Who says Washington isn’t a chicdom? Hundreds of local women, many armed to the teeth with Fendi and Chanel bags and tottering on stilettos worthy of the runway, turned out for the Nordstrom Fall Fashion Preview to benefit Knock Out Abuse Against Women.

The National Building Museum was set up with designer “boutiques,” dressing rooms, and buffet stations with lightly-smoked salmon, lentil salad with shrimp, roasted veggies, chicken montrachet and peppercorn grilled beef with rosemary-fig chutney to help shoppers keep up their strength.

Nordstrom’s runway show featured fall collections of Versace, Jil Sander, Michael Kors, Donna Karan, Dolce & Gabana, Ralph Lauren, Christian Dior, Badgely Mischka, Missoni, Lanvin, and Valentino.

The overall message? Black is the new black, belts are big, skirts are short, and it’s okay to sparkle and shimmer before cocktail hour.

After the show, women were welcome to indulge at a dessert buffet—unless they wanted to fit into the oh-so-body-conscious clothes on display. Forget the Baby Doll dresses of summer. The fall looks are for grown-ups watching their diets.

For a photo slideshow of the evening, look below. Simply click on a photograph to see the next one. All photographs by Tyler Wilson.