'Twas the 81st day before Christmas and all through Rachofsky House, bartenders were stirring, and Santa took selfies on a couch. Art works were hung from the walls with care, in hopes that big auction bids soon would be there.

Dallas’ most stylish art party of fall became its most festive, as the 2022 Two x Two First Look preview party and fundraiser donned a merry-and-bright holiday theme on Thursday, October 6. Per tradition, it was hosted by Cindy and Howard Rachofsky and Lisa and John Runyon, along with Two x Two director Melissa Ireland.

There was also no mistaking who this year’s sponsor was — Neiman Marcus. The Rachofsky House was wrapped with a giant red ribbon and bow and adorned with a lit-up Neiman Marcus logo. As one guest walked up to the house, she exclaimed, “It looks just like the catalog!” Added her companion, “... and the department store!”

Figure skaters, outfitted in designer looks from Neiman’s, glided around an ice rink erected for the evening. Bartenders shook up Belvedere Vodka “Claus-mopolitans” served in martini glasses festooned with jingle bells. And that was before anyone even stepped inside.

First Look, of course, is the first chance for Dallas’ biggest art patrons to view the works that will be up for auction at the glamorous and exclusive Two x Two Gala, which takes place at the Rachofsky House on October 22. Two x Two for AIDS and Art is the largest U.S. fundraiser for amfAR and the Dallas Museum of Art. Since its inception, Two x Two has raised over $100 million in support of essential AIDS research at amfAR and for the Contemporary Art Acquisitions Fund at the Dallas Museum of Art.

The 131 pieces up for grabs in the forthcoming auction were displayed around three floors of the house, guarded by security personnel so any wayward glasses of wine never came too close. Featured artists included Rashid Johnson, Sheree Hovsepian, Rafael Delacruz, Alex Israel, Nir Hod, Rafa Macarron, and Tunji Adeniyi-Jones. (View the full catalog here.)

Known as a high-energy evening, the First Look party is also the rare event that brings together local artists and gallerists with philanthropists and movers-and-shakers in the worlds of fashion and design — along with Dallasites (and some Fort Worthians, too) who just want to attend a super fun party.

Under a backyard tent that felt like a snowglobe, guests could pose for pics on Santa’s lap, mug for the camera in an interactive photo booth, and groove to beats by DJ RomiQ. Spirited games kept attendees moving around the room, vying to win prizes from Neiman Marcus. They could guess the number of candy canes in a jar, knock down a tower of NM-gift wrapped boxes with a baseball, or toss a ping-pong ball into wreaths in the swimming pool.

Todd Fiscus’ Todd Events designed and executed the “winter wonderland” setting that included festively-lit trees, animatronic polar bears, candy cane striped accents, chandeliers dripping with icicles, and yes, gently falling “snow.”

Of course, no party is complete without an array of noshes that would keep Santa patting his belly. Among the offerings, both passed and in stations beyond the swimming pool, were Neiman Marcus-Inspired Popover with Goiabada Butter from Meridian; Grilled Trumpet Mushrooms, Hummus and Marinated Eggplant from Anise; Charred Pork Belly Tacos from La Mina; and Tarte Tropezienne, Pumpkin Chiboust and Pepita Streusel from Doughregarde’s Bake Shop.

Among the 450 revelers were Abigail and Fred Perpall, Brady and Megan Wood, James Cagle, Natalie Bond Bloomingdale, Bridget and Alexis Barbier-Mueller, Christian Munoz and Jordan Jones Munoz, David Liu, Rae Liu, Michael Fountas, Derek and Christen Wilson, Jessica Nowitzki, Robyn Sills, Eric and Sheryl Maas, Jacqueline Sewell, William Atkinson, Geoffroy Van Raemdonck, Alvise Orsini, Jennifer and John Eagle, Karla McKinley, Leisa Street, Ashley Gilroy Wein, Sarah Calodney, Katie Mullen, Marjon Zabihi Henderson, Vito Cammisano, Kara Goss, Jennifer Karol, Reed Robertson , Madison Chase, Evita Tezeno, Maxine Trowbridge, Joyce Goss, Leigh Anne and Dave Clark, Vito Cammisano, Kara Goss, Jennifer Karol, Reed Allen, Nancy Lamb, Stefanie Tsen Ward, Ryan Ross, Mary McGreevy, Brandon Kennedy, Joshua King, Terri Provencal, Teresa Moeller, Max Clark, Sharon Lee Clark, Annika Cail, Ethan Carter Jones, and many more.

Photo by Bruno, Snap the Picture

Jessica Nowitzki, Robyn Sills