Lila Castellaneta

By Melissa Herald , Kim Forrest

Ten of Washington’s best-dressed women share their fashion advice, their favorite shops—and their fashion disasters. Read about one of them.

This article is from 2006's Best Dressed Women package. To see 2007's Best Dressed Women package, click here.

Wife of the Italian ambassador to the United States

Photograph by Matthew Worden

Photograph by Matthew Worden

How would you describe your style? Personal. Nature has been kind, and my frame allows me to wear things that might be considered extreme, but I tend toward the classic.

What’s been your best bargain? My jewelry. I design it myself.

What kind of jewelry do you design? High fashion, gold, diamonds, all precious and semiprecious stones.

Favorite thing in your closet? Jeans, smock shirt, loafers. It’s what I wear around the house and when I paint or work on my jewelry designs.

The best-dressed person in Washington? My husband. He has an exceptional sense of style—thanks to me.

How many pairs of shoes do you own? You couldn’t be asking me for a number, could you? How about “many enough”?

Find A ...
Find A Restaurant







  1. Only show Delivery
    Only show Kid Friendly
    Only show Late Night
    Only show Party Space
    Only show Weekend Brunch
Find Events




Find A Happy Hour





  1. search_finda.gif
Find A Spa




  1. search_finda.gif
Find a Home





  1. search_finda.gif
  2. Powered by  

A Night Out: World Cocktail Week Kicks Off at Proof

To celebrate World Cocktail Day (Raise a glass--it's today!), Penn Quarter wine bar Proof hosted a dinner last night that featured libations from some of the area’s most creative bartenders, including their own Sebastian Zutant, Derek Brown of Komi, and Gina Chersevani of EatBar. more

Chat About Fashion With Two of Our Favorite Bloggers

We’ve invited two of our favorite Washington fashion bloggers (and Washingtonian.com contributors) Rachel Cothran and Betsy Lowther in for a chat on all things fashion and shopping on Friday, May 16, at 3 PM. more

100 Best Restaurants 2008

Openings by celebrity chefs! A bistro renaissance! Twenty new restaurants! There’s plenty of excitement on the Washingtonian 2008's list of very best restaurants, ranked from 1 to 100. more

  1. Readers' Favorite Restaurants 2007
  2. Washingtonian.com and Washingtonian Magazine Photo Galleries
  3. Great Hair: 45 Great Salons
  4. Beyond Waffles: Our Guide to the Best Brunches