Some 250 guests congregated at the Georgetown home of Ben Bradlee and Sally Quinn during Fashion Washington’s exclusive launch party Monday evening. The V.I.P. guests, escorted by models, walked through the D.C. power couple's home and down black turf-covered steps into a white tent decorated to mimic a stylish lounge. The large tent easily accommodated everyone, though the evening's one complaint seemed to be the excessive heat, due in part to an unseasonably warm night.
The party's bold color scheme of black, white, and magenta reflected the first issue of the magazine, which was prominently on display in both paper copies (printed on newspaper stock, not traditional glossy magazine paper) and in large blow-ups of individual pages positioned throughout the room. Orchids from Volanni scattered across cocktail tables provided additional punches of color.
While guests noshed on passed hors d’ouerves like vegetarian summer rolls and lump crabmeat sprinkled with wasabi caviar on pita chips from Design Cuisine Caterers, models roamed the crowd or posed next to their life-size portraits from the magazine. Frosted glass cocktail tables and clear Plexiglas bar stools found throughout the room provided much-needed relief from the sky-high heels of most women, while those craving a quieter chat took to the sides of the room, where white and black leather couches made for cozy nooks. A large bar serving Peroni beer and SurReal vodka cocktails garnered many, but butler-passed glasses of white wine seemed to be the drink of choice.
“It took 40 years, but we’re finally here,” said Post publisher Katherine Weymouth, while the crowd clapped and politely voiced its approval. Weymouth thanked D.C.’s fashion bloggers, many of whom were in attendance, for bringing fashion in the nation's capitol to the attention of the mainstream media. In a brief speech, Fashion Washington editor Jennifer Barger honored D.C.’s First Lady, Michelle Fenty, with the first annual “Most Stylish” award.
By 9 p.m., most guests were headed home, with gift bags in hand. The swag included $50 gift cards to the Mandarin Oriental Spa, an advance copy of Fashion Washington, a Delman candle, and Artisan Chocolates emblazoned with the Fashion Washington logo.
