Best Dressed

Dallas' best dressed dazzle like jewels at Crystal Charity Ball 2017

Deborah Michel, David MichelPhoto by WJNPHOTO
Jennifer Chandler, Scott ChandlerPhoto by WJNPHOTO
Bela Cooley, Chase CooleyPhoto by WJNPHOTO
Reed Gibbins, Kristen GibbinsPhoto by WJNPHOTO
Jeff Miller, Susan MillerPhoto by WJNPHOTO
Bradford Theodoroff, Delayna Minter in NardosPhoto by WJNPHOTO
Tanya Foster in Patti Flowers, Pete FosterPhoto by WJNPHOTO
Greg Hext, Kim Hext in Solace LondonPhoto by WJNPHOTO
Hal Urschel, Christie Urschel in Carolina HerreraPhoto by WJNPHOTO
Mary Beth Conlon in Patti Flowers, Kevin ConlonPhoto by WJNPHOTO
Preston Finney, NC Finney in JovaniPhoto by WJNPHOTO
Harrison Growth, Laura Sheppard in AdenPhoto by WJNPHOTO
Sarah Bowlby in Jovani, Rob BowlbyPhoto by WJNPHOTO
Nimesh Patel, Bina Patel in Yves Saint LaurentPhoto by WJNPHOTO
Will Babb, Beth Babb in Zac PosenPhoto by WJNPHOTO
Mark Knowles, Melinda Knowles in Pamella RolandPhoto by WJNPHOTO
Al Allred, Libby Allred in Michael FairclothPhoto by WJNPHOTO
Lynn McBee in Galvan, Lisa Singleton in Oscar De La RentaPhoto by WJNPHOTO
Lisa Cooley in Patti Flowers, Clay CooleyPhoto by WJNPHOTO

Themed “An Evening in the Alps,” the 2017 Crystal Charity Ball provided the mountaintop fashion moment of the fall social season.

Dallas women dazzled in their glamorous gowns and strolled arm-in-arm with dapper gentlemen into the Hilton Anatole Hotel's Chantilly Ballroom. The annual fete is considered the grand finale of the social season and raises funds for local children's charities.

Jewel tones were the colors of choice for many of the elegant attendees. Libby Allred chose a regal Michael Faircloth gown in fuchsia, and Laura Sheppard's Aden creation was a similar hue. Deborah Michel donned emerald, Kristen Gibbins wowed in amethyst, Jennifer Chandler and Susan Miller shined in rich royal blue.

Also popular were diamond-white dresses with luxe layers and embellishments of fur, feathers, and lace. Lisa Cooley sparkled in a white Patti Flowers gown, and Delayna Minter stood out in a white Nardos creation. Other white wonders included Bela Cooley; and Sarah Bowlby and NC Finney, both in Jovani.

The fashionable Dallas philanthropists turned to a variety of favorite designers for the occasion. Mary Beth Conlon and Tanya Foster both stunned in red Patti Flowers gowns. Christie Urschel chose Carolina Herrera, Bina Patel wore Yves Saint Laurent, Lisa Singleton donned Oscar De La Renta, Lynn McBee chose Galvan, Beth Babb rocked Zac Posen, Melinda Knowles wore Pamella Roland, and Kim Hext turned to Solace London.

Carrying their two favorite accessories — glasses of bubbly and 1,000-watt smiles — these women were among those who scaled new heights of style on the extravagant evening.

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

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