Washington, D.C., October 26, 2025 —Under the glittering lights of the Alexandria Mellon Auditorium, Jan Du Plain, CEO of Du Plain Global Enterprises, one of Washington’s best-known champions of public diplomacy and cultural exchange, received the Fashionista Award at the 2025 Global Couture Gala. The annual event, founded by Raiza Garcia, celebrates creativity, global unity, and the power of fashion to connect cultures.
In her warm and humorous acceptance remarks, Du Plain reflected on her unlikely journey to becoming a “fashionista,” describing the award as “one I never dreamed possible.” With characteristic candor, she recalled her mother’s early efforts to teach her style and color coordination, and her own youthful struggles with confidence, weight, and learning difficulties.
“This award is for mothers and daughters,” she said, pausing before adding, “for every little girl who-like me-faced survival issues, not fashion issues.”
Jan Du Plain graced the runway at the Global Couture event held at the Alexandria Mellon Auditorium, joining featured designers in a joyful finale celebrating fashion, diplomacy, and global unity.@Wecaa_official @JanDuPlain @KimberlyBassett @PatrickRealiza @globalcouture… pic.twitter.com/ZEv6SGPoDX
— DiplomaticWatch (@Diplo_Watch) October 29, 2025
Du Plain traced her turning point to 2015, when destiny introduced her to Jane Pennewell, an image consultant she described as “extraordinaire.” Pennewell, she said, “rebuilt me head to toe and taught me the magic of color, the joy of style, and the miracle of bold costume jewelry. And let me tell you – costume jewelry can save the world.”
Her tribute extended across continents, recognizing the many figures who have shaped Washington’s reputation as the capital of global fashion diplomacy. She invited two diplomats in the audience to stand- the Fashionista wife of the Ambassador of Vietnam, representing Asia, and the new Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, representing Africa -acknowledging their shared understanding of style as a universal language.
She then paid homage to Ean Williams, founder and producer of D.C. Fashion Week; to Alberto Ucles and Tom Nolls, the creative duo behind Artsy Fashion Peacocks; and to Indira Gumarova, founder of Diplomacy Through Fashion, whose work brought First Ladies’ style into diplomatic spaces and earned an Emmy Award.
Du Plain’s striking iconic flag dress, featuring fabrics representing nations around the world, became the evening’s centerpiece. The design was inspired by Elizabeth Karcher of President Woodrow Wilson House, whose “Fashion, Power & Peace” initiative showcased embassy designers from over 60 countries. The dress, Du Plain said, “symbolized the work I do with the embassies.”
She credited Gilda Mizrahi, owner of Signature Store, for sourcing the fabric and commissioning Italian designer Sonia Garbarino to create the custom gown. “The original flag dress,” Du Plain announced, “will be presented to Elizabeth for her show next year.”
Her appreciation also extended to Angie Gates, CEO and President of Events DC, a major sponsor of Global Couture through programs like Passport DC’s Around the World Embassy Tour and the Embassy Chef Challenge; Sheiyla Le, whose DC boutique has hosted Global Couture models and supported Du Plain’s fashion journey; and to Global Couture founder Raysa Garcia, whom she hailed as “our very own heroine who took us to the stars and beyond.”
Inviting the audience to join in, Du Plain led a joyful declaration:
“Washington, D.C. is the premiere diplomatic fashion city of the world. I am a DC Fashionista! Raysa Garcia is making us all fashionistas!”
As she concluded her speech, Du Plain gestured toward the heavens and smiled.
“Hey Mom,” she said softly, “are you watching? We did it.” Her words drew a standing ovation.
Jan Du Plain later returned to the runway, joining one of the featured designer groups in a final, celebratory fashion parade that concluded a night blending glamour, diplomacy, and gratitude in the true spirit of Washington’s fashion community.
