Philanthropy is fun

The 7 essential parties of spring 2023 for philanthropic Dallas young professionals

Dallas' big-hearted, young movers and shakers work hard and play hard. Spring 2023 finally brings back a full slate of fantastic parties, power lunches, and galas for good causes. From a disco-themed Masquerade to a Derby-style Day at the Races, these are the seven top social events for every Dallas young professional's calendar.

CASAblanca, February 4
The Dallas CASA Young Professionals kick off YP social season with this fabulous casino party, filled with games, cocktails, appetizers, silent auctions, prizes, and dancing at The Hall on Dragon. After trying their luck at the blackjack and roulette tables, guests can get crazy on the dance floor to the sounds of The Special Edition band. The event is under the guidance of co-chairs Anuka Dhakal, Brooke Donelson, and Melissa Wong, and all proceeds benefit the children served by Dallas CASA. Note: Tickets are officially sold out, but the silent auction is open to the public here, and more information on how to help is here.

Masquerade, February 17
The Genesis Young Leaders are back with their spring fundraising bash after a two-year pandemic pause. Themed "A Night Out at the Disco," the event promises a sparkling evening of beats by DJ Blake Ward, an open bar with signature cocktails, casino games, a silent auction, roller skate entertainment, and more - all at The Empire Room. Dress code is semiformal - sequins encouraged - and co-chairs are Michael Anorue, Brooke Roshell, and David Green. All proceeds will benefit the many women and children whom Genesis Women's Shelter serves. Tickets are available here.

Junior League Milestones Luncheon with Rob Lowe, April 14
Known for snagging big-name Hollywood speakers, this year's event doesn't disappoint. Award-winning actor, activist, and author Rob Lowe is the keynote speaker for the annual Junior League of Dallas luncheon. Pam Busbee will be honored as Sustainer of the Year at the event, taking place at Omni Dallas Hotel and chaired by Heather McNamara. The luncheon benefits Junior League's many civic causes throughout greater Dallas. Tickets and more information are here.

Under the Moonlight and Into the Garden Gala, April 14
Ronald McDonald House of Dallas has an active "Young Friends" auxiliary organization who will no doubt be out in force at RMHD's Under the Moonlight and Into the Garden Gala. Taking place at the Northwood Club, the cocktail-attire affair is chaired by Laura Petka and Lauren Pond. The annual gala has, since 2006, raised more than $2 million for the families living at RMHD and has furthered their mission of supporting the health and well-being of seriously ill or injured children receiving treatment by providing them and their families a home-away-from-home. Watch for more information and tickets here.

Yellow Rose Gala, April 15
The Yellow Rose Gala comes back big at the Renaissance Dallas Hotel as the "Everything is Bigger in Texas Masquerade." Christie Eckler, David Moore, and Tamiko Ryan (three individuals who each live with multiple sclerosis) are the inspiring event co-chairs who'll help the organization raise money for a cure for MS. The night will also honor Patrick and Kristy Sands, and the Dee Wynne Courage award will be presented to the Walker Bateman IV family. The high-energy evening will also include live music by legendary Motown singer and performer GC Cameron. Tickets are available here.

CultureMap Tastemaker Awards, May 4
Save the date for the most scrumptious culinary event of the season (not that we're biased) and get ready to raise a glass to Dallas' restaurant and bar stars. The annual CultureMap Tastemaker Awards returns this spring — and tickets will be on sale soon. Join us May 4 at Fashion Industry Gallery (F.I.G.) for an evening honoring the very best of Dallas' culinary scene, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting our nonprofit partner, Harvest Project Food Rescue. More details will be coming soon.

Day at the Races, May 6
Those who can't make it to Churchill Downs have the next best option in this festive Kentucky Derby-themed party. Guests should show up to Turtle Creek Park dressed in their Derby best for Southern food, mint juleps, a silent auction, table games, "wagering," music, dancing, a best-dressed and best-hat competition, and of course, Kentucky Derby viewing. The event - now it its 15th year - is chaired by Katherine and Austin Wyker with honorary chairs Olivia and Charles Hasty - and benefits the work of Turtle Creek Conservancy. More information and tickets here.

Photo by Amy E. Frost

Members of Genesis Young Leaders at the annual Masquerade.

young-professionals charity galas tastemakers luncheons

Pockets News

One Old Navy store in Dallas to hide gifts in pockets of spring dresses

Old Navy

Old Navy knows that a dress with a pocket is everything.

A national retailer is giving women exactly what they want: pockets.

Old Navy, the clothing and accessories company owned by The Gap, is hosting an event at five stores across the U.S. including a Dallas store at The Shops at Park Lane.

The chain is inviting customers to join their celebration of dresses with pockets at five of its top-selling locations, where shoppers can find tokens worth $20 hidden in pockets of their new spring dresses.

This event will take place on April 1 at these five locations:

Dallas: 8170 Park Ln. #124
New York: 150 W 34th St
New York: 610 Avenue of the Americas
Roseville, California: 1244 Galleria Blvd.
Jacksonville, Florida: 10261 River Marsh Dr.

A spokesperson did not reveal how many $20 tokens would be at the store.

Old Navy is so down with pockets that it is doubling its inventory of dresses with pockets in its Spring 2023 line.

Pockets are actually a political thing, tied to women’s independence. Centuries ago, men were in charge of holding money, documents, and keys, and got pockets. Women did not.

According to London's Victoria and Albert Museum, women didn't have pockets because they did not have their own money to put in them.

A story in the London Spectator reported that "women had four external bulges already – two breasts and two hips – and a money pocket inside their dress would make an ungainly 5th."

It wasn't much better in the 20th century, when fashion designer Christian Dior allegedly stated that "men have pockets to keep things in, women for decoration."

To support its pocket initiative, Old Navy conducted a survey in February 2023 and found:

Over 50 percent of women say their favorite dresses have pockets.
73 percent say pockets are an important haven for their hands, for warmth, or as a place for them in awkward situations.
71 percent say discovering that a new frock has pockets is an instant mood booster.
88 percent say they love the surprise of finding something they forgot about in a pocket.

Another survey conducted in 2018 found that women's pockets are nearly 50 per cent smaller than men's pockets, a size difference that "perpetuates and reinforces gender inequality and is a manifestation of patriarchy," said Chair of Ryerson School of Fashion Ben Barry in a phone interview with CTVNews.ca.

U.S. website The Pudding measured the pockets on 80 pairs of men's and women's jeans with the same waist size and found that women's front jean pockets are 48 percent shorter and 6.5 percent narrower than men's.

Only 40 percent of women's front pockets were able to fit the iPhone X, 20 percent a Samsung Galaxy, and 5 percent the Google Pixel. Less than half of women's front pockets would fit a wallet specifically designed for front pockets.

And while 100 percent of men's pockets could handle the average male hand, only 10 percent of women's could fit a woman's hand.

Old Navy to the rescue, who've created an entire website for their pocket-clad dress styles at www.oldnavy.com/pockets.

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