December 15, 2009
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A Capitol File Affair
Ahh… remember the days of excess? Partying every night (with no bill to pay), sipping never ending champagne in an exquisite venue with tables filled with overflowing exotic cuisine while getting your photo taken with the visiting Hollywood celebrity of the hour? No, I’m not talking about the ’80’s or even the late ’90’s. I’m speaking of ‘05 and ‘06, even into ‘07. Those years, oh Grasshopper, were when the “glossies” hit then became the DC market. Capitol File, DC magazine, and the new defunct DC Style came in all together with such force we were left with our heads spinning. Nightly, weekly, daily the invites came. Many invitations had “Special Guest: Celebrity (Fill in the blank)“, always an extra incentive to make sure you made it there. These were parties and gatherings for well, the sake of partying and gathering. We were constantly celebrating something. Eventually you overheard the ubiquitous conversations while waiting in line for a glass of bubbly: “Who is this for? What is this party about?” Not that it was outwardly mattering, as every person there was having the time of their lives.
Then there were “lists”, the photos, the goodie bags, the making sure you didn’t wear a dress you had been seen in previously. Of course there were what these parties were all for, you know, the magazines themselves. Those heavy glossy tomes filled with pages of party pics (many of which the publication had thrown), advertisements, Hollywood star visits, advertisements, local celebrity contributors, advertisements, interviews with designers, chefs and tastemakers, advertisements… and so on.
The town was rock’n and we were a-knock’n every night with a tight guest list (no crashers allowed), open bars, fancy butler passed hors d’oeuvres, double cheek kisses, live music, hot DJ’s, A-list celebrities mixing with guests, and heaven forbid if there wasn’t an after party. (Pictured above: Tara de Nicolas, J. Matthew Lowe and Angie Goff)
Then it stopped. Well the excessive part did. And the sheer number of magazine events slowly started to clear off everyone’s calendars. Publishing monthly became quarterly or 5 times a year. The new lean sizes could actually fit into my mailbox. The party spreads still featured beautiful people, but at openings of medical spas, small boutiques, book signings and private birthday parties.
Sign of the times? No doubt. While the years of grandiose soirees hosted by the magazines and their sponsors were indeed pleasurable, to continue that streak especially during these uncertain economic times would be illogical and in fact impossible. With that said, it was nice to see a glimpse (sort of) of those good old days on Monday evening when Niche Media CEO Jason Binn invited his list to the latest Capitol File party.
When Jason calls, people apparently answer. The 6pm-8pm event held at the Renaissance Mayflower HotelChoral Arts Society Gala made sure to stop by first) to say hello to the Manhattan based CEO, who rarely comes south to Washington. The party was to celebrate Hilary Rhoda, the issue’s cover girl. Guests were treated to wine, beer, cocktails and Scotch drinks – Johnnie Walker that is. There was even a Johnnie Walker Blue LabelLuke Russert wasn’t the only one feverishly patting his forehead with a handkerchief) 2nd level. There we had a table of cheese, mini crab cakes and a variety of other food on the round buffet style table. There were two bars created on either side of the space with the further next to the dessert display, which prominently featured a gingerbread house (below). was jam packed (even the formal attired folks skipping out to head to the tasting table tucked way back in the corner on the 2nd level. There was a “strict list”, a step-and-repeat with fewer photographers than in parties past, one bar on the first level with stairs leading up to the temperature warm (
As far as “who was there”, it seemed to be the old guard with some new faces sprinkled in. The guest of honor (I mean Hilary, not Jason) brought her brother while Jason ran around both levels hugging, saying hi, posing for photos, then when the bell tolled … he was off.
I suppose it will be White House Correspondents Dinner Weekend next time
Courtesy of FGPR
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