Social Scene

Mary Bird • September 12, 2013

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"]

Nico Dodd •

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"]

Mary Bird •

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"]

Mary Bird •

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"]

Mary Bird •

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"]

Jordan Hellmuth •

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.
[gallery ids="101329,151478,151472,151467,151462,151457,151452,151447,151442,151437,151488,151430,151492,151425,151496,151483" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

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"]

Mary Bird •

The Washington Hilton was party central at “Washington’s Black-Tie Gala for the Four-on-the-Floor Crowd” on June 8. Festively attired canines proudly escorted their humans and urged them toward the special Bark Bar courtesy of Barkley Square Gourmet Bakery and Boutique. News anchor Scott Thuman again served as Master of Ceremonies, sharing that his schedule requires 3 a.m. dog walks. WHS President and CEO Lisa LaFontaine spoke of the growth of programs for the “human-animal bond” and expressed her appreciation to Bark Ball Co-Chairs Terri Fariello and Beth Viola. Established in 1870 as the country’s only Congressionally chartered animal welfare agency, WHS provides protection, care and enrichment for some 30,000 animals each year. [gallery ids="101346,152275,152238,152271,152243,152267,152248,152253,152261" nav="thumbs"]

Rachel Scola •

On June 15, the National Museum of Women in the Arts seemed to transform into Jay Gatsby’s home itself. The International Club of DC hosted the Great Gatsby Ball presented with the Museum as one of their calendar events for club members, but was also an event for the Young pARTners Circle, a group through NMWA who promotes women artists and connects young professionals through an array of events. There was live music, a photobooth and a variety of delectable desserts served. Drinks began pouring and couples started dancing and suddenly it was 1925 again. About halfway through the night the dance troupe Fidgety Feet took the floor to perform The Charleston and livened up the entire crowd. It was quite a spectacle and memorable night, no doubt one for the books for both the International Club and Young pARTners Circle. [gallery ids="119082,119075,119087,119093" nav="thumbs"]

Jordan Hellmuth •

Luigi Parasmo Salon, co-owned by Luigi Parasmo and Javier Calvo, gave guests with the royal treatment June 10 at their one-year salon celebration in Georgetown. Dressed to the nines, Luigi and Javier wore all black suits, completing their evening looks with just the right amount of hair product as they greeted more than 150 guests. “This was the biggest dream of my life,” said Parasmo. “Luigi’s dream is my dream,” added Calvo. [gallery ids="101344,152190,152173,152186,152180" nav="thumbs"]