STARRY, STARRY NIGHT

STARRY, STARRY NIGHT

by | Feb 28, 2022 | R.S.V.P. DALLAS, 2022 March April, Parties

Fashion Group International of Dallas (FGI Dallas) Hosts Night Of Stars Gala


By Cynthia Smoot     Photography by Thomas Garza and Danny Campbell

THE SETTING: Over 250 fashionable guests packed the Thompson Hotel ballroom downtown for the Fashion Group International of Dallas (FGI Dallas) annual Night of Stars gala, themed Iconic Glam. Designer extraordinaire Naeem Khan was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in Fashion. In addition, Jonathan Adler was awarded the Career Achievement Award in Design, Gray Malin was awarded the Career Achievement Award in Photography, and Dee Lincoln was awarded the Career Achievement Award in Business.

THE STYLE: Chic supporters, dressed to the nines, with pandemic protocol in place, included Sam Saladino, Steve Kemball, Elizabeth Savetsky, Lele Sadoughi, Ese Azenabor, Rhonda Sargent Chambers, Heidi Dillon, and Daniella Bell. Master of Ceremonies James Aguiar hosted the star-studded annual event, while the organization’s Chuck Steelman deftly guided the live auction of luxury items. The evening included a cocktail reception, a fashion show featuring the Naeem Khan Spring/Summer 2022 collection produced by Jan Strimple, and an after party at Kessaku.

THE PURPOSE: The event was chaired by Ken Weber of Martini Consignment and Richard Rivas of TONI&GUY. Fashion Group International, Inc. provides a high-profile forum to promote the fashion business by hosting events that educate and facilitate the exchange of ideas by giving back to the community. The evening raised funds for the organization’s student scholarships.

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ANIMAL INSTINCTS

ANIMAL INSTINCTS

by | Feb 28, 2022 | R.S.V.P. DALLAS, 2022 March April, Parties

Zoo To Do Gala Benefits Dallas Zoo

 

By Cynthia Smoot         Photography by Thomas Garza

THE SETTING; This year’s Zoo To Do fundraiser, presented by The Eugene McDermott Foundation, was a wild success, raising over 1.3 million dollars for animal conservation. With pandemic protocol in place, guests were welcomed by Robyn and Chris Chauvin, the event co-chairs, as well as Dallas Zoo animal ambassadors that included flamingos, a sloth, porcupine, and penguins as a reminder of why Zoo To Do is so important. Honorary Chairs Diane Brierley, Mary McDermott Cook, and Ruth O’Donnell Mutch socialized with guests as the evening progressed.

 

THE STYLE: Honorary Chef Chair Dan Landsberg of Ellie’s Restaurant & Lounge at HALL Arts Hotel, along with Chef Wrangler Brett Krafft from the Hilton Lincoln Centre joined guests at the award-winning Giants of the Savanna exhibit. Throughout the strolling dinner, the chefs mingled with guests among the 24 restaurant stations representing the finest restaurants in Dallas. Following dinner, guests moved to the Wilds of Africa Plaza for a live auction, and afterward, a dance party ended the evening with live music from Manhattan.

 

THE PURPOSE: Proceeds from the event help support the Dallas Zoo’s dedication to providing the best animal care, delivering unique educational offerings, and strengthening its wildlife conservation efforts.

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ARTFULLY AVANT-GARDE

ARTFULLY AVANT-GARDE

by | Feb 28, 2022 | R.S.V.P. DALLAS, 2022 March April, Parties

Two X Two Raises Over $11M For amfAR And Dallas Museum of Art, Eclipses $100M Mark In All-Time Event Fundraising

 

By Rob Giardinelli      Photography by Bruno and Kevin Tachman

THE SETTING: The estate of Cindy and Howard Rachofsky was the recent setting for a historic evening that will forever live on in the annals of Texas fundraising lore. Almost 500 of the world’s most notable sociables and philanthropists gathered for the 22nd annual Two X Two for AIDS and Art event, with pandemic protocol in place and, in the process, raised eight figures in one night, eclipsing the $100 million fundraising mark over the history of this storied event.

 

THE STYLE: The black-tie crowd began the evening with cocktails on the grounds of the Rachofsky residence, courtesy of Tequila Casa Dragones, Moët Hennessy USA, and Belvedere Vodka, the latter of which featured a signature cocktail Cindy’s Filthy Martini, in a nod to the event’s hostess. During the cocktail hour, and throughout the evening, patrons viewed and bid on over 130 pieces of silent and live auction art, as well as experiential packages that were personally curated by the event host Howard Rachofsky and event Co-Chair John Runyon.  

 

Partygoers then proceeded to the 48-foot high, 7,000 square foot geodesic dome for the main program. The dome, designed by Todd Fiscus of Todd Events, was inspired by the works of acclaimed artist Yoshimoto Nara. A prominent leaf motif was featured throughout that perfectly complimented the organic shapes and evening’s color palette of chartreuse, burgundy, orange, and ivory featured both inside and outside the tent.

 

As guests dined on their decadent, multi-course meals, they were treated to words by event host Howard Rachofsky, as well as a presentation by amfAR Board Co-chairs T. Ryan Greenwalt and Kevin McClatchy, who presented special guest Yoshimoto Nara with the 2021 Award of Excellence for Artistic Contributions in the Fight Against AIDS. Next, Michael Macaulay of Sotheby’s hosted a dazzling live auction that included works from such acclaimed artists including María Berrío, Bosco Sodi, Asuka Anastacia Ogawa, Peter Bradley, Joel Mesler, Jiro Takamatsu, and Yoshitomo Nara. The evening was capped off by a showstopping concert by Rita Ora, who brought the crowd to their feet as she sang several of her iconic hits, including Let You Love Me, Ritual, Lonely Together, and Anywhere.

 

THE PURPOSE: The event, chaired by Cindy and Howard Rachofsky and John and Lisa Runyon, with Nancy C. Rogers serving as the presenting sponsor, raised over $11 million for amfAR AIDS research initiatives and the Contemporary Art Acquisitions Fund at the Dallas Museum of Art. Over the past 22 years, Two X Two has raised over $104 million for these two organizations.

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GLAM ON THE RANGE

GLAM ON THE RANGE

by | Dec 30, 2021 | R.S.V.P. DALLAS, 2022 January February, Parties

Cattle Baron’s Ball Raises Millions For American Cancer Society

By Cynthia Smoot          Photography by Tamytha Cameron and Celeste Cass

THE SETTING: The 2021 Cattle Baron’s Ball was recently held at Gilley’s Dallas with award-winning country music fan favorite Dierks Bentley performing on the Andrews Distributing Main Stage. Chairs Diana Hamilton and Heather Randall returned to serve as leaders for an unprecedented second year after the pandemic caused the cancellation of the 2020 ball. Their efforts raised a whopping $3,665,700 for the American Cancer Society. 

THE STYLE: The evening included cocktails, buffet dinner, raffle, silent and live auctions followed by the concert. The Country Music Association’s award-winning Cole Swindell appeared on the Copart VIP stage prior to the live auction. D’Andra Simmons Lock, Gregg Asher, Amy Hampton, Hamilton Sneed, Nancy Gopez, Melissa and Joe Pastora, and Jane McGarry were among those in the crowd who donned cowboy boots in celebration of the evening.

THE PURPOSE:  Since 1974, the Cattle Baron’s Ball has raised more than $90 million for the American Cancer Society in North Texas. The ball is the largest single-night fundraising event for cancer research in the world. One hundred active volunteer committee members work tirelessly year-round to raise funds for cancer research projects in North Texas.

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WINE & DINE

WINE & DINE

by | Dec 30, 2021 | R.S.V.P. DALLAS, 2022 January February, Parties

DIFFA’ Annual Burgers & Burgundy Event Sizzles 

By Cynthia Smoot               Photography Danny Campbell and Thomas Garza

THE SETTING: Recently, generous and fashion-forward individuals joined renowned national and local chefs at Peace Plaza at the Cathedral of Hope for the twelfth annual Burgers & Burgundy event, benefiting DIFFA/Dallas (The Dallas Chapter of Design Industry Foundation Fighting AIDS). Partygoers sampled a wide variety of mouth-watering burgers created by participating chefs, including Sharon Van Meter, Luke Rogers, Samir Dhurandhar, and Dan Landsberg.

THE STYLE: The much-anticipated 2021-2022 DIFFA/Dallas Style Council Ambassadors  DIFFA Legends were announced during the event. The new members joining the Style Council are Alison Volk, Chris Angelle, David Dummer, David Putnam, David Weir, JD Miller, Ken Weber, Kimberly Alexander, Neil Thomas, and Yana Greenstein.

THE PURPOSE: Event chair and DIFFA Board member, Al James, shared that DIFFA is one of the largest and most successful fundraising organizations aiding HIV/AIDS. The Dallas chapter, formed in 1984, is one of the largest HIV/AIDS organizations in Texas that provides funding to local HIV/AIDS Service Organizations within the DFW community. The organization has granted more than $8 million to 25 frontline HIV/AIDS Service Organizations in North Texas, providing direct care to those living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.

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THE NEW TWENTIES

THE NEW TWENTIES

by | Oct 31, 2021 | 2021 November December, R.S.V.P. DALLAS, Parties

Dallas Arboretum’s Food + Wine Festival

By Cynthia Smoot Photography by Dallas Arboretum/Steve Foxall

THE SETTING: On a recent evening, guests arrived at the grounds of the Dallas Arboretum for its Annual Food + Wine Festival. Event Chair Alicia Voltmer welcomed VIP arrivals to the Arboretum’s A Tasteful Place Gardens for a champagne reception. Gates opened an hour later to the public as the event spilled out onto the gorgeous 66-acre garden grounds, with pandemic protocol in place.

THE STYLE: Themed A Gatsby Garden Soirée, guests arrived dressed in a wide variety of The Roaring ’20’s attire, from flapper dresses to gangster suits, complete with newsie caps. Looking dapper, gents and their dolls strolled the garden while enjoying music, fine wines, and craft beer provided by Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits. Delectable small plates prepared by top local area chefs, including John Tesar with Knife Dallas and Casey La Rue with Carte Blanche, were savored by all and generously sponsored by Rosewood Ranches Waygu Beef and Amegy Bank.

THE PURPOSE: The mission of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is to build and maintain a public venue that promotes the art, enjoyment, and knowledge of horticulture while providing opportunities for education and research. They are committed to excellence, good management, and fiscal responsibility.

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