D.C. Gets Sneak Peek Of Sheryl Lowe Jewelry Designs; 'Bling For Brood' Trunk Show Benefits Children's National

WESLEY HEIGHTS -- New fashion presentations are somewhat rare in the District, which is a much overlooked destination when it comes to the latest styles. But such antiquated notions are gradually being disproved and Washington is now more frequently scoring points for its increasingly sartorial adventurous residents.

The city's latest fashion coup was an exclusive trunk show on Wednesday afternoon by Los Angeles-based jeweler Sheryl Lowe. Her eponymous design house provided a lucky group of Washingtonians an all too brief preview of her popular jewelry line inside the spacious home of Susanna and Jack Quinn.

Beyond her and her husband, legendary film and TV actor Rob Lowe, being longtime friends of the Quinns, the use of their home was made all the more appropriate by the fact that a portion of the sales from yesterday's presentation was earmarked for Children's National Medical Center.

And with Susanna and Jack both having served as co-chairs of this year's Children's Ball, a more perfect pairing would be hard to find.

Photo: Susanna Quinn
A sizeable group of the District's VIPs therefore found themselves streaming through the Quinn family's Wesley Heights house yesterday, with an eye for both fashion and philanthropy. No doubt the hefty turnout had much to do with the occasion's prominent host committee which, in addition to Susanna, also included Amy Baier, Kristin Cecchi, Karen Donatelli, Jamie Dorros, Jean-Marie Fernandez, Suzanne Folsom, Mae Greenan, Cindy Jones, and Carrie Marriott.

"This was the first time I presented my jewelry line in the D.C. market," said Sheryl. "We had a tremendous response and I'm grateful for having been introduced to all of these great ladies by my good friend Susanna Quinn."

In addition to the opportunity to snag some prized jewelry (which, until now, was primarily only available at select Neiman Marcus stores across the country), Wednesday's trunk show also afforded guests the chance to actually chat with the designer herself.

A graduate of FIDM with an associate art degree in design, Sheryl became one of Hollywood's leading make-up artists before expanding her professional accolades to also include a cosmetic line (Lola), as well as interior design projects that have landed on the cover of Architectural Digest.

Inspired by her travels throughout the world, she then decided to try her hand at jewelry design. What started in November 2007 as a personal way to thank a small group of friends has therefore since turned into a global enterprise, with everyone from First Lady Michelle Obama to Gwyneth Paltrow to Oprah to Gwen Stefani spotted wearing the glamorous line.

With two children of her own and a longstanding desire to give back to the community, Sheryl was adamant about creating a philanthropic side to Sheryl Lowe Designs. And a portion of all proceeds from the business always benefits a variety of women and children charities.

A little bling can surely now go a long way.