Celebrating its 29th year, the always stylish and fashionable Mad Hatters Tea took place on March 27th in the beautiful Ginsburg Plaza at the Dallas Arboretum. This annual soiree benefits the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and A Woman’s Garden, the only public garden in the nation inspired by women, funded by women and dedicated to the universal spirit of women. Event Chair Linda Spina with Sharla Bush as vice-chair and honorary chairs Amy Warren and her daughter Amanda Hill, greeted a sold-out crowd of 500 women who had come dressed to impress. Celebrity guest and hat judge Rachel Zoe created quite a buzz when she arrived with her dapper husband, Rodger Berman. It was bananas. Rachel is an unparalleled fixture in the fashion world known for her unique take on effortless glamour, fashion stylist to the stars, clothes designer, author and editor of The Zoe Report. Also penciling-in their favorite hats in special categories were judges Kori Green, jewelry designer, attorney and wife of country singer, Pat Green; Tara Green, president of Klyde Warren Park; Courtney Kerr, editor of KERRently, a fashion, beauty, interior design and travel blog; Caroline Kraddick, Kidd’s Kids CEO/Chief Happiness Officer of the Kraddick Foundation; Dallas-based fragrance designer Niven Morgan; Dallas’ own First Lady, Micki Rawlings, community leader, volunteer and wife of Mayor Mike Rawlings and the judges team of Tracy Rathbun and Lynae Fearing, Park Cities restauranteurs and owners of Shinsei and Lovers Seafood and Market.
Mistress of Ceremonies and former Mad Hatter’s Tea chair Jocelyn White welcomed the crowd inside Rosine Hall as everyone was seated for the chic fashion show spotlighting Rachel Zoe’s spring, pre-fall and fall fashions produced by the fabulous Jan Strimple. After a lively live auction, hat winners were announced. Congratulations to the following:
Bella Donna "Beautiful Woman, Most Elegant” winner was ME! Cynthia Smoot
A Taste of Italy “The food and drink of Italy” winner was Carmen Hancock
Belissima Botanical “Best Botanical” winner was Terry Irby
Ciao Bella! "Hello Beautiful, People's Choice” winner was Katherine Phillips
Fellini's Follies “Best Group of Hats” winners were Steve Kemble and Chad Collom
Mamma Mia! “Most Outlandish” winner was Lynne Lowder
Rachel's Pick (Rachel Zoe's favorite hat) winner was Amy Warren
Luncheon was served under open-air under canopies of elegantly draped white tents with tables swathed in flowing green silks and topped with huge luscious flower arrangements of tulips, hydrangea, roses, daisies and some even included lemon and ficus trees. Everyone lingered as they enjoyed the Italian-inspired menu from antipasti to dolce, from savory to sweet, and a most memorable, lovely day. For more information about the Women’s Council and a Woman’s Garden, visit the website at www.womenscouncildallasarboretum.org
