BUZZWORTHY/Cool Nights of Fashion, Art and Philanthropy

Photo by Alison Brooks/Local Kicks<br /> <br />Dr. Tina Alster, Cat Ommanney, Mary Amons, and Sue Falk

Photo by Alison Brooks/Local Kicks
Dr. Tina Alster, Cat Ommanney, Mary Amons, and Sue Falk

ALEXANDRIA, VA. - The inaugural Modus Union 2010 fashion show was held at the elegant Mayflower Renaissance Hotel on Jan. 14. The runway show was presented by Mary Amons, founder of Labels for Love and rumored to be one of the stars of the Bravo reality series Real Housewives of DC, and featured Lela Rose’s Spring 2010 Collection.

Photo by Alison Brooks/Local Kicks<br /> <br />Fashion Designer Lela Rose.

Photo by Alison Brooks/Local Kicks
Fashion Designer Lela Rose.

The event was a benefit for the Center for Heart, Lung and Kidney Disease at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington. Guests paid $100 or $250 (VIP) for the chance to rub elbows with Washington's most fashionable, view work from seven of DC's more notable young artists including: Lolly Amons, Roxanne Christie, Maggie O'Neill, Don Patron, Rodger Schultz, Matt Sesow and Karen Suderman and see a high energy NYC style fashion show.

The event was deemed such a raging success that both The Renaissance and Labels for Love organizers have promised a continued future for the event. http://labelsforlove.org

"FUN"DRAISING FOR OUR NATIONAL MALL

The Trust for the National Mall's L'Enfant Society held a Kick-Off Reception Jan, 14 to a sold-out crowd. The Event at K Street Lounge was the official start to the fund-raising efforts by the Society and an introduction of the organization's new leadership, Co-chairs Cameron Gilreath and George Chopivsky.

The L’Enfant Society was created last year to engage emerging philanthropists in the effort to return the National Mall to its former glory.

Comprised of established young professionals in the Washington area, the L’Enfant Society’s mission is to create awareness for the state of the National Mall, provide funds to meet fund-raising goals, and generate a foundation of supporters who will guide the restoration effort. So far the organization has raised more than $300,000.

The L’Enfant Society also hosts The Ball on the Mall. This year the ball will be held May 8 and is expected to attract more than 600 of Washington’s young leaders for dinner and dancing under the stars.

Photo by Alison Brooks/Local Kicks<br /> <br />Work by the artist Matt Sesow.

Photo by Alison Brooks/Local Kicks
Work by the artist Matt Sesow.

The Ball on the Mall was recently named the “Top Young Philanthropic Event in Washington” by Washington Life magazine. Trust us - many of the area's young socialites already have this amazing event on their calendars! https://www.nationalmall.org

GOOD TIMES SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIP

When Nicole Venable’s mother, "Lady Von" lost her battle with ovarian cancer, Nicole chose to celebrate the memory of her mother by endowing a scholarship in her mother's name at Spelman College.

Every year since 1994, Nicole has held a festive White Elephant Tea and gift exchange that now serves as a fundraiser for the scholarship.

"I thought the best way to honor my mother would be to establish a scholarship in her name to help needy students attend colleges -- particularly historically black colleges and universities," she said. "It started out simply as a fun party for my girlfriends, and it has grown into this larger scholarship fundraiser when my mother passed away."

All of the funds for the Lady Von Scholarship come from the generosity and support of friends and family.

Photo by Alison Brooks/Local Kicks<br /> <br />Lela Rose Model Kate Michael, former Miss DC.<br />

Photo by Alison Brooks/Local Kicks
Lela Rose Model Kate Michael, former
Miss DC.

There is a $20,000 scholarship at Spelman College called the Lady Von Scholarship, and the group is now on its way to a $50,000 endowment and two scholarships that have already been given to two local Spelman students. One is using the funds to study abroad in Senegal and the other in China.

The tea this year was held Jan. 16 at the gorgeous Mayflower Renaissance Hotel in downtown D.C. and was attended by more than 80 glamorous women. The CW's Paul Wharton hosted the silent auction and the event was sponsored by luxury brand Jimmy Choo. The event raised more than $5,000 toward the scholarship.

What a way to honor to the memory of Lady Von - kudos!

WEDDING BELLS AT ST. PAUL'S

St. Paul's Rector Oran Warder wed long time parishioner Barbara Califf on Sunday, Jan. 17 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Old Town.

The entire church congregation was invited to the moving ceremony and reception - which was held at The Virginia Theological Seminary. Congratulations to the happy couple and Oran's three sons, Zach, Griffin, and Wesley.

Have an item or an event that's Buzzworthy? Email me at allison@queenbeedesigns.com.