MENSWEAR INDUSTRY GATHERS IN DALLAS TO REMEMBER DERRILL OSBORN

More than a 1,000 sartorially resplendent friends attended an engaging and perfectly orchestrated “Bespoke” commemoration of the life and contributions of the late Derrill Osborn on a perfect evening, Wednesday, July 24th, at Highland Park Presbyterian Church, in Dallas Texas, where Derrill was an active member.

After his illness began 3 years ago, Derrill meticulously planned his own service (60 hours of instructions!), it was the personification of his life…poignant, humorous, filled with beautiful classical music, hundreds of fresh roses, and his devotion to religion. He is the only person in the history of The Dallas Morning News to hand-deliver his own obituary.

Derrill, a generous mentor, entrusted Erik Wilkinson, a former Neiman Marcus buyer, with the arrangements, which were carried out perfectly. Men were affixed with Derrill’s signature baby rose boutonnières upon arrival.

Speakers, from Tod Greenfield (on behalf of Martin Greenfield), Neiman Marcus former president Phillip Miller, NM VP Robert Ackerman, to a series of his former protégés, all captured his devotion to the industry, his humor, his unique perspective, and engaging personality.

Industry friends who flew in included Crittenden Rawlings, Matthew McClellan, William King, Vaughan Granger, Charlie Burgin, Mike Cohen, Ed Cleavenger, Glenn Taylor, Rush Wilson, Steven Giles, Woody Appleby, Sid Mashburn, and Alex Julian.

Derrill decreed the dress code: “dark suits, black or gray ties, white shirts” for men, “couture black or red dresses for women.”

“I haven’t seen so many ties and suits in one place in 10 years,” remarked Robert Ackerman, “this is perfectly ‘Derrill’.”

“’The Good Doctor’ (Derrill’s nickname, a result of his devoted professionalism) is irreplaceable, none of us will ever forget him,” said Crit Rawlings.

Derrill’s request to have his ashes “flushed down the commode” was countermanded by his adoring sister Karen, “he knew I’d put him in the family plot in Abilene.”