While the annual Crystal Charity Ball new members lunch at Highland Park Village’s Carolina Herrera‘s salon is a festive occasion, this year’s gathering on Tuesday, May 15, was rather poignant. It would be the showcasing of the last collection orchestrated by the legendary Venezuelan designer. Moving forward Lady Herrera will still be a part of the Herrera team, but she will be serving as the luxury ambassador for the brand’s assortment of fashions, perfumes and accessories.
As the 2018 CCB newbies (Ashley Allen, Kara Axley, Marybeth Conlon, Lissie Donosky, Anne McPherson and Lisa Rocchio) went through the typical get-to-know-you motions, the old timers compared notes like Meredith Bebee due to deliver any day… La Fiesta De Las Seis Banderas Co-Chairs Anne Besser and Elizabeth Gambrell were preparing for the La Fiesta’s week of activities starting Tuesday, June 5… Tiffany Divis was just back from Europe…. While a number of the guests were in floral designs by Herrera, Janie Condon was a standout in Alexander McQueen slacks.
And while Herrera clothes may have been the featured item of the program, jewelry also had back stories worth repeating. Christie Carter‘s delicate silver charm necklace had been a gift from her late mother… Emilynn Wilson had transformed a broach that she had discovered into a necklace… Recent Salvation Army Fashion Show Chair Lisa Singleton‘s new Sue Gragg earrings were a Mother’s Day gift from husband Marvin Singleton. Unbeknownst to Lisa, he had made the winning bid for them at the Salvation Army Fashion Show Luncheon silent auction.
Then the ladies took their places in country-style chairs at a table extending the length of the salon for the introduction of the new CCB members and the showing of the fashions which was a visual delight.
It’s a good thing the gowns and dress spoke for themselves, since the PA’s music made hearing the commentary a challenge.
For loads more photos of the faces and fashions ala Herrera, check out MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.