Candace Bushnell launches Summer and the City at the Avenue in DC

Candace Bushnell signs my book
Photo courtesy Daniel Swartz revamp.com

Last night writer Candace Bushnell launched her new book, "Summer and the City"at a fabulous BrandLinkDC event with the pair behind Georgetown Cupcake, Sophie LaMontagne and Katherine Kallinis at the sleek new Residences on the Avenue. Though the sky promised rain, it never delivered and we all enjoyed the views of DC from on top of the new apartment building near GW University. A full bar was done appropriately in Carrie pink, and waiters came around with delicate, little appetizers. I loved the tuna tartare bits wrapped in crispy wonton--they looked just like mini ice cream cones. No details were overlooked--if your makeup needed a humidity check, which it probably absolutely did, there was a lipstick bar by new cosmetics company Nectar Skin to take care of it. Neiman Marcus treated guests to a glimpse inside "Carrie's Closet," on the 3rd floor, complete with a Manolo Blahnik $500 shoe giveaway and Carrie-inspired furnishings by Room and Board. One of the best parts of an event like this is people-watching. I love seeing the fashions, and of course, the shoes. I'd told Ms. Bushnell she'd created this nearly iconic legacy. I mean, really. Where were Blahniks before Carrie Bradshaw ran through the cracked NY sidewalks in them? Though after a while I hated to keep bending down to shoot people's feet, I did try to bring you a roundup of the best. My mind was also wandering thinking what it would be like  to actually have "Karen's" closet in my own snappy little Avenue apartment.... Right. Note: if you ever get an invite with BrankLinkDC anywhere on it--go. Just go.

Sophie LaMontagne, Katherine Kallinis (and matching Birkin bags) with Candace Bushnell

Danielle Dobin of new athleticwear company, Apifeni and Eun Yang of NBC4

The bar--note: they used cloth cocktail napkins, a nice touch

The Avenue's rooftop pool overlooks DC

Rooftop views

A peek inside Carrie's Closet

I couldn't get a good shot of these, but they were fantastic

Hmm, guess who with the tattoo... 

The best for last

Don't. Miss. This. ALL ACCESS: FASHION!

Last year we had a blast with Project Runway's Tim Gunn, the affable host of the inaugural All Access:  Fashion event at Tysons Galleria. This year, Sept. 30-Oct. 2, the celebrity host of the runway show Friday night will be Paul Sinclaire, the man who among many other things has consulted with Valentino, Trussardi, Dolce & Gabbana and Dior. He most recently collaborated with Saks Fifth Avenue to create an exclusive fall/winter line of womenswear. Guests may also note another famous face in the crowd: Patricia Field, who styled the looks that made Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw, Carrie Bradshaw.  And that's just Friday. The 3-day fashion mega-event opens with "The New Rules of Engagement: Luxury 2.0," a lively panel discussion by high-profile industry insiders including Ned Martel of the Post Style section and Aaron Battista, retail VP for 7 For All Mankind. Saturday is a full day of individual runway fashion shows by Betsey Johnson, Nicole Miller, 7 For All Mankind, Anne Fontaine, Karen Millen and B/A/S/L/E/R plus 50 in-store events. While runway seating is invite-only, everything is free and open to the public. The event benefits SOS Children's Villages, an international organization that helps orphaned and abandoned children around the world.

Tim Gunn

Tim Gunn comments on the looks at last year's All Access: Fashion show