White House Correspondents Insider

Behind the scenes of the most powerful city in the world — Washington, D.C. — and those who cover it.

Washington Attracts Unique Fashion & Artisan Designers for Exclusive Unveiling

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Mi Jong Lee Fashion Designer, Event Organizer Ida Abdalkhani (Wearing Mi Jong Lee Fall 2023 Line & To-be-available-soon Sheron Barber Diamond Bag), Sheron Barber Leather Artisan, Photo Credit: Ben Droz Photography

On September 14, designers Mi Jong Lee, Sheron Barber and their teams traveled to Washington D.C. for an exclusive fashion event. Distinguished guests across business, government, nonprofit, fashion and media came from around the U.S. and abroad to attend the invitation-only event and unveiling of Lee’s fall collection and Barber’s newest creation, the diamond bag.

Mi Jong Lee’s Team & Sheron Barber’s Leather Designs. Photo Credit: Ben Droz Photography

Both designers spoke about their unique journeys, bringing them from unlikely backgrounds and challenges to great success in the fashion world. Wine was provided by minority-owned Michael LaVelle Wines and bites from women-owned Centrolina.

Lee shared her Fall 2023 collection and announced her plans to expand her New York City atelier to a full design-to-production studio in the coming months. Barber created and unveiled an exclusive “Hathaway” handbag, named after Theodore Roosevelt’s wife, to meet the needs of the multi- faceted leader. He also shared his never-before-seen diamond bag, which will be available for purchase to the public beginning mid-November.

We look forward to more inspiring designers bringing their fashion-forward creativity to the area!

Catherine Bennett Joins IMG Worldwide

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Catherine Bennett, known around Washington as Katie and daughter of Bob and Ellen, has taken a new role at IMG Worldwide. Reported on Wednesday by Women’s Wear Daily, Bennett is taking on the role of senior vice president and managing director of IMG fashion events and properties. She’s on her way from coming from the Council of Fashion Designers of America as a director of business affairs having been there since 2009.

Since heading out of Washington she’s made her mark in the business side of fashion and advertising at William Morris, Central Parks Summer Stage, and–like her father–can practice law after passing the bar in New York and a Justice Administration degree from Georgetown University Law Center.

“We are very pleased to have an executive with Catherine’s experience as the new head of IMG Fashion Events and Properties,” said Chuck Bennett, President of IMG Golf, Tennis, Fashion and Events and Federations, to whom Ms. Bennett will report. “She has a deep knowledge of the fashion industry and a keen appreciation of established and emerging designers.”

According to the official announcement from IMG, “she will be responsible for further developing and expanding the company’s leading fashion events business around the globe, and representing many of the industry’s top organizations.”

“I am very excited to be joining IMG,” Catherine Bennett said. “I am very confident that the skills and relationships I developed during my time at the CFDA will be extremely beneficial as we work to take IMG’s Fashion business to the next level.”