Mario Carbone, the Black Pumas, and Custom Couture — Inside Dallas’ Intimate Chanel Supper Club

To properly honor the opening of the reimagined Chanel Dallas boutique, a two-part event was required. First, cocktails in the Peter Marino-designed Highland Park Village store, where model-like men greeted guests at the door with flutes of bubbles.

Post cocktail reception, a line of luxury SUVs purred at the curb waiting to ferry the group to an intimate dinner at the Block House in Dallas’ East Quarter. Inside the imposing brutalist building, it was time for more cocktails. Many a well-heeled guest (several of whom had been dressed by the Chanel team) guessed at the surprise entertainment that had been teased on the invitation.

Dramatic curtains parted to unveil the supper space for a dinner of oysters, endive salad, and filet mignon — all supervised by Mario Carbone of Major Food Group. And that surprise performance? American psychedelic soul band, Black Pumas, based in Austin and led by singer/songwriter Eric Burton.

The fashion was as striking as expected. Erin Mathews, wearing all Chanel, shared that she had pulled a classic treasure dating back at least 10 years from her closet — a white lace blouse that she paired with a pink and white skirt from the current collection. Leigh Anne Clark had a one-of-one vest made of jewelry — the only other person to have worn it previously was none other than Barbie herself, Margot Robie. Lynsey Eaton was wearing a finale from the spring runway show. One of my favorite accessories was a bouncy grosgrain bow paired with a high, glossy pony —  worn by Cornelia Guest and Bradley Agather. On the handbag front, Nancy Rogers carried a coveted sculptural piece resembling a cross between a Faberge egg and a rocket ship.

Others spotted throughout the evening included Highland Park Village owner Stephen Summers; sisters Anais Nussbaumer and Nile Nussbaumer; mother-daughter duos Kelli Ford and Electra Ford and Kathleen Hutchinson and Rachel Hutchinson; art advisor Jessica Nowitzki; Missy Peck, hair guru Ceron, whose salon chair was booked months in advance for that afternoon of blowouts; Brian Bolke and Faisal Halum; Angela Fink; Bridget Barbier; Deon Hinton; Gracie Hunt; Mary Hefner, and Jane Dashley.