Never too chic

Ballet dancers-turned-runway models dazzle at the Tutu-Chic Fashion Show andLuncheon

Stanley Korshak owner Crawford Brock said the Texas Ballet Theater dancers werehis favorite models.
Photo by Jerry McClure
Male dancers were dressed in black tees and jeans.
Photo by Jerry McClure
Photo by Jerry McClure
Members of the Texas Ballet Theater modeled and danced at the Tutu-Chic FashionShow and Luncheon.
Photo by Jerry McClure
Photo by Jerry McClure
The fashion show featured looks by 11 designers.
Photo by Jerry McClure
Photo by Jerry McClure
Photo by Jerry McClure
Photo by Jerry McClure
Photo by Jerry McClure
Photo by Jerry McClure
Photo by Jerry McClure
Dancers modeled and performed during the fete.
Photo by Jerry McClure
Photo by Jerry McClure
Photo by Jerry McClure

More than 300 ladies waltzed through the lobby of the Winspear Opera House with bubbly in hand for the Tutu-Chic Fashion Show and Luncheon. Like the natural progression of our city's social events, the third annual fete was even more elegant than years past.

When the doors opened, guests — including Teffy Jacobs, Doris Jacobs, Lynn McBee, Barbara Daseke, Linda Ivy, Carmaleta Whiteley, Nancy Carlson, Elaine Agather, Olivia Kearney and Tanya Foster — made their way to the main stage, where rows of chairs were set around a platform runway.

Texas Ballet Theater managing director Margo McCann recognized chairs Paige Slates, Alicia Wood, Kristi Hoyl and Daffan Nettle and talked about the memorable peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at the Sugar Plum Fairy Tea. Then she announced 2013 chairs Kathryn Beach, Meg McGonigle and Merry Wyatt before thanking Crawford Brock of Stanley Korshak for his support.

Bret McKinney of Stanley Korshak stayed behind the scenes to style the ballerinas from TBT, who shed their usual tutus and sparkly leotards in favor of designer looks by KaufmanFranco, Valentino, Michael Kors, Fendi, Haute Hippie, Lanvin, Ralph Lauren, Veronica Beard, Cynthia Vincent, Missoni and Donna Karan. Adorable male dancers, in black tees and jeans, accompanied the girls who did pirouettes and arabesques wearing gowns, heels, flowing tops, sequins and silk.

After an hour of admiring the beautiful clothing and reminiscing on our dancing days, Brock and McCann took the stage. "Every time I come here it touches my heart to see the dancers — and I prefer this a lot more to the other models," Brock said.

He thanked Ken Kaufman and Issac Franco,of KaufmanFranco, for flying in for the fashion event. Brock donated a $2,500 gift card to Korshak, which was sold — in minutes — during a mini-live auction. He also asked the audience to give a donation for dancers to buy a season's worth of pointe shoes, and the enlightened guests did not hesitate.

To top off the noontime fete, attendees sat down for a light lunch with tomato basil soup, spinach quiche and chocolate decadence. This was one "too too chic" way of getting us ready for the holiday season.

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Night at the museum

Perot Museum gala-goers with a taste for adventure raise $2 million

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Shannon Murray, Chris Nolan, Kylie Capps and Chris Shurtleff

On a balmy Saturday night in November, the doors to Dallas' Perot Museum of Nature and Science closed to the public and reopened for nearly 1,000 chic party-goers. They dined, danced, and played with the exhibits to raise funds at 2024 Night at the Museum Gala.

Led by co-chairs Dr. Pamela J. Okada and Mark Okada, the crowd of "after-hours scientists" raised $2 million to support the museum’s educational programs and expand STEM learning opportunities across North Texas.

Perot Museum, Night at the Museum Gala 2024

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Shannon Murray, Chris Nolan, Kylie Capps and Chris Shurtleff

The event, designed by Valdivia Ventures, included live music, a captivating performance by dancers of Texas Ballet Theater, and innovative food activations by Wolfgang Puck Catering (the flaky, piping hot truffle pot pies that gala guests always look forward to).

As patrons explored the museum, they were greeted by hundreds of white orchids from Jackson Durham Events and were serenaded in exhibit hall by musicians provided by Jordan Khan Music Company.

A highlight of the evening was the "10-Minute Tasting Restaurant," an adventurous pop-up type experience that transformed the Museum Store into a five-star dining experience. Of course there were cocktails, too, and the lychee martini was a fan-favorite.

The evening concluded with a high-energy after-party on the lower level of the museum, presented by the Eugene McDermott Foundation. Guests danced the night away to beats by DJ Romi Q, struck a pose at the interactive photo booth, and ended the night at a decadent dessert room featuring a variety of sweet treats.

Funds raised from Night at the Museum will support educational programs, fund day-to-day operations, and provide financial aid to ensure the museum remains a welcoming and inclusive space for all.

Spotted in the crowd, enjoying the night, were Shannon Murray, Chris Nolan, Kylie Capps, Chris Shurtleff, Tim Peck, Missy Rogers Peck, Tori Mulford, Linda Silver, Emory McKim, Shelby Wagner, Niven Morgan, Santiago Jorba, Catalina Gonzalez, Regen Horchow, Ken Hersh, Dennis Cail, Annika Cail, Grace Cook, Caleb Stearns Wiley, Sarah-Michelle Stearns Wiley, Jason Valdivia, Katherine Stenesen, Chantel Boudreaux, Jeffrey Bragalone, Lexi Dennis, Mickie Bragalone, John Spradling, Miriam Spradling, KC Hurst, Koli Hurst, Magda Veja, Ashley Chellgren, Maria Zajia, Geraldine Parker, Meredith Abbott, and many more patrons and supporters.

museums night at the museum perot museum gala galas