Florals For Spring

Dallas' 10 Best Dressed bloom at 50th Crystal Charity fashion show

Some of Dallas' most fashionable and philanthropic arrived at the Neiman Marcus flagship store downtown on September 12, ready to "oooh" and "aaah" at Oscar de la Renta's pre-spring 2025 collection while also raising big funds for local beneficiaries.

The Crystal Charity Ball's Ten Best Dressed Luncheon and Fashion Show is considered by many to be the unofficial start of fall society season, which spans galas to luncheons with celebrities galore.

This year's luncheon was not only celebrating its 50th anniversary, but also the sixth year that Neiman Marcus has hosted Oscar de la Renta for Crystal Charity events, making the brand the most frequent collaborator since the event's inception in 1974.

With Champagne and sparkling water in hand, guests mingled among jewelry and perfume on the luxury retailer's first floor before heading upstairs for the fashion show.

10 Best Dressed 2024 The luncheon began on Neiman Marcus' first floor.Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Neiman Marcus president Ryan Ross welcomed the excited crowd, followed by words from fashion show chair Kim Hext and Crystal Charity Ball chair Cheryl Joyner.

Dallas Cowboys executive vice president and chief brand officer Charlotte Jones was next at the podium, explaining the annual tradition of celebrating the ‘Ten Best Dressed Women’ for their dedication to community service and commitment to personal style.

Jones then introduced this year's honorees: Monica Eastin, Tracey Kozmetsky, Meredith Land, Tracy Lange, Anne McPherson, Wendy Messmann, Lisa Rocchio, Kim Quinn, Katherine Wyker, and Sunie Solomon.

The 2024 Hall of Fame Award, a distinction earned after being named to the Ten Best Dressed list for three consecutive years, was presented to Lisa Cooley.

10 Best Dressed 2024 Lisa and Clay Cooley.Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Each of the women glided down the runway dressed in Oscar de la Renta and adorned with jewelry from David Webb. The iconic fashion designer's pre-spring 2025 collection focused heavily on florals — groundbreaking — with elegant neutrals offset by vibrant pops of rose, lapis, and butter yellow. Orchid flowers appeared throughout — perhaps you've seen the stained glass-inspired gowns on social media? — in addition to the introduction of a day-to-night snakeskin concept.

Lunch on the fourth floor immediately followed, with guests dining on sliced beef tenderloin, a beet and goat cheese terrine, and roasted corn lettuce "tostada" accented with jalapeño crema and raisin chorizo. A decadent slice of triple chocolate mousse cake and berries closed out the meal.

The independent nonprofit's grand finale, the Crystal Charity Ball, is set for December 7 at the Hilton Anatole. This year's theme, "New York Holiday," brings the Big Apple to Big D.

Since 1952, Crystal Charity Ball has distributed more than $191 million to the children of Dallas County. The 2024 recipients include:

Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum
HHM Health
Methodist Health System Foundation
Parkland Health Foundation
The Center for Integrative Counseling and Psychology
Traffick911
Vogel
The Crystal Charity Ball 70th Anniversary Project

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

The 2024 honorees.

crystal charity ball fashion show fundraisers luncheons neiman marcus oscar de la renta

Fundraising fun

Dallas’ Night at the Museum gala brings in $2M for Perot programs

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Santiago Jorba, Catalina Gonzalez

On Saturday, November 8, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science opened its doors, after hours, for one of Dallas’ most anticipated galas of fall: Night at the Museum.

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Santiago Jorba, Catalina Gonzalez

Led by co-chairs Shelly and Michael Dee in honor of Sally and Forrest Hoglund, the 2025 Night at the Museum immersed guests in a science-y wonderland of interactive exhibits, fun cocktails, unique cuisine, and more.

Guests agreed: The couldn't-miss highlight of the evening was the 10-Minute Restaurant, which transformed the museum gift shop into a five-star culinary adventure by Wolfgang Puck Catering, reminiscent of how they serve celebrities at the Oscars. Amid all the night's action, it was a great way to sneak in a quick bite and some one-on-one time with a date in a VIP-like setting.

Attendees also noshed from a Living Crudité Bar, an Off the Bone beef station, a paella station, enjoyed "roaming tiramisu," and stopped servers in their tracks for the famous Night at the Museum pot pies. No one went thirsty, either, as guests sipped creative cocktails like Sorbete de Sangria de Cava and the sparkling “Aqua Pearl,” enjoyed a 196 Vodka Seltzer Bar, and a refueled at a coffee cart that opened at the after-party.

Guests got to dig like paleontologists at the Paleo Lab, ooh and ahh at the sparking Aquamarine on the display in the Lyda Hill Gems and Minerals Hall, and learn all about little creepy-crawlies in the Bug Lab Exhibit. Another favorite activity was the Iris Photography, which turned photos of the human eye into works of art.

In total, the crowd of "after-hours scientists" raised $2 million to help fund field trips, outreach, discounted admission and memberships to the Perot, and more.

Among the notable attendees were Margot Perot, Dr. Linda Silver, Marilynn Thoma, Carl Thoma, Santiago Jorba, Catalina Gonzalez, David and Mary Henderson, Katie and Jerome Rose, Lyda Hill, Cade McCarter, DeWitt McCarter, Kelly Compton, Kenna McCarter, John Sughrue, Marlene Sughrue, Kate and Steve Sigfusson, Kristina Kirkenaer-Hart, Grace Cook, Laura Compton, Angus Mitchell, Rachel Mitchell, Martine and Michael Philippe, and many more patrons and supporters.

museums fundraisers galas