GREEN GODDESSES

GREEN GODDESSES

by | Sep 1, 2024 | R.S.V.P. DALLAS, Fall/Winter 2024

Women’s Council Of The Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden Hosts 36th Annual Luncheon

By Cynthia Smoot     Photography by Thomas Garza and Rob Wythe

THE SETTING: The annual Mad Hatter’s Luncheon, themed Gardens of Greece, welcomed a sold-out crowd benefiting the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden and A Woman’s Garden. The event welcomed over 520 dedicated volunteers, supporters, sponsors, and underwriters to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. 

THE STYLE: The legendary Jan Strimple was back to produce this year’s show with fashions from sponsor NorthPark Center. The scene was full of enthusiastic attendees embracing the Gardens of Greece theme. Some ladies were draped in long white Grecian–inspired outfits and gold crowns in many forms, embellished with feathers, jeweled faux snakes, Olympic Games with flags, and botanicals…hats overflowing with fresh flowers. The Greek goddesses honored the sea by sporting sea shells, shimmering glass, and small boats. More interpretations included a real bundt cake celebrating My Big Fat Greek Wedding, a nod to Greek Life (Sororities), Greek Mythology (small statues and dry-ice clouds from Mt. Olympus), and My Greek College Life (plastic beer cups painted gold and glued with ping pong balls). Following the announcement of the hat winners, a delicious three-course luncheon was served in three different elegant settings, each one with tables draped in luscious white tablecloths adorned with blue floral prints, bold fuchsia napkins, and centerpieces of mixed florals, including roses, hydrangeas, calla lilies, and more. 

THE PURPOSE: Chaired by Allison Brodnax with Honorary Chair Barbara Bigham and Women’s Council President Karen Sargent, the Mad Hatter’s Luncheon Gardens of Greece event welcomed a sold-out crowd, earning a net of $314,000 benefiting the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden and A Woman’s Garden. 

FROM AFRICA WITH LOVE

FROM AFRICA WITH LOVE

by | Aug 31, 2021 | R.S.V.P. DALLAS, 2021 September October, Parties

33rd Annual Mad Hatter’s Tea Benefits The Dallas Arboretum And Botanical Garden

 

By Cynthia Smoot       Photography by Danny Campbell and Rob Wythe

THE SETTING: The Women’s Council of Dallas recently celebrated the spring season and A Woman’s Garden with a sold-out crowd at the 33rd Annual Mad Hatter’s Tea, among the glorious floral displays at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. This year’s theme was Out of Africa Into The Garden.

THE STYLE: Guests, WITH PANDEMCE with pandemic protocol in place, donned in their finery and plenty an enviable chapeau, enjoyed a champagne reception in the Scott K. Ginsburg Family Plaza. They paraded before the hat judges on the green carpet walkway, vying for the coveted prizes. Once the program began, winners were bestowed awards in various categories. A lovely, seated afternoon tea followed on the Plaza featuring a spring fashion promenade expertly produced by Jan Strimple with fashions from Tootsies.

 

THE PURPOSE: Jolie Humphrey chaired the Mad Hatter’s Tea this year, along with Kay Weeks, president of the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Carole Ann Brown served as honorary chair. Since 1986 the primary goal of the Women’s Council has been the design, construction, funding, and endowment of A Woman’s Garden, the only public garden in the United States conceived by women, funded by the efforts of women, and dedicated to the spirit of women. The support of over 500 members of the Women’s Council makes possible the continued expansion and development of A Woman’s Garden.

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THE ART OF CHIC

THE ART OF CHIC

by | Aug 31, 2020 | 2020 September October, Parties, Dallas

Mad Hatter’s Tea Celebrates 32 years Of Fundraising For The Dallas Arboretum

By Cynthia Smoot          Photography by Dana Drienski

THE SETTING: Before COVID-19, MIcah Gilbert, owner of Empressive Earth Gallery, along with his mother, Empress Gilbert, opened the gallery’s stunning showroom to host the Mad Hatter’s Tea’s The Art of Chic Judges and Hat Categories Reveal Party. The Women’s Council President, Venise Stuart, and Patti Flowers, the Mad Hatter’s Tea chair, welcomed guests as everyone wandered through the lavish gallery, which showcased fabulous minerals, fossils and corals.

THE STYLE: Celebrating its 32nd  year, the organization’s main event was canceled due to the COVID- 19 virus shelter-in-place order. It has been an ongoing fundraising affair sponsored by the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The Mad Hatter categories are: The Art of the Garden: Botanical Beauty; The Art of Music: Sounds of the Season; The Art of Dance: Magical Movement; The Art of Fashion: Fabulously Fashionable; The Art of Chivalry: The Most Elegant of Gentlemen; The Chic Chapeau: Simply Chic: The Marilyn Hailey Award. It’s always a fan favorite and this occasion evoked the spirit of the annual garden party.

THE PURPOSE: The event was chaired by Regina Bruce and Joni Krieg, and Robin Carreker served as the honorary chair. As in the past, Tootsies continued their sponsorship of the Mad Hatter’s Tea fashion show that is produced by the Jan Strimple. The funds that were raised grow and maintain A Woman’s Garden, a nationally acclaimed garden at the Dallas Arboretum. In the spirit of the Mad Hatter’s Tea and to support A Woman’s Garden, a flashback was created, including photos and a video.

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