Big D gets Big C
Friends of Ceron help launch Neiman Marcus Dallas salon
A new moniker was coined for the Houstonians who flew up to Dallas last week to help Ceron launch his new salon at Neiman Marcus' downtown flagship: FOC, for Friends of Ceron.
"I had to bring some of my Houston ladies," Ceron said, beaming, as he greeted guests before lunch at the Zodiac, Neiman's sixth-floor dining sanctum for old-guard Dallasites and their daughters.
All immaculately clad, Diane Lokey Farb, Karen Mayell and Lindsey Love strolled through the would-be salon, an utterly unfinished construction site, as a huddle of burly workers stood politely, if awkwardly, aside eyeing the parade of fabulousity.
"These Houston women know how to dress," observed Terry Van Wilson, the longtime Dallas publicist who represents many of Dallas' top social events.
Love was sleek in black leggings, black jacket, and killer Giuseppi Zanotti black leather cut-out spike booties, while Mayell was elegant in an ivory wool dress and Farb wore a gorgeous Valentino dark brown suede and polished croco leather skirt paired with a black twinset with a natural mink collar by Oscar de la Renta.
"It's from the last season of Valentino," Farb explained.
"But I have the same skirt, and it's several years old," Mayell remarked. “I’ve never worn it.”
"This is the last season that Valentino designed," Farb explained. "There have been several designers since. I think I ruined it by sitting in it on the plane. The back is stretched out. You can't wear this to sit. You have to wear it to a cocktail party."
Gina Betts, one of Ceron's partners and backers, saluted the Houstonians in her comments before lunch, as did the so-called "master of the updo" himself.
"My Houston ladies, I love you," Ceron gushed.
Alas, Becca Cason Thrash, one of Ceron's biggest boosters, was sidelined by dental surgery and couldn't make the trip.
"At first I didn't believe her," he admitted. "But she is in the hospital this morning having root canal."
Ugh. Our sympathies were with you, Becca.
As for the Dallas women sitting at his table, including Ellen Snuffer and Suzanne Droese, an Amy Adams double whose immaculate long strawberry tresses looked ripe for one of his messy updos, Ceron promised, "You are also going to love the salon and have so much fun."
Betts insisted the salon, a modern design of black, white and red with blonde wood cabinetry, will open Tuesday.
"Gina says on Tuesday, and if Gina wills it I know it will be Tuesday," quipped Shelle Sills, vice president and manager of the store.
Sills gave all the guests a “girls night out” $50 gift card good for anything in the store that day. Feeling unable to use the gender-biased card, Ceron pondered another way to get a good deal.
"I want to ask her, when do I get my 30 percent [discount]," Ceron said. "We put it in the contract for Gina and me. We're not stupid. Everyone will see me shopping in Neiman Marcus all the time."
