Grace Bender and Leon Hall

Aniko Gaal Schott
and Bill Tiefel

Ingrid Aielli and Cindy Howar

Patti Cumming and Barbara Harrison

Anyone who thinks Washington is not a fashionable city was clearly not in attendance at theFashion Group International's Night of Stars Gala at the Sofitel Hotel on November 14.True to its name, there were many stars that night. Grateful stars, like honoree GraceBender, who looked stunning in YSL, and thanked the three most important men in herlife "her husband, father, and son" for making her charitable efforts possible. Young stars,like fashion designer Haley Starr, who caused a stir as she entered, clad in her own avant-garde designs, drawing envious looks and gasps of admiration from onlookers. Hilariousstars, like host Leon Hall of E!'s "Fashion Emergency," who promised the crowd that notonly did he love the way Washington women dressed, he did not spot a single fashionemergency in the room. Visionary stars, like honoree Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, who helpedto reshape fashion with his unexpected use of fabrics and colors. And there were insightfulstars, like honoree Debbie Dingell, who probably said it best, "Why can't you look goodand do good?"

Mike Bednorek
and Linda Lizzio

Debbie Dingell with mimes

Lynne Beale, Diane Sappenfield,
Marlene Malek, Pat Norton,
and Dianne Kaye

Dr. Katherine Alley and Richard Flax

Haley Starr and Whitney Cummings
[with Haley’s sketch and dress]