Yesterday was a whirlwind day of parties for the fashionable in Philadelphia.
Internationally recognized designer Nicole Miller was in town to present the 2nd Annual XIX Most Fashionable Women’s Award as Mary K Dougherty, Nicole Miller store owner & Philanthropist, looks on.
Michelle Shannon, CCD and Melanie Johnson, City Representative, were given special recognition especially for all their hard work with the Philadelphia Collection, which is going on now until September 24It was a great turn out for the event, and there’s another 100 people behind me
This year there was a charitable component with Career Wardrobe as the beneficiary. Sherri Cole, Executive Director of Career Wardrobe explains the charity, which you will learn about in today’s Philly Mag Column
Then around 7:30PM we all headed down to the Palm for the Phila Style Magazine party and the unveiling of Nicole Miller’s face on the prestigious wall. More on that right here at PhillyChitChat.com tomorrow. But remember to check out Philly Mag today for yesterday’s event and tune into Fox 29 tomorrow at 930AM for a few juicy stories from last nights events.

The other day I stopped by Fathom’s Pig Roast in Northern Liberties and chatted with chef-owner, Mike Stollenwerk. We were chatting about his new location for Fish in the Gayborhood, and reviewed a few places I had recommended to him earlier this year when he told me he wanted to move closer to City Hall like Strongbox, and even The Mansion, both of which were no go’s for various reasons, and remain empty to this day.
He told me that the former Q Kitchen is gutted and ready for renovation, he is very excited to have celebrity interior designer Chuck Soldano on board to do the honors starting this week. He looks to be open in a few months. I can’t wait. He chided me for not stopping in enough, but that won’t be a problem now, it’s right in the neighborhood, near public transportation and across from the Speedline. Marilyn D’Angelo Stollenwerk above did an awesome job at Grub Street Philly for the vacationing Collin O’Keefe.

Update:
I was supposed to be there last week to shoot the behind the scenes, but went to Kendra signing instead. Here’s the video that was created that day:

Interior Designer Chuck Soldano and Chef/owner Mike Stollenwerk share a sneak peak of their new collaboration in the heart of Midtown Village, Philadelphia

Sales & Marketing Manager at Stephen Starr Events Scott Barnes hung out with Dr Oz at an exclusive party to celebrate the launch of Dr Oz’s new season. (I’m not sure why Dr Oz carries his Gall Stones around, but I bet you regular readers know, especially my sister Janine who traveled all the way to Chicago once, not for Oprah, but because Dr Oz was on the show.)Today Dr Oz starts on Fox 29 Philadelphia at 4PM. Check him out….

I went to a party at the Waterview Lounge 1020 N. Delaware Ave. last night about 10PM and Delaware Ave dry as a bone.
When I left around midnight and approached Spring Garden I thought oh huge water main breakas the road got dryer after about 100 feet into my journey past Spring Garden. Then across from Dave & Buster’s another very long stretch of flood waters, at least a half mile long.

I wonder what it will look like today at high tide, which is in about an hour?

Stopped into Ten Arts to check up on Top Chef Jen Carroll who last month confirmed to Collin Flatt that she was leaving in October to pursue other opportunities (ie open her own restaurant and take a Jason Cichonski breather.) Wednesday night she was working alongside new sous chef Steve Delorean. (hmm I wonder if he’s any relation to ?) Steve previously worked at James, Brassiere Perrier and Le Bec Fin. (The Sous-Chef de Cuisine (under-chef of the kitchen) is the second in command and direct assistant of the Executive Chef.) With a resume like that I don’t expect him to remain sous chef after Jen Carroll leaves in October. That’s just a prediction of mine, nothing was confirmed when I posed the question to the two chefs the other night, but I’m a gambling man and I say he’s in like flint.
Reflecting on the past 10 years, and keeping the people who lives are troubled in my prayers.

Hey, hey! What’s this I see? I thought this was a party. LET’S DANCE!

There’s a new Footloose in town. The heart of the story is there, but in the mix is a little bit of contemporary now.
Julianne Hough and Kenny Wormald at a Footloose Screening in Phila Wednesday night. Sponsored by WXTU 92.2 and by Wired 96.5

These girls loved it. It’s such a good toe tapping movie it could use a little update. The original Footloose was made in 1984 and was the star turner for Philadelphia’s Kevin Bacon. I was surprised how many young people had seen the original; they are the next generation and will love this movie as much as the original because it’s updated.
I’m gonna age myself here and say some of the dance scenes in Footloose 2011 did make me a little uncomfortable and I wanted to ban dancing or at least grinding til kids are 25 or maybe confine it to the privacy of their home.

Kim Karpinksi, Sheila Foster and Courtney Brant participated in a dance skit that may be included in a promo of the film.

It felt like a big summer movie and I’m surprised it’s opening in the Fall. I wouldn’t call it ground breaking drama, but it might just be this generations Outsiders, well unless they remake that film too.

Great interview of cast on Entertainment Tonight – Release Date: October 14, 2011

On Thursday CHOPT tweeted @Kenny_Wormald and @juliannehough visited with the kids @ryanseacrest Foundation at Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia. The day before Joe Jonas and Jay Sean stopped by Ryan Seacrest’s The Voice at CHOP. Joe, Jay and Jojo were on the 2nd stop of their national tour and played the TLA on Wed night.
Reflecting on the past 10 years this weekend, and keeping the people who lives are troubled in my prayers.

A much anticipated business is opening it’s doors to the public today in Rittenhouse Square:
Audrey Claire Taichman’s dream of a collaborative kitchen and classroom has come true in Cook, which officially opens today.
Tuesday night there was an unofficial opening for the winner of an auction item won at June’s Ball On The Square.
Designer Eric Rymshaw, Fury Design Inc executed the Audrey’s dream kitchen
Partners Richard Vague and Audrey Taichman greet their guests
The winner and guests enjoyed the first cooking class and meal offered at Cook, but first they cut the red ribbon to officially open the kitchen. Sharon Sorkin and Joel Koppelman
Fred and Irene Shabel with Mary Parenti and Rich Castor were looking forward to the magic that Perrier creates
Jackie Baik, Lily Cope and Cori Moskow, Gloss PR
Located just off Rittenhouse Square. Their teacher for the night was one of the most esteemed chefs in the city, chef Georges Perrier of Le Bec-Fin. The evening featured four courses paired with wines selected by Le Bec-Fin’s sommelier, Cristine Bruno.
Dr. Amanda Burden Aiman and Guy Aiman
Each guest received recipe cards to take home. Cook is also a retail store, offering cookbooks, cookware, spices, pantry items simple pleasures, olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
High Design kitchen tools WMF exclusive which can only be found at Cook.
Alan Sandman, John Wind and Kirk Kirkpatrick
Audrey wants to thank Fury Design, Philly Mag, the greatest partner in the world, Richard Vague and
Chef George Perrier for donating his time to the Rittenhouse Square Ball experience.At the end of the year these recipe boxes will be filled with all the recipes that were prepared at Cook and sold

I love when class is in session the shades are closed for privacy so all your attention can be focused on the food at hand. I can’t wait to experience it myself.

Philly Night Life at it’s best: RAW: natural born artists is an independent arts organization that hand-selects and spotlights. Every first Thursday they showcase talented artist, musicians, fashion and models at G Lounge.Hosts Erin Como and Fred Calang serve up a good time.
RAW: Natural Born Artists is an independent arts organization, for artists, by artists.

Our mission is to provide artists of all creative genres with the tools, resources and exposure needed to inspire, cultivate, and advance their art to the next level; independent of agencies and the like.At the forefront of this mission is our eclectic artist showcase featuring talent from all genres, including: film, fashion, music, art, makeup, hair & makeup design, and performing art.
RAW hand-picks and accepts submissions from local talent.
With artists from all genres in each showcase,
RAW events come together to form an amazing circus of creativity.
Artists of all creative genres are invited to submit their talent.With a full roster, the event starts at 8PM and goes til midnight
Vikrant Tunious and his wife PJ, with his fabulous Amish portraits. Over a 5 year period the Tunious family got to know several Amish families and were able to photograph moments on the farm that have never been seen before.
Cake Couture

Erin Como does a few introductions
Check out RAW here

PhillyChitChatter:

Will Mayor Nutter be announcing that The PBR Rock Bar will be one of the clubs opening at Philly Live “We’re a little bit country, and a lot of ROCK & ROLL” today at the press conference? Look for Country Line Dancing to become a fad around these parts once again. My source tells me that the PBR bar is going to have a mechanical bull too.

Ryan Howard and fiance Krystal Campbell were at King of Prussia Mall Saturday shopping in the baby department at Norstrom, but don’t get any ideas they were looking for a gift to give at Jen Utley’s baby shower.

**********************

New York City may have it’s Fashion Week at Lincoln Center, but Philadelphia has stepped up to the plate and has what I would call a Fashion Month.This year Philly Fashion Month was kicked off by 17 Days of Fashion last week, which ended yesterday with a spectacular show at the Old City Holiday Inn which benefitted Career Wardrobe.On September 1, 2011, celebrity hair stylist, Naeemah Johnson, of Nbeauty Inc. held her first Celebrities for Charity Beauty and Fashion Show in conjunction with 17 Days of Fashion. The lavish affair sponsored by Indiqué Hair, FSL Cosmetics, Divine Influence PR, and Celebrity Magazine was held at lavish hot spot, Club Whispers in Philadelphia. The event commemorated the launch of Naeemah Johnson’s charity, the Ruby Golden Foundation, as all proceeds from the event went towards purchasing necessary school supplies for needy children; ensuring that they start the school year off right.
Anthony Henderson is the founder of 17 Days of Fashion, and told me he created the event to focus on local designers, fashion and to benefit charities. Each show and event was paired with a charity that benefited from the day. The proceeds from tonight’s event went to buy school supplies to under-served children. Shoe designer Tye Grays of Featherlicious247 is on the carpet with Anthony. But that didn’t stop the fierce fashions to hit the street: These were designed with a very modern girl in mind, no doubt Lady Gaga inspired and great to use in a pinch if you forgot your compact. Created by Tye Grays of Featherlicious247Solana Greer, is wearing an Armani jacket while Amber L Joell is green with Rachel Roy.Queen B of the Hair Battle Spectacular (Oxygen Network) slipped and said she wins this weeks competition, but that is all I could get out of her.
Meash Bella and Shakeya Miles, Eye Roc Art
One to watch 16 year old fashionable Tweety from Young, Hip & Chic with mom Heather Elitou.
Kharisma McIlwaine, CW/CBS3 On Air, with Greg Gaten Taylor is the owner of Walish Gooshe, a women’s ready-to-wear clothing line. Kharisma is wearing one of his designs.
spicy
Music spun by DJ Marty Geez kept the crowd amped before the start of the show, while host, Show Bizz worked the crowd. A live runway show featuring the enchanting designs of Walish Gooshe, Lung Pearl, Eye Rock Art, Punch Line, Vamp Boutique, and the Marquette Collection stormed the runway. Lady Gaga’s background singer, Jazmine GOGO Morrow, Jaydon Thomas, and Kartinya rocked the stage with their live musical performances and background dancers. Comedian Muggman and his crew brought the laughs with his hilarious rendition of Osama bin Ladden’s fashion week.
A few more stand out fashion events coming up is the Anna Wintour created Fashion Night Out being held all across the country and locally at the King of Prussia Mall again this year, then the kick off of The Philadelphia Collection from September 12th – 24th fashion shows, fall previews and sneak previews. One of the events I am looking forward to is the XIX Most Fashionable Women, presented by designer Nicole Miller and Mary Dougherty, owner of 3 local Nicole Miller stores and over seer of 12 of them on the East Coast.
The 18th Annual Phashion Phest – Fashion Show, Cocktail Reception, Presentations; 9/21/11 at the Shops at Liberty Place, The 5th Annual FBH Philadelphia Fashion Week 9/21/11, and The Rittenhouse Row Fashion Show at the Comcast Center on 9/22/11