THEY HAD US AT HELLO.

Guests of the Washington Humane Society's Fashion for Paws fashion show at the Italian Embassy on Saturday were greeted by the friendliest hosts imaginable along the red carpet: puppies.

And for the record, the carpet was actually green AstroTurf dotted with plastic fire hydrants.

The benefit, hosted by Italian Ambassador Giovanni Castellaneta and Lila Castellaneta, raised more than $250,000 for the Humane Society. Event chairman Michael Saylor matched all donations raised by the participating models, totaling $85,000.

The honorary models included oceanographer Philippe Cousteau, ABC7 anchorwoman Pamela Brown and Arash Shirazi, agent for D.C. house-music duo Deep Dish, among other familiar Washington faces. The fundraising models participated in a friendly competition to seek backers for the cause, earning more than $150,000 over the course of a six-week period.

"I wanted a way to involve the incredibly caring and philanthropic [people] in Washington, D.C., in an organization I am most passionate about and does extraordinary cutting edge work in the community," said Tara de Nicolas, the Humane Society's director of marketing and communications and the event's organizer.

Fashion for Paws stemmed from de Nicolas's combined interests in Washington, fashion and animals, and a desire to engage the community, raise money and promote the organization's efforts.

"Fashion for Paws is like my child," said de Nicolas. "It takes a village to raise a child, and it most certainly has taken a village to make [this event] the massive success that it is."

"Washington Humane Society has an amazing policy, which is to not say 'no' to any animal. All are welcome and given a real chance," said Dianne Fiumara, who has been a volunteer for four years and has adopted pets herself.

"This is such a fine and worthy cause, and I am so happy to be a part of it" said Saks Fifth Avenue representative Edward Heller, who provided the designs for the evening. The dogs' fashions were paired by Barkley Square Dog Boutique in Alexandria.

The theme was the rebirth of the Washington jet-setter. In this steak-and-scotch town, expensive-looking but boxy men's power suits and working-woman tweeds are practically a uniform. Fashion for Paws fashion director Aba Bonney Kwawu gave each demographic a boost on the runway.

Not that the looks pulled for the show were cutting-edge. They weren't meant to be. Kwawu's goal was to start nudging townies in a less buttoned-down and straight-laced direction.

"What's in the show can be found in stores in the D.C. area," said Kwawu. "It's not just a New York thing; this city can be fashion-forward."

Attire was pulled to suggest looks that could be worn from the airport to the opera. Bold colors and large prints for both men and women were on display.

"I'm used to doing major shows with professional models," said Kwawu, whose recent events include Heatherette, Puma and Valentino. Because the models who sported the clothes were "regular people," it felt like an open challenge to encourage the city to shy away from tradition.

Will they accept? That's to be determined, but at least they looked like they were having fun.

Then again, it's difficult to frown when there's a Cavalier King Charles slung over your shoulder. Demure A-line suits, printed slip dresses and preening, vibrant shirtwaist dresses gained a spring in their step, thanks to those four-legged, tail-wagging accessories whose gait is all spring and no step. Thankfully, there was no fashion road kill on Saturday.

The star of the evening, on and off the runway, was Diane von Furstenberg, whose halter and signature wraps adorned the expanse of the Italian embassy like walking Roman statuaries. The crowd also teemed with the crunchy, rumpled tailoring of Jil Sander on the men and slinky, sherbet-hued slip skirts on the women.

Onstage, standouts were a swingy, bright orange Gucci trench worn by Carolina Furukrona, a Dolce & Gabbana rock-star look on Shirazi and and a purple Lanvin cocktail frock donned by Hysteria boutique owner Lindsey Drath of Alexandria. Fox 5 anchor Will Thomas trotted down the runway in cigarette jeans, a sleek motorcycle jacket and a Gucci messenger bag. "I think this is one of the best causes and I'm proud to support it," he said.

De Nicholas, clad in a rosy, ruffled Nicole Miller number, concurred. "The funds raised will go directly toward helping the more than 20,000 animals we care for and help each year, as well as our programs and services such as humane education in D.C. schools," she said. "[Funds will also go to] at-risk youths and low-cost spay/neuter programs."

Also planned in the months ahead is a series of human-animals programs that will benefit the animals in the Washington Humane Society shelter, as well as war veterans and members of the deaf community.

Added de Nicolas, "The real beauty of an event like Fashion for Paws is how the people involved have jumped at the opportunity to roll up their sleeves, get involved and make a significant difference in their community."

Written by Express contributor Christopher Correa
Photos by Stephen Bobb/FidoJournalism.com

Posted by Express at 12:47 PM on April 15, 2008
Tagged in Fashion & Design , Free Ride , The District , Top Stories