The last weekend in September brought about the fab annual Dining by Design series, a wealth of design wonderment featuring three smashing back-to-back events sponsored by the Design Industries Foundation Fighting Aids.  Each year, DIFFA's DBD brings together the most talented and celebrated individuals in the worlds of fashion, interior design, art, and architecture, and the multi-city tour showcases spectacular, over-the-top dining environments. 

At the decadent Dallas event, guests mingled with designers at the opening cocktail reception on Friday, September 26th, previewed their creations during the Table Hop and Taste on the afternoon of Saturday the 27th, and sipped specialty cocktails from Stolichnaya Elit whilst enjoying a sumptuous dining at the gala dinner later Saturday evening.

The first evening of the month brought forth an event of luxury lit with VOGUE and Sex and the City author Candace Bushnell for the signing of Bushnell’s new book, One Fifth Avenue.  Dallas darlings dressed in their stiletto-ed best brought beautiful buddies and dragged stylish spouses to the garden of the Crescent for an evening of cosmos and page-turning panache.  On the evening of October 2nd, stylish somebodies gathered at the Shops at Preston Center for a swank little stroll through the Plaza.  

Pharr PR darlings Shelby Tuttle, Leah Ekmarck, and Marie Fahey were amongst the throngs of trendsters at Plaza Style, an inaugural fall fashion event featuring styles from stores such as Calypso, Tootsies, and close to twenty other renowned retailers, as well as the designs of "Texas Next Top Designer" finalists, Chance Jackson and Rachelle Dauphinee. Bits and bites were served alongside a silent auction benefiting the Dallas Fashion Incubator and Texas' Next Top Designer.
The glittering glamour of the runway descended upon Dallas once again for the fall 2008 installation of Fashion at the Park.  Top designer shows included the opening presentation with Roberto Cavalli, as well as collections from Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, and a CFDA presentation featuring designs by Doo.Ri Chung, Philip Lim, Michael Bastian, Thakoon Panichgul, and Marchesa designers Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig.

The Neiman Marcus show featured the designs of Marc Bouwer and his dazzling line, Marc Bouwer GLAMIT! The fashion flock turned out in full force for the Barneys New York show, a stunning prêt-a-porter parade of Rodarte’s Spring 2009 collection…this, truly, was ready-to-wear at its most resplendent.  ‘Twas a week of clinking flutes and plenty of fashion loot for one and all.

I, of course, did rejoice when New York design darling Brian Reyes appeared at Stanley Korshak on Wednesday, October 15th with his sumptuous spring collection.  Chatting convivially with Reyes and his chic Sales Director Chelsea Singer, I gladly garnered all the details on his latest precious pieces and marveled over the designer's highly cerebral brand of creativity.  He is, indeed, one of the finest and most focused young talents of the New York sect and it's always a blessing to behold the man himself in fine focused form.

The Fashion Industry Gallery was the setting for an exclusive appearance and cocktail party with LA-based British designer Erica Davies on Thursday, Oct 23 during FIG’s Market Week. Guests enjoyed cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and a Q&A session with PinkMemo founder Maxine Trowbridge who deigned Davies and her line quite delightful.  On Friday, Oct 24, art enthusiasts gathered at the Goss Michael Foundation to view works by British Contemporary artist Sarah Lucas.  Joyce Goss and Kenny Goss entertained guests at the opening exhibition for Lucas, which was attended by Joan Davidow and Stuart Glass, as well as Derek and Christen Wilson. Gallery-goers speculated over the provocative photography and works that showcased creative humor and innuendos comprised of concrete, cardboard, resin, steel and found objects. The exhibit runs through January 31st.  The evening of Saturday, October 25th was prime time for fashion fodder with the 33rd Dallas Fashion Awards benefiting the Fashion Group International of Dallas and the Design Industries Foundation Fighting Aids (DIFFA).