Stylist April Jones Firoozabadi goes glam while giving back. She helped co-found the St. Jude Heart of Fashion event in 2010 (her sister passed away from AML at age 7). On May 17, the fete moves to The Plaza at CityCenterDC thanks to her efforts. The bash, which she is co-chairing with Terri Carr, Amy Bischoff and Stef Woods, will mark the first time the venue has held a runway show (via CH Carolina Herrera) of this scale. But, first, her catwalk. 6pm, tickets $200-$250, sponsorships $2,500-$25,000, stjude.org/heartoffashion
7 AM
Morning Glory
“I’ll walk the dogs with the Littles (my children, Sophia, 7; and David, 4), then make them a full breakfast. Then it’s off to my best-kept-secret, Sterling gym. The hourlong session includes boxing, and it gives me that natural high.” Available on request, by appointment only
11:30 AM
Best Face Forward
“A facial with Lauren Leppert-Dunn at Georgetown Medical Spa is [a must]. She’s the skincare whisperer.” Price upon request, georgetownmedspa.com
2:30 PM
Suite Life
“I’ll check in to Conrad Washington, DC. I’ll stay in a Sakura Club-access suite. My girlfriends [and I] are making a full night of it and will do brunch the next morning.” Park View suite from $799, conradhotels3.hilton.com
3 PM
Eye Not?
“I’ll start hair and makeup. [My routine] will include Chanel Sublimage La Crème Yeux. It may break the bank, but it’s worth every penny.” $240, chanel.com
5 PM
Well-Heeled
“Most likely, I’ll get fully dressed in my outfit for the evening now. I love Christian Louboutin. What he’s doing with mesh to include some sparkle and glitter pumps would look beautiful with a dress or pantsuit.” Follies Strass heels, $1,195, us.christianlouboutin.com
6 PM
On the Catwalk
“CH Carolina Herrera works from desk to dinner to black-tie. The designer hits all the needs women in this town are looking for. The label’s generosity to do this event for St. Jude is overwhelming.” Printed Duchesse dress, $1,870, CH Carolina Herrera, CityCenterDC,
chcarolinaherrera.com
8 PM
Sweet Endings
“For the dessert reception, guests will be escorted to the Conrad for [treats,] drinks, dancing and more time to donate. We have a local DJ, along with Cris Clapp Logan offering her on-site sketches.” Live sketching, price upon request, crislogan.com
“I wanted to pull Heart of Fashion out of the department store; it limited us creatively and on the money we could raise for St. Jude. I’d had a vision over the last decade to move it to an outdoor location to create a fashion show like in NYC. That’s what we have at CityCenterDC (citycenterdc.com).”–April Jones Firoozabadi, co-chair, heart of fashion
HOSTESS TIPS
1. Raise as much money as you can before coming to the actual event.
2. Always wear a smile and give off positive energy, making sure everyone feels welcome and knows how grateful you are for their support.
3. Make sure you’re surrounded by family and friends, and remember to get something in your stomach and drink lots of water.
Photography by: Greg Powers; april Jones Firoozabadi shot on location at conrad washington, dc; ivory pantsuit by alexander mcqueen and shoes by gianvito rossi, both at saks fifth avenue, chevy chase; hardwear link bracelet, hardwear triple drop earrings, hardwear graduated link necklace, hardwear wrap bracelet and t square bracelet, all in 18k gold by tiffany & co., citycenterdc; boxing gloves photo by Getty Images/iStockphoto; facial photo by Stocksy; park view suite photo by sammy todd dyess
