HILARY RHODA’S CAPITOL FETE

December 15, 2009

http://www.politico.com/click/stories/0912/hillary_rhodas_capitol_fete.html

HILARY RHODA’S CAPITOL FETE

By KIKI RYAN | 12/15/09 3:05 PM EST

First lady Michelle Obama may be the talk of the fashion world, but Hilary Rhoda still holds the title as the Washingtonian with the most recognizable face on the runway and in print.

The model who graces this month's cover of Capitol File Magazine drew a crowd of fashionable men and women to a holiday party in her honor Monday night at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel.

Wearing a tight black lace overlay dress with an exposed back zipper, the Chevy Chase native had all the guests gushing.

Rhoda told POLITICO it was gratifying to appear on the cover of the local magazine "because it's a much more personal thing than just being in a magazine.”

The brunette beauty with killer eyebrows is pretty hard to miss — even when she is not on the cover of a Washington-area glossy. Rhoda, the new face of Estee Lauder cosmetics, appeared in this year’s Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue and her print ads appear in all the top fashion magazines across the country.

Currently living in New York City, Rhoda said that she still feels her hometown is one fashion forward place.

"It always has been. … It's a different kind of chic," she said.

Rhoda contended that there are "definitely a lot of people here with great style,” noting with enthusiasm that she shares the first lady’s love of designer Jason Wu.

Check out the video below to hear her talk more about Michelle Obama and find out where the twenty two year old loves to shop in the District.

Party deets:

Venue: The event was held in the Mayflower’s Town and Country bar as well as an upper level overlooking the grand lobby. Things got into full swing once the guests all moved to the upper level.

Food: Black cherry bourbon tenderloin; cheese and crackers; crabcakes with a mustard sauce; veggies and dip served in a shot glass; chicken in phyllo dough with a peanut sauce; lamb skewers; ratatouille stuffed artichokes hearts; and a huge dessert buffet with holiday classics.

Booze: Several open bars featured a selection of Johnnie Walker Black Label and Red Label creations. There was also a tasting station of Blue Label, the crème de la crème of the scotch whiskey's brand. Rhoda stayed away from the scotch, instead sipping a vodka and soda.

Star power: Hilary Rhoda; Niche Media CEO Jason Binn; Capitol File's Sarah Schaffer and Christie Findlay; Philadelphia Style Magazine's John Colabelli; CNN's Edie Emery, Jessica Yellin, Kristi Slafka and Meryl Conant; David Washington; "Real Housewives of D.C." cast member Lynda Erkiletian; Jamestown Entertainment's Freddie Wyatt; MicroStrategies Michael Saylor; Fishbowl DC's Matt Dornic; make-up guru Carl Ray, who has worked with Michelle Obama; Rick Raines; Jack and Susanna Quinn; ABC's Courtney Cohen and Polson Kanneth; NBC's Sarah Demarest and Colleen Sanvido; ABC 7/WJLA's Alison Starling and Pamela Brown; WUSA 9's Angie Goff; The Georgetown Dish's Beth Solomon; Creative Enterprises International's Janet Donovan; Fashion for Paws' Tara de Nicolas; Matt Lowe; Heather Guay; J.P. Fielder; Becca Glover; Todd Flournoy; Jake Perry; Jeff DuFour and his wife, Jayne Sandman; Miss DC 2008 Kate Marie Grinold; The Corcoran Gallery of Art's Kristin Guiter and Rachel Cothran.

Fun factor: Young women dressed in their best excitedly took pictures with the city’s fashion celebrity.

Courtesy of FGPR