Set against the magnificent backdrop of the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, the 2026 Fashion Notes LimonCELLO featured Dallas’ own Mackenzie Brittingham as the Fashon Design Award honoree, who brought her signature couture craftsmanship and statement-making aesthetic to life in a most splendid fashion show.
Benefiting the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League celebrating its 80th Anniversary, the event was chaired by Meredith Allen Connally, Amy Green and Elizabeth St. Marie who were joined by Honorary Chairs Anne and Bill Seanor and DSOL President, Claire Catrino.
The event was a vibrant celebration of spring, style, and the power of the arts. This beloved annual happening brings together Dallas leaders, philanthropists, and tastemakers for an inspiring morning in support of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s education and outreach initiatives.
At the Meyerson’s entrance, patrons were greeted by the valet sponsored by Avondale Dealerships and Jewelry Sponsor de Boulle’s signature yellow vehicle literally bursting with blue, green and yellow flowers, echoing the Italian-inspired LimonCELLO theme.
Entering the main hall, guests stopped by the beautiful blue, yellow-and-white tiled backdrop for photos, took a chance on their favorite raffle items, and sipped on Prosecco and the day’s signature Limoncello and Aperol spritzes as they enjoyed passed hors d’oeuvres. As a special treat, a separate vignette served a decadent crème brûlée cheesecake espresso martini and ladyfingers, also sponsored by Avondale Dealerships, all the while being serenaded by the Dallas Symphony Young Strings cellists Vincent Ramirez Boyce and Carlos Vargas.
The centerpiece of the room was the opulent fashion show entrance which was framed by two towering arches of lush greenery accented with lemons and flowers in all shades of yellow, placed at the top of the main stairway. In tune with the blue tiled theme, the fashion show seating was set with clear acrylic chairs sporting the same design on the backs, a scene that wowed the crowd with its high style.
Welcoming guests on behalf of the League, Claire thanked everyone for their support, saying that when fashion and music come together, something extraordinary happens! She said, “As we were planning this event, we embraced the theme ‘LimonCELLO’ — honoring both the Dolce Vita of Italy where the cello was invented as well as the DSO’s Young Strings students whose dedication to their craft inspires us all.” Continuing, Claire said, “This season has been one of incredible momentum and meaningful impact, and I feel deeply grateful to be a part of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League, a league that continues to grow, evolve and make such a difference in our community.”
Meredith thanked the honorary chairs, and in addition to the sponsors already mentioned, added special thanks to Floral Sponsor 3V Events, and Media Sponsor, PaperCity.
Amy enthusiastically recognized Mackenzie as the Fashion Design Award honoree and with heartfelt gratitude, gave a special shout out to the host committee, saying that with their help, today’s event is a sell-out!
Elizabeth presented Claire with a gift on behalf of all of the chairs. Gifts of appreciation were also given to Anne and Bill as honorary chairs and to the chairs in honor of their hard work on the event over this past year.
Michelle Miller Burns, DSO Ross Perot President & CEO said, “We are thrilled to be part of another stunning Fashion Notes event this year. Fashion Notes beautifully brings together creativity, community and purpose, and we are so thankful to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League and all of the volunteers who made it possible. Their passion and generosity help the DSO thrive, both on stage and throughout the community.”
The fashion show was a beautifully curated fashion presentation of Mackenzie’s couture designs, beginning with Calvert Collins-Bratton, emcee, welcoming the crowd and introducing the first models, DSOL President Claire Catrino with her two daughters, Grace and Katherine; followed by Faith Baldwin and her daughter Blake; Mackenzie’s youngest sister, Madison Lacy, with her daughter, Hallie; chair Meredith Connally with her son, Allen; Gloria Steves; chair Elizabeth St. Marie with her daughter Charlotte and son, William; chair Amy Green; and Anne Seanor, Honorary Chair.
The music hit a crescendo as the fashion show began, spotlighting 55 different looks in luxury evening wear and custom gowns for mothers of the bride and groom, debutantes, and distinguished socialites. In 2018, Mackenzie launched her Fur Collection, which made an appearance draped over the shoulders of models in dazzling gowns along with her collection of exotic handbags. Designed with the same couture mindset, each handbag is meticulously crafted with exceptional materials and attention to detail.
The custom collection presented during the show drew inspiration from Italy’s landscapes—from the sun-drenched Amalfi Coast to the rolling hills of Tuscany—and translated a strong sense of place into couture form.
Flowing beaded gowns captured the movement of coastal waters, while structured silhouettes reflected the architectural elegance of historic villas. A palette of soft citrus hues, airy ivories, and rich blue tones echoed the “LimonCELLO” theme, complemented by intricate draping, hand-finished details, and globally sourced textiles that spoke to Italy’s heritage of craftsmanship. Each look reflected a distinct moment—from golden hour along the Mediterranean to the ease and elegance of an Italian summer evening—creating an immersive runway experience that felt both transportive and deeply personal.
The finale brought a rousing round of applause as Mackenzie walked the runway, waving to friends and taking the stage. Flanked by models in fashions from the finale, she was presented with a huge bouquet of gorgeous flowers.
“Being recognized by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League in this way is incredibly meaningful to me—especially after such a beautiful and inspiring event,” Mackenzie said. “Seeing the collection come to life on the runway, surrounded by a community that values both artistry and philanthropy, was truly special. Fashion Notes represents the heart of what makes Dallas so unique, and I’m deeply honored to have been part of this year’s initiative.”
At the luncheon, tables were topped with mixed cloths in delightful designs of greenery with lemons, green and yellow tiles complemented by country-style pressed glasses and centerpieces of bright yellow tulips and softly-hued hydrangeas.
The first course, or Primi, was a traditional caprese salad with a delicious balsamic glaze. Secondi was a lemon garlic chicken penne pasta in a zesty cream sauce with asparagus and lemon. Dolci was a perfect trio of desserts: lemon meringue, lemon posset and a classic tiramisu.
Fashion Notes continues to be one of the League’s most anticipated events of the season. Proceeds directly benefit programs that introduce young musicians to the orchestra, expand access to music education, and strengthen the cultural fabric of our community.
Sponsors also included: LimonCELLO Maestro: Mackenzie Brittingham, Anne and Bill Seanor. Amalfi Sonata: Meredith Allen Connally; Cortez Resources, Claire Catrino; Pendery’s Inc., Amy Green. Capri Virtuoso: Faith Baldwin, the Brittingham Family; Caroline Harrison Loehr, Elizabeth St. Marie and Gloria Steves. Positano Aria: Lori Allen, Marena Gault, Sara Woodall.
Proceeds from Fashion Notes benefit the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and its youth education and community engagement programs. Over the past 40 years, the DSOL has raised more than $25 million in support of the DSO. To learn more about DSOL and its membership benefits and events, visit www.dallassymphonyleague.com
Funds raised by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League support transformative DSO programs, including:
- The Cecil and Ida Green Youth Concert Series, which introduces Dallas youth to the inspiring world of classical music through accessible concerts at the Meyerson. Each year, more than 10,000 children participate in these experiences.
- DSO Cares, which brings the wellness benefits of music to senior living facilities, hospitals, community centers and more. Each performance showcases a chamber ensemble of DSO musicians that is free for attendees and community partners.
- The Young Strings and Kim Noltemy Young Musicians programs, which annually provide free instruments and instruction to 400 children primarily from Southern and East Dallas. Collectively, these programs have served more than 7,000 students and outpace similar youth programs with highly intensive training. Young Strings students have a 100% high school graduation and college acceptance rate.
- Bach’s Lunch, an ongoing adult education series of free, informal talks designed to connect music lovers through a shared passion for classical music.
About Mackenzie Brittingham:
Mackenzie Brittingham is a Dallas-based designer and founder of her namesake luxury atelier, recognized for custom couture, bridal, eveningwear, luxury outerwear, and bespoke accessories.
Known for a highly personalized design experience and an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship, Brittingham creates one-of-a-kind pieces tailored to life’s most meaningful moments—from weddings and galas to philanthropic events, milestone celebrations, and private commissions.
Her work spans custom bridal gowns, mother-of-the-bride dressing, debutante presentations, cocktail attire, black-tie eveningwear, day-to-night wardrobe pieces, and specialty occasion dressing. In addition to couture apparel, Brittingham also offers custom fur designs, statement outerwear, and an evolving line of handcrafted luxury handbags and accessories.
Celebrated for refined silhouettes, exceptional fit, and globally sourced textiles, Brittingham blends timeless elegance with modern femininity. Drawing inspiration from travel, architecture, old-world glamour, and Italian craftsmanship, each design is developed through an intimate collaborative process that honors both the client and the artistry of the garment.
A longtime supporter of Dallas’ philanthropic and cultural communities, Brittingham’s designs have been featured at many of the city’s most prominent galas, charitable events, weddings, and social occasions. Through her growing atelier, she continues to shape a new chapter of bespoke luxury fashion in Texas while mentoring emerging creatives and championing craftsmanship for the next generation.
(Photos by Rob Wythe/Wythe Portrait Studio and Thomas Garza.)