About Us

Lanvin, Louboutins and a Light Bulb That Went Off:

How THE FASHIONISTAS came to be

On a rainy spring day in 2005, I was attending a fashion show at Neiman Marcus' downtown Dallas store. Sitting in the hallowed couture salon of the historic store - it's been a style arbiter since 1907 and counting - I was overcome with a divine inspiration: Dallas needs a fashion museum. After all, the city is an undisputed leader of chic, with a cosmopolitan flair that complements its think-big attitude.  I became wholly consumed with bringing that vision to reality. The very next day I created a stack of membership forms for a group I'd call THE FASHIONISTAS, like-minded souls who share my love for - and appreciation of - fashion. Standing at the corner of the Chanel store in Highland Park Village, I coerced friends for a $200 membership fee to join my new group. Uncertain if it was their commitment to fashion or their way of getting me off their backs, I embarked on this remarkable journey, a journey which has brought us here today and which has become so much more than just about funding a fashion museum. THE FASHIONISTAS have grown to embrace all the pleasures that fashion has to offer, from fabulous parties to awarding scholarships to our young design talent. THE FASHIONISTAS today are an exciting, compelling group of people whose commitment to celebrating all things fashion permeates style, culture and history. Join us in toasting this vibrant city and its penchant for the finest things in life.

Stay Fabulous

 

 

Existentialism, Meet Elegance: THE FASHIONISTAS Manifesto

To be an international champion of the fashion arts through exhibitions, scholarships and educational programs - and to position Dallas in its rightful place as a portal to the global fashion community.

So Much More Than Snapping Up Shoes: About THE FASHIONISTAS

We like to think of ourselves as the fairy godmothers of fashion.  Here's why: THE FASHIONISTAS is a non-profit organization whose mission is to celebrate the art form that is fashion. As a FASHIONISTA, you directly help sponsor exhibitions and educational programs that are a cultural platform for Dallas and the international fashion world. THE FASHIONISTAS also raise money to provide scholarships for local fashion-design students. Exhibitions celebrate fashion past, present and future by featuring works by designers, photographers and illustrators in three genres: the historically significant, the contemporary and the cutting edge. Our FD Luxe Presents FASHION TALK, brings renowned fashion-world figures to Dallas, where they share their considerable experience with our membership. Why do we do it all?  Because fashion creates an intangible allure - which in turn attracts real money, talent, beauty and enterprise to a city.

Establishing a cultural and economic bridge between Dallas and the international fashion world, THE FASHIOISTAS are civically responsible and socially expressive.  They support designers, creative educators and students in their dedication and passion for fashion. It is THE FASHIONISTAS' commitment to tell the story of fashion, convey the appeal of fashion, and further the experience of fashion. The best of fashion, like the best of fine art, offers not only nuance to the connoisseur but pleasure to the uninitiated.

THE FASHIONISTAS was founded in 2005 by Heidi Dillon and currently has a membership of over 2000 of the most stylish and philanthropically minded men and women in Dallas. These key members of the community understand the importance of such a creative organization as it relates and contributes to the cultural fabric of the city.  THE FASHIONISTAS have hosted numerous fund-raising events honoring notable individuals including hip-hop royalty Russell Simmons, Sex and the City author Candace Bushnell, famous New York paparazzo Patrick McMullan and Hamish Bowles, Vogue's European Editor-at-Large. Partnering with top American and European design houses and couturiers, THE FASHIONISTAS has become the exemplar of taste, style, and elan for the city of Dallas.

THE FASHIONISTAS are dedicated to education as well as fashion, which is why we later established The Fashionistas Two (or F2s), a unique group for emerging young designers and those interested in joining the fashion industry. The F2s have more than 600 members ages 15-23 from local high schools and colleges - spirited individuals who provide a fresh perspective on issues and events in the fashion industry.  The Fashionistas believe in developing support initiatives that will enhance the F2s' education and development by giving them the opportunity to experience the fashion world firsthand. Just on example? The F2s were privy to a special lecture by John Loring, the esteemed creative director for legendary Tiffany & Co.

We take our mission to the classroom, too.  Twice a year we award Fashionista scholarships to local fashion students.  Scholarships have already been awarded to students at El Centro College and to The Art Institute of Dallas and fundraising for more scholarships continues. A scholarship of $1,000 has already been donated to The Art Institute of Dallas, and the school is developing applications for future scholarships. F2 programs are in development including our monthly F2 TALK series which gives our students an opportunity to meet fashion industry professionals.  Our The Fashionistas Two bard is comprised of the most dedicated of students in the DFW area.  With their input and counsel, THE FASHIONISTAS have found an ever-increasing desire for F2 groups outside of Dallas.  Our next student initiative is to take our fashion-as-art support on the road.  Fashion fairy godmothers indeed!

How to put it succinctly?  THE FASHIONISTAS family is the preeminent benchmark of Dallas’ fashion community, delivering compelling and unique programs while receiving resounding accolades from an ever-increasing membership base.

FASHION. YOU LOVE IT. ADMIT IT. IT MATTERS - Guy Trebay, New York Times

About Heidi

Heidi Dillon is the founder and CEO of the Fashionistas. She grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she developed a passion for art and fashion at a very early age. Many of her family members were artists, designers, and musicians - and some of her favorite memories are of watching her grandmother make Heidi “couture” party clothes from Vogue patterns by designers such as Bill Blass, Yves Saint Laurent and Christian Dior. (A princess could do worse.)

Dillon studied drawing and textile design at the University of Iowa and finished her undergraduate studies at the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Printmaking. She also earned her Masters of Fine Arts in Printmaking and Painting at the University of Massachusetts. While she was in New England, she showed her painting and print work extensively.

In 1983, Dillon and her husband Bill moved to New York City where she worked in advertising. She also worked for Perry Ellis and General Electric. To stay involved in New York’s art scene, she volunteered at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Heidi and Bill later moved to Columbia, South Carolina, where she started a fitness-wear company called Sweat-It.  Soon, she had boutiques in major area health clubs. All the while, she continued to paint, even teaching art in after-school programs.  

After seven years in Columbia, the Dillons moved to Dallas. RIght away, Heidi became involved with the Dallas Museum of Art and, in 1998, co-chaired the museum's lavish Beaux Arts Ball. She went on to chaired the St. Valentine's Luncheon for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the Salvation Army’s Luncheon and Fashion show. Then she turned up the heat: In 2005, she founded The Fashionistas.  Since then, Dillon co-chaired the first New Year’s Eve ball at the Nasher Sculpture Center and served as Style Auction Chairman for the Dallas Museum of Art's Art Ball in 2007. Also in 2007, Dillon received the "Brilliantly You: Women that Soar" Award, the WFAA/Cadillac Texas Sprit Award and the Fashion Group International’s Rising Star Award. 

ADVISORY BOARD
  • Kim Askew, Partner, K & L Gates LLP
  • Lance Avery Morgan, Publisher, Brilliant Magazine
  • Angie Barrett, Philanthropist
  • Brian Bolke, Owner, FortyFiveTen
  • Hamish Bowles, European Editor-at-Large, Vogue, Editor-in-Chief, Vogue Living
  • Phil Bush, Partner, Lock, Liddell & Sapp LLP
  • Barbara Buzzell, Owner, The Buzzell Company
  • Jeanne Marie Clossey, Philanthropist
  • Nicole Dabbert, Director, Cartier Dallas
  • Vanessa Dabich, Director of Public Relations, Lancome USA
  • Nancy Dedman, Philanthropist
  • Dr. William R Dillon, Senior Associate Dean, Cox School of Business, Southern Methodist University
  • Ken Downing, Fashion Director, Neiman Marcus
  • Ken Foret, Manager, Barneys Dallas
  • D. Gilbert Friedlander, Partner, Weil, Gotshal & Mangers, LLP
  • Kenny Goss, Goss Michael Foundation
  • Michael Kors
  • Dave Lopez, Strategist
  • Mary Lou Connor, Director, Oscar de la Renta Dallas
  • Chesley McLaren, Fashion Illustrator and Designer
  • Holly Moore, Editor-in-Chief, Paper City
  • Douglas Newby, Douglas Newby Associates
  • Terri Provencal, Consultant
  • Cindy Rachofsky, Philanthropist
  • Gail Sachson, Philanthropist
  • Peggy Sewell, Philanthropist
  • Connie Sigel, Owner, Elements
  • Shelle Sills, Manager, Downtown Neiman Marcus
  • Russell Simmons
  • Dr. Valerie Steele, Director, the Museum at FIT
  • John Sughrue, Executive Officer, Founder, Brook Partners, Inc.
  • Yeohlee Teng
  • Amy Vanderoef, Host, WFAA, Good Morning Texas
  • Myra Walker, Curator/Director, The Texas Fashion Collection, University of North Texas
  • Meeling Wong

FOUNDER, CEO
  • Heidi Dillon 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • Kirby Allison
  • Suzanne Bock
  • Shannon Brower
  • Rachel Courts
  • Bri Crum
  • Joyce Goss
  • Gina Ginsburg
  • Rodger Kobes
  • Liani Kotcher
  • Lynn McBee
  • Ana Pettus
  • Jillian Prado
  • Dan Pritchett
  • D'Andra Simmons

The Fashionistas thanks the following individuals and corporations for their support:
  • American Foundation for the Blind
  • Artemide
  • Bag Snob 
  • Black Lab Creative 
  • Bradley Bayou 
  • Brilliant Magazine 
  • Burberry
  • Cadillac 
  • Candace Bushnell 
  • Cartier 
  • Chanel 
  • Charla Krupp
  • Couture Dallas Magazine 
  • Crow Collection of Asian Art 
  • Cymbidium 
  • D Magazine 
  • Dallas Auction Gallery 
  • Dallas Child Magazine
  • David Rodriguez
  • deBoulle
  • Equinox Fitness
  • Escada
  • Fashion Group International
  • FD Luxe
  • FortyFiveTen
  • Ghost Bar
  • Goss Gallery
  • Grey Goose
  • Gucci
  • Hamish Bowles
  • HCG Gallery 
  • Joule Hotel
  • Insight Complete Eye Care
  • Jan Strimple
  • Klemchuk Kubasta LLP 
  • Kevin Charles Salon
  • Lancome
  • Lee Park
  • Legends of Basketball - Houston Chapter
  • Lift
  • LFT
  • Light Dallas
  • Locke, Lidell & Sapp LLP
  • Martin + Osa
  • Michael Faircloth
  • Modern Luxury
  • Moet Hennessy
  • Museum at FIT
  • MyraWalker
  • Nancy Klompus
  • NasherSculptureCenter
  • Neiman Marcus
  • Nordstroms
  • NorthParkCenter
  • Oscar de la Renta
  • Ovation TV
  • PaperCity
  • Park Place Motors 
  • Pink Tartan
  • P.S. Styling
  • Robert Lee Morriss
  • Russell Simmons
  • Russian Standard Vodka
  • Sally Rosen 20th Century Collections
  • Scott + Cooner
  • Shirin Askari
  • Smart Water
  • Southern Savvy Magazine
  • Stanley Korshak
  • Suite
  • Texas Monthly
  • The 4th Wall Gallery
  • The Crow Collection of Asian Art
  • The House
  • Tiffany & Co.
  • Tom's Shoes
  • Tre Amici
  • Trece Restaurant
  • Tribeza Magazine
  • TY KU
  • Ultimate Exchange 
  • Versace
  • Weil, Gotshal & Menges LLP
  • W magazine
  • Women''s Wear Daily
  • Yeohlee Teng
  • Ylang 23