Spring Fashion Issue 2009

fa s h ion wa s h i ngt on | s pr i ng 2 0 0 9

Fair Play Brighten up your spring look with a bumper crop of candy-hued dresses, punchy print coats and whimsical baubles

Wardrobe, Please Get inside Ali Wentworth’s dreamy Georgetown closet

Buyers Remorseful What to do when the high of a good buy disappears A PUBLICATION OF

The Tao of Sleeve Cuff links will add retro swagger to shirts and suits

FA SH ION WA SH I NGTON | spr ing 2009 | 3

fashion washington

contents

Shades of The Arcade take a thrill ride with spring’s candy-colored dresses, brightly printed swing coats and megawatt jewelry and accessories

publisher

Jenny Abramson general manager

Julie Gunderson editorial director

Dan Caccavaro editor

Jennifer Barger design director

Scott McCarthy Art Director

Alyce Jones senior editor

Betsy Lowther

Obsessed by Dress

contributing writers

Cathy Alter, Annie Lou Bayly Berman, Cory Ohlendorf copy editor

Our advice diva helps a bride-to-be find red carpet-worthy style for the aisle and doles out hints on where to hunt for eco clothing

Aimee Goodwin editorial assistant

Style Setter Need a flirty clutch for a party or a punchy linen tote to lug loot? Bag designer (and D.C. native) Lauren Merkin can handle it

Ashley Joy Parker staff photographer

Marge Ely contributing Photographers

Piece Talk

Lawrence Luk, Michelle Repiso Advertising account

Missing cuff links? We reveal how to wear the dapper, retro sleeve fasteners

managers

Anne Cynamon, Sheila Daw, Diane DuBois

Take Five Funny girl Ali Wentworth on dressing to match the furniture and her love of Lanvin and J Brand Jeans

Boutique Account Manager

Gayle Pegg Administrative assistant

Linda Baquet Advertising graphic design

Willie Joyner, Joseph Wadsworth Advertising production

Leigh Updike Braun, Jackie Ellis, Kiara Kerwin, Tara Shlimowitz

Scene Stealers Fashionistas vied for designer deals at the District Sample Sale in Georgetown, plus Leon Harris, ex Redskins and other A-list revelers got decked out in killer tuxes and jewel-tone gowns for the annual Heart Ball

advertising:

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LEFT: Marcia Morgan gold multistrand necklace, CUSP EXCLUSIVE Design History sweater, Blank jeans, Marc by Marc Jacobs tote, daniblock wedge sandal.

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Lush Life

Haute Topic

Blogging about Michelle O’s fashions, indulging in a luxe shave, seeking the season’s big, beautiful necklaces and opening two books on one of our favorite subjects, shoes

Where did you hide the booty? Why snagging a haute bag or bargain blazer makes some shoppers feel so guilty

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3/23/09 10:32:34 AM

FA SH ION WA SH I NGTON | spr ing 2009 | 4

the season’s hip happenings and hottest items

collar i.d. on trend

Designers are known for fixating on the figure — one season, it’s all about a neo-1960s nipped waist; the next, an artfully arched shoulder (stay tuned for that one come fall). For spring, they’ve narrowed their gaze to the neckline, turning out oversized, eye-popping pieces that serve as an ultra-dramatic addition to quieter basics. The bigger-isbest bijoux range from colorful cascades, such as Lee Angel’s architectural ombré twist (shown, $400, neiman marcus, tysons galleria, 2255 international drive; 703-761-1600), to Kenneth Jay Lane’s Cleopatra-worthy collar of decadent milky green stones ($600, saksfiftheavenue.com). Elizabeth and James hear a tribal beat: The line's jewelry designer Robert Lee Morris delivers a bib of overlapping hammered brass plates ($400, Intermixonline.com). Baubles are being brandished on clothing, too, with labels such as 3.1 Phillip Lim adding rows of ethnic beads to bright shifts ($775, Eluxury.com) and Chetta B. studding scoop-neck sheaths with gems ($315, Terra, 1706 Connecticut Ave. NW; 202-232-8581).

spa scene

Indulgent Invasion

chic clicks

A Fashion First

When times get rough, do tough guys head to the spa? “Yes, because a nice shave is an affordable luxury,” says Eric Malka, CEO of the Art of Shaving, which opens its latest luxe barber shop/product den (1050 connecticut ave. nw) this spring downtown. Way-beyondthe-striped-pole offerings include the “royal shave” ($55) with lavender-infused towels and a facial mask; the company’s skin potions and retro razors (shown, $259) also star in the clubby space. Other sybaritic bright spots: a Vicente Wolf-designed spa at the new Lorien Hotel (1600 king st., alexandria; 703-894-5130) and a just-arrived Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa at the Willard Intercontinental (1401 pennsylvania ave. nw; 703-894-5130). The latter has a cherry blossom pedicure ($80) through April.

Let New Yorkers have their socialite “It” girls. The world's biggest style icon, first lady Michelle Obama, now resides in D.C. The fashionista in chief's eclectic, approachable sartorial choices — J. Crew cardis by day (left), glam gowns by edgy designers such as Kai Milla (center) and Peter Soronen (right) after hours — are depicted and discussed on the lively blog Mrs. O (mrs-o.org). Creator Mary Tomer delights in revealing what Obama is wearing (vintage brooches, H&M frocks) as well as exploring her impact. “There’s an overwhelming sense of modernity to her,” says Tomer. “She’s mixing high and low and not playing by any rules.”

bookshelved

Heel Lives new store

Twin Powers Since opening her fash-forward Georgetown shop Hu’s Shoes four years ago, Marlene Hu Aldaba has gained a cult following for her artfully curated finds.

Now, she’s turned her impeccable eye to Hu’s Wear (2906 M St. Nw; 202-342-2020), a 19th-century brick storefront repurposed as a sleek boutique for women’s clothing. In the sunny, cork-floored spot, Hu Aldaba champions unfussy, under-the-radar finds such as Dries Van Noten alum Megan Park’s floaty kimonos (shown, $550) and Devi Kroell’s minimalist separates. “I like pieces that don’t need 20 extra things with them to finish the look,” says Hu Aldaba.

Anyone who has lusted for Louboutins or pined for Pradas knows how much name recognition matters in the shoe world.

That’s the stiletto-sharp point made by two new books. In “Beth Levine Shoes” ($35, stewart, tabori & chang), Helene Verin trots out lush photos (shown) to examine the mid-20th-century shoe queen who gave the world mules and Nancy Sinatra’s go-go boots. “She was so creative! She made shoes from paper and astronaut uniforms,” says Verin.

“The Towering World of Jimmy Choo” ($26, bloomsbury) tells how London socialite Tamara Mellon helped elevate Choo’s sexy heels into a mega-brand.

michelle obama photos from left: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/ap; MANDEL NGAN/gett y images; SAUL LOEB/gett y images

obsessed by dress

FA SH ION WA SH I NGTON | spr ing 2009 | 5

style advice by betsy lowther

big wedding gowns are beautiful on some women, but I don’t want to look like Cinderella when i say “i Do.” can you help before I’m overtaken by tulle?

Your sympathetic columnist was recently recruited to aid a beyond-frantic bride-to-be who had one sartorial vow: to look gorgeously glam, like she was headed to the Academy Awards — but in white. Luckily for you both, the Oscars’ red carpet was awash in pale hues this year, and you’d be smart to channel a sleekly sequined Anne Hathaway or a shapely, layered Taraji P. Henson. (Just steer clear of Penelope Cruz’s style. It is our opinion that she looked, somewhat unfortunately, like she actually belonged atop a tiered cake.) The inspiring new book “The White Dress” ($40, Chronicle) depicts plenty of brides who bucked the trend for the better, like Audrey Hepburn in a voluminous tea-length skirt in 1954 or Bianca Jagger in a white YSL tuxedo circa 1971. And don’t completely dismiss traditional bridal boutiques — we love the sleek, modern columns by Suzanne Ermann at Hitched (1523 Wisconsin Ave. NW; 202-333-6162) and the slinky Alexander McQueen lace sheaths from Net-a-porter.com’s brand-new wedding department. We promise, there’s nary a pouf in sight.

I want to be a socially responsible shopper. But I just don’t know where to find well-made clothes that are both eco-friendly and fashionable.

Where should I go to both do good and look good?

we’d like to answer this letter with a letter of our own. Dear Marc Jacobs: Could you create an eco line? Because we suspect that would get many of us very excited about being more green. However, until Mr. Jacobs has the time to respond to our plea, we’re happy to report that there are a number of responsible-yet-chic resources.

Locally, we seek out Beau Soleil’s soft bambooblend frocks and other green finds at Ginger (7114 Bethesda Lane; 301-664-9242). And online, we love the eco section of Tobi.com, which has organic cotton tees from Alternative Apparel; Shopenvi.com for jeans from Serfontaine; Beklina.com for Ashley Watson’s vintage leather totes; and Thegreenloop.com for retro-cool heels from Beyond Skin. We keep tabs on such sites through green portal Sprig.com, which even offers tips on how to eco-justify those Louboutins (they’ll last for years, which means less waste).

I saw on the FW blog (Fashionwashington.com/ blog) that you were just in New York for Fashion Week.

I have to ask: What are your must-stop shops and sights when visiting Manhattan?

we at FW Headquarters have one word for you: Barneys. Any N.Y.C. shopping sojourn wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the cutting-edge designer mecca (660 Madison Ave.; 212-826-8900), where we could easily spend hours gushing over edgy separates from Alexander Wang and lush gowns from Lanvin.

(Don’t even get us started on the shoe department!) Also recommended: a stroll down Mulberry and Mott streets in the shop-packed neighborhood of Nolita, where small, eclectic boutiques — try designer vintage resource Resurrection (217 Mott St.; 212-625-1374) and footwear haven Sigerson Morrison (242 Mott St.; 212-941-5404) — line the narrow, leafy blocks.

This spring, we’re also adding the cheap-but-impossibly-chic Brit brand Topshop to the list. The trendsetting label just opened its first U.S. outpost in Soho (478 Broadway) — an event we, and just about every fash follower we know, had marked on the calendar for months. Also new this spring: a stunning Richard Avedon fashion retrospective at the International Center of Photography (May 15-Sept. 6; 1133 Sixth Ave.; 212-857-0000) and an exhibit exploring “The Model as Muse” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (May 6-Aug. 9; 1000 Fifth Ave.; 212-535-7710). And then, we’d have to suggest slipping off to the newly refurbished Plaza Hotel (768 Fifth Ave.; 212-759-3000) for a glass of bubbly at the Champagne Bar. Cheers!

have a style dilemma or a query about how to wear something? e-mail our sartorial pro at advice@fashionwashington.com. for live answers, join our chat at noon on april 24 at fashionwashington.com/livechat3.html.

Illustr ation by Sydney VanDyke /Art Department

She deserves to feel pretty red door spa gift certificates

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style setter

FA SH ION WA SH I NGTON | SPR ING 2009 | 6

How’d you break into the bag biz?

When I finished business school in 2001, I started sewing while I was job searching. That’s when I created this canvas tote with a ribbon woven through it.

All my friends liked it, and a boutique on my street in New York placed an order. That was pretty much the lightbulb moment.

When did you start to feel successful?

Soon after I launched the line, Carrie carried one of my bags on “Sex and the City.” I was having this horrible day when I got a call from the show’s costume department. I sent over some bags and never heard another thing. And then all of a sudden, I’m watching the show on TV, and there it is. Immediately, my phone started ringing.

Do you think your D.C. upbringing has influenced your designs?

Success, In the Bag

Handbag designer (and D.C. native) Lauren Merkin has built a fashion empire with her chic clutches and totes YOU’RE PROBABLY FAMILIAR with Lauren Merkin’s work, even if her bags don’t demand attention with flashy logos or blingy hardware. The Wesley Heights native’s decadent-yet-downplayed carryalls are recognizable only by their meticulous detailing (artful ruching, contrasting piping) and unexpectedly luxe fabrics (washed leather, tile-embossed lambskin). Since she launched her line eight years ago, Merkin (née Goldberg) has seen her wares picked up by 350 stores, from such fashion bastions as Neiman Marcus to local boutique Urban Chic. We caught up with the New York designer to view her latest styles and find out how the capital has affected her aesthetic. B E TSY LOW THER

My aesthetic is pretty simple and understated. In a way, that definitely comes from growing up in D.C. I want my bags to be modern and fashionable, but I also want women to use them for a long time — not just a season or two. Because of that, there’s definitely a classic element to all my designs.

Your bags have an enormous following.

Why do you think they’re so popular?

We take a lot of time to test-drive every design and tweak it until it’s right. My staff and I try every style, making sure the material is durable, that it holds what it needs to and that it’s comfortable to use.

What’s next for you?

I love shoes and could totally see expanding there.

Really, I was always optimistic about where the line could go, but I don’t think I ever expected it to grow this quickly. We have customers who have collected 15 or 20 of our bags. It’s a little surreal.

ABOVE: CLUTCHES, $200 AND $325, LAURENMERKIN.COM

PHOTO BY MICHELLE REPISO

What’s in Store

calendar of advertiser and community fashion events

april 09 April 20-May 9 — Tiny Jewel Box, Top to Bottom Sale. This year’s sale offers more beautiful pieces at deeper discounts than ever before. Once-a-year-only savings on all designer and antique jewelry, diamonds and watches (excluding Rolex). Make any purchase and you’ll be entered to win a David Yurman bracelet. 1147 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. – 202.393.2747 www.tinyjewelbox.com

fashionwashington.com April 24 at noon: Live fashion chat with FW editors Jennifer Barger and Betsy Lowther www.fashionwashington.com/livechat3.html

April 21-25 — Mystique Jewelers, Five days of fashion, style and jewelry. Meet designer Elizabeth Showers on Thursday, April 23. 211 The Strand Waterfront, Alexandria, VA – 703.836.1401 www.mystiquejewelers.com April 23-26 — Rizik’s, proudly supports the 27th Annual Smithsonian Craft Show at the National Building Museum. www.smithsoniancraftshow.org April 30-May 1— Rizik’s Stizzoli Fall Trunk Show. Fine designer Italian knits featuring daywear and cocktail. Larger sizes accommodated. 1100 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. – 202.223.4050 www.riziks.com April 24-25 — Harriet Kassman, Anne Barge Bridal Trunk Show. Mazza Gallerie, Floor Two, 5300 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. – 202.363.1870 www.harrietkassman.com

April 25 — Serena & Lily Trunk Show from 2-5pm. Serena & Lily sell bedding for infants, children and adults. We will have staff on hand to help with any bedroom design – including bedding, furniture, rugs and matching paint. Red Barn Mercantile – 703.838.0355 www.redbarnmercantile.com

may 09 May 1-2 — David Iatesta’s Annual Sample Sale. 50%-85% off designer furniture, lighting, accessories, antiques and one-of-a kind creations. May 1, 8am - 12pm (trade exclusive with tax IDs), 12pm – 5pm (to the public and shop online) May 2, – 8am-12pm (to the public and shop online). April 30, Online preview. 410.604.0360 www.davidiatesta.com, sales@davidiatesta.com May 2 — Bellacara Makeovers with Stila Cosmetics. May 3 — Bellacara, Stacy Boylan Day to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Benefit in honor of former employee Stacy Boylan who succumbed to cystic fibrosis at a very young age. Bellacara will donate profits to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in Stacy’s honor. May 16 — Bellacara Makeovers with Sue Devitt Studio. 1000 King St., Alexandria, VA – 703.299.9652 www.bellacara.com May 2 and May 31 — Find and Go Flea field trips. Join Red Barn Mercantile and Red Rooster Designs (formerly known as Why the Rooster Crows) on fun flea market adventures – 703.838.0355 www.redbarnmercantile.com May 7 — Boone & Sons Jewelers, Mother’s Day Trunk Show and Sale 10am – 8pm, Chevy Chase location. 5550 The Hills Plaza, Chevy Chase, MD – 301.657.2144 www.booneandsons.com May 8 — America’s Polo Cup – Rockin’ the Runway televised fashion show. Awards for Most Polo Chic presented

by FW. 8pm. Tickets available online. May 9 — America’s Polo Cup – World Championships. Australia vs. USA. 2pm.

Awards for Best Hat and Best Dressed awarded by FW at 7pm in the Land Rover winner’s circle. Tickets available online: www.americaspolocup.com May 13-15 — Rizik’s, Double Header Trunk Show. Roberto Quaglia Fall Collection from Switzerland – offering designs in the most luxurious fabrics and the finest craftsmanship. Please visit www.quaglia.ch/html/navigation.html Trixi Schober Fall Sportswear Collection from Germany – offering stylish and tailored jackets, trousers, blouses, dresses and more. Please visit http://www.trixi-schober.de/hauptframe.htm. Informal modeling. 1100 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. – 202-223-4050 www.Riziks.com May 15-16 — Harriet Kassman, Simone Carvalli Bridal Trunk Show Mazza Gallerie, Floor Two, 5300 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. – 202-363-1870 www.harrietkassman.com

june 09 June 4-6 — Harriet Kassman, Lafayette 148 Trunk Show. Mazza Gallerie, Floor Two, 5300 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. – 202.363.1870 www.harrietkassman.com June 13 — National Polo League, polo match. www.nationalpololeague.com

Log on to FW’s blog for constant D.C. fashion scene updates. www.fashionwashington.com/blog.html We’re tweeting! Follow us on www.twitter.com/FWupdates

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Fashion.Washington. Together at last.

haute topic

FA SH ION WA SH I NGTON | SPR ING 2009 | 7

Guilty as Charged You love to go shopping.

Should that mean always having to say you’re sorry?

THE BOOTS WERE the color of a dull

nickel with a sexy stacked heel. Spotting them at Barneys Coop made me fantasize about where they’d take me: hip restaurants, gallery openings, maybe drinks with Maureen Dowd?

But my friends, as I immediately christened them, cost almost as much as my car payment. So instead of snapping them up, I stalked the boots for months, noticing when a salesclerk moved them, glaring at any other customer who dared to pick up the floor model.

Finally, they went on sale, so I charged them and took them home.

Which is where they stayed, hidden in my closet for months. Why the footwear protective custody order? I feared that if my primary-breadwinner husband knew about my new buddies, he would turn into Ricky Ricardo.

“Lucy,” he’d roar in a Cuban accent he’d mysteriously acquired, “take the boots back!”

Unlike Lucy, most women today earn their own money. Many don’t even have spouses or anyone else checking their checking-account balances. But this urge to hide or defend purchases from a partner, pal or oneself remains, especially in an economy in which shopping for anything besides toothpaste feels criminal.

“Excitement comes with a transaction,” says marketing guru Martin Lindstrom, author of “Buy-ology: The Truth and Lies About What We Buy.” But after the high of a good purchase, the remorseful letdown begins. “You feel guilty all the way home,” he says. “So you come up with a tactical plan to hide the evidence.”

Take Shelley (not her real name), 40, a project manager for a D.C. nonprofit. She still hasn’t confessed to her husband about the $400 chunky turquoise necklace she bought two years ago. “I told him I wanted it, but he said it

If you just buy what’s on your list, you won’t feel like you’ve broken any promises.”

was too expensive,” she says. “So I waited until he wasn’t around, went back to the store and bought the necklace.” Since then, Shelley has worn the bauble just twice, both times when her husband was out of town. And while she likes the necklace, she doesn’t really enjoy putting on what amounts to a blingy scarlet letter. “It’s a symbol of mistrust,” she says.

Still, shouldn’t I, or any hardworking woman, be able to buy what I want without justifying it? Maybe. “My clients don’t want to have to answer for purchases,” says Bethesda personal shopper Joyce Neave. It helps if they’ve got a pro like Neave steering them toward “investment” pieces (classic trousers, cashmere coats) as opposed to impulse buys (the status bag du jour, $400 jeans). “They don’t have as much angst if someone tells them it’s OK,” she says.

And perhaps the key to squashing the feeling of dread following a spree isn’t resorting to KGB-like tactics to hide purchases. Yes, disguising your new Marni dress as “this old thing” by putting it in a dry-cleaning bag is clever, but it isn’t necessarily honest. Far better to give yourself some shopping rules, whether that’s setting a monthly amount you can spend on clothing, no questions asked, or heading out to the boutiques armed with a list of “what I needs” as opposed to “what I’ve got to haves.”

“If you just buy what’s on your list, you won’t feel like you’ve broken any promises,” says Lindstrom. Or if you must shop till you drop, wait until there’s a good sale, a common occurrence now. Still, landing lots of bargains might lead to its own sort of angst: distress over excess.

Heidi Halpern, 40, a Falls Church writer, recently scored five J. Crew sweaters for $50 a pop.

“The deals are so good right now,” she says. “But I feel bad, like I’m stealing!” CATHY ALTER ILLUSTR ATION BY JONATHAN CARLSON

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piece talk

FA SH ION WA SH I NGTON | spr ing 2009 | 9

A Twist at the Wrist Cuff links have returned, but now it’s easy to wear them without looking like your father (or a decked-out maitre d’)

Custom banker’s collar shirt, ($157, Eric Finn, 1732 Connecticut Ave. NW; 202-232-3042); 18-karat gold and diamond cuff links ($11,250 Cartier, 5471 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy

In a pivotal scene in season

Chase; 301-654-5858).

1 of AMC’s “Mad Men” — the drama about dressed-up, liquored-up ad execs in 1960s New York — suave antihero Don Draper receives a pair of cuff links from a lady friend.

Shaped like knights’ helmets, they look devastatingly dapper after she’s slipped them through his French cuffs, suggesting he’s a warrior both at work and in love.

Four or five decades ago, men knew that such sartorial details separated the slobs from the sleek. But now, new-school guys are embracing the old-fashioned sleeve stays.

Cuff links bring swagger to today’s nipped and tucked suits, adding up to a look that Draper might’ve worn — sans the fedora.

The key to wearing these bits of style on your sleeve? Investing in a couple Frenchcuff shirts. “French cuffs say two things about a man,” says New York designer Simon Spurr. “First, that he’s paying attention, and, second, that he doesn’t mind taking a little extra time getting dressed.” Spurr’s cuffed shirts are sold locally at Farinelli’s (2839 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington; 703647-9856 and 11874 Market St., Reston; 571-926-9478).

Simply put, whether they’re plain silver studs or something more fashionable or flashy, cuff links show that you’ve put some effort into your appearance. And with a slew of new menswear stores and a new president who is no slouch in the sartorial department, the time seems ripe to embrace a bit of bling — whether the occasion is a black-tie wedding or just dinner and drinks in Dupont Circle.

Cuff links’ ability to play well with many outfits may be why forward-thinking labels such as Tanya Trahtemberg are selling more of the fashionable fasteners than ever. Still, some styles lean toward classic, Capitol Hill cool.

After you pop, click or screw the things into your shirts, just make sure they’re visible. “Most guys wear their jacket sleeves too long,” says Matt Landsberg, proprietor of Eric Finn Custom Clothiers (1732 Connecticut Ave. NW; 202-232-3042).

About half of Landsberg’s clients order French cuff shirts, but nearly all of them have to be schooled in how to wear them.

“They think showing a bit of cuff is like wearing your pants too short and showing your socks.” He recommends about a halfinch of cuff peeking past the jacket, allowing a subtle flash of metal.

After all, you went to all the trouble of putting on cuff links — you want to show them off, don’t you? Cory Ohlend orf

Cotton shirt ($180, Thomas Pink, 1127 Connecticut Ave. NW; 202- 223-5390); Paul Smith cuff links ($125, Barneys Coop, 3040 M St. NW; 202-3505832); Victorinox chronograph, ($575, Nordstrom Pentagon City, 1400 S. Hayes St.; Arlington; 703-415-1121).

Spurr Bengal-stripe shirt ($285, Farinelli’s, 2839 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington; 703647-9856); Tanya Trahtemberg oxidized silver cuff links ($170, Lost Boys, 1033 31st St. NW; 202-333-0093).

Spurr black tuxedo shirt ($375, Farinelli’s); Burberry silver cuff links, ($175, Burberry, 1155 Connecticut Ave., NW; 202-463-3000); Tag Heuer Grand Carrera chronograph ($5,700, Liljenquist & Beckstead, Tysons Galleria, 2001 International Drive, McLean; 703-749-1200).

take five

what’s the most memorable outfit you’ve ever worn?

Queen of Crack Ups On starz network’s “Head Case,” Ali Wentworth plays a shrink to celebs who may need a bit of mental help herself. In real life, the comedian (and wife of pundit George Stephanopoulos) spends a lot of time analyzing fashion. We met her and peeked into her to-die-for Georgetown closet.

A n nie Lo u Bay ly B erm a n

I was on “The Tonight Show,” and the chair next to Jay Leno’s desk was covered in this really tacky multicolor squared fabric. I had the costume department make me a minidress in that fabric. I blended in when I sat down!

How would you describe your personal style?

Casual college student with a trust fund. I pretty much wear jeans every day, but with nice boots and cashmere sweaters. And I wear a lot of flats, because they’re comfortable. I’m trying to look like a hip mother.

Who are your go-to designers?

It changes all the time, but for everyday, I like James Perse shirts and J Brand Jeans, anything comfortable and steel gray. I also love Lanvin, Narciso Rodriguez and Nina Ricci.

What would be in your dream closet?

It’d be full of beautiful black cashmere sweaters, perfect white T-shirts, different pairs of jeans and then eclectic, one-of-a-kind pieces from newer designers.

What’s your favorite D.C. event to get dressed up for?

The White House Correspondents’ dinner. It’s like D.C.’s version of the Oscars.

cufflink photos by marge ely; ali wentworth photo by l awrence luk

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FA SH ION WA SH I NGTON | spr ing 2009 | 11

color smash: glen echo park’s vintage bumper car pavilion provides an apropos backdrop for j. crew’s silk top and sateen skirt ($188 and $88, J. Crew, 3222 M St. NW; 202-965-4090). mix it with bright baubles — a bold beaded bracelet ($125, J. Crew) and kenneth jay Lane’s resin ring ($95, cusp, 3030 M St. NW; 202-6250893) — and pour la victoire’s chartreuse heels ($245, cusp).

shades of the

eye-popping colors, lighthearted shapes and midway-worthy prints come out to play on spring’s bright, retro daywear photos by marge ely

styled by betsy lowther

FA SH ION WA SH I NGTON | spr ing 2009 | 12

FA SH ION WA SH I NGTON | spr ing 2009 | 13

n its mid-20th-century heyday, Maryland’s Glen Echo Park bustled with color and life. Against a backdrop of neon signs and pastel-walled arcades, bathing beauties in bright maillots swanned around the massive Crystal Pool and World War II GIs in uniform took their girlfriends for thrill rides in the wood-floored bumper car pavilion. “In its day, it was absolutely the place to see and be seen,” says Katey Boerner, executive director of the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts & Culture.

This spring, fashion powers seem to have taken their cues — and hues — from such a sunny, retro place. “We’re entering a happy season,” says Megan Hood, a buyer for Georgetown-based boutique chain Urban Chic. “It’s as if designers are trying to lift everyone’s mood.” This means that floaty frocks, ladylike jackets and statement necklaces come in beyond-bright hues: neon yellow and hot pink à la the ’80s, or Art Deco-era shades such as frothy lavender, icy aqua and fresh tangerine.

What to pair with such a vivid spectrum? We’d suggest getting off winter’s all-black carousel in favor of crisp white staples: slim jeans, swishy sailor pants, maybe a skinny boyfriend blazer to tame a flowered frock. Blushing nude hues are also worth a spin, especially on a pair of pumps or patent tote. Such skin-to-pink tones help saturated shades appear even brighter. And if these feel-good clothes make you crave a day at the amusement park, Glen Echo’s restored 1921 carousel opens for the season in early May. b e tsy low ther

above: glen echo’s painstakingly restored 1921 carousel serves as a colorful backdrop for another dramatic showpiece: vera wang’s beaded bib necklace ($725, saks fifth avenue, 5555 wisconsin Ave., Chevy chase; 301-657-9000), paired with a breezy teal frock by shoshanna ($385, Periwinkle, 1557 potomac greens drive, alexandria; 703-519-5242). below: Oscar de la renta’s bold canary heels ($665, net-a-porter.com) add whimsy.

Special thanks: jennifer cloud and emily mah Styling Assistant: patricia harr Photo assistants: Dave Buchanan, caroline bridges Digital tech: Jim Osen Hair and makeup: richard bernal/T.H.E. artist agency Model: Wilhelmina models

trolleys (like this 1947 one) ran from D.C. to glen echo until 1968. Nanette Lepore’s pink sheath and swingy floral coat ($395 and $595, nanette lepore, 5449 wisconsin Ave. Nw, chevy chase; 301-657-1515) evoke an even earlier era, the 1940s. J.Crew’s patent clutch ($78; jcrew.com) and christian louboutin’s nude pump ($595, neimanmarcus.com) make such saturated shades pop. sleek jewelry, like diamond earrings and soho’s enamel bracelet and ring (all prices upon request, boone & sons jewelers, 5550 the hills plaza, chevy chase; 301-657-2144), adds a touch of subtle flair.

About the Cover Stephanie wears a Lida Baday dress ($1,395, Saks Fifth Avenue) with a Michael Beaudry pearl and diamond ring and earrings (price upon request, Chas Schwartz & Son, Mazza Gallerie, 5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW; 202-363-5432).

Ribbon belt, stylist’s own. Shot at Glen Echo Park, a former amusement park in Glen Echo, Md., that serves as a culture center with art exhibits, classes and kids’ events. The site is in the last stages of a $23 million renovation of its early 20th-century landmarks, including Art Deco signs, a carousel and the Spanish Ballroom, which opens on weekends for dances and will host the park’s annual gala on May 16. For information, see Glenechopark.org.

POLO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CAPITOL POLO CLUB, POTOMAC, MD

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FA SH ION WA SH I NGTON | spr ing 2009 | 15

scene stealers the best of who, what and wear at the capital’s poshest parties

The American Heart Association Heart Ball the ritz-carlton hotel, tysons Corner, Feb. 28, 2009

In washington, the start of spring brings two things: cherry blossoms and gala season. During the American Heart Association’s 11th annual Heart Ball, nearly 500 glammed-up guests — including former Redskins linebacker Ken Harvey (above right, at left) — were focused on painting the town in the group’s signature shade of red. A lively auction helped raise more than $800,000 for heart disease research, including $8,000 netted for a stunning Bulgari diamond necklace.

But the charitable cause wasn’t the only thing earning attention. “I’ve been coming here every year,” said guest Gayle Green, in a feathery black BCBG cocktail dress.

“And every year, the fashion gets more fun.”

What They Wore

Pamela Sorensen media maven/blogger

Leon Harris ABC-7 news anchor

Edwin Miller software CEO

Kimberly Miller mom

Heather Barry nonprofit professional

While vibrant red might be the official Heart Ball hue, the event’s most gorgeous gowns were vividly jewel-toned. Cardiac surgery survivor and honoree Heather Barry chose a strapless Nicole Miller gown in emerald green, while Pamelaspunch.com society scribe Pamela Sorensen added a fuzzy garnet shrug to her own Nicole Miller frock. Even energetic event emcee Leon Harris got into the soirée’s high style, sprucing up his custom-made tuxedo with crimson studs. B e tsy Low ther

The District Sample Sale georgetown, March 18, 2009

it was every fashionista for herself at the semi-

annual District Sample Sale, which drew about 700 savvy shoppers seeking designer deals among racks of finds from the city’s top boutiques. The line to get in to the event stretched down M Street, but few left emptyhanded — including this year’s charity beneficiary, Kid Power, which funds children’s programs in underserved city neighborhoods. About $35,000 was raised for the organization and other charitable causes. “There are more people here than ever before,” said host committee member Meghan Bracewell, who wore a frilled lilac minidress from Topshop. “It just goes to show that even in an recession, everyone loves a deal.”

What They Wore

Severina Mladenova mom

Meghan Bracewell lawyer

Katherine Kennedy business specialist

Lori Soto mom

Tina Alster dermatologist

It might have been a shop-’til-you-drop kind of sale, but that didn’t stop D.C.’s fash pack from getting all dressed up. In-demand dermatologist Tina Alster paired her Lanvin dress with a dramatic Diana Broussard pearl necklace from Hu’s Shoes. And Severina Mladenova donned her Mona Assemi drop earrings immediately after purchasing them from the New York-based jewelry designer. But, luckily, they were the perfect pairing for her 3.1 Phillip Lim tuxedo top and Jimmy Choo tote. be tsy low ther

photos by l awrence luk. center heart ball photo by jim johnson photogr aphy/ picture-story studio

You’re invited to our

Mother’s Day

Trunk Show & Sale ThursDay, May 7, 2009

10:00 am - 8:00 pm Chevy Chase, Maryland Location

Washington, DC 1025 Connecticut Avenue, NW 202-785-4653

Chevy Chase, MD 5550 The Hills Plaza 301-657-2144 booneandsons.com

McLean, VA 1320 Old Chain Bridge Road 703-734-3997