By Rachael Lindley
Photos courtesy of Texas Ballet Theater
The Caren Koslow Fashion Show makes its triumphant return with a sold-out daytime show. The show and luncheon have been a Fort Worth favorite for 30 years — and now, even more get to enjoy the runway at the newly added, “The Party After Dark” at the Van Cliburn Recital Hall.
Robyn Chauvin has become an integral part of the event, working in tandem with Artistic Director, Tim O’Keefe.
360West: What is your personal background? How did you get involved with the Caren Koslow Fashion Show? Can you walk me through the event?
Robyn Chauvin: I had a 15-year-long career in the buying offices of Neiman Marcus. I traveled the world to find luxury fashions for Neiman’s high-end, stylish clientele. Then COVID hit, and I realized how much I enjoyed being home with my two young sons. It was then that I decided to retire from Neiman Marcus and start my own fashion show and event production company. I produce many of the major events throughout Dallas and beyond, and I still do quite a bit of work for Neiman Marcus. Neiman Marcus brought me in last year for the first time to run this very special event. There is absolutely no other show like these TBT shows. The models are all dancers from Texas Ballet Theater, and they perform in the most beautiful fashions from Neiman Marcus.
360West: How do you choose each look? What does that process look like?
Chauvin: I spend hours combing the floors of Neiman Marcus to curate the scenes. Each scene is a dance performance and has a theme or a story. I take that inspiration and find looks that not only fit the feel of the performance, but also provide the dancers with the movement and flexibility they need. These are serious athletes doing seriously athletic things in designer clothing! There are many things to consider when putting these looks together.
360West: Are all of the looks worn by dancers?
Chauvin: Every look is worn by a dancer, and the dancers are fully choreographed and selected by Texas Ballet Theater’s director, Tim O’Keefe. Then he runs me through the performances and scenes so I have a strong grasp on what looks we need and who will wear them.
360West: How do you and the choreographer, Tim O’Keefe, work in tandem? It seems like a lot of moving parts.
Chauvin: It’s a lot of moving parts! I attend rehearsals to observe the dancers’ movements while they are performing, ensuring they wear attire that suit the piece. Otherwise, we work through the lineup carefully so I can note where there are lifts, floor choreography, and splits.
360West: What will the day of the fashion show — Dec. 17, 2025 — look like for you?
Chauvin: The day always kicks off with a meeting of my stylists, dressers, hair and makeup teams to be sure we’re all on the same page in terms of timing and responsibilities. Then, as dancers arrive, we send them into hair and makeup, and at that point, I can go over any big shifts or quick changes with the backstage teams. Then we go into rehearsal, generally first a dress rehearsal, so the dancers are comfortable with what they need to do in each look. Then Tim will give notes, make minor adjustments and so on. Then it’s back to hair and makeup while my team puts finishing touches on the looks (steaming, touching up hems, or anything else that needs to be done). At the designated time, everyone gets into their first looks, and we get ready for a fabulous show!
360West: Is there anything we didn’t cover that you feel our readers would be interested in?
Chauvin: I think it’s so important to point out the amazing work these dancers do in this show and in every performance they give. Tim is an absolute genius and so inspiring to work with. Each and every dancer is so excited to do this show and gives their heart and soul. It’s not an easy feat to dance in clothes that are not made for a dance performance, but they feed off how much the audience loves their work. It’s a really beautiful relationship between Texas Ballet Theater, the audience and Neiman Marcus.
