D.C. STYLE: “The thing about D.C. is that the women here are confident and own their own style, whether it’s dressed up or casual,” said Lynda Carter, wearing a Chanel blazer accessorized with a beret and in true “Wonder Woman” style, a Chanel cuff. “I’m always in classics and I like to be comfortable,” added the legendary actress with a wink, lifting her long skirt to reveal a pair of loafers.
Carter, who has been based in Washington for almost 40 years, did some twirls, shared laughs and graciously posed for pictures with an accomplished crowd of Chanel-clad guests from across art, politics and the creative industries gathered for the Hirshhorn’s annual spring luncheon this week honoring women whose contributions are central to the cultural life of the nation. In her remarks, Melissa Chiu, director of Hirshhorn, said, “Elevating the work of women has always been central to the mission of the museum from the very beginning. The Hirshhorn’s inaugural exhibition in 1974 featured the work of 12 women artists.
“We established the Hirshhorn National Arts Award to recognize women whose service and singularity expands access to the nation’s creative community.”
Jessica Carter Altman, a singer and lawyer by training who attended with her actress mother, just released a single after leaving her job to pursue music full-time during COVID-19. Growing up in D.C., she said she has witnessed a real style evolution. “There was a time when women had to conform to be taken seriously in Washington. But that has changed so much. Just looking around this room of powerful, accomplished women, you can really see that.”
This year’s Hirshhorn honorees included Sarah Arison, president of Arison Arts Foundation; Suzanne Deal Booth, art director and philanthropist; Suzanne McFayden, author and collector; Tina Perry-Whitney, collector and President of OWN TV network, and Kimberly Richter Shirley, collector and philanthropist.
