PAST Events

EQUINOX FITNESS PARTY Mojitos, Music, and Buff Bodies… by Rosanne Hart Equinox CEO Harvey Spivak honored The Fashionistas, Friends of the Katy Trail and Greer Garson Gala members on a chilly March 27th to celebrate this fitness paradise’s first Dallas location. If heaven could be a fitness club, Equinox would be it! Guests were greeted by live buff-bodied mannequins and marveled at the sparkling state-of-the-art fitness gear, the very Zen spa, the hip boutique managed by a very charming David Pechuda, an array of more than 85 different classes, and the club’s very own, very yummy Greenz health café. Fashionistas founder and CEO, Heidi Dillon, and board members, Shannon Brower, Kirby Allison, Joyce Goss and Dan Pritchett were on hand to welcome Equinox to the Highland Park neighborhood. Spotted among the well-dressed crowd were PR guru Keith Nix, Alonzo Martinez, and Ernesto Gallegos. A Tommy Bahama Rum Mojito Bar sponsored by VeeV, organic acai-infused vodka, music by DJ extraordinaire Guillaume, and nibbles from Greenz warmed up the evening, and the well-dressed crowd.
		Gigi Howard, Kimberly Whitman

FASHION TALK

Talking Fashion…
by Rosanne Hart

FD Luxe and The Fashionistas teamed up once again for the second of their popular Fashion Talk series, with Dr. Valerie Steele, curator of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology Costume Museum in NYC. The April 18th event drew a cocktail-attired crowd to The Crow Collection of Asian Art Museum for the inside story on one of fashion’s cult figures, Isabel Toledo, and a peek preview of Dr. Steele’s upcoming exhibit at FIT, “Isabel Toledo from The Inside Out.” Fashionistas CEO, Heidi Dillon connected last fall with Dr. Steele over FIT’s Couture Council lunch honoring Ms. Toledo for her outstanding contributions to fashion. It wasn’t long before Heidi and Dr. Steele were putting their heads together to bring Dr. Steele to Dallas for a spring lecture.

Dallas’ own costume guru Myra Walker, curator of the Texas Fashion Collection at the University of North Texas, introduced her good friend and colleague, Dr. Steele, to the 100-plus audience. Elegant as always, Dr. Steele wore one of Isabel Toledo’s exquisite black lace blouses over a full black Yeohlee skirt as a nod to both her event and the upcoming Japanese fashion exhibit planned for this fall at the Crow Museum. The Japanese exhibit is being curated by Walker.

Isabel Toledo’s story is one of a woman who sees herself not as an international design phenom, but as a simple seamstress, ever-enthralled with the construction and tailoring of a garment. This fascination with cut and construction punctuates the liquid architecture of an Isabel Toledo creation. Her handsome husband and high school sweetheart, Ruben, is an artist and sculptor, who often collaborates with her to sketch her design visions. Ms. Toledo, known primarily to fashion insiders in the past, is now in the spotlight as a result of the famous citron wool ensemble she created for First Lady Michelle Obama for her husband’s presidential inauguration.

Circle June 17th for the opening day of Dr. Steele’s exhibit on Isabel Toledo at The Museum at FIT, 27th & 7th Avenue in NYC. She’ll have another fabulous coffee table book on the exhibit to add to the more than 20 other books she has authored.

After Dr. Steele fielded questions from the audience, Heidi, along with husband Bill, son Dallas, and 100 or so guests, headed down the hall for cocktails provided by VeeV and a little night music courtesy of DJ Guillaume. Mingling among the Han Dynasty artifacts were Fashionistas Dan Pritchett, Kirby Allison, Alonzo Gonzalez, Ernesto Gallegos, Amy Power, and Dave Perez, along with very well-dressed, very high-heeled Fashionistas from The LimeLight and F-2 groups: Dallas Dillon, Regan Deson, Madison Goodrich, Devi Ranganathan and Francesca Riddick. Thankfully, the torrential downpour that interrupted Dr. Steele’s talk subsided by evening’s end. Dr. Steele promises she’ll make another trip to Big D to satisfy our appetite for fashion art. Until then…we’re booking our tickets for The City in June!

Dr. Valerie Steele

THE 4TH WALL GALLERY

Opening May 21st at 2929 Fairmont Street, The 4th Wall Gallery brings its stable of popularly recognized artists from the Lowbrow movement to Dallas. The Lowbrow is the underground visual art movement that began in LA in the late 1970's and now is a widespread populist art movement that has also been called Pop Surrealism.  The 4th Wall has been defined as "feeding one's mind and soul through imaginative artists and sure to tantalize and impress the minds of both the new and experienced art collector."  With its unique and limited collection, The 4th Wall Gallery abolishes labels and celebrates artists breaking down the walls of conformity as home to an amazingly diverse group of world-renowned artists.

Three prominent artists will be featured in the opening exhibition: New York painter and sculptor Cynthia von Buhler; New York and Miami painter Miguel Paredes; and noted New York artist and illustrator Scott Bakal. All three artists will be present for the grand opening on May 21.

Join The Fashionistas for an exclusive preview on May 21, 6-7 pm and the grand opening for the public from 7-10. The 4th Wall is located at 2929 Fairmont Street.  A $20 donation to The Fashionistas will be taken at the door.  For more information contact Jordan Roth at jordan@the4thwallgallery.net.

Fabulous Fashionistas

		Suzanne Bock Grishman Suzanne Bock Grishman is the president and owner of Interphil, LLC,  a leading philanthropic and wealth management consulting firm dedicated to assisting organizations with business development and client relationships.  Suzanne is recognized as a leader and strategic thinker in the philanthropic and wealth management community.  She draws upon more than 19 years of corporate experience and professional training to provide valuable insights and guidance to her clients.  Over the past 17 years, Suzanne has worked tirelessly to serve countless non-profit organizations.  She has served on many boards, including the Methodist Richardson Medical Center Foundation, the Texas Ballet Theater, Assist the Officer Foundation for the Dallas Police Association, Rainbow Days, Inc., and Heroes for Children.  In addition, she has chaired numerous fund-raising events, luncheons and galas and has received several awards for her philanthropic work.  For the past year, Suzanne has been President of The Fashionistas Board of Directors and will continue in that position until September 2010.
Suzanne Bock Grishman

Dan Pritchett A Dallas native, Dan Pritchett attended Lake Highlands High School and went on to Rice University in Houston where he majored in English and History. After college, he received his law degree from Bates College of Law, also located in Houston.  Dan practiced law at several large law firms, but soon felt the urge to "hang out his shingle".  Through the years, Dan has practiced in a variety of legal specialties including real estate, estate planning, oil and gas and corporate law.  His current practice involves "practice transitions", which are primarily concentrated in the health care fields.  He has always considered himself a "Porsche guy", but currently drives a Mercedes and is a NASCAR aficionado.  An avid player and collector of guitars, his favorite musical mode is loud electric blues.  Dan is also a lover of art and can be seen around town at art gallery and museum events.  As one of Dallas' most fashionable men, he represents The Fashionistas Board of Directors very well.
		Dan Pritchett

VEEV

Studies have shown that the little Acai berry is one of the most powerful foods in the world. VeeV is the world's first Acai (pronounced ah-SIGH-ee) spirit and is simply a "better way to drink."  Grown and harvested in the Brazilian Rainforest, Acai is considered the world's preeminent superfruit.  VeeV fuses 100% all-natural ingredients including prickly pear and acerola cherry (thought to have more vitamin C than any fruit on the planet) coupled with a hand-crafted, column distilled base wheat spirit.  VeeV fulfills the desire to explore new and exciting ingredients that have never been seen in distilled spirits.  VeeV is refreshing neat, on the rocks with a splash of soda and lime, or in one of their many signature cocktails.  VeeV also donates $1 from every bottle sold to help protect and replenish the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest through Sambazons Sustainable Acai Project.  Visit their website at www.veevlife.com.

The Joule Hotel Located at 1530 Main Street in a 1920's neo-Gothic building, The Joule is Dallas' most luxurious hotel.  The elegant, exhilaratingly contemporary 129-room, 10-story tower was designed by renowned architect Adam Tihany. Guest rooms, including duplex suites and a penthouse with private access and a rooftop terrace, are invitingly sleek, with high-end finishes, inventive decor and original furniture design that maximizes the use of space.  Hotel guests can take in the Dallas skyline while enjoying a poolside cocktail and enjoy dynamic dining at Charlie Palmer's.  Late-night revelers will enjoy PM Lounge, a trendsetting underground bar.

JOIN THE FASHIONISTAS TODAY!

When you join The Fashionistas you become a champion of the fashion arts, a mentor to fashion design students, a sponsor of fashion exhibitions, and a supporter of educational programming. Collectively, we position Dallas as a portal to the global fashion community.  

Founded in 2005 by Heidi Dillon, The Fashionistas now have more than 2,000 members. And, we are proud to support 700 Fashionista Two members from local high schools and colleges with scholarships and real-life experience in the fashion community.

We invite you to join us in this noble cause. Call 972.504.6354 or visit www.thefashionistas.org.

Our Mission

THE FASHIONISTAS FOUNDATION is a group of dynamic, talented people committed to transforming the social and cultural landscape of Dallas by celebrating the art form that is fashion.