Tina D'Souza, David Sutphen

Location: The W Hotel

Photos by Tony Powell

Style Profile: A soigné crowd celebrated the much-anticipated premiere of a documentary by R.J. Cutler that zeroes in on Vogue editor Anna Wintour as she and her impossibly hard-working staff put together the famed September 2007 issue, the largest in the magazine’s history. Of course, the screen style legends were nearly eclipsed by the evening’s very chic guests at the after-party hosted by the Gilt Group. Stylistas: Mary Barth, Lindsay Czarniak, Jessica Gibson, Omar Popal, and Ylan McClintock.

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Washington’s fashionistas get a slice of the Big Apple at the premiere of “The September Issue”

By Kevin Chaffee
Photos by Tony Powell

Darcy Jones, Nathaniel Fogg, Alexandra Wilkis Wilson and Alexis Maybanks. Photo by Tony Powell.

It may have been the doggiest of the dog days of August but that didn’t prevent local glitterati from turning out for the Washington premiere of “The September Issue” Wednesday night. ?

Invitation e-mails were sent only a few weeks ago for the much-anticipated event hosted by the online shopping website Gilt.com at the Landmark E Street Cinema, which was filled to capacity to see Vogue editrix-in-chief Anna Wintour in action as she forged the famed September 2007 issue of her magazine from scratch over a sixth month period. Why famed, you may ask? Answer: the 800-plus-page issue was the largest in Vogue’s history and the cause of much celebration in those pre-recessionary times. ??

Guests enjoyed the behind-the-scenes action as Wintour and her staff forge ahead to final deadline, arguing over photo spreads, dismissing carloads of expensive designer duds as “simply not for us,” tossing out $50,000 fashion shoots, and making snide comments behind each other’s backs. Much to everyone’s surprise, the real star of the show wasn’t Wintour at all, but the magazine’s longtime creative director, Grace Coddington, a fabulously frowsy redhead in her late 60s who couldn’t care less how she looks in a mirror or anywhere else. The flamboyant Andre Leon Talley also captures a few scenes, all of which he plays for laughs. My personal favorite: the obese Talley futilely trying to lose weight on a tennis court as a hunky instructor lobs balls his way. Biggest surprise: the total non-role played by European Editor-at-Large Hamish Bowles, who never gets a single word on camera.??

The W Hotel is Washington’s new oasis of chic, and the 200 or so guests who showed up for the post-screening party must be commenced for their effort to replicate the height of New York chic (mile-high heels, short skin-tight dresses) despite the sticky weather. Spotted sipping rose Champagne and taking the tiniest little bites of lobster: White House staffer Mona Sutphen, Biden communications director Courtney O’Donnell, deputy social secretary Sally Armbruster, CNN’s Michelle Jaconi, Fox Channel 5 anchor Will Thomas, Katie Rost, sports reporter Lindsay Czarniak, Amy Baier, Anais de Viel Castel, Paul Wharton, Annie Groer, and Mary Barth.

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Kate Marie Grinold, Adrian Loving, Lindsay Czarniak, Michael Dove, Dominique Dawes and Francis Hoang represent a few of the many successful locals on the list.

In a city filled with some of the nation’s most dynamic young people, the 250 individuals who comprise this year’s Young & The Guest List repeatedly stand out; as leaders, risk-takers, givers, connectors, and changemakers. Their achievements vary widely, but each was nominated, researched, and debated before being added to the list. What emerged from this process is a more accomplished group than ever before, and so for the first time, we’ve decided to include their professional titles alongside their names. The past three months have reminded us all how quickly the city’s young power players can change. But after four years, The Young & The Guest List is still the only place to find them all.

A

Miss Huma Abedin
Aide, Office of Secretary of State Hiliary Rodham Clinton

Mr. Marc Adelman
Principal, Adelmania Consulting

His Excellency the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates Yousef Al Otaiba

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WL’s highly anticipated list of those we consider are the future leaders of Washington.

Left to right: Michelle and Adrian Fenty, Kirsten Pollin, Joel Limmerick and Katie Rost, Philippe Cousteau, and Mae Haney Grennan and Michelle Haney Maddux.

Since its debut two years ago, the release of The Young & The Guest List annually creates quite a buzz. The issue sells out in three-days, we receive lengthy nomination letters and last year, several tried to crash our party. We become just as excited about this issue, because it seems this is the only time the spotlight is brightly shined on the under forty set whose formidable accomplishments including best-selling books, multi-million dollar companies, congressional seats and mayorships sometimes go without their deserved fanfare.

Each year, we sit down with a committee to compile a list of 150 members who significantly contribute to the vibrancy of city. More often their names are unknown: are sometimes overshadowed by their boss (these range from the President to financial heavyweight David Rubenstein), perhaps they rarely go out because their writing groundbreaking State policy on Africa or maybe they are helping to securing an election for their candidate. Make no doubt though, these are the future faces of Washington, who behind the scenes are an integral part of making this country work. Listees range from the president of the Corcoran 1869 Society to our very own Mayor and his wife, to award-winning filmmakers and authors. For the third time, we present The Young & The Guest List.

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After Washington’s favorite sportscaster and a pioneer, George Michael stepped down, hometown girl Lindsay Czarniak stepped up to the plate. As Redskin season heats up, NBC4 is still a ratings leader for sports coverage and Czarniak, by many industry leaders, is considered to be a rising star.
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