If the pope can't bless a cornerstone where it will be laid in Front Royal, Va., then why not carry it to Rome and have him bless it there?

This past week, Pope Benedict XVI not only acknowledged Northern Virginia's Christendom College, he blessed the marble cornerstone for a planned addition to its Christ the King Chapel.

"I extend particular greetings to the visitors from Christendom College," the pope said at the close of his address.

College President Timothy O'Donnell then presented the Holy Father with the cornerstone for his blessing.

Washington runway

"We're not trying to be New York, we're not trying to be L.A. We're trying to be D.C.," Abigail de Casanova, founder of the D.C. Fashionista Group, said when introducing "1000 Fashionistas" — models, clothing and accessories from local designers and boutiques — at the Park at 14th.

Fashion styles not seen in other major U.S. cities are "evolving" in Washington, she explained, and her group "provides the platform to introduce a style of ourselves — for ourselves."

Argentinian-born fashion designer Luciana Tiktin told us she's preparing for the grand opening of Dekka, dubbed Washington's first designer's showroom at 1338 U Street NW. The ribbon cutting is set for 4 p.m. on April 5.

[In Monday's column: Rachel Cothran of Project Runway will opine whether Washingtonians dress "too conservatively," and also reveals why Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton purposely steers clear of the pages of Vogue.]