An iconic black panther, dapper men in red and a diamond den make this opening

There were cases of exquisite haute joaillerie, mini champagne bottles, and party favors tucked into glossy red boxes, but the biggest wow moment from Cartier‘s Dallas store opening soirée was a photo booth with a giant black panther statue.

Cartier’s iconic symbol sat conspicuously regal in an opulent tent outside the Highland Park Village boutique, surrounded by guests eager to snap a pic with the fierce feline.

As they posed with the panther, dapper men in signature Cartier uniforms — structured red jackets with gold buttons, tailored black pants, and caps emblazoned with the jewelry maison’s logo — circulated in the tent, offering Cartier cocktails of dark rum, sweet varmouth, campari, and orange while New York singer Paul Loren crooned classics from Van Morrison to Frank Sinatra.

Inside the spacious 5,200-square-foot store, which opened in September following the closing of the jeweler’s former location at NorthPark Center, more throngs of partygoers clad in their chicest winter wear (it was a rare chilly evening), sipped bubbly while browsing the jewelry collections (Panthère de Cartier, Juste un Clou, Trinity de Cartier, Cactus de Cartier).

Timepiece collections also sparkled in the watch salon — Santos de Cartier, Ballon Bleu de Cartier, Clé de Cartier, and Driver de Cartier.

Specially on display: iterations of Cartier’s iconic Tank watch, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The style has famously appeared on the wrists of Catherine Deneuve, Andy Warhol, President John F. Kennedy, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

Gensler architects fashioned the HP Village store to reflect a style familiar to that of Bruno Moinard, who’s designed more than 300 Cartier boutiques. The store also stocks fragrance, stationery, and leather goods.

Meanwhile, beaucoup beautiful engagement rings and other diamond bijoux can be found in the diamond salon… dare we admit that is where we spent most of our time during the glamorous event.

Chic at Cartier: CEO and president of Cartier North America Mercedes Abramo, Cartier Dallas boutique director Bora Song, Stephen and Elisa Summers, CarolineSummers, Suzanne Droese, Brian Bolke, Max Trowbridge, BrookeDavenport, Javier Burkle, Mason McCleskey, Manuel Huerta Saldívar, Wade and Amy Havins, Merritt Beck, Ashley Griffin, and Hendrika Rhoad.