RWA Fashion Awards 2019

It's PHS Fashion Awards time! And our fabulous fashion guru, Teri Wilson, even managed to snag a RITA while keeping an expert eye on all the cute outfits and accessories!

It’s that time of year again, Pink Hearters!

I’m fresh off the plane from the national RWA conference in New York, still swooning over a wonderful week. RWA always leaves me feeling super motivated and blessed beyond measure to be part of a profession that brings hope to so many people. Romance writers are a shining light of positivity, and guess what—they also know how to BRING IT when it comes to fashion, particularly at our largest gathering of the year.

So here I am, for the third year in a row, highlighting a few of our favorite romance-writing fashionistas and bestowing imaginary awards on the conference attendees who rocked the Big Apple in style!

Best Handbag:

It's a TIE! Seriously, y’all. How could I choose? Both of these bags are to-die-for.

First up is Sourcebooks editor Mary Altman’s cheery red typewriter bag. How perfect is this? We’re also loving her pride-themed rainbow dress…and her bold lipstick and quirky glasses. Head-to-toe, this look has it all, but we just couldn’t take our eyes off that purse.

Also snagging our attention in the handbag department was this glittering confection of a purse spotted on the arm of Golden Heart nominee Joy Adare during the cocktail reception for the RITA and Golden Heart finalists. So gorgeous!

Best Audrey Hepburn Moment:

This award goes to Harlequin Special Edition author Stacy Connelly who totally channeled Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany’s at the Harlequin party in a perfect LBD and the best updo we’ve ever seen. Just look at her hair! Quel beauty.

Best Day Dress:

Everyone at the Readers 4 Life literacy signing on Saturday was talking about one thing: first-time RWA attendee Yaritza Santana’s completely precious book dress. It was adorable. And she topped it off with the perfect accessory—a romance royalty crown from Alyssa Cole! (omg ALYSSA, where can I get one of these?!)

Best Necklace:

Marcia King Gamble walked into the revolving bar atop the Marriott Marquis after the RITA award ceremony, and all I could see was the sparkly bling around her neck. Forget the fabulous view of the Manhattan skyline…nothing glittered like her necklace!

Best Shoes:

RITA winner Susannah Nix had the right idea when it came to footwear. Her silver glitter sneakers brought the sparkle, but they were still perfect for dancing the night away or walking to and from workshops. Gimme!

Best Cocktail Dress:

I am not even kidding when I say that Harlequin author Danica Winters looked like she walked straight off the pages of The Great Gatsby when she arrived at the Harlequin party. From the pearls and the drop waist to the gold sequins, this look was breathtaking.

Best Matching Moment:

We’re absolutely dotty for the unplanned matching moment that happened when Harlequin & Tule authors Joanne Rock, Nancy Robards Thompson and Katherine Garbera all turned up for dinner rocking black and white polka dots.

Best Butterfly Moment:

RITA finalist Lenora Worth’s fashion choices are always lovely, and the outfit she wore to the RITA rehearsals was no exception. She was covered in butterflies. Can you spot them all?

Best Barbie Moment:

RWA service award honoree Barbara Wallace looked like an absolute doll in this 60’s ensemble. Ken must be somewhere missing Barbie, and we love it!

Best Looks from the RITA Awards:

Buckle up, you guys. The RITA Awards were the crowning glory of the RWA conference. It was a night of historic firsts that honored the complete history of our genre in a moving display of unity. Something truly special happened that night, and the RITA outfits selected by finalists and presenters mirrored it in a lovely way. This sublime slo-mo video posted to twitter by RITA winner Nisha Sharma gives just a tiny taste of the dazzling and diverse fashion on display in the ballroom. So, you can probably already tell why it was impossible to choose just one winning RITA look. Here are our top four:

Alexis Daria ~ This black lace gown was everything. And guess what, dear reader. She ordered it off Amazon (!) and then added the rhinestone belt to it all on her own. A true fashionista moment if there ever was one!

Nisha Sharma ~ Nisha won the RITA for Best YA Romance for her book My So-Called Bollywood Life, and her RITA ensemble was a Desi dream come true! Then, just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, she added a jean jacket. Perfection.

LaQuette ~ President of RWA’s New York chapter, LaQuette gave a special presentation during the award ceremony and wore a stunning maxi skirt featuring an African pattern. People are STILL talking about this beautiful choice, which LaQuette explained in a twitter thread which you can read here.

Marie Tremayne: ~ We simply had to give Marie Tremayne, RITA winner for Best First Book, a shout out for her gold sequin gown. She looked like a walking, breathing RITA trophy. We’re obsessed.

We can’t wait to see what everyone wears next year!

Got some RWA Fashion pics to share? A favorite ensemble you saw or wore? Let us know on Social Media using #RWAFashion19

Teri's RITA Award winning book, The Bachelor's Baby Surprise, is still available to buy. To find out what she has coming out next and what mischief she is getting up to, you can follow her on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram and visit her website.