fervent bidding, with the bids flying fast and high for the chance to attend the 2020 Kentucky Derby, receive a custom dinner for 12 in The Kitchen Source's showroom, shop 'til you drop during a girls' day out at Highland Park Village and Preston Center, and attend the Paul McCartney Freshen Up tour in June.

Four raffles also heightened the excitement, with the lucky winners walking away with a $5,000 debit card from PlainsCapital Bank, a shopping getaway to LA, a total body transformation from Spa810, and a private VIP shopping party for 10 at Elizabeth W Boutique.

While Manhattan of the Jordan Kahn Music Company amped up the crowd with popular tunes, a cigar roller prepared special takeaway favors and blackjack, poker, and craps tables kept high-rollers occupied.

Those getting in on the fun included Madison Finley, Brooke Grewcock, Holly Schlein, Veronica Thompson, Jessica Bell, Tess Marunich, Laren Crow, Jourdy Wallace, Bryson Wallace, Beth Boyd, Adam Boyd, Wesley Rupar, Kathryn Lennox, Christina Eubanks, Zach Wold, Brittani Rettig, Lauren Ives, and many more.

The annual auction party benefits the Junior League of Dallas Community Service Fund, which serves as a platform to raise awareness for the programs and issues supported by the JLD and recognizes the impact and achievements of its volunteers. Founded in 1922, the JLD is one of the largest Junior Leagues in the world and provides over 130,000 hours in volunteer service and $1 million in funding to area nonprofits each year.

John Chen, Deb Velasquez, Krystle Craycraft, Chad Craycraft

Photo by Ashley Gongora

John Chen, Deb Velasquez, Krystle Craycraft, Chad Craycraft

Hat's Off

Outrageous hats descend upon Dallas Arboretum at Mad Hatter's 2025

Photo by ASHGPHOTO

The Masters Mavens group won best in show.

When springtime hits the South, there is plenty to celebrate, from gorgeous weather to The Masters golf tournament, Jazz Fest, the Kentucky Derby, and Dallas Blooms at the Dallas Arboretum, just to name a few.

All that and more found its way onto chic chapeaus and sky-high hats at Mad Hatter's 2025, themed "Celebrating Spring in the South." The epic fundraising luncheon sponsored by the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum assists with the development, growth, and maintenance of A Woman’s Garden, a major garden at the Arboretum.

Mad Hatter's 2025 Margo Johnson, Lauren Swope, Cathrine Rowsey, Nina Byrd, Chelsea Hargrave, Lauren Ott, Ashley Newton, Emily Fuquay Photo by ASHGPHOTO

Photo by ASHGPHOTO

The Masters Mavens group won best in show.

Chair Sara Friedman, honorary chair Cindy Feld, and Women's Council president Therese Rourk welcomed fashionably dressed guests to Ginsburg Plaza at the Dallas Arboretum on April 17, where wine, champagne, and specialty cocktails like mint juleps, bellinis, ranch waters, and the pink-hued Azalea were waiting.

Kristyn Potter (@acaeventdesigns) captured the flirty, floral fashions with live sketches, while a lively and talented trio comprised of students from Lake Highlands High School Jazz Ensemble kept spirits high.

The Mad Hatter's extensive silent auction drew plenty of interest, with restaurant gift cards, beauty treatments, jewelry, and travel all on offer.

Those interested in competing for blue ribbons paraded their expertly crafted millinery before judges Amanda Shufeldt, Anne Stodghill, Ezé Azenabor-Grembowski, Kameron Westcott, Sharon Lee Clark, and John Clutts, before the jazz trio led a vibrant second line into Rosine Hall for the fashion show.

Mad Hatter's 2025 The Taste of the Masters group.Photo by ASHGPHOTO

Presented by NorthPark Center and produced by Jan Strimple, with NBC 5 anchor Laura Harris serving as emcee, the fresh fashions were as light as a spring breeze. Looks were from Etro, Maje, Me + Em, Nordstrom, Sandro, Scanlan Theodore, and St. John, with beauty by Glossier and jewelry from Eiseman Jewels.

The hat winners then got their own turn on the runway:

Dallas Blooms (best use of fresh botanicals): Maryam Brown
Kentucky Derby (most elegant): Christine Phelan
Mardi Gras (most over-the-top, outrageous creation): Debbie Murray
Jazz Fest (best group): Taste of the Masters
Round Top (people’s choice): Mandi Bonilla
The Masters (best in show): Masters Mavens group

Mad Hatter's 2025 Emcee — and self-proclaimed Georgia peach —Laura Harris.Photo by ASHGPHOTO

Guests were then invited to sit down to a lovely lunch of chilled avocado soup and mixed greens topped with sous-vide chicken, marinated tenderloin, and a fried green tomato, all drizzled with peach-hot honey dressing. A Bananas Foster tart proved a sweet ending to a positively enchanting day at the Dallas Arboretum.

fundraisers dallas arboretum fashion luncheons