Diplomacy and design were on display Friday night during a fashion show at the National Museum of Women in the Arts that brought together fashion experts, diplomatic leaders and policy influencers.
WASHINGTON — Diplomacy and design were on display Friday during a panel discussion at the National Museum of Women in the Arts that brought together fashion experts, diplomatic leaders and policy influencers.
Put on by the Meridian International Center, the “Diplomacy X Design” event also featured an exhibit of the American luxury fashion house, Rodarte.
The night included a panel discussion with fashion experts and writers on the relationship between design and world issues. Those on the panel included The Washington Post writer and fashion critic, Robin Givhan; Hildy Kuryk, former communications director at Vogue; and Michelle Obama’s stylist, Meredith Koop.
The Rodarte exhibit served as a backdrop for the night. The showcase featured the tutus worn by actress Natalie Portman in the film, “Black Swan” and a collection of gowns inspired by the motion picture, “Star Wars”.
The exhibit is on view until February 10, 2019.
See photos of the event below.
Ensembles from the Spring/Summer 2017 and 2018 collections from the American luxury fashion house, Rodarte - a part of the National Museum of Women in the Arts' first fashion exhibition, "Rodarte", on view now through February 10, 2019. (Courtesy Shannon Finney/shannonfinneyphotography.com)
A tutu worn by actress Natalie Portman in the 2010 film, "Black Swan," from the American luxury fashion house, Rodarte - a part of the National Museum of Women in the Arts' first fashion exhibition, "Rodarte", on view now through February 10, 2019. (Courtesy Shannon Finney/shannonfinneyphotography.com)
From the 2010 film, "Black Swan", the tutu and crown worn by actress Natalie Portman from the American luxury fashion house, Rodarte - a part of the National Museum of Women in the Arts' first fashion exhibition, "Rodarte", on view now through February 10, 2019. (Courtesy Shannon Finney/shannonfinneyphotography.com)
Ensembles from the Fall/Winter 2008 collection from the American luxury fashion house, Rodarte - a part of the National Museum of Women in the Arts' first fashion exhibition, "Rodarte", on view now through February 10, 2019.(Shoes by Christian Louboutin for Rodarte). (Courtesy Shannon Finney/shannonfinneyphotography.com)
Ambassador Stuart Holliday, Meridian CEO and President, welcomes guests to Diplomacy X Design at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. (Courtesy Shannon Finney/shannonfinneyphotography.com)
Her Excellency Cristina Balan, Ambassador of the Replublic of Moldova to the United States, greets Indira Gumarova, wife of the Ambassador of the Czech Republic,at the Diplomacy X Design event at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. (Courtesy Shannon Finney/shannonfinneyphotography.com)
A gown from the Fall/Winter 2008 collection from the American luxury fashion house, Rodarte - a part of the National Museum of Women in the Arts' first fashion exhibition, "Rodarte", on view now through February 10, 2019. (Courtesy Shannon Finney/shannonfinneyphotography.com)
Dresses from the Fall/Winter 2008 collection from the American luxury fashion house, Rodarte - a part of the National Museum of Women in the Arts' first fashion exhibition, "Rodarte", on view now through February 10, 2019. (Courtesy Shannon Finney/shannonfinneyphotography.com)
A visitor views a dress from the Fall/Winter 2008 collection from the American luxury fashion house, Rodarte - a part of the National Museum of Women in the Arts' first fashion exhibition, "Rodarte." (Courtesy Shannon Finney/shannonfinneyphotography.com)
Boots from the Spring/Summer 2017 collection from the American luxury fashion house, Rodarte - a part of the National Museum of Women in the Arts' first fashion exhibition, "Rodarte." Boots from the Spring/Summer 2017 collection from the American luxury fashion house, Rodarte - a part of the National Museum of Women in the Arts' first fashion exhibition, "Rodarte." (Courtesy Shannon Finney/shannonfinneyphotography.com)
Ensembles from the Spring/Summer 2018 collection from the American luxury fashion house, Rodarte - a part of the National Museum of Women in the Arts' first fashion exhibition, "Rodarte", on view now through February 10, 2019. (Courtesy Shannon Finney/shannonfinneyphotography.com)
Ensembles from the Spring/Summer 2017 and 2018 collections from the American luxury fashion house, Rodarte - a part of the National Museum of Women in the Arts' first fashion exhibition, "Rodarte", on view now through February 10, 2019. (Courtesy Shannon Finney/shannonfinneyphotography.com)
Visitors view gowns from the American luxury fashion house, Rodarte - a part of the National Museum of Women in the Arts' first fashion exhibition, "Rodarte", on view now through February 10, 2019. (Courtesy Shannon Finney/shannonfinneyphotography.com)
"Star Wars" inspired gowns from the Fall/Winter 2014 collection from the American luxury fashion house, Rodarte - a part of the National Museum of Women in the Arts' first fashion exhibition, "Rodarte." (Courtesy Shannon Finney/shannonfinneyphotography.com)
Gowns from the Spring/Summer 2010 collection from the American luxury fashion house, Rodarte - a part of the National Museum of Women in the Arts' first fashion exhibition, "Rodarte", on view now through February 10, 2019. (Courtesy Shannon Finney/shannonfinneyphotography.com)
Ensembles from the Fall/Winter 2008 collection from the American luxury fashion house, Rodarte - a part of the National Museum of Women in the Arts' first fashion exhibition, "Rodarte."(Shoes by Christian Louboutin for Rodarte). (Courtesy Shannon Finney/shannonfinneyphotography.com)
Ensembles from the American luxury fashion house, Rodarte - a part of the National Museum of Women in the Arts' first fashion exhibition, "Rodarte", on view now through February 10, 2019. (Courtesy Shannon Finney/shannonfinneyphotography.com)
Ensembles from the Fall/Winter 2009 collection from the American luxury fashion house, Rodarte - a part of the National Museum of Women in the Arts' first fashion exhibition, "Rodarte."(Boots by Nicholas Kirkwood for Rodarte) (Courtesy Shannon Finney/shannonfinneyphotography.com)
Gowns from the Spring/Summer 2009 collection from the American luxury fashion house, Rodarte - a part of the National Museum of Women in the Arts' first fashion exhibition, "Rodarte", on view now through February 10, 2019. (Courtesy Shannon Finney/shannonfinneyphotography.com)
A gown from the Spring/Summer 2009 collection from the American luxury fashion house, Rodarte - a part of the National Museum of Women in the Arts' first fashion exhibition, "Rodarte." (Courtesy Shannon Finney/shannonfinneyphotography.com)
Robin Givhan, fashion critic for the Washington Post, discusses the impact of fashion on diplomacy with a panel of fashion industry members at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. (Robin Givhan, fashion critic for the Washington Post, discusses the impact of fashion on diplomacy with a panel of fashion industry members at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. (Courtesy Shannon Finney/shannonfinneyphotography.com)
Visitors view gowns from the American luxury fashion house, Rodarte - a part of the National Museum of Women in the Arts' first fashion exhibition, "Rodarte", on view now through February 10, 2019. (Courtesy Shannon Finney/shannonfinneyphotography.com)
Panelists for the Diplomacy X Design conversation (left to right) - Meredith Koop, fashion and wardrobe advisor to former first lady Michelle Obama; Robin Givhan, fashion critic for the Washington Post; Hildy Kuryk, founder and CEO of Artemis Strategies; and Indira Gumarova, wife of the Czech Republic Ambassador to the U.S. and a PR consultant - discussing the impact of fashion on diplomacy at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. (Courtesy Shannon Finney/shannonfinneyphotography.com)
Jan Du Plain (left), Embassy Liaison for the Ronald Regan Building and International Trade Center; and Cheryl L. Crowell, Director of Resource Development for Cultural Tourism DC, view gowns from the American luxury fashion house, Rodarte - a part of the National Museum of Women in the Arts' first fashion exhibition, "Rodarte", on view now through February 10, 2019. (Courtesy Shannon Finney/shannonfinneyphotography.com)
