HughE Dillon: Union League Fashion Show

The ladies committee of the Union League of Philadelphia held their 46th Annual Luncheon & Fashion Show last week. Below: this year’s chairperson Lynsie Solomon, Joan Abele, president of the ladies committee, Joan Carter, 67th president of the Union League and the first woman to hold the post in the club’s 148-year history, and jeweler Steven Lagos, who was being honored to celebrate Lagos’s 35th anniversary in business. Lynsie also had a first when she accepted the chairperson’s position for this year’s fashion; she’s the first woman under 30 to take on such a commitment. It’s particularly significant as she is also only in her second year as a member of the league. She brought to the table a lot of new ideas, including my favorite: using the ladies of the committee as the models for the runway show of Nicole Miller’s fall collection.

Below: Anne Lagos, Alice Sosangelis and Terry Contos were excited to be there and support Steven Lagos. In his speech, Steven thanked his parents for encouraging him to find his creative side. Lagos went on to say that he started making spoon jewelry in his parents’ basement as a child.

Congratulations to Dana and Ronald R, Donatucci on their baby due in the spring. Since 1989, the luncheon has been a means to raise funds to assist with the college education of talented young students. This year, Lynsie thought it would be a good idea to have a man’s table in case some of the men wanted to see their wives walk in the fashion show, or perhaps Lynsie wanted her husband, Evan Solomon, to see some of the dresses Lynsie would like to own this season.

Below: Agnes Bass, Jen A. Miller and Kelly Erb.

Below: Carol Drumstas, Brown Forman, Amanda Giddings, Capital Grille, and Wendy Wilhelm. The cocktail hour was sponsored by Brown Forman and the ladies enjoyed Korbel, Finlandia, and Sonoma Cutrer wines.

Below: Nancy Ronning and Eliana Papadakis. Eliana told me she attended the Gravediggers Ball the other night at Laurel Hill Cemetery. While she was there, the emcee announced some of the prominent people who were spending eternity on their property, and pointed out that her husband, Constantine Papadakis, had a beautiful spot there. She thought it was a great tribute.

Below: Francis Connelly, wearing beautiful Valentino, Lisa Silveri in Channel, and Natalie Naroditsky.

Below: Susan Reintzel (left) stopped me as I made my way through the crowd. She had recognized my name and asked me if my father was a doctor, which he was. She then told me he had delivered all of her children. It was a really special moment for me, as my father had passed away in 2004, and now that I don’t live in NJ anymore, these moments don’t happen as often as they used to. So sweet to meet her. She introduced me to Joanne Tarditi, president of the Union League’s Millennium Club, and incoming president and new chair of the Ladies Committee, Betty McMichael (right).

Below: Janine Donnelly wearing powernet and leather combo by Nicole Miller.

Below: Heathyr McNiece wearing a sheer sleeve lace cocktail dress with a Lagos bold signature ring.

Below: Linda Knox looks stunning in a stretch crepe swing dress, with a sweater fur and a gorgeous Lagos “embrace” necklace.

Below: Amber Mallon wearing a gabardine and gold jacket with a gorgeous Lagos “gold rocks collection” ring.

Below: Ashlee Janiszewski wearing a Georgette top and a gilded nature tweed skirt with a Lagos “pirouette collection” bracelet.

Below: Randee Janiszewski, looking stunning in this gold lamé Nicole Miller gown.

Below: Chloe Johnston, founder at CJ Tours/Helping You Be Your Own Fashion Statement, wearing a wedding dress from the Nicole Miller Collection. She is also wearing a beautiful necklace from the Lagos 35th anniversary collection, Muse, in blue sapphires.

Below: Cynthia Remick, Sonia Tristec, Ann Booker, Elizabeth Magyar, Dottie Giordano, Susan Roulston, and Kansa Magnatta. After the show, I overheard the ladies mentioning how fun it was to see their friends walk the runway wearing the fall fashions of Nicole Miller. One of them even mentioned that now she could see herself in some of the outfits. I would call that a successful show.