Setting a Style Standard

>> Washingtonian Style Setters Party Photos

The clothes were as eye-catching as the art at the Phillips Collection on Wednesday night as Washington's beautiful people and the people who make them that way turned out for Washingtonian's 2010 Style Setters party.

The W Hotel, the setting for the seven-night shoot that drew together 19 of Washington's snappiest dressers, poured pineapple cocktails for the crowd, which flowed through the Phillips' exhibits and outside onto the patio.

The night's honorees stood out in the packed crowd. Navigant Consulting's Shom Chowdhury, living up to his self-proclaimed splashy reputation, arrived with a group of women dressed to the nines. Jazz singer and trombonist Eric Felten opted for dark pinstripes, saying he felt an obligation to live up to his designation as a snappy dresser. D&A Luxury Consulting president Aureta Thomollari shone in one of the evening's most dramatic ensembles, a floor-length spangled white gown, while the Corcoran Gallery of Art's public relations director Kristin Guiter came from work in a dress she said was an homage to autumn. 

And fashion critics and creators brought their fashion acumen to the evening as well. The Washington Post's Holly Thomas tweeted that she was debuting new vintage Bob Mackie pants and was as good as her word in tropical colors. Custom shirtmaker Hugh & Crye founder Pranav Vora tweeted pictures of winner and Oglivy PR senior digital strategist Betsy Lowther. Bitch Is the New Black author Helena Andrews sung the praises of Ginger Root Design, who altered her sheath for the evening. Project Beltway blogger Rachel Cothran, there supporting Guiter who is colleague at the Corcoran, glittered in Studio 54-worthy gold. And Fingerprint DC publicists Jayne Sandman and Barbara Martin stopped towards the end of the night-they make their own contribution to the Washington fashion scene on Thursday night when they host the opening of a new Uggs store in Georgetown.

Last year's Style Setters party made the first episode of Real Housewives of Washington, DC, and while the cameras were absent this year, the night wasn't without its reality-star cameoes.

Stacie Scott Turner wore a statement necklace she confessed was a Target bargain, while her husband Jason discussed how the couple has protected their children from the culture of reality television and the impact of the impending mayoral transition (now at the Tyson Project Management Group, Jason did a stint in the Fenty administration). Stacie's friend, Erika Martin Hughes, whose name has been floated as a replacement for Michaele Salahi should Bravo renew the Washington installment of Real Housewives, wore her short hair in a dramatic updo and a severe chain-link necklace. And Paul Wharton gave a non-confirmation confirmation that he'll be starring in his own reality show soon, telling Washingtonian.com he'd be providing "lots more to write about."

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Alyssa Rosenberg