Nation's Capital Gets Creative At Washington Life's 8th Annual 'Young And The Guest List' Event

Photo: Ben Droz / Washington Life

MOUNT VERNON SQUARE -- The crowd was beautiful, the champagne and cocktails bottomless, and the energy of the room high last week, as Washington Life toasted the some 330 recipients for 2013 of its coveted 'Young and The Guest List' (YGL) honor.

Photo: Daniel Swartz / REVAMP.com
Photo: Ben Droz / Washington Life
For the past 8 years, the upscale lifestyle publication has compiled an annual directory of some of the District's most accomplished leaders under the age of 40, with the distinction culminating in a lavish celebration for all held at one of the city's premiere hospitality venues.

Photo: Alfredo Flores / Washington Life
Photo: Ben Droz / Washington Life
Last Wednesday, such a setting was the historic Carnegie Library to which just under 800 lucky guests flocked for an elegant evening that boasted a special 'Creative Capital' theme.

Photo: Ben Droz / Washington Life
Photo: Ben Droz / Washington Life
Noted event planner Andre Wells had been tasked with the responsibility of transforming most of the 75,000-squarefoot building into a massive pop-up party that simultaneously showcased Washington's budding food, fashion, and art scenes.

Photo: Alfredo Flores / Washington Life
Photo: Ben Droz / Washington Life
Assisting him in such a herculean task were Sandro Kereselidze and Tati Pastukhova, the duo behind the successful Art Soiree series of area cultural events, who brought with them to the occasion an edgy group of artists and performers.

Photo: Alfredo Flores / Washington Life
Photo: Ben Droz / Washington Life
YGL honoree and Washington Capitols team captain Alex Ovechkin, along with his fiancee, Russian tennis star Maria Kirilenko, were perhaps the most popular attendees of this year's affluent affair. And while one needn't necessarily be a star athlete, member of Congress, White House policy maker, TV anchor or technology mogul to make the list (there are plenty of artists and activists included), it certainly doesn't hurt.

Photo: Ben Droz / Washington Life
"Our 2013 roster makes it clear, once again, that Washington continues to be a hub of creative energy and technology growth, fed by young people with a seemingly endless supply of ideas to match their creative and entrepreneurial outlooks," said Nancy Bagley, Washington Life's Editor-in-Chief.