Project DC Style

 

     DLA Piper hosted the first edition of  Project DC Style, Battle of the Stylists  last Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008.

     The goal of the three part Project is to solve DC’s Fashion Dilemma:  how do powerful women with serious jobs dispel DC’s reputation as stodgy and dull?   Three area stylists competed to show exactly how to  be both fashionable and appropriate.

     After a round of champagne and shopping, Deborah Meshulam of DLA Piper introduced Judith Sandalow, executive director of the Children’s Law Center, who spoke both of  Piper’s generous support of the CLC, and of the  legal work that more than 50 attorneys donate each year to serve children in need of asisstance and representation.    

    Our guests selected the evening’s challenge:  going  straight from a day at the office to your significant other’s holiday cocktail party.    After the stylists were introduced, they met their volunteers, and spent an hour transforming them.    Stylist Margaret Lilly paired with  Bert Rivko, Ashley Parker with Judith Spandalow, and Wendy Pilch with Evalyn Opani.   After selecting clothing, accessories and shoes to meet the challenge, each stylist worked with hair stylists Rowina Nugara and Royston Cooray  and makekup artist Kim Reyes to make sure that the look was complete.

     At 7:30, the newly styled volunteers scooted through sleety rain to the back alley entrance of Sesto Senso, where both guests and judges anticipated their appearance.   Evelyn, Judith and Bert strutted their stuff to cheers, applause, and the careful scrutiny of  the three judge panel.  Jennifer  Barger, editor of Fashion Washington and Read Express, and Jill Hudson Neal, fashion editor of Washingtonian Magazine and Washingtonian Bride were joined by Damien Skinner of News Channel Eight.    After a second strut and confab, the judges declared Wendy Pilch the winner, having most successfully met the challenge of taking Evelyn from the office to a cocktail party.

      We invite you to see whether you agree with Jennifer, Jill and Damien:  they didn’t have it easy.  All three stylists orchestrated looks that expressed the personality of each volunteer while conferring a  new level of polish and high style.   It was a pleasure to watch the transformation and to enjoy cocktails and shopping throughout,  especially knowing that 10% of purchases made that evening were donated to Children’s Law Center. 

      Please enjoy the photos below, and plan to attend Project DC Style, editions 2 and 3, in 2009.