What do a fish, a falcon, a dog, a SEAL, an umbrella, an Oscar statue and a swimming pool in a hotel where the Beatles once stayed have in common?
If you answered the 20th Friends of Scotland’s Dressed to Kilt Fashion Show at the Omni Shoreham Hotel on April 1, you were obviously there. The models and the crowd had a blast.
For the very first time, Friends of Scotland’s Dressed to Kilt Fashion Show & Gala was held in the nation’s capital to celebrate its 20th anniversary. The show took place 20 years to the day of the first show in New York City on April 1, 2003.
This year’s theme was “Country Cool,” and the runway show highlighted looks inspired by hunting, shooting, fishing, camping, riding and other outdoor activities. Providing these looks were both Scottish designers and others who utilize traditional Scottish fabrics that are not only suited for the catwalk but also the outdoor country lifestyle.
Taking the runway were former Navy SEALs, high-profile athletes from both sides of the Atlantic, news anchors, politicians, an Oscar nominee, a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, several fearless female veterans and even a live falcon.
The rowdy show gave a major salute to two of Scotland’s greatest supporters, Queen Elizabeth II as well as Sean Connery, co-founder of Dressed to Kilt. Proceeds from the evening benefited the Navy SEAL Foundation.
If you get a chance to go next year, take that opportunity — all for a very good cause.
Dan Via, Allison Phoebe and Monte Durham attend the Dressed to Kilt 20th Anniversary Fashion Show & Gala. Photo by Robert Devaney.
Navy SEAL Brian Valeza wears Seal and THE SALMON on the runway at the Dressed to Kilt 20th Anniversary Fashion Show & Gala. Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Friends of Scotland.
A model wears MADE IN SCOTLAND on the runway at the Dressed to Kilt 20th Anniversary Fashion Show. Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Friends of Scotland.
A model wears Young Scotts on the runway at the Dressed to Kilt 20th Anniversary Fashion Show. Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Friends of Scotland.
Miss Scotland Lucy Sophia Thompson wears Young Scotts on the runway at the Dressed to Kilt 20th Anniversary Fashion Show. Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Friends of Scotland.
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 01: Models walk the runway during the finale at the Dressed to Kilt 20th Anniversary Fashion show & Gala at Omni Shoreham Hotel on April 01, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Friends of Scotland)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 01: Models walk the runway during the finale at the Dressed to Kilt 20th Anniversary Fashion show & Gala at Omni Shoreham Hotel on April 01, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Friends of Scotland)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 01: Models walk the runway during the finale at the Dressed to Kilt 20th Anniversary Fashion show & Gala at Omni Shoreham Hotel on April 01, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Friends of Scotland)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 01: Models wear Rebekah Edmondson on the runway at the Dressed to Kilt 20th Anniversary Fashion show & Gala at Omni Shoreham Hotel on April 01, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Friends of Scotland)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 01: Writer/producer Lesley Paterson walks the runway at the Dressed to Kilt 20th Anniversary Fashion show & Gala at Omni Shoreham Hotel on April 01, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Friends of Scotland)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 01: A model wears Prophetik on the runway at the Dressed to Kilt 20th Anniversary Fashion show & Gala at Omni Shoreham Hotel on April 01, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Friends of Scotland)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 01: A model wears Prophetik on the runway at the Dressed to Kilt 20th Anniversary Fashion show & Gala at Omni Shoreham Hotel on April 01, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Friends of Scotland)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 01: (L-R) Dean Zacharias, Dan Via, Liam Wenk, Christy Matino, Erin Matino and Monte Durham attend the Dressed to Kilt 20th Anniversary Fashion Show & Gala at Omni Shoreham Hotel on April 01, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Friends of Scotland)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 01: Brian Cullen and a falcon walk the runway at the Dressed to Kilt 20th Anniversary Fashion show & Gala at Omni Shoreham Hotel on April 01, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Friends of Scotland)