FGI Night of Stars Shone Brightly in 2012

Cynthia Smoot and DFW Style Daily's Lisa Petty

I recently attended the FGI Dallas’ Fashion and Lifestyle Awards, “Night of Stars” gala.  The event is FGI Dallas’ largest fundraiser of the year and directly supports more than $40,000 in multiple scholarships to local fashion students.

This is always one of my favorite events of the year. When the fashion community gets together, you can be rest assured that good people-watching will ensue. These fashion divas go all out to showcase their personal style and show off the latest trends.

I was thrilled to represent Dallas design at this gala by working with Abi Ferrin who styled me in this fabulous teal gown and with the fabulous Stephanie Anne who lavished me in beautiful jewelry (see photo). My gorgeous pal Lisa Petty, had the same idea, wearing Paulette Martsolf of Allie-Coosh.

Neiman Marcus' Chuck Steelman and Pink Memo's Maxine Trowbridge were back again as this year's event chairs. “Night of Stars is currently the only Fashion & Lifestyle Award gala that recognizes both local businesses and supports education and talent in Dallas,” said Trowbridge. “FGI Dallas prides itself on supporting the next generation of fashion, design and lifestyle brilliance that will keep North Texas at the forefront of the fashion and design industries.”

Victoria Snee with NorthPark Center served as the evening's emcee and kicked off the night by giving ME a shout out from the podium!  "Has everyone checked in tonight?" Victoria began. "Where's Cynthia Smoot... have you tagged everyone on Facebook? Are you Instagramming this," she exclaimed. I raised the thumbs-up sign from my seat at Shay Geyer's table to signify that all was well in the world of social media activity.

Designer Lela Rose to be honored at FGI's "Night of Star's" Gala

Fashion Group International of Dallas (FGI Dallas) announced today top American clothing designer Lela Rose as the recipient of the Career Achievement in Fashion Award. 

The award will be presented to Rose at FGI Dallas’ Fashion and Lifestyle Awards, “Night of Stars” gala on November 16. The gala will be held at the Grand Pavilion of The Trade Mart at Dallas Market Center from 7-10 p.m. This year, the event will feature a runway show starring the Fashion Police, 11 local philanthropic notables, sponsored by premier shopping hub NorthPark Center.

Dallas Market Center is the event space sponsor, and Jan Strimple Productions will produce the fashion show. NorthPark Center’s fashion and public relations director, Victoria Snee, will host the evening as emcee.

“Lela Rose is an inspiration in the fashion industry. Her exquisite taste, incredible attention to detail, flawless aesthetic, and unique point of view make her the perfect recipient for FGI Dallas’ Career Achievement in Fashion Award,” said Maxine Trowbridge, founder and editor of online fashion magazine PinkMemo and gala co-chair.  I am personally a HUGE fan of Lela Rose. Her designs consist of classic tailoring but use modern fabrications which I find extremely flattering.

Lela Rose boutique in Highland Park Village

Rose, a Dallas native, is a well known couture designer whose hand-finished, ready-to-wear creations are sold at more than 75 specialty stores nationwide including Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, and at her flagship store at 69 Highland Park Village in Dallas. Her collections are also available internationally in Canada, Europe, Russia, the Middle East, Taiwan, and Japan. In addition to intricately crafted separates, dresses, and jackets, Rose designs wedding gowns as well as bridesmaid dresses in partnership with the Dessy Group.

The event is FGI Dallas’ largest fundraiser of the year and directly supports more than $40,000 in multiple scholarships to local fashion students.  Tickets for the Fashion and Lifestyle Awards “Night of Stars” gala are available online at dallas.fgi.org and directly through their office at 214-634-0204. Tickets range in price from $75 to $3,000.

DIFFA 2012 Was Smoking Haute

On Saturday, March 31, 2012, more than a thousand socialites, drag queens, fashionistas and charitable do-gooders gathered at the Hilton Anatole for Smoking Haute: DIFFA Collection 2012 - a silent auction including smoking jackets, live auction, dinner, an amazing runway show, theater, after party, spectacle and excitement in a way that only DIFFA can deliver. All benefiting North Texas HIV/AIDS charities.

In 1966 Yves Saint Laurent introduced Le Smoking, a tailored fitted tuxedo jacket for women. A revolutionary idea that brought traditional male tailoring to the feminine form.  DIFFA took this as their inspiration for this year's theme and decided to reinvent this fashion classic in 2012, asking top name designers from around the county interpreting the Smoking Jacket with one-of-a kind couture designs for both men and women.  

(top left) Rene Rouleau and Shona Gilbert (top right) Buster and Cathy Williamson
(bottom left) Hillary and Eric Gilbert  (bottom right) Victoria Snee, Amy Vanderoef and Abi Ferrin

I came of age in the 1980's when HIV/AIDS first hit the mainstream as the "gay disease" that resulted in a painful and certain death.  In the next ten years, we discovered that you could also get the disease from sharing needles and that Mothers could pass it to their unborn children in the womb. The scientific community moved swiftly to discover drugs that would cure, prevent or at least treat the disease. 20+ years later, while no cure exists, we have been successful in the treatment of HIV/AIDS. But with these medical advances comes complacency for a new generation no longer faced with the fear my generation had about this disease.

Clint Bradley, DIFFA Chairman says, "HIV/ADIS is now a top-5 killer within mainstream communities worldwide, the US and especially Dallas. I am greatly alarmed with the bullet-proof misconceptions our youth possess towards the AIDS pandemic today.  DIFFA/Dallas has increased our focus on providing funding for preventative education."  With Federal funding diminishing, fundraising events like DIFFA are critical. 

(top left) LeeAnne Locken and Danielle Vollmar  (top right) Cynthia with Matt Nordgren
(bottom left) Heidi and Bill Dillon  (bottom right) Justin Bundick and Jose Reyes

Co-Chairs, Matt Wilkerson and Darin Kunz kicked off the event, welcoming attendees and introducing the 2012 Style Council.  Every team needs cheerleaders, and each year DIFFA selects a new group of Ambassadors, which include some of our town's most stylish trendsetters and movers-and-shakers.  But, these individuals aren't just pretty faces rah-rah'ing for the event - they are selected for their valued commitment to raising awareness of the fundraiser and money for North Texas AIDS service organizations who provide direct care to those living with HIV and AIDS.

This year's 2012 Style Council included:  Gillian Breidenbach, Anne Stodgehill, Raymund C. King, Bret McKinney, Hillary Gilbert, Jeri Johnson, Tara Harper, Abi Ferrin, Ken Foret, Chuck Steelman, Laura Ginsburg, Amy Vanderoef, Shay Geyer and Alberto Lombardi. 

photos courtesy of Quoc "QC" Cong of XO Photography

After a bland dinner of a breaded chicken breast, green beans and one baby carrot (seriously, for $300 a ticket they need to kick this up a notch next year) the fashion show began.  Produced by Jan Strimple, it was an over-the-top extravaganza of style and pop performance.  Of course, it's just not a DIFFA show without a drag queen show-stopper - and this year held a FABULOUS performance by some of my favorite girls lip-syncing to the Spice Girls. 

After they got the crowd all pumped up, it was time to boogie into the after-party. The DJ started spinning and everyone took to the dance floor. I immediately commanded my entourage, "Shoes off!" and we made a pile of stilettos in the middle of the dance floor, followed promptly by our clutches and other assorted accessories. We then proceeded to dance with wild abandon around the pile like gypsies around a campfire. It was hilarious fun and I can't wait for next year's event!

My dance posse:  LeeAnne Locken, Cynthia, Rene Rouleau and Dawn Neufeld.

Click here to see many more photos 

from this event on Facebook.

About DIFFA:  
The mission of the Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) is to raise funds and grant those funds to organizations which fight HIV/AIDS by providing preventative education programs targeted to populations at risk of infection, treatment and direct care services for people living with/impacted by HIV/AIDS and that support public policy initiatives which add resources to private sector funds.

About my ensemble:
Special thanks to Watters for my beautiful gown, Kendra Scott for the beautiful jewelry and to Daniel Lewis at Green Peridot Salon for sculpting my tresses into a sophisticated up-do for the evening. I felt like a Princess! 

Meet Bridal Empresaria, Mayela Putegnat

Entrepreneur Mayela Putegnat knew as a young girl that she would be in the wedding business—she just wasn’t sure what exactly that business would be.  That was until her mother happened to pick up a Rosa Clará catalog which later caught Mayela’s eye.  As she thumbed through the pages, she quickly fell in love with the exquisite dresses from the European designer.

After several phone calls and a little research, Mayela realized she had the opportunity to open the very firsts Rosa Clará boutique in the US.  So she put her business plan together and her posh Dallas bridal boutique opened in January 2011 in the trendy Knox-Henderson shopping district.

Kristin Hull, Mayela Putegnat, Cynthia Smoot, LeeAnne Locken, Victoria Snee and Amy Havins
photo courtesy of {Blake Ryan} Wedding Photography

Putegnat held a trunk show last Thursday to showcase the current collection of bridal gowns and show off her super-sleek salon. I spied D Weddings Kristin Hull, NorthPark's new Director of PR Victoria Snee, Big Rich Texas star LeeAnne Locken, stylist Amy Havins, and Blingazon blogger Metsy Corter fingering gorgeous gowns and sampling mini cupcakes and sushi bites.

Originally from Brownsville, TX, Mayela attended high school in Dallas where she graduated from The Hockaday School and later earned an interior design degree from The Dallas Art Institute.

She combines her creativity with a keen understanding of the Dallas market to create a one-of-a-kind shopping experience for Dallas area brides-to-be.

Like her clients, Mayela just experienced her own wonderful wedding in November 2011.  When she’s not working, Mayela spends her free time working out, spending time with her newlywed husband John, and her Shih Tzu Pepper.

Visit Rosa Clará at 3205 Knox Street, Dallas, TX. 75205

Holiday Wrap Up: Victoria Snee

The holidays have ended and New Year has arrived, so I asked some of Dallas' most famous faces to reflect back and tell me what they most enjoyed about this holiday season and if they have set a New Year's Resolution for themselves.

___________________________________

Victoria Snee

NorthPark Center's Fashion and Beauty Expert

Jeff Crilley & Victoria Snee with Renee & Scott Baio

"My favorite thing about this Christmas holiday definitely has to be one particular holiday party that I was invited to.

As many people saw back in August, my good friend, Ashlee Kleinert, was surprised on the air during an episode of "Good Morning Texas" by her life-long crush, Scott Baio (Chachi from Happy Days!).

We all got to be fast friends with the former teen heartthrob (who absolutely loves Dallas by the way!).

Christopher Atkins

Shortly after his trip here, Scott and his beautiful wife, Renee, invited us all to attend their annual Tacky Christmas Sweater party at their home in Los Angeles.

What can I say about that party?!

There were former Charles in Charge co-stars as well as other various Baio family members and friends. But I must admit, it was a great blast from the past to meet Christopher Atkins of Blue Lagoon who wore a Christmas sweater decorated with an old Baio Tiger Beat magazine cover.

A fun time was definitely had by all! As for my New Year's Resolution this year, I hope to continue to meet and party with more child stars from the 70's"

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Cocktail Bling from Essie attracts Dallas' Most Eligible

Courtney Kerr from BRAVO’s Most Eligible Dallas and beauty expert Holly Crawford hosted beauty and style mavens at one of Dallas' hottest salons, Salon Pompeo, to celebrate essie’s Cocktail Bling Winter 2011 Collection. Jennifer Buxton, Victoria Snee, Shelby Foster were among those who were treated to an afternoon of desserts and champagne while enjoying manicures with colors from the new collection.

Kerr’s "gay husband" and Most Eligible Dallas cast mate, Daylon Pereira, even stopped by to say hello!  Pereira is a realtor who has the Residences at the Palomar as an account. He just happened to be working at the condos while we were partying on-site at Salon Pompeo and came by to see what we were up to.

Essie’s Cocktail Bling Collection is all about glitz and glam, featuring six jewel-toned colors inspired by the stones and baubles women love to wear during the holidays. essie is available at salons and beauty retailers nationwide. For more information, visit www.essie.com or www.facebook.com/essie.

(left) Courtney Kerr and Daylon Pereira  (top right) Michelle LaMont and Victoria Snee 

(bottom right) Jennifer Buxton and Cynthia Smoot