Tickled Pink, X
• September 12, 2013

The ballroom of the Fairmont Washington, D.C. pulsated in in pastels on May 11 for the 10th Annual Mother/Daughter Afternoon Tea and Fashion Show Benefitting Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic. Lizanne Jeveret of Pink Palm provided the Lilly Pulitzer fashions and recalled visiting the late designer who told her “style isn’t about what you wear; it’s about how you live.” Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Young Catherine Kochenash spoke of her visit to Disney World where she met with Belle. Bob Madigan of WTOP emceed the program as guests enjoyed tea treats including pink palm cookies. The sellout crowd departed with Lilly-laden goodie bags.

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Vital Voices 2013 Global Leadership Awards
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The theme echoing through the evening was Vital Voice’s Founder Hillary Rodman Clinton’s historic pronouncement in China that “women’s rights are human rights.” The awards were presented in the Kennedy Center Opera House on April 2. Clinton paid glowing tribute to Vital Voices co-founder and chair emeritus Melanne Verveer, the first Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues. Presenter Diane von Furstenberg said, “I have never met a woman who is not strong” as “Fear is not an option.” Honorees came from Cambodia, Brazil, Palestine and Somalia. Vice President Joe Biden spoke movingly of his championship for women’s rights and then presented the Solidarity Award to the Kant brothers who seek to combat human trafficking and sexual violence in their native India. [gallery ids="101234,145487,145457,145481,145463,145475,145469" nav="thumbs"]

Patti LaBelle at Duke Ellington School of the Arts
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As Georgetown’s Duke Ellington School of the Arts celebrates its 40th year, honing the talents of aspiring artists while preparing them for continuing academic success, the signature annual fundraising event was held on March 25 at the Kennedy Center, starring Patti Labelle. Previous artists included Ellington alumni Denyce Graves and Dave Chappelle as well as Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson. Leon Harris of ABC7 News emceed the program and quipped, “Be thankful that I am not going to be singing.” Ellington students participated, as did pianist Jamar Jones, who will be producing LaBelle’s next CD. School co-founder Peggy Cooper Cafritz hailed Head of School and CEO Rory Pullens as “the best principal in the city.” It was a joyous occasion. [gallery ids="101235,145501,145477,145495,145484,145491" nav="thumbs"]

Carolyne Roehm’s ‘Flowers’ Book Signing Reception
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International trendsetter in fashion, elegance and taste making and devoted animal lover Carolyne Roehm and her companion, former Georgetown resident Simon Pinniger, were in Washington on April 3. The designer and author spoke at a luncheon at Congressional Country Club and at an evening reception in Kalorama. At both events, she graciously signed her latest of numerous books, “Flowers,” showcasing more than 300 photos that she has taken to capture to the beauty of her gardens at her Connecticut property Weatherstone. [gallery ids="119326,119362,119356,119335,119342,119368,119349" nav="thumbs"]

Capella Hotel Hosts Community for Iron Chef Competition
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On Monday, April 8, the Capella Hotel in Georgetown hosted a friendly Iron Chef-style competition between the Citizens Association of Georgetown, the Georgetown BID and the Georgetown Business Association. The surprise ingredient was red snapper. Georgetowner publisher Sonya Bernhardt joined Capella Georgetown general manager Alex Obertop and chef Jakob Esko in judging the teams’ creations. GBA came in third place, Georgetown BID came in second place, and CAG won the grand prize. [gallery ids="101236,145497" nav="thumbs"]

RAMMY Award Nominees
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The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington announced the finalists for the “Oscars of D.C. Restaurants” at a March 19 event at the Hamilton emceed by Kelly Collis and Tommy McFly of Fresh FM.” The annual restaurant awards will be bestowed at the gala at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel on June 23. This year’s theme is “Restaurants in Bloom.” Incoming RAMW President Kathy Hollinger hailed the individuals who have made D.C. a “dining destination” and recognized Clyde’s of Georgetown with the Milestone Award for 50 years of continuous operation. The awards recognize excellence in 16 categories including Casual Dining and New Chef of the Year. The public votes on three categories including Hottest Restaurant Bar Scene. [gallery ids="101215,145018,145012,144989,145008,145003,144996" nav="thumbs"]

Pen/Faulkner Luncheon for Author James Conaway
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Barton and Leslie Gordon graciously hosted a May 23 luncheon at their Kalorama Residence as Pen/Faulkner celebrated James Conway’s Nose, a novel and insider’s view of life in Napa Valley. The author, who previously wrote a Washington Post wine column, shared that, as a Memphis native, he sampled Thunderbird. Ambassador of Liechtenstein Claudia Fritsche said, “I am deeply grateful to be taken out of the diplomatic world and thrown for a few hours into the literary world.” The non-profit brings together American writers and readers in a wide variety of programs to promote a love of literature. [gallery ids="101324,151371,151367,151357,151362" nav="thumbs"]

Friends Celebrate Selene Obolensky’s Birthday
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Princess Selene Obolensky, American-born and titled by her marriage to the late Prince Alexis Obolensky of Russian nobility and Chief of the State Department’s Russian Translation Section, who helped draft arms-reduction treaties at a tense time in U.S.-Soviet relations, was celebrated by her many friends on May 28. She is the founder of the grand Russian New Year’s ball, which benefits “Children of Berezichi,” residing at the Boarding Schools for Special Children in Ulianova and Sosenskaya, Russian Federation. [gallery ids="119170,119153,119137,119145,119165,119159" nav="thumbs"]

‘A Cause, Not Just a Fashion Show’ for Diabetes Research
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Fashion lovers and philanthropists alike flocked to Fusion de Filantropia & Fashion Show June 6 to support the American Diabetes Association’s National Capital Area Step Out to Stop Diabetes.

It was a night of fashion, community and philanthropy, hosted by Stacy Adams and her personal fitness training business, Fitness Together, in the center of Georgetown Court between Prospect and N Streets. The event featured displays of Mark Roscoe Design’s custom neckwear and fine women’s couture line, followed by an after-party fashion show at Karen Millen on Wisconsin Avenue.

Chicago-based couture designer Mark Roscoe, who has been involved in the fashion industry for 30 years, is also still a full-time, practicing trial lawyer. His family, among those of others in attendance, has been greatly affected by diabetes. Fifty percent of the items purchased or ordered from his Roscoe’s line and other proceeds, including privately donated items from the evening, benefited the American Diabetes Association.

Among those present were celebrity guest host Paul Wharton of Paul Wharton Style, Michelle Obama’s makeup artist Carl Ray, L.A. writer Liz Fraley, fresh off of covering the Cannes Film Festival, former NFL player John Booty and Rokas Beresniovas of the Georgetown Business Association. Those sporting Roscoe Designs ties included ABC7’s Scott Thuman and Mr. District of Columbia 2012 Hirsh Singh.
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Living Artfully
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An opening night celebration at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens on June 4 showcased the elegant life style of Marjorie Merriweather Post. Guests enjoyed an outdoor reception before proceeding to the Lunar Lawn for a tented dinner that included Mrs. Post’s frequently served Salmon en Papillote. Hillwood Executive Director Kate Markert called the exhibit, “a singular tribute to a life lived artfully.” Mrs. Post’s granddaughter and Hillwood President Ellen MacNeille Charles said, “Little did you know that the reason to be here is to celebrate my birthday.” As “a way of life that is fast disappearing,” she said that her grandmother was not embarrassed about her wealth but loved to share it. Guests had a first look at previously off-limit areas such as a recently renovated fallout shelter and personal massage room. [gallery ids="101339,152103,152066,152099,152071,152094,152078,152083,152088" nav="thumbs"]