Washington Post: Hillwood Gala with a Cartier Twist

My photo story on the Hillwood gala in today's Style section. 

Tuesday evening I had the pleasure of photographing the annual Hillwood gala and preview of the institution's new exhibit of Marjorie Merriweather Post's dazzling Cartier jewelry collection, entitled “Cartier: Marjorie Merriweather Post’s Dazzling Gems.” The event was attended by Post's extended family including Ellen Charles, Hillwood board president for the last 25 years who was responsible for transforming her grandmother's estate into a functioning museum.

Despite torrential downpours earlier in the day, the evening cleared and guests arrived bathed in hazy golden hour light. I was ecstatic - it's difficult not to take beautiful photos in those conditions - and I shot available light the whole evening. Valets whisked away cars and guests walked through a row of white jacket clad waiters bearing sparkling white wine and champagne upon their arrival. The mood was romantic and light-hearted as guests sipped cocktails on the front drive as a classical singer sang nostalgic French tunes. 

All the ladies wore their best jewelry ("Marjorie would have approved!"), and guests strolled through winding garden paths to view the exhibit, which is housed in a building behind the main house. The Cartier jewels and 1920's dresses on display were stunning and well presented alongside stories of Post's business successes - their owner knew how powerful looking good could be and used it to her advantage in business.  

Dinner was served at 8pm on the lawn, and I snuck out the back as guests took their seats. You can find the feature in the paper on newsstands today, and online HERE. 

Cynthia Howar, center, entertains Buck and Sally Chapoton (left) and Bruce and Alive Whelihan (right).

Natasha Jadan, Nancy Guinee, and Liza Trey arrive in style at the Hillwood gala on June 3 to celebrate the opening of the exhibit “Cartier: Marjorie Merriweather Post’s Dazzling Gems”. Guests took the garden setting of the event to heart in donning black tie outfits that were colorful and breezy, pairing them with decadent jewels that would have made Post proud.

Keeley Smith and Cedric Tonello in classic black tie.

Diana Spencer and Raymond Tanter sip refreshing gin and tonics and banter amicably. Despite rain earlier in the day, the clouds cleared and golden sun emerged just in time for guests' arrival at the estate.

Lisa Fuentes tells Thomas Cohen a story about her days as a television reporter.

Marjorie Merriweather Post’s granddaughter and Hillwood board president Ellen Charles with her granddaughter Anna Rose Iverson. Charles was responsible for transitioning the estate into the museum her grandmother wanted, and is stepping down from the board presidency after 25 years.

Marjorie Merriweather Post's great grandson George Iverson (far left), incoming Hillwood board president Nancy Appleby (second from left), Post's granddaughter Nina Rumbough (second from right), and Jan Roosenburg (right).

 John Irelan greats Betsy Scott Kleeblatt as Hillwood board member Barbara Boggs stands nearby.

Elizabeth Bizic of Meryl Lynch (right) entertains Todd Gambill and Robin Walker of Charity Works (far left).

Aniko Gaal Shott welcomes Kevin Chaffee. Previously of the manager of Garfield's, Shott complemented her ivory draped silk gown with layered Chanel couture necklaces

Marissa Mirra and Marilyn Wald channel two versions of classic graphic style

Guests enjoyed cocktails on the Hillwood's front drive upon arriving for the June 3 gala, mingling until dinner at sunset 

Michael Petite shows off his colorful Hermes pocket square. Petite admitted that one day he walked into Hermes and just "had to have" the fun printed piece because it made him happy

Model Cindy Stegemann, center, laughs with Nancy Parker and her grandson

Fleta Hylton serenaded guests with opera, French songs like "La Vie En Rose", and other romantic pieces that set the mood.

White jacket-clad waiters hurry through the back gardens of the Hillwood estate to retrieve drinks and canapes for the gala guests.

During cocktail hour, guests were encouraged to "take a turn around the gardens" on their way to view the new exhibit “Cartier: Marjorie Merriweather Post’s Dazzling Gems.”

Paige Kjellstrom, Tom Faries and brothers Jeff and Tommy Fuge (from left) sip cocktails in the Hillwood gardens as they wait to enter the new exhibit.

Clad in a dapper Cartier uniform, Jahmar Jones holds the door for journalist Stephanie Greene (left)  and other guests as they enter the new exhibit. 

Michael Buxton thoughtfully regards the description of a pair of Cartier earrings at the Hillwood's new exhibition, “Cartier: Marjorie Merriweather Post’s Dazzling Gems,” which opens to the public this weekend.