HughE Dillon: XIX Most Fashionable Women in Philadelphia
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.
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.
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.