With summer gone and fall making a serious statement (hellllllo foliage!), that means two things: my leather jacket is back as my wear-everywhere staple, and the return of SOCIAL SEASON. Going into my second year covering the Washington, DC social scene for The Washington Post and we started with a bang; last Saturday I had the wild and wacky pleasure of photographing Night Nouveau, a surrealism-themed benefit for the S&R Foundation.
The only thing I love more than a good themed party is a good themed party where everyone buys in and brings the sartorial splendor. With an all-white backyard maze populated by creepy/fun white mimes, a fishbowl themed outdoor terrace, and some crazy costumes, I couldn't have asked for better photo fodder. The feature appeared in yesterday's Washington Post Style section (with a cameo on the section cover!) and can be found online HERE.
Curious about what I wore? Check out THIS photo on my Instagram. There's nothing like a little Comme des Garçon-inspired makeup as a surrealist, turban-clad 1960's doyenne (complete with my actual prom dress) with a sly wink to journalists "talking out both sides of their mouths". A little wit and a lot of style? Yes please.
After entering the backyard maze, guests were followed by white-clad mimes Shelly Gui and Brian Z. of Cast of Thousands as they made their way through the twists and turns.
Guests Tim and Dana Rooney try to find their way out of the maze at the annual Night Nouveau benefit party at the historic Halcyon House in Georgetown.
Tom White references Rene Magritte's famous surrealist work 'The Son of Man', while Joy Robertson opted for a chic human-disco ball look, and affixed each mirror to her scalp individually.
S&R Foundation COO Kate Goodall was perfectly on theme with a giant bird-laden bouffant hairdo.
Elsa Medhin brought some serious face.
Donna Le and Nicanor Aquino came in butterfly couture.
S&R Foundation fellow Ben Reich and guests Shanna Edwards, Caroline Lee, and David Miller (from right) laugh at the surrealist party Night Nouveau on October 11. Fellows are awarded a grant and one year fellowship that includes 4 month residency at the mansion to work on their social entrepreneurship projects.
Shuhei Yamaguchi and Andrew Schecker of Skytrax Air.
S&R Foundation COO Kate Goodall (left) and her friend Melissa B. sported serious aviary attire.
Mike Hughes shows off his surrealism finest.
Fuji Television Network Washington Bureau Chief and planning committee member Sumiko Mori (left) with Shigeko Bork (center) and Suzuko Knapper.
"DJ Dirty Hands" brought all the guests out to the dance floor.
Anaastasia Dellaccio of the United Nations Foundation (left), Fran Holuba of the White House and event planning committee (center), and Jennie Buehler of the Citizens Association of Georgetown relax in the Moet VIP lounge.
Guests at the surrealism themed Night Nouveau listen to the hosts give remarks amid floating clouds and wild light decorations at the Halcyon House mansion in Georgetown. Previously an enormous artist's studio, the space was bought by Dr. Sachiko Kuno and converted into a social entrepreneurship fellowship program.
S&R Foundation Co-Founder, President and CEO Dr. Sachiko Kuno (center) with four of the foundations resident fellows at the October 11 Night Nouveau benefit: Dan Gallagher, Olivier Kamanda, Heather Lawver Sewell, and Ben Reich.
Maximillian Merrill of Western Growers and Michael Lake show off their surrealist attire.
Doing his best young Dali impression, Austin Clemens of Seabourne entertained fellow guests
It's not a themed party without someone dressed as Miley Cyrus - Kate Damon did the honors at the surrealist Night Nouveau benefit, as Grace Koh and Victoria Reis of Transformer Gallery looked on. Reis' look was all black, with a portrait of herself as a mask.
Guests at the surrealism-themed Night Nouveau party danced the night away amid dramatic performance artists, like this leafy dancer on stilts.