Washington Life’s guide to the capital’s most influential under 40 residents in 2010

Mayor Adrian and Michelle Fenty at The Kennedy Center Honors.

Our annual Young & The Guest List feature is known for containing the names of accomplished, dynamic, and successful Washingtonians, all under 40 and devoted to making the nation’s capital a place that attracts (and keeps) the best and the brightest. This fifth annual compilation is no exception. During the past year, myriad political and economic events have made waves far beyond the Beltway and more than a few of our players have gotten bigger headlines than seasoned veterans. Our president, after all, is only eight years past the eligibility cutoff to have been listed himself. Many of his young staff included here, have quickly become fixtures in the White House and halls of Congress, to say nothing of the social scene. We have numerous “change makers” from the government, along with major players in the arts and sciences, journalism and business as well as the non-profit and philanthropic sectors. In the spirit of the famous Irish proverb, “praise youth and it will prosper,” we share with you 250-plus men and women who dare to dream big and act even bigger.

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Polo-playing socialite Tareq Salahi and his wife Michaele testify before Congress, plead the Fifth and claim the have been falsely accused.  Meanwhile, Washington Life has been told that the Secret Service was warned about the couple after a previous crash attempt during an inauguration event at the Lincoln Memorial.

By John Arundel

Afghanistan Ambassador Said and Shamim Jawad, Abigail and Congressman Roy Blunt, and Michaela and Tareq Salahi at the 2008 Ambassador’s Ball. (Photo by Tony Powell, Courtesy of Washington Life Magazine.)

“It will truly be a historic moment,” said Tareq Salahi, speaking to Washington Life magazine last week. “Not since the 1950s has Congress held hearings of such a historic nature.”

In 1950, Congress held hearings on White House security after two Cuban nationalists stormed Blair House across the street from the White House, imperiling the security of then-President Harry S Truman, who was staying there while the executive mansion was undergoing renovations.

Tareq Salahi told Washington Life that he and his wife would exercise their Fifth Amendment rights (which they did) in order to avoid being witnesses against themselves when they appear before the House Subcommittee on Homeland Security, keeping the disclosure of their invitation under wraps until a Wednesday-afternoon news conference at the Capitol.

When asked why he would not divulge their evidence at the House hearing, Tareq responded: “The answer’s easy. Eleanor Holmes Norton.”

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Napoléon Bistro

Photos by Tony Powell

Omar Popal

THE EVENT: Omar Popal is smart, handsome, charming, a bit mischevious in good hearted way, and oh-so-discreet – just a few of the reasons why 300 of his best pals jammed Napoléon Bistro, his family’s Adams-Morgan eatery, to drink, dine, and dance in honor of the actor/model/restaurateur’s 30th. THE SCENE: The birthday boy watched good-naturedly as a lifetime’s worth of often embarrassing but always wittily encaptioned photos were put together and projected by big brother Mustafa Popal and sister Fatima Popal. Later, clan elders surrendered the premises to late-arriving scenesters who partied until closing in the lower level lounge/discothèque. THE GUESTS: Paul Wharton, Karim Chrobog, Routiza and Bita Vahhabaghai, Carolina Furukrona, Douglas Eldridge, Erwin Gomez, and Will Thomas.

WLTV was out in full force at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel for the fifth annual Fashion Fights Poverty benefit show.

By Kelly Fisher

Fashion Fights Poverty 5 at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel

Hosted by FOX5’s Will Thomas and eco-fashion author Summer Rayne Oakes, the evening showcased a handful of ecologically and socially responsible collections from upcoming national and international designers.

Included in the show:  Aidah Collection, MIRZA MPERIAL, Nudie Jeans, Rene Geneva, ReneeQ Bespoke, and Sudio D-Maxsi, with accessories by Camille Gabriele, Cha by Chandra, JJ Singh Jewelry, and Lillybee by Simple Soles.

What’s next for FFP? International expansion to continue its mission raising global awareness about the importance of creating socially-ethical projects.

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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Gerry Coats and Kadrieka Maiden

Location: St. Regis Hotel

WL SPONSORED – Photos by Gabe Dillon and Jerome Charles

FASHION FORWARD: Created by the Style & Image Network, this year’s Fashion Fights Poverty event featured ethical and eco-friendly designs from Kayce Armstrong, Annatarian, Eric Finn, Mae Ho, and Adele Weschler. The event raised $10K for Nest — a group dedicated to providing micro-financing loans to women in developing countries to begin or maintain art- or craft- based businesses. WORKING IT: FFP gets better each year and is a great addition to the local fashion scene, but it ran a long and the quality of the fashion, although eco-friendly, was hit and miss. Highlights included Armstrong’s collection, Will Thomas doing a yeoman’s job of keeping co-host Parker Posey in check, and rocking hair and make-up direction by James Cornwell.

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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Our hot and successful Young & The Guest Listers go about their daily routines and explore Cady’s Alley.

Photography Tim Coburn
Stylist Lana Orloff
Make-up Artist and Styling support James Cornwell with Pr@partners
Hair Stylist Loretta Jameson with Pr@partners
Shoot Assistants Amanda Conseco and Melissa Grady with Pr@partners

Brooke Daley at Cafe Leopold

Julie Haus yellow chiffon top ($198); Bloomingdales, 5300 Western Ave., Chevy Chase, Md., 240-744-3700. Louis Vuitton cruise shorts ($1,215); Louis Vuitton, 1-866-VUITTON. Cole Haan yellow croc print heels ($375); Bloomingdales, 5300 Western Ave., Chevy Chase, Md., 240-744-3700. 14K yellow gold amethyst charm bracelet ($595) and 14K yellow gold amethyst cocktail ring ($850); Boone & Sons Jewelers, 5550 The Hills Plaza, Chevy Chase, Md. 301-657-2144;. Jimmy Choo Tasha green wild nappa bag ($1,295); Jimmy Choo Boutiques,www.jimmychoo.com or 1-866-JCHOO-US.

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