With the social season in full swing, I had the pleasure of photographing the annual Russian Ball for The Washington Post the second year in a row. The flamboyant international event is held in the gilded ballroom of one of Washington's oldest social clubs (which for mysteries' sake shall remain nameless), and plays host to some of Russia's oldest families. Diamonds drip as vodka flows freely and the charmingly hard of hearing Count Tolstoy trips along speaking a mixture of French, Russian, and English with a nearby socialite. The white tie attire, larger than life personalities, and opulent venue make for one of Washington's most surreal formal events, and it's always a visual delight to photograph. You can see the full feature in the Style section of The Washington Post on newsstands today, or online HERE.
If you're curious for EVEN MORE you can check out the photos from last year's event HERE.
Retired society writer Robin Phillips shows off her fabulous side as Timothy Thomas and scientist Andrew Sostek look on.
Socialite and author Ioana Nitobe Garrison Lee chats with Gabriela Coman.
Diplomatic Liaison Rhoda Septilici, left, clutches her fur as she laughs with her friends, Leila Beale, wife of the Barbados ambassador (center), and Gabriela Coman (right) at the Russian Ball.
Countess Anja von Kalinowski, Vasilissa Derugina, and Predislava Derugina (left, right, center) show off their beaded gowns at the annual Russian Ball on January 10. Predislava stood in as chairwoman for the evening.
John Dick peers over the bar wondering about the status of his cocktail.
Richard Grodine and Maryellen von Eichenwald enjoy cocktails in the grand ballroom.
Diplomatic Liaison Rhoda Septilici, left, shows off a photo of her great grandmother, who is wearing the same brooch she has on here at the January 10 Russian Ball. Leila Beale, wife of the Barbados ambassador (center), and Gabriela Coman (right) inspect the photo.
Flanked by the Washington Balalaika Society, event chairman Paul du Quenoy welcomes guests to the annual Russian Ball with Prince Dimitri Obolensky (left) and Prince Nicholas Obolensky (right).
Leila Beale, wife of the Barbados ambassador (left) and Ioana Nitobe Garrison Lee (right) talk conspiratorially with Count Vladimir Tolstoy.
Attorney Robert Heggestad and horsewoman Rosemarie Bogley arrived with stunning white tie attire that showed a classic attention to decadent details.
With over twenty years of ballroom dancing lessons under their belts, George and Kim Bentz whirled around the post-dinner dance floor with grace and skill not often seen at today's fetes.
Mary Ellen Hood dons elbow-length gloves under the watchful eyes of previous members of one of Washington's private clubs, which hosted the annual Russian Ball.