Step and Repeat

Dallas socialites dress to impress at Crystal Charity luncheon and fashion show

Fashion knows no season in Dallas, as was evidenced by summery florals mixing with autumnal jewel tones at the 45th annual Crystal Charity Ball Ten Best Dressed Fashion Show and Luncheon.

The unofficial start of fall society season drew the city's most generous (and stylish) to Neiman Marcus downtown, where many a Champagne flute and rosé glass was raised to both the philanthropic group's good work and special guest, iconic fashion designer Carolina Herrera.

Jewelry maven Margot McKinney was also honored at the glitzy morning event, which began with cocktails in the beauty department before all the guests were whisked upstairs for the fashion show and luncheon, chaired by Ola Fojtasek.

This year's Ten Best Dressed honorees included Delilah Boyd, Lisa Cooley, Tiffany Divis, Jennifer Dix, Cate Ford, Cara French, Amy Hegi, Karla McKinley, Amy Prestidge, and Kimberly Whitman. The Hall of Fame honoree is Francie Moody-Dahlberg.

The luncheon recognizes women who not only have a serious sense of style but who are also deeply committed to their community. The highly anticipated — and sold out — affair is one of the many glittering events hosted by the independent nonprofit, which raises funds to aid, support, and make contributions to Dallas children's charities.

The season's grand finale, the Crystal Charity Ball (chaired this year by Pat McEvoy), will be held on December 7 at the Hilton Anatole. Its theme will be "South American Mosaic."

The 10 nonprofits that will be the recipients of — yes, this number is real — $6,842,030 were recently announced. They are: Child & Family Guidance Center ($953,800), Community Partners of Dallas ($660,552), Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep ($910,799), For the Nations Refugee Outreach ($711,857), Interfaith Family Services ($314,152), Jubilee Park & Community Center ($474,650), Mercy Street ($751,758), Los Barrios Unidos Community Clinic ($558,390), Promise House ($756,072), and Readers 2 Leaders ($750,000).

Lynn McBee, Capera Ryan, and Maxine Trowbridge.

Lynn McBee, Capera Ryan, Maxine Trowbridge

Photo by WJNPHOTO

Lynn McBee, Capera Ryan, and Maxine Trowbridge.

Alfresco evening

Dallas’ Klyde Warren Park patrons party under the stars to raise $1.1M

Photo by Tamytha Cameron and Kelly Alexander

Trevor and Kellen Smith, Jess Bass Bolander and Tyler Bolander.

WHAT: Party in the Park

WHERE: Klyde Warren Park

THE 411: Dallas’ favorite green space sparkled under the city lights as the nonprofit Klyde Warren Park celebrated its 13th anniversary on October 9. Presented by Republic National Distributing Company, the open-air bash drew 960 guests and raised an impressive $1.1 million to keep the beloved urban oasis thriving.

Party in the Park 2025 Myrna and Bob Schlegel, Margot Perot.Photo by Tamytha Cameron and Kelly Alexander

The evening kicked off with a lively cocktail reception beside the Nancy Best Fountain, hosted by First United Bank, where guests mingled amid the sound of splashing water and the glow of downtown’s skyline. A starlit supper sponsored by SMU followed, with HALL wines flowing freely and the scene set by lush florals and sleek décor from Todd Events.

Entertainment was as dazzling as the setting. Texas-born singer-songwriter Erin Duvall opened the show with a soulful performance before the crowd hit the dance floor for Stayin’ Alive: One Night of the Bee Gees, the world’s top Bee Gees tribute band. Sequins, shimmer, and a whole lot of disco fever kept guests grooving late into the night.

Guided by honorary co-chairs Debbie and John Tolleson and their children Amy and Peter Baldwin and Kacy and Carter Tolleson, who served as event co-chairs, the celebration underscored Klyde Warren Park’s vital role as Dallas’ town square.

Party in the Park 2025 Peter and Amy Baldwin, John and Debbie Tolleson, Kacy and Carter Tolleson.Photo by Tamytha Cameron and Kelly Alexander

Since opening in 2012, the park has welcomed more than 1.5 million visitors annually and hosted over 1,300 free community programs each year.

WHO: Jason and Porschla Kidd, Klyde Warren Park president and CEO Kit Sawers, Myrna and Bob Schlegel, Margot Perot, Paul von Wupperfeld and Andy Smith, Lynn McBee, Jennifer Staubach Gates, Jody and Sheila Grant, Lyda Hill, Randy and Nancy Best, James and Kristen Hallam, Brent and Monica Christopher, Gillian Breidenbach, Aleta Stampley, Michelle Fojtasek, Brendan and Helen McGuire, Calvert Collins-Bratton and Vince Bratton, Gavin and Caroline Loehr, George and Lindsay Billingsley, Lloyd Pierson and Laura Ginsburg Pierson, Heather and Barrett Linburg, Mary Jalonick, Monica and Brent Christopher, Ray and Heather Washburne, Tori and Ross Mulford, Trevor and Kellen Smith, Jess Bass Bolander and Tyler Bolander, Penny Reid and Tom Nolan, Chantel and Robb Boudreaux, Muffin Lemak, Julie Butler, Lee Cullum, Caren Kline, Theo Ross, Troy and Kari Kloewer.

Photo by Tamytha Cameron and Kelly Alexander

Trevor and Kellen Smith, Jess Bass Bolander and Tyler Bolander.

fundraisers galas klyde warren park