If music is the feast for the soul, fashion is its counterpart for the eye. So, before violinist Pinchas Zukerman provided a sensory bouquet with Dallas Symphony Orchestra Maestro Jaap van Zweden at the Meyerson for the AT&T Dallas Symphony Orchestra Gala, the fashions of the 2015-2016 fundraising season on Saturday, September 26, were a fabulous showcase of the most elegant black-tie ensembles.
A tip of the hat had to go to the gents who had donned a penguin suit for a second night in a row. They had pulled out their designer tuxedos the previous night for the TACA Custom Auction Gala at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek. But with a fresh shirt and perhaps a change of tow tie, they were all set. As for the gals, they had to pull off a whole new look and, boy, did they.
Jonathan Martin, Key and Katherine Coker, Glenn Hegar and Jennifer and Coley Clark
While early arrivals for the sold-out affair entered through the Flora entrance, Co-Chairs Jennifer and Coley Clark and Katherine and Key Coker were downstairs posing for countless photos with DSO President/CEO Jonathan Martin and Dara and Texas State Comptroller Glenn Hegar. Philanthropist Margaret McDermott took a pass on the official photo session and headed for the elevator to go upstairs.
Gotta admit that while Coley and Key looked pretty snazzy in their Hadleigh’s and Armani white tie and tails, respectively, their wives blew it out of the park. While the two ladies had never worked together before, the bond was forged even down to their gowns for the night. While their styles were totally different, they easily topped the evening’s fashion ladder. With Michael Faircloth’s talents, Jennifer had designed a lace blouse, silver pencil-legged pants underneath a partial silk overskirt that matched Todd Fiscus’ sunburst décor upstairs. On the other hand, Katherine channeled Barbie extreme in ever-so-fitted Sherri Hill black mermaid silhouette with a flurry of below-the-knee tulle crinoline upstaged all.
What made the foursome even more spectacular in the photos were their posture. Silly as it may seem, hunched shoulders would have destroyed the perfection of the clothes. But the Clarks and Cokers stood perfectly with posture that would have made their mums and any army sergeant proud.
But back upstairs. The Meyerson never looked prettier. Of course, it helped that the sunshine added a special polish to Todd Fiscus’ Midas touch.
Meyerson lobby
And the guests matched the fabulous look of the setting. As frivolous as it may seem, the DSO Gala is to North Texas couture lovers as the Oscars’ red carpet is to Hollywood fashionistas. It is a time when photographers wait just inside the entry shooting famous faces and fabulous fashions.
Marsha Cameron and Michael Halloran
Lynn and Allan McBee
Steven Scales, Sherwood Wagner and Marena and Roger Gault
So, how about a rundown of the fashions of the night? Ruling the night were designers like Armani (Michael Halloran, Jody Grant and Jana and Mike Brosin), Arnold Brant (Guillermo Perales), BCBG (Rachel Michell with Allison Mitchell purse), Bob Mackie (Sherwood Wagner), Brioni (David Haemisegger), Bruno Cucinelli (Mary Potter), Carmen Marc Valvo (Maureen Gault and Linda Ivy), Celine (Doris Jacobs), Chris Despos (Doug Houser), Christian Dior (Steven Scales and Myrna Schlegel), Dolce and Gabbana (Roger Gault), Escada (Nancy Nasher with clutch from Mulberry), Givenchy (Ceron), Harry Rosen (Bob Schlegel), Hadleigh’s (Steve Ivy), Isabel Graham (AC Hoffman), Kay Unger (Kathy Holt), Lanvin (Pat McEvoy), Maria Lucia Hohan (Chrissy Sayare), Michael Faircloth (Lisa Cooley), Monique Lhuillier (Marsha Cameron), Oscar de la Renta (Sheila Grant), Oxxford (Keith Nix), Q Custom (John Michell), Ralph Lauren (Patsy Donosky with Jimmy Galanos stole, Jan Miller and Bob Potter with Stefano Ricci tie), Roland Mouret (Betsy Crousen), Sand (Ferrell Drum), Talbot Runhof (Lynn McBee and Jennifer Houser), Tom Ford (Todd Fiscus), Valentino (Allan McBee) and Zegna (Clay Cooley, Jack Jacobs, Charles McEvoy and Ben Fischer).
Betsy Whitson Crousen and Guinn Crousen
Sheila and Jody Grant
Harold Pruner and Patsy Donosky
Ceron and Todd Fiscus
Mitch and Chrissy Sayare and Myrna and Bob Schlegel
What a fabulous kick-off for the fall fundraising season.