Hello-Hello, and welcome to another Monday here at the Prepatorium. Things are so busy we are making this post count for both Monday and Tuesday, it is that insane.
Following such a social whirl of a weekend on the national party scene, we have lots of fun photos to share. We begin with a peek at some of the goings-on at the Kentucky Derby. Fashions varied wildly, many reflecting the inclement weather conditions.
The rain and mud wreaked havoc for many a fashionista.
Fashionable hats were still visible; below left we see Ruben Studdard and his wife, Zuri, as well as Dino Manzo and Andy Cohen in the photo on the right. Mr. Cohen is an executive with Bravo television and we understand Ms. Manzo is in the cast of a reality show airing on that network.
Second City Style referred to Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minillo as the Worst Dressed Couple at the Derby.
That seems a little harsh. The blog also offers this:
“Aside from those floral centerpieces and large straw hats, I felt that many of the women dressed stylishly, yet immodestly and not at all in the vision of what I have come to believe is the Kentucky Derby.”
As a firm believer in the ‘less is more’ aesthetic, we tend to agree.
There was no shortage of celebrities; below, Joe Don Rooney, Jay DeMarcus and Gary LeVox of the country music band Rascal Flatts.
Jeff Gentner/Getty
Several athletes were also on hand. Below left, skier Bodie Miller and on the right, skater Johnny Weir.
But back to the hats, always delightful to behold.
We love the entire look in the photo above so much we are making it today’s Pretty in Pink.
And how does one transport their chapeaux to and fro?
David J. Phillip/AP
We don’t know how these gentlemen protected their headwear, we do know we adore both styles.
Even a pink flamingo was spotted.
As well as a mass of red roses.
Charlie Riedel/AP
Bearing a striking resemblance to the real deal.
Andy Lyons/Getty
Above jockey Calvin Borel kisses his wife Lisa after his big win.
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Did anyone else spend part of their Saturday night watching the WHCA (White House Correspondents Association) dinner? The pre-parties started early in the week, below we see student Candice Crawford, Dallas Cowboy Tony Romo and Gossip Girl actor Chace Crawford at the People magazine function. (Yes, Candice is Chace’s sister.)
Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Time Inc.
Women’s Wear Daily provides this insight on the mix of attendees:
“While Chace Crawford of “Gossip Girl” and pal Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys aren’t exactly renowned policy wonks, they stopped by to provide a little eye candy for the lady politicos, who were all-to-eager to pose for a souvenir picture with the duo.”
Many celebrities were on hand, just not as many from inside the beltway as there used to be; below, Rachel Ray and her husband John Cusimano.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
Publisher Rupert Murdoch and his wife, Wendi Deng.
Richard Clement/Reuters
As the Washington Post’s Reliable Sources blog put it:
“The quintessentially Washington party has morphed into a Washington-themed party, with the president and politicians playing decorative cameos for the sake of the corporate muckety-mucks and a parade of celebrities who’ve just jetted in.”
Below, a duo actually from the area, General Colin Powell and his wife.
Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty
The styles seen at the event prompt today’s “Help Me Understand”.
We realize Justin Bieber is currently quite the heartthrob; we’re merely confused about the young man’s hairstyle. As far as the image on the right goes, reports are that the entertainer wanted to meet Ms. Kardashian more than anyone at the function. The 16-year-old was very much in demand; Donovan McNabb wanted to have his photo taken with the young singer.
Amy Argetsinger/The Washington Post
More from the Reliable Sources report:
“Justin Bieber, the tiny tween idol with a big bow tie, was striding out of the dining room of the Hilton Washington Saturday night when a much larger man stopped him and asked to shake his hand.
“My daughter loves you,” said Donovan McNabb.
Bieber, 16, with a swagger way beyond his years, turned and took the new Redskins quarterback’s outstretched hand.”
Many insiders refer to it as ‘The Prom,’ and there were some serious gowns; First Lady Michelle Obama wore Prabal Gurung.
Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty via The Cut
We don’t know who Chelsea Handler, Katie Couric or Gabourey Sidibe were wearing, they all looked lovely.
As did Scarlett Johansson, radiant in Prada.
Planning the gala would create stress for even the most accomplished hostess, doing the seating arrangements for such disparate personalities must be quite the challenge. (Although we suspect experts like Miss Janice would probably handle this with aplomb.) Bono, Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski are seen in this image.
Tony Powell/Washington Post
Below, Director Steven Spielberg (2nd L) and his wife Kate Capshaw (L) poses with actress Michelle Pfeiffer (2nd R) and David E. Kelley (R) as they arrive at the dinner.
Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty
Rumors are always rampant during the week, among the stories circulating this year, a report that Wendy Williams refused to attend because she was seated next to Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth. The horror.
Agostini-AP & Connor/Getty via NY Daily News
Another hot topic, actress Angelina Jolie supposedly turning down a White House invitation to the Dinner. Below, Greta van Susteren and Kim Kardashian.
From the Capitol Hill Style blog, three questions on Kim Kardashian’s look:
1) How much false eyelash is too much false eyelash?
2) How on Earth does she get her undereye makeup so perfect?
3) Am I wrong, or is Kim slowly morphing into Catherine Zeta-Jones?
Elizabeth Moss and her husband, Fred Armison attended; Ms. Moss portrays one of TP’s favorite characters from the television show Mad Men.
Others from the Hollywood contingent included Alec Baldwin and Mariska Hargitay, along with Washington insiders Alexandra Wentworth and George Stephanopolous.
We turn to the Celebritology blog for more:
“The amount of star power ratcheted up a few notches at this year’s White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, where at least one representative from virtually every current, mainstream American pop culture phenomenon joined the swirling, overheated mass of humanity inside the Washington Hilton.”
Michael Oher of the Baltimore Ravens (L) and Donatella Versace (R).
Another TP fave, Julianna Margulies on the left and on the right, Terence Howard. (If only we could get Mr. Oher, whom we think the world of, connected with Mr. Howard’s tailor, he would be one stylish figure.)
And while the Dinner is beginning to resemble the Oscars more and more (complete with associated festivities from Vanity Fair, People, the New Yorker and others) there is a difference, as pointed out in this post from Celebritology:
“These cultural collisions are what give the dinner that social train wreck quality that, frankly, you just don’t find at the Oscars. It’s why Betty White is seated happily a few chairs over from Eric Holder .”
We do love looking at the gowns, and hope you do too!
- John Gress/Reuters
- Mario Tama/Getty
- Jeff Haynes/Reuters
- Luis M. Alvarez/AP
- Darron Cummings/AP
- Matt Sullivan/Reuters
- Andy Lyons/Getty
- Jeff Gentner/Getty
The Preppy Princess 