“It Girl” Overnight

The definition of ‘socialite’ is more than nebulous around the Beltway.

“I don’t think DC has a definition,” asserts Katherine Kennedy, on hand to co-host Bridie Clarke‘s book signing of The Overnight Socialite at Bethesda’s Ginger Boutique Thursday night.

“I can’t really see this book taking place anywhere but New York, since that’s where the socialites are in my opinion,” Kennedy added, “But a lot of women want to be socialites, so the book’s ‘lessons’ are pretty interesting.”

According to Kennedy, the plot of Clarke’s novel reads like a mix between the popular movies “She’s All That” and “The Princess Diaries.” To become an overnight social sensation, the main character learns how to hold her carriage, walk the right way, and even pose for pictures.

And Clarke’s definition of a socialite is more manipulative than just “someone who conducts their social life in a public way.” She includes that her socialite is “someone who has an agenda and is hoping to gain from the notoriety, not just to be out and have fun.”

Even so, her term doesn’t have a negative connotation.

“There are countless women – socialites – after whom I would shape my life,” Clarke admits. “I look at women who have turned their presence into a social empire to do great things, and I wouldn’t mind being like them.”

But is it possible to do that overnight? “Yes,” Clarke affirms, “although I don’t know the DC scene well enough to know if it could happen here.”

(Images: Top, Author Bridie Clarke. Middle, Candance Randle, Sia Rose and Paula Whyman. Bottom, Jewelry designer Suzanne Somersall with FW’s Betsy Lowther.)

*A version of this post appears on NBC’s Niteside site.