HughE Dillon: XIX Most Fashionable Women in Philadelphia

Photos of the best dressed ladies in our city.
By ·

Last night, Mary K. Dougherty (left)—who owns Philly’s Nicole Miller shop and was recently named one of the Philadelphia Inquirer‘s “Top 25 Philadelphia Fashion Icons”—unveiled the 3rd Annual XIX Most Fashionable Women in Philadelphia at the restaurant XIX in the Hyatt at the Bellevue. This VIP event is a highlight of a September Celebration of Fashion in Philadelphia and part of The Philadelphia Collection series. Pictured below: George Rubin, Vice Chairman of the Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment along with singer-songwriter Lauren Hart, who is the Flyers anthemist and one of the XIX most fashionable women.

If there was recognition for the most fashionable family, I have no doubt the Spains would be the first recipients. Last night, it was the next best thing as Bernie Spain (second from right) saw his wife Joan (left) and daughter Dana (second from left) were awarded for their style. Joan was given the 2012 Visionary Award for her years of fashionableness as well as philanthropic generosity to many Philadelphia fashion programs including the Philadelphia Art Museum. At the dedication of the 2,000-square-foot Joan Spain Gallery for Costume and Textiles inside the Ruth and Raymond G. Perelman Building, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Spain stated “Fashion is clothing, and that’s something that everyone can relate to. It’s a form of self-expression. And we have enormous respect for fashion designers.” Dana Spain was recognized as one of the XIX Women 2012 Honorees. Not only is she fashionable and beautiful, but she’s also generous in her contributions to many charitable organizations, including ones that benefit our furry friends. She is the founder of the Pennsylvania Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and raising millions of dollars for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Also receiving the XIX Women 2012 Visionary Honor was stylish, elegant Joan Pileggi who opened Pileggi on the Square—Washington Square, that is. It was not a very tony section of town when Pileggi opened the salon in 1977, but eventually the neighborhood caught up with what Pileggi had in mind and restaurants and residents followed. Eventually Pileggi opened up three more salons in the Philadelphia area and operated them until she retired in 2008, leaving a legacy of one of the most fashionable pioneers of the Walnut Street below Broad revitalization. A pioneer in sustainable clothing, XIX Women 2012 honoree Sarah Van Aken, founder and CEO of SA VA, has just been named “Young Entrepreneur of the Year’” by the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. She is a board member for the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator, and tomorrow she is hosting her annual SA VA Fashion Show & Street Fair at 6 p.m. at 17th and Sansom streets.

XIX Women 2012 Honoree Rosemary Turner, President of UPS, Chesapeake District, poses with her husband Robert Turner. Rosemary is a 31-year UPS veteran, and most recently served as the manager of UPS’s Metro Philadelphia District. She told me that individual style and confidence makes a women fashionable.

Pictured below, XIX Women 2012 Honoree Floss Barber (right) and her daughter Megan Duval. Barber is a pioneer in her field. She owns a national interior design firm specializing in interior design, hospitality design, restaurant design and office design. One of her latest projects was designing Chef Emeril Lagasse’s Chop House restaurant inside the Sands Bethlehem Casino Resort.

Mary Pat Kessler poses with Susan Francia, an Olympic gold medalist in rowing. Both Mary Pat and Susan grew up in Abington. Susan was very down-to-earth and even let Mary Pat try on the Olympic gold medal. Later in the evening I saw Mayor Nutter chatting with Susan and introducing his wife to the Olympian.

 

Speaking of Lisa Nutter, here she is with her friends from Penn State University. They are Michelle Dugger (left) and XIX Women 2012 Honoree Karen Bliss, Vice President of Marketing, Advanced Sports International

The evenings proceeds benefited the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator, which is a collaboration between the City of Philadelphia, Macy’s Center City and Center City District, and various educational institutions devoted to fashion design in Philadelphia. Latifat Obijinmi (ASO Damisi) and Moriamo Johnson (ASO Damisi) pose with Margaret Hughes, Philadelphia Fashion Incubator board member. At the night’s event $100 raffle tickets were sold for a grand prize: a pair of tickets to a Nicole Miller Fashion Show in NYC, and a tour of the new showroom and a $4,500 Lago’s bracelet.

Pictured below: Susan Taylor,  a doctor at Society Hill Dermatology , with her daughter Madison Dawkins. Susan tells me that every women has her own fashion sense and style. Whatever makes a women feel confident and comfortable makes her fashionable. Other honorees included Emily Risser, Donna O’Brien, Pat Ciarrocchi, Hope Cohen, Mary Jo Barthmaier, Karen Giberson, Kristen Laviolette, Danuta Mieloch, and Natalie Nixon.

Former XIX Women 2011 Honoree GN Kang, Director of Operations for The Hamels Foundation, and Tina Wells, CEO of Buzz Marketing Group make a fashionable pair.

A few Former XIX Women Honorees: Karen Buchholz, NBC10’s Dawn Timmeney, Sophia Stogiannis of Water Works Restaurant and Lounge, and Linda Swain, host and producer of Moms on the Move with Camille Cwienkala (center).

WMMR’s Kathy Romano,  poses with Jill Rizen, Philly’s Hippest Real Estate Guru, and Alisa Frederico, stylist. Kathy, who’s wearing Nicole Miller, tells me that her fashionable look is put together by her stylist Alisa. Her style: classy chic, trendy, and knowing what clothes look right for her body type.

 

Read More About:

Trending

  1. Mid-Century Modern Architect’s House for Sale in Forty Fort

  2. The Ultimate Guide to Eco-Friendly Home Renovations in Philly