Fashionable Night of Stars Brings Major Power Players to Dallas: A Pink Haired Pioneer and an Emotional Moment

“I have to tell you,” said Heidi Dillon, chair of Fashion Group International’s Night of Stars gala. “I have never seen so many sparkles in one room.”

Truer words could not have been uttered.

The Adolphus hotel was packed to the brim with hundreds of fashion sirens, all wearing some combination of sequins, neon, glitter, and graphic prints.

There was good reason for the kaleidoscopic display, as a host of colorful icons was set to be honored, including Dallas and Mexico-based interior designer Gonzalo Bueno; Libertine designer Johnson Hartig, in from Los Angeles; beauty guru Tata Harper; and the pioneering grand dame of outlandish fashion and textiles, Zandra Rhodes, who jetted in from England for the occasion.

The evening started with cocktails outside the Adolphus’ posh ballroom. It was here that the vibrant, pink-haired Rhodes could be found chatting up guests.

One such pal in attendance to support Rhodes’ FGI Lifetime Achievement Award was Jan Strimple, who wore a striking, pink metallic number designed by Rhodes.

(At the height of her modeling career, Strimple walked the catwalk for Rhodes.)

Post dinner, awards were given — with a most memorable moment coming by way of Neiman Marcus senior VP and fashion director Ken Downing.

The ever-vivacious Downing showered Hartig with praise as he presented the Libertine designer with his award — an emotional, tender moment between longtime friends that included more than a few tears.

Not a dry eye in the house, Hartig summed it up as, “Joy. Pure, pure joy.”

PC Seen: Ken Weber, Max Trowbridge, Chuck Steelman, Crawford Brock, Nancy Rogers, Brian Bolke and Faisal Halum, Joyce Goss, Kenny Goss, Myra Walker, Michael McCray, and Victoria Snee.