Fashion / Style

This Dallas Difference Maker Still Looks to Her Parents’ Giving Example

Kimberly Schlegel Whitman and a Legacy of Caring

BY Caroline Lidl // 03.18.19
photography Ana Hop

In its third year, NorthPark Center’s Luxury Ambassador program boldly merges the worlds of fashion, art, and philanthropy, by way of celebrating Dallas’ top influencers and the nonprofits they support. NorthPark’s chosen few embody a rare-air kind of style — a group that contains equal parts fashion sense, civic leadership and larger-than-life personality.

Here, we catch up with Kimberly Schlegel Whitman and learn about her passion for Dwell With Dignity. Whitman is gearing up for Dwell With Dignity’s unique Thrift Studio Fundraiser.

Thrift Studio is a pop-up shop selling donated furniture, housewares, accessories and high-end designer finds to raise money for Dwell With Dignity’s vital mission. This year’s Thrift Shop runs April 5th through May 4th, Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 to 5 pm, at Dallas Design Center.

The preview party is Thursday, April 4th from 6 to 9 pm. Schlegel Whitman opens on why it’s important, her role models and much more.

Why Dwell with Dignity. 

I’m really excited about serving as honorary chair for this year’s Dwell with Dignity Event. I’ve enjoyed attending in the past, and I can’t wait to help spread the word about the amazing event and the wonderful work that Dwell with Dignity does.

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A benevolent memory.

I remember being so impressed with Lisa Robison and her mission when we first met many years ago. She was just starting Dwell with Dignity, and I loved hearing about how she was turning her talent for design into something that was so uplifting to other people.

Philanthropic influencers.

My parents. They have always set a great example and have a genuine desire to help others.

Role models.

Still my parents! They continue to do so much, and are always encouraging us to do the same.

NorthPark Center is at the center of combining art and fashion. Describe your own art and fashion interests.

I was an art history major at Southern Methodist University, and have always had a passion for art and collecting. We enjoy finding art that we love and adding to our collection, but we also love to expose our children to art in museums and public spaces. That is one of the reasons that a visit to NorthPark is so appealing!

As far as fashion is concerned, I’ve always leaned toward classics with a twist. I love color and beautiful accessories. Fashion should be fun!

The perfect day. 

A day spent with family and friends.

Your day job.

I love my work! As lifestyle and fashion ambassador for NorthPark Center, I work alongside the wonderful marketing team in our efforts to support the local nonprofits that our ambassadors are passionate about and promote NorthPark as the premier shopping destination in the Southwest.

I also enjoy spending time working on creative content production for my book projects, website and social media, and sharing ideas at speaking engagements and television segments.

Looking forward.

I am thrilled to be the honorary chair of the Dwell with Dignity Thrift Studio for their 2019 event on April 4, and the chair of the Children’s Cancer Fund Gala on April 26. I am also on the Letter Writing Committee for the Food 4 Kids Campaign of the North Texas Food Bank.

NorthPark memory.

I have so many! My mother, my sisters, and I are often there shopping and grabbing lunch together when we can steal the time. I also love taking my children to Mermaid at Neiman Marcus, and then going to see the ducks and turtles — they run up the slanted planter boxes until we peel them away.

They love to look at the art, especially the Ivan Navarro sculptures that appear to look into infinity.
I also cherish the memories we make at NorthPark around the holidays. Photos with Santa and the Ronald McDonald House Trains at NorthPark are traditions that the entire family looks forward to every year.

Advice to your younger self.

Slow Down!

On the horizon in 2019.

I love a big celebration, and this year we have two! My sister, Krystal, is getting married in May, and my father has a big birthday in December.

For more information on Dwell with Dignity’s Thrift Studio and to purchase tickets, click here.

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