Fashion Stars For A Cause are announced for 2014 Inaugural Event

Yvonne Crum
photo Sterling Steves

Philanthropist Yvonne Crum is leading the fight for suicide prevention in our community with the launch of a new event called Fashion Stars For A Cause.  (If this concept sounds vaguely familiar it's because this event is the reincarnation of the gala previously known as Fresh Faces of Fashion.)

After the death of her oldest son, Yvonne Crum sought a way to bring attention and understanding to the usually taboo subject of suicide. Through the Suicide and Crisis Center Fresh Faces of Fashion program, she paired the unlikely topics of suicide and fashion together and created an annual event in partnership with Modern Luxury, Stanley Korshak and Park Place Motorcars that has raised more than $1 million in its first five years.

Earlier this year, Modern Luxury decided to take Fresh Faces in another direction, so Crum chose to take her vision, freshen it up, and has partnered with Beverly Drive Magazine to create Fashion Stars for a Cause.

She explains, "Fashion Stars For A Cause will be an annual event with seated dinner and fashion-themed with a big focus on the cause of suicide prevention and how it has an impact in the community. One of the big changes (from fresh Faces of Fashion) is that we will be having small luncheon get togethers with the Fashion Stars, inviting guests that want to hear more about the cause and tour the center."  There will also be a gala dinner at Dallas Country Club on March 21, 2014.

Fresh Faces of Fashion 2013

(left) Sherry Tilley & Yvonne Crum (top right) Marc and Katy Mattox (bottom right) Bri Crum, Jennifer Miller & Courtney Kerr

The 7th annual Fresh Faces of Fashion program all began several months ago when Modern Luxury magazine collected nominations for this year's roster. To be selected as a FFF, one has to be not only stylish on the outside, but be able to serve up a dossier of charitable works and contributions to the community at large. Every year, 12 lucky women are selected to represent the program and serve as stylish ambassadors to raise awareness and much needed funds to benefit the North Texas Suicide and Crisis Center.

This 2-tiered evening, co-chaired by Yvonne Crum and Martha Wyly Miller, kicked off at Stanley Korshak on Friday, March 22 with a runway show featuring fashions from Sachin + Babi and other various Korshak designers. Stomping the runway were this year's crop of "Fresh Faces" which included Nicole Barrett, Peyton Blackwell, Paige Hardison, Bailey Harrison, Bentley Hill, Jessica Jones, Cristina Lynch, Maddy McKinley, Priya Bhola Rathod, Rachel Riley, Melody Rogers and Nicole Stewart.

Celebrity Waiter Luncheon Counts Down with Cocktails and Fashions at Tootsies

Courtney Kerr, Steve Kemble and Rhonda Sargent Chambers

Shona Gilbert, LeeAnne Locken, Ashley Burghardt and FOX 4's Fiona Gorostiza
strut their stuff in the fashion presentation

Hamilton Sneed, LeeAnne Locken, Parris Rigby, HGTV's Hilary Younger and CW33's Danielle Vollmar

Tootsies was the site of the Celebrity Waiter Luncheon Countdown Cocktail Party held on Wednesday, August 22nd. This fun event offered guests a fashion presentation featuring Dallas celebrities and media personalities who will appearing as Celebrity Waiters, as well as complimentary cocktails and appetizers.

Maggie Kipp and Shay Geyer are co-chairing this year's Celebrity Waiter Luncheon benefiting Family Gateway. Not only is this event the most fun you will ever have at a charity event, they raised over $100,000 at last year's event and plan to double that goal this year.  If you want a seat to the best luncheon in town, you'd better act quick. I am being told that there are only about 4 tables left. Click here for more information or to purchase a table or individual tickets.


photos: James Edward Photography

DFW Style Daily Celebrates Its First Anniversary in Style

Last Tuesday, I attended a "White Hot" party and everywhere I turned there were beautiful people in white attire. It felt like the Hamptons! No, it wasn't hosted by P. Diddy - it was a soiree thrown by my gal pal Lisa Petty to celebrate the first anniversary of her online magazine, DFWStyleDaily.com.

Inside Fedora at One Arts Plaza I chatted it up with jewelry designer, Shona Gilbert, who stood out from the pack with her newly dyed hot pink hair. I sipped cocktails with PR hipster Bri Crum, skin care guru Renee Rouleau, and Maxine Trowbridge from PinkMemo.com.  And of course, DFWStyleDaily Contributors Rhonda Sargent Chambers and Abby Gregory were there working the room as only they can.

If you aren't already an ardent reader of DFW Style Daily, I highly encourage you to add it to your RSS feed, Google Reader, BlogLovin or whatever it is you use to track sites you love.  In Lisa's words, " DFW Style Daily brings you the latest local fashion news, plus the compulsively watchable videos and galleries you know and love. What’s more, we've gathered a team of writers to track what’s really going on in the world of Dallas style. No tricks, no politics — we'll play by no rules other than our own."

(left) Renee Rouleau and Maxine Trowbridge  (right) Richard and Ashley Burghardt
(back) Sean Charles, Abby Gregory, Ric Mulligan (bottom) Lisa Petty, Priya Bhola Rathos, Rhonda Sargent Chambers and Heather Lettieri

I love seeing Lisa at events and reading her take on it the next day. My post will all about who was there, the vibe and what everyone was wearing. Lisa is the one who will notate a thoughtful analysis of the show, the designer's background and inspiration and why you need to care. I don't give a whit about inspiration. I just like pretty... This girl is the ying to my yang.  I adore her so much and was thrilled to be there to celebrate her success.

To see more photos from this event, visit DFW Style Daily on Facebook. Oh, and be sure to "LIKE" her page while you are there.

Become a muse for Ashard Richley and view her Pre-Fall Collection 2012

I met designer Ashley Burghardt earlier this year at the Gossip Bar when I was attending an event for the Fresh Faces of Fashion. She was there with PR pro, Alison Volk and as we chatted over cocktails, I couldn't help but notice the cute clutches she and Ali were both carrying (their evil plan to get media attention totally worked). Ashley showed me how the clutch (called The Riley) had two separate pockets and was created to hold an iPad in one pocket and all your lady-stuff in the other. Being a girly-girl who hates big, bulky briefcase bags and a marketer who works in social media and needs to have online access at all times - I was SOLD! I now own The Riley in white and cobalt and get comments and compliments on them every time I carry the clutch.

When I found out that Burghardt had also recently appeared on the new Lifetime show, 24 Hour Catwalk (and won!) I knew she was someone I had to get to know better. I profiled her earlier this year in a Dallas Dweller feature and always enjoy running into her at events and parties.

Imagine my SHOCK when she told me that she had named a piece in her upcoming Ashard Richley Pre-Fall Collection after me. WOW! I don't think I've ever been more flattered. All pieces are for sale on her website and there are only 50 pieces per item available so ORDER NOW!!

The Cynthia:  The sophisticated neckline and neutral color give a classy appearance while maintaining visual interest with the subtle pop of color and exaggerated flow of the sleeves.  This product is made from the finest cotton lace and designed, cut and sewn in Dallas making this product 100% American made. Available in cream for $250.

When I asked why she named this particular piece of the Collection after me Burghardt said, "You scream class with flair to me. That's why I named the super chic cotton lace poncho dress after you. The dress has a classic feel with the lace and fit yet it's bold and beautiful…Just like you !"

The Amy:  Named for vivacious morning talk-show host, Amy Vanderoef, this high-low dress creates a trendy, chic look without loosing the undeniable comfort of a jersey cotton ensemble. Ideal for a variety of occasions. This product is cotton jersey and comes in cream or plum for $185.

Burghardt says of this design, "Amy Vanderoef  is always wearing fun dresses on Good Morning Texas and has such a playful personality. That's why I named the Amy dress after her. It's fun and flirty and can be worn for so many things."

The Lisa: Named for my good friend Lisa Petty, editor of DFW Style Daily, this trouser features a classic 50's high-waisted cut with a 70's style wide leg- fashion for the bold. The combination of vibrant color and sleek silhouette will leave you anything but unnoticed. This product is 100% silk and comes in celedon or cobalt for $280. If you'd prefer, take one home in a cream lace for $250.

"Lisa Petty is tall, slender, and such a chic dresser. I love a wide leg on a tall woman, so the Lisa pant in the vintage cotton lace and silk was a no-brainer," claims Berghadrt.

The Priya:  Cut outs are all the rage and this blouse is inspired by the adorable and always chic, Priya Rathod, Contributor for DFW Style Daily. The high-low Priya top takes this trend to a new level of sophistication. This product is 100% silk with 100% cotton lace.  Available in a floral print, coral or cream for $140.

 "Priya Rathod has a vibrant personality and always wears great color," says Burghardt, "When she was interviewing me, we kept talking about how much we love flowy high/low tops. That's when I knew I had to name the Priya top after her. It's colorful and flowy!"

There are several new handbags in the new line that are sure to be seen about town this Fall. Who doesn't love a great clutch and these are affordable, trendy and come in a variety of color combinations:

Busta ($200)

Futo ($175)

I know. You're thinking, "How completely awesome would it be to have a designer name a piece after ME!?" Well, get ready kid. Dreams can come true.  Ashard Richley is holding a "Leave Your Stitch" contest and the winner will tour of the Ashard Richley studio, get a VIP night on the town with the designer herself and name a piece in an upcoming collection after you.  Good luck!

Fresh Faces of Fashion Wrap Up 2012 in Style

This year's Fresh Faces of Fashion program all began several months ago when Modern Luxury magazine collected nominations for this year's roster. To be selected as a FFF, one has to be not only stylish on the outside, but be able to serve up a dossier of charitable works and contributions to the community at large. Every year, 12 lucky women are selected to represent the program and serve as stylish ambassadors to raise awareness and much needed funds to benefit the North Texas Suicide and Crisis Center.

(left) Fresh Face Ambassador, Amy Havins (top right) Mother/Daughter beauties
(bottom right) Tracie McElhaney, Cristi Wilcox and Jamie O'Boyle

There is always a fierce competition to see which Fresh Face Ambassador can sell the most raffle tickets for a chance to win a new Mercedes-Benz from Park Place Motorcars! The winning ticket was drawn at an event on May 23, 2012 at Park Place Motorcars. Over 700 guests came out to see if theirs was the lucky raffle ticket.  Congrats to Katy Messersmith who sold the most raffle tickets - 205 to be exact, raising $20, 500 for the charity.  Bailey Coon came in second with 147 tickets sold raising $14,700. Way to go ladies!!

The winner of a beautiful brand new Mercedes-Benz C250 sedan was... wait for it....  Vy Tran who bought her ticket online and wasn't even at the event! Wa wa wa. It was kind of a bummer for everyone else who was there and holding their breath to see if there's was the winning ticket, but... that's just how it goes sometimes.

(top left) Tiffany Divis and Jill Rowlett   (top right)  Yvonne Crum and Jenyce Gush
(bottom) Caroline Terry, Cynthia Smoot, designer Ashley Burghardt and Alison Volk all sporting Ashard Richley handbags

To wrap up their tenure for FFF, the ladies did one last stomp down a runway modeling clothing from Stanley Korshak featuring designer Joy Cioci.  Guests enjoyed bites from Wendy Crispin, a beauty lounge where Mickey Williams read lip prints, and pics from Foto Favor. Once again, co-chairs Jill Rowlett and Yvonne Crum produced a spectacular event raising a ton of money for a very worthy cause.

 Fresh Faces of Fashion 2012

• Katy Messersmith, Founder and CEO of Katydid Collections
• Samantha Davies, NBC 5 Meteorologist
• Caroline Cooper, Student at UT Austin and Shop Across Texas student blogger
• Carla Miller, Civic Volunteer
• Kaylyn Montgomery, Client Liaison for Coquerel Family Estate Wines
• Bailey Coon, Sales and Marketing Associate for North American Spine
• Amy Wells Havins, Owner of Dallas Wardrobe
• Grace Victoria Davis, Fashion Blogger and Executive Director for SMU Fashion Week
• Allison Wiley Lent, Owner of TheSocialButterfly.com
• Lauren Parsons, Consultant with Parsons Agency
• Lynsey Wiley Provost, Fine Art Consultant
• Krystal Schlegel, SMU student and Fashion Blogger

photos courtesy of Peter Wynne a.k.a. Plano Pete

Dallas Dweller: Ashley Burghardt

If you are like me, every month you flip through the pages of PaperCity, Modern Luxury, F!D Luxe, GrandLuxe and the like, scouring the social pages to see who was deemed worthy of photo recognition.  There's a handful of regulars who seem to do no wrong when it comes to picking the right outfit or arm candy for editorial selection. And then there are those photos that you see and think, "Who IS that person?" Whether they strike your fancy for their fabulous frock or outrageous hair or interesting style.  Dallas Dweller seeks to introduce you to the fabulous faces you've always wondered about but haven't had the occasion to meet in person. This week, let me introduce you to a fellow red-head who's rocking the world of handbags:

Ashley Burghardt

I met Burghardt a few weeks ago at the Gossip Bar when I was attending an event for the Fresh Faces of Fashion (have you purchased a raffle ticket to win a Mercedes yet?!).  She was there with her PR pal, Alison Volk and as we chatted over cocktails, I couldn't help but notice the cute clutches she and Ali were both carrying (their evil plan to get media attention totally worked). Ashley showed me how the clutch had two separate pockets and was created to hold an iPad.  

As a girly-girl who hates big, bulky briefcase bags and a marketer who works in social media and needs to have online access at all times - I was SOLD!  When I found out that Burghardt had also recently appeared on the new Lifetime show, 24 Hour Catwalk (and won!) I knew she was someone I had to get to know better. 

Q:  Tell me about your company, ASHARD RICHLEY.

A:  Ashard Richley is two years old and we are growing every day. My designs are focused on three words, FASHION, FORM, & FUNCTION. I design fashion forward bags in unique forms that have amazingly functional details like built in wallets, iPad pockets, and key leashes. I recently competed on Lifetime's new series 24 Hour Catwalk and won the show.  I've been an MTV Made coach and was recently on Good Morning Texas.