The fifth Annual Desert Rose Luncheon raised $400,000, bringing nearly 400 guests together in Fort Worth to benefit the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame (The Cowgirl). Co-chaired by Museum Board Members, Lorene Agather and Sainty Nelsen, the luncheon celebrated philanthropy, community, and the enduring legacy of the cowgirl. Proceeds from the sold-out event will support the museum’s educational programs, inspiring future generations to embrace the courage, creativity, and spirit of the cowgirl.
The Rodeo Midway theme set the tone for the celebration, filling River Crest Country Club with bold color, playful carnival touches and cowgirl sparkle that captured the spirit of the legendary Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. Inspired by the vintage carousel at the heart of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame’s expansion project, this year’s theme blended nostalgia with bold, carnival-inspired design. Made possible by Presenting Sponsor Maverick Golf & Ranch Club, Fashion Show Sponsor Lucchese Bootmaker, and Media Sponsor 360 West, the afternoon included a dynamic fashion show, a curated vendor marketplace and a three-course lunch featuring playful, elevated takes on American classic favorites.
Guests were welcomed by the original “Cowgirl” letters from the side of the museum; newly restored and illuminated for the occasion, creating a memorable first impression. Central to the theme was a whimsical carousel, paying homage to the crown jewel of the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame’s renovation project. While the new carousel remains in production, co-chairs Nelsen and Agather brought the vision to life with vintage carousel horses sourced from Montgomery Street Antique Mall.
VIP guests included Mayor Mattie Parker; Nicole Sheridan, board member of the Cowgirl Museum, wife of film producer Taylor Sheridan, and Honorary Chair of the Expansion Public Fundraising Campaign; influencers Katey McFarlan Hellman, Hailey Daniels and Kailey Fletcher, Melissa Ice of the Net, and Ashley Robertson; Kim McCarthy, Neiman Marcus executive buyer; Lizzy Bentley of City Boots, photographer Kristen Kilpatrick-Snow, Jacqueline Cavender of the Cavender Boots family; Kelsey Sheets of The Loveliest Home; and Catherine Cartie, local watercolor artist and illustrator. The luncheon, which of course celebrated style, also honored Kori Green, wife of country musician Pat Green, with the Best Dressed Guest Award.
“The Desert Rose is special not just for the show we put on. It’s the energy in this room,” said co-chair Lorene Agather. “We are deeply grateful for the support of these incredible women and the Cowgirl . With the museum’s expansion underway, this year feels especially meaningful, and it reminds us that next year we will have to raise the bar even higher.”
Co-chair Sainty Nelsen added, “From the very beginning, our hope was that every woman who walked through these doors, whether in boots on the ranch or in the boardroom, would feel seen, celebrated, and connected to something greater. This event honors the past and inspires the future of the cowgirl spirit.”
The vendor marketplace, curated by Allie Turney, who also led Preview Party planning, featured chic and unique pieces from, Bauble Stockings, Bunny Bradley Designs, Camp Crafty, Chasseur, COLORES Collective, Desert Rose at The Cowgirl Museum, Elizabeth Lake, Julia Amory, Lele Sadoughi, Lucky Snap, Lindsey Leigh Jewelry, Lucchese Bootmaker, Sapeyka, and Shop Hancock. This event’s exclusive scarf, designed by Catherine Cartie, reflected the theme with illustrated carousel horses circling a gold gilding. Cartie also created the carousel’s rounding boards; decorative panels that will become a lasting feature of the museum and the Fort Worth community.
The luncheon concluded on a high note with Chappell Roan’s Pink Pony Club, a fitting anthem that perfectly captured the spirit of the day. With record attendance and the generous support of sponsors, vendors, and guests, the Desert Rose Luncheon stands as a cherished gathering in Fort Worth. Beyond the fashion, fun, and festivities, it is a celebration of courage, community, and the enduring spirit of the cowgirl, leaving a lasting impact on the museum and those it inspires.
About the Desert Rose Luncheon
The Desert Rose Luncheon is an annual fundraising event in Fort Worth, Texas, benefiting the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame. Known for its dynamic fashion show and curated shopping marketplace, the luncheon brings together community leaders, tastemakers, and supporters to celebrate Western heritage and style while raising vital funds for the Museum’s exhibitions, educational programming, and preservation efforts.