XIX Nicole Miller Most Fashionable Women In Philadelphia 2013

On Monday night, the Fourth Annual XIX Most Fashionable Women in Philadelphia were honored at the restaurant XIX in the Hyatt at the Bellevue. The women (listed alphabetically) include Andrea Agnew, Angela Val, Dr. Beatriz Garces, Bele Shehu, Courtney Apple, Desiree Peterkin-Bell, Diane Dalto Woosnam, Dianne Semingson, Eden Kratchman, Elizabeth Wellington, Heather McDaniel, MPH, Heidi Hamels, Karen Daroff, Kate Wilhelm Chimicles, Kazumi Teune, Kristin Gavin, Patricia Coulter, Robert Gruber and Wendy Crawford. Also photographed are Babs Snyder, Mayor Michael Nutter, Janice Waitkus and Steven Lagos.

The event, sponsored by Nicole Miller of Philadelphia, recognizes fashionable and philanthropic Philadelphia women. The 2013 Visionary Award went to Babs Snyder (below, second from right), who is philanthropic in her endeavors with children. (From left) Mayor Nutter, who was on hand to present Snyder with her Lagos Star, city representative Desiree Peterkin-Bell, Janice Waitkus, community relations at Lagos, Steven Lagos, Snyder and Mary Dougherty, owner, Nicole Miller, and president, MKD & Associates.

XIX Most Fashionable Women began when Mary Dougherty got a call from the mayor’s office asking for support for The Philadelphia Collection, a series of fashion events designed to boost the city’s creative economy, that was spearheaded by Melanie Johnson, director of research and marketing in the mayor’s office (below, left), and Michelle Shannon, VP of marketing and communications for the Center City District.

Below, from left: Bram Reynolds and Rakia Reynolds (a 2011 XIX Most Fashionable Woman), Alethia Calbeck, Angela Val (a 2013 XIX Most Fashionable Woman) and Margaret Hughes, first deputy city representative.

Expectant moms: Beka Rendell (left) and Alisa Martino (right) with Sabrina Tamburino Thorne (center, left), Lauren Colabelli (center, right).

This year fashion scribe Elizabeth Wellington of the Philadelphia Inquirer (below, left), was chosen as one of the XIX Most Fashionable. For years, Wellington has been informing Philadelphia of what is stylish, hot and not so hot. Now it’s her turn to be recognized for her killer sense of personal style, as well as her contributions to society. She’s being presented with the Lagos Key to the City, as well as a Nicole Miller scarf which depicts many iconic Philadelphia symbols, by Janice Waitkus (center) and Mary Dougherty (right).

Below, from left: Elka Battle, Carla Clarkson and Lauren Walker. I asked the women what was fashionable, they were all in agreement that having the right attitude is the biggest fashion statement. Then you can wear whatever you think is your best look.

Below, from left: Erik Wintzell, Lagos brand consultant from Paris, Steven Lagos and Chris Cullen, president at Lagos.

Below, from left: Mary Dougherty, Babs Synder, Dianne Semingson and Mariska Bogle.

Below, from left: Kate Wilhelm Chimicles, Holly Kinser, former Gov. Ed Rendell, Eden Kratchman and Mary Pat Kessler.

Below, from left: Judy Ellis-Taylor, director of sales and marketing at Hyatt at The Bellevue, and Amy Stratton, general manager at the Sporting Club at the Bellevue.

Below, from left: Jody Wagner, Lori Tevis and Karen Kaufman.

Below, from left: GN Kang and Heidi Hamels.

Below, from left: Dr. Beatriz Garces and Cori Moskow. The Second Annual Garces Foundation Gala is next week, Dr. Garces tells me, and tickets are still available. Today, her husband Jose Garces is being honored at the Philadelphia Public Relations Association (PPRA) 2013 Gold Medal Luncheon for his philanthropy.

Since its inception, XIX Most Fashionable Women has raised thousands of dollars for fashionable charities such as The Career Wardrobe and The Philadelphia Fashion Incubator. This year, Mary Dougherty continues to tie in a philanthropic thread by recognizing three home-grown, local charities. Below, from left, the Mural Arts Program’s Yolanda Wisher (art education director), Philadelphia Academies, Inc.’s Monica Steigerwald (director of fund development) and the Greater Philadelphia Film Office’s Sharon Pinkenson (executive director) were each presented with checks for their organizations worth $2,500, which came from a percentage of the sales of the 2013 Philadelphia Print—a collaboration of Philadelphia businesses and icons.