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.

Margo Johnson, Lauren Swope, Cathrine Rowsey, Nina Byrd, Chelsea Hargrave, Lauren Ott, Ashley Newton, Emily Fuquay Photo by ASHGPHOTO

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.

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

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.