Fashion Washington Winter 2012

FASHION WASHINGTON WINTER 2012

Winning Looks Vote for jewel-tone gowns, sparkling cocktail dresses and slinky separates for inaugural balls and holiday bashes

The Spanx founder chats about her new store and smoothing shapewear

The Mosaic District brings indie shops and arty flicks to Fairfax A PUBLICATION OF

Banish blow-up Santas and megawatt lights for a chicer holiday home

FashionWashington

ON THE COVER

WINTER 2012 GENERAL MANAGER

Julie A. Gunderson

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Dan Caccavaro EDITOR

Jennifer Barger ASSISTANT EDITOR

Holley Simmons

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Adam Griffiths

ART DIRECTOR

Lori Kelley

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Marge Ely

EDITORIAL INTERN

Chelsea Huang

CONTRIBUTORS

Abby Greenawalt, Teddy Wolff COPY EDITORS

Holly J. Morris, Tricia Olszewski ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGERS

Anne Cynamon, Sheila Daw, Diane DuBois BOUTIQUE ACCOUNT MANAGER

Gayle Pegg

ADVERTISING GRAPHIC DESIGN

Jill Madsen

ADVERTISING PRODUCTION

Donald A. Despertt, Kristin Kato, Leigh Nelson, Jamie Richardson

ADVERTISING:

(202) 334-5224, 5226, 5228 © 2012 Washington Post Media 1150 15th St. NW Washington, D.C. 20071 For information on where to find more copies of FW, please contact Sandra Ballentine at 202-334-5228.

2 | FashionWashington | WINTER 2012

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Every four years, D.C. gets an extended dance version of the holidays, aka the presidential inauguration. No matter which side of the aisle we hang on, we’re all invited to more parties — and need more soirée finery — than in a normal winter.

The “what-do-I-wear-to-the-balls?” question is one I relish answering both for readers and for myself. This January, I plan to don one of the bright ball gowns we shot for our cover story on page 11. We also tracked down a slew of less-formal party wear — metallic jackets, sequined tops, sleek trousers — for seasonal cocktail bashes, nights on the town and, perhaps, a political pity party or two.

Many of the women rocking designer dresses will also be employing a fashionista secret weapon: a pair of Spanx. The waist-whittling, jiggle-stopping shapers are among the lingerie and hosiery you’ll find at the brand’s first-ever retail store, which just opened at Tysons Corner Center. We chatted with founder Sara Blakely about her smooth moves on page 15.

9 Fairfax’s new Mosaic District bustles with high fashion, arty movies and holiday wares, like this velvet stocking from Timothy Paul.

Clara wears a Monique Lhuillier gown ($798, Carine’s Bridal Atelier), blue quartz necklaces ($135 each; Ruth Barzel), Dolce Vita heels ($99, Sassanova), platinum aquamarine diamond earrings and Schlumberger engagement ring ($13,400 and $47,800, TIffany & Co).

See story on page 11 for tuxedo credits and store details.

— deck (and, sometimes, overdeck) their halls on page 6.

This issue of FW unwraps all of these stories, plus coverage of new boutiques and some of the most stylish parties in town. Enjoy it and the New Year, and I’ll see you in 2013!

In this issue of FW, we also explore Fairfax County’s haute new Mosaic District shopping and dining zone (page 9). It brings a mix of local (Lou Lou, Dawn Price Baby) and national retailers (Target, Last Call by Neiman Marcus) to a previously dead zone, making me wonder what’s next — a Barneys near the White House, please?

The White House, like many local homes, gets gussied up in a major way for the holidays. We explore why locals — besides the Obamas

15

—Jennifer Barger, Editor

Spanx, the lump-and-bump curing shapers that lie beneath many women’s chic outfits, get their own store at Tysons Corner Center.

BIG BANG TUTTI FRUTTI ROSE

THE SEASON’S HOT ITEMS AND HIP HAPPENINGS

1 2 3 4 5

Twinkle Toes

The Chevy Chase Saks Fifth Avenue redefines the term fancy footwork with its new 10022-SHOE shop (5555 WISCONSIN AVE. NW; 301-657-9000). The just-opened 2,800-square-foot showroom boasts boutique hotel-style decor (low-slung sofas, architectural lights) plus a seasonal rotation of more than 1,200 styles (not a typo!) by up-and-coming designers along with high-end pairs from Chanel, Christian Louboutin and Prada. “There’s a lot of holiday influence this season, considering the inauguration,” says Chevy Chase Saks’ vice president and general manager, Kert Rosenkoetter. “You’ll see glitz and glamour.” Perfect example: Manolo Blahnik’s very sparkly Hangisi Jewel Satin Pumps in fushia (SHOWN, $965).

Danielle Rollins

European Union

Well-dressed men in Paris, Dubai and Moscow know the sartorial powers of luxury retailer ZILLI. The first D.C.-area branch of the brand known for deftly blending Italian and French styles and materials opens at TYSONS GALLERIA (2001 INTERNATIONAL DRIVE, MCLEAN)

this month, bringing ultra-highend tailoring, sportswear and accessories to, as franchise owner Michael Colen puts it, “customers who collect clothing like they collect fine watches or sports cars.”

A plush space outfitted with leather walls and mahogany shelves sets off caymen-skin sneakers ($2,000), made-to-measure suits ($4,500$9,000) and the brand’s trademark leather jackets (PECCARY HIDE,

Italian Lessons

Known for its sleek sofas and sculptural chairs, Italy’s CALLIGARIS furniture line outfits spaces like Milan lofts and Tuscan palazzi.

The contempo company just opened its first local outpost (5252 WISCONSIN AVE. NW; 202-244-5544)

in Chevy Chase, trotting out mod designs such as the Parisienne chair (SHOWN, $350), groovy, midcentury style vases and the glass-topped, expanding Orbital table ($7,800), which could serve up to 10 dolce guests for the yule or New Year. The showroom — a 6,500-square-foot secondstory aerie — also carries the company’s streamlined, endlessly customizable media and clothing storage pieces.

Chin, Up

You won’t find a barber shop quartet singing out front, but there’s most certainly an oldtimey vibe at Adams Morgan’s new WISE OWL CLUB (2010 18TH ST. NW; 202-705-942). That’s due to the antique salon chairs sourced from a defunct barber shop in Alexis, Ill., the Sam Cooke tunes humming on the sound system and the personal attention from the barbers. “I’m trying to keep barbering alive. It has such a rich history,” says store owner Lauren the Lady Barber (the only name she’d give). Indulgent services include men’s cuts ($40), hairline shape-ups ($20), BEARD-TRIMMING ($15) and expert straight-razor shaves ($30) — hot towels definitely included.

Ahead of The Curves

“D.C. women like traditonal clothing with little twists — a peplum here, a special collar there,” says Ethan Drath, owner of SHERMAN PICKEY (1647 WISCONSIN AVE. NW; 202-333-4212). That blend of classic and quirky powers pieces by Korean design collective Morine Comte Marant, just in at the Georgetown prep-meetsladylike bastion. The cult Korean label, available at few stateside shops, marries Asian and French sensibilties (girly prints, womanly shapes) in such pieces as a mod, wool shift dress (SHOWN, $365), a cozy tweed cape fit for a very chic Sherlock ($325) and sweet-yetsophisticated dresses in dot or bird prints ($225-$325).

SHOWN, $22,400).

CH C CHAIT

Atlanta-based haute hostess Danielle Rollins throws lavish bashes for folks like Oscar de la Renta and Rachel Roy. She shares her well-set tables and well-tested recipes (miso-glazed trout, strawberry-basil ice pops) in her lush new book, “Soiree” ($50, Rizzolii). Though we weren’t invited to the seaside picnic she hosted on the French Riviera, at least we know how to make a blood orange old fashioned and beef biryani. HOLLEY SIMMONS

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How do you compile your invite lists?

Do you have advice for hosting high-profile guests?

Remember they’re people, too. Being yourself is much more appealing than putting on airs.

I try to look at a guest list much like casting a play. I try to balance out people who are interesting with people who are exciting. You do have to invite at least one person who’s a little off to keep things kind of fun!

Can you offer any timesaving tricks that don’t compromise quality?

If I buy a really lovely cake, I might serve homemade ice cream on the side. Or I’ll flavor whipped cream with nutmeg or sprinkle some fresh mint on top of it. I don’t feel the need to have every single thing be homemade.

How do you manage guests who get a little too tipsy?

Your parties often occur at glamorous locales. Can they be adapted to small spaces?

Everyone has access to nature. There’s all kinds of portable bonfires or fire pits to make it work year-round.

It’s about setting a stage, no matter the place.

I have been known to take late-night runs to Krystal burger and put them on a silver plate. People are more open to eating burgers at 10 p.m. than at 6 p.m.

What do you do when things go awry?

Something goes wrong at every single party. A sense of humor helps me see the absurdity of it all.

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Glitter Patrol

If you don’t overdecorate for the holidays, are you being stylish or Scrooge-ish?

My late father, a merry widower the

last 10 years of his life, loved everything about the holidays — the food (beef tenderloin), the wine (chardonnay), the presents (books). Everything, that is, except the decor. Though he’d been blissfully happy with my mother for decades, after her death, he’d eschewed her heaps of tinsel, army of china angels and dozens of ornaments in favor of a potted topiary strung with a single strand of lights.

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6 | FashionWashington | WINTER 2012

ANNE BENJAMIN

WHAT WE T BOUGH

“It’s my minimalist tree,” he laughed, putting up an art gallery-like tag on the wall that read simply: “Tannenbaum.” His frequent house guests and family got the joke, and his December dinner parties didn’t suffer for the lack of Santas and cherubs.

Sti l l, most nesters (t he minimalist’s daughter included) have the urge to dress up their homes a bit more during the holidays. But how can you walk the twinkle light-lit line between Dickens-story charming and “I got this inflatable Rudolph at Wal-Mart” overblown?

“I like having a theme — white lights, green boughs and bows,” says Diana Bulger, public relations director for D.C.’s Fairmont Hotel and an admitted decor-aholic.

“That way it won’t clash with our home’s color scheme, and the 4-foot-tall Nutcrackers don’t seem that ridiculous.”

Indeed, it’s worth keeping in mind what your house looks like January through November

before stocking up on menorahs and tree skirts in a style that doesn’t suit your abode.

“I had a client whose house I’d just redone using lots of chartreuse green. So we drew on that for the holiday with green balls and purple garlands,” says Arlington interior designer Dolly Howarth.

from page 15 of the catalog!’” says Danny Seo, eco decorating expert and author of the new “Upcycling Celebrations” ($18, Running Press). This means your place should look like you live there, even if that means tucking Grandma’s slightly beat-up nativity set under your industrial-cool Restoration Hardware tree.

“Personal touches are what keeps a home from looking too decorated,” says Howarth. “I try to group sentimental things in one place, say vintage Santas on a windowsill or a few childhood ornaments mixed on the tree.”

In a way, assembling seasonal decorations could be compared to building your wardrobe. “You need good basics, but you can add or subtract unusual or trendy items each year,” says Howarth, who ha s recently t a ken to festooning her holiday tree with strands of faux pearls (think Coco Chanel in yuletide form). I bought multiple white feather boas a few years back, which add snowy appeal to the tree and mantels.

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1. A retro cameo headlines on a dramatic necklace ($165, GoodWood, 1428 U St. NW; 202-986-3640). 2. A needlepoint pillow ($165, Jonathan Adler, 1267 Wisconsin Ave. NW; 202965-1416) brings Jackie O flair to a sofa. 3. The Smithsonian’s new “Fashion: The Definitive History of Costume and Style” ($31.50, Amazon.com) tracks clothes from crusader’s armor to Gaga’s platform shoes. 4. Kate Spade’s kicky patent pump ($300, Amazon.com) goes from cubicle to Christmas party.

“Don’t go for Pottery Barn syndrome, where people walk into your party and say, ‘It’s the wreath from page 15!’ ” When I redecorated my town house last year, ditching a very 1990s maroon and gold scheme, I traded the gilded candles and wine velvet tree skirt for subtler vintage ornaments and garlands in aged blue and white.

Yet, “you don’t want to go for Pottery Barn syndrome, where people walk into your party and say, ‘It’s the wreath

Whether you put a megawatt, Vegas-y tree in every room of your house or opt for a simple w r e at h on t he do or — t he most important thing is that you can bask in the holiday’s metaphorical and physical glow.

After all, even a minimalist tree casts a lovely spell during the darkest month of the year.

JENNIFER BARGER

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MOSAIC DISTRICT

COURTESY EDENS

A Slice of The City

Bellacara 703-992-0850

DON’T MISS

Texans have long known about Langford Market, an affordable clothing and accessories shop featuring boho-chic fashions. The southern chain sets up its first East Coast outpost, offering on-trend party dresses, chunky sweaters and crossbody purses in gem tones. It shares the rustic space with sister boutique, Addison, which sells shoes and jewelry to complete your ensemble.

GETTING THERE

Angelika Film Center and Cafe

571-512-3301

When you need a break from shopping (as if), catch an indie flick at this art house cinema, which sells booze and snacks as well as tickets to documentaries, foreign hits et al. The grassy park the theater sits upon will host outdoor film fests, yoga classes, farmers markets and even picnics. “People will be able to spread out a blanket,” says McLean.

... A Really Chic Headboard Nothing’s better than snuggling up in a cozy bed after a winter’s day. But nothing evokes cold and hard like a mattress pushed up against the wall. Not only do you spend one third of your life asleep in bed, it’s also where you cuddle your Kindle (or your sweetie) and, sometimes, work. A headboard makes the bed the focal point of your boudoir without taking up tons of space. Plus, if it’s upholstered, “you can be in different positions and have your head on a soft surface,” says Mitchell Gold of furniture brand Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. Here are styles that will make you yawn in a good way. CHELSEA HUANG

If you cherry-picked your favorite local

boutiques (womenswear darling Ginger, hipster menswear haven Federal), mixed them with area food heroes (MOM’s Organic Market, an in-the-works resto from Rogue 24’s RJ Cooper) and added wide sidewalks and a one-acre park, you’d have Fairfax’s new, linger-worthy Mosaic District (2910 District Ave., Fairfax, Va.; 703992-7765). “We wanted to create a place that people could call their own and use to reconnect with friends,” says Jodie McLean, president of EDEN’s development.

Mission accomplished.

Here’s what we’re most excited about. HOLLEY SIMMONS Last Call by Neiman Marcus

Dawn Price Baby 703-992-6533

We let out so many “aws!” at this gift shop for kiddos up to age 6 (the fourth in the area) that we lost count. Blame it on the red velvet overalls from Carriage Boutiques (shown, $58), Sara Gillingham’s children’s books with built-in finger puppets ($9 each) and endearing hand-knit creatures from Bia Bia ($42). You’ll also find City Select jogger strollers ($500) and other practical gear that will make you a hit at baby showers.

TOP SPOTS

For those with rich tastes and shallow wallets, Last Call carries past-season and overstock merch at up to 40 percent off (703-992-6611).

Timothy Paul Home 703-992-9494

A fave source for globetrotting nesters in Logan Circle, Timothy Paul brings bedding (John Robshaw’s Indian-print duvets), rugs (Moroccan shags) and accessories to a 4,000-square-foot souk.

“We’re spatially challenged on 14th Street,” says co-owner Timothy Worrell. “Here we can carry more furniture.” This means a robust selection of Cisco Brothers sofas ($6,000 and up) and an in-house design studio.

▼

Plans are in the works to make the mile-long walk from the Dunn Loring Metro stop to the Mosaic District more pedestrian-friendly. Until then, you’re best bet is to cab it from the stop. For those with cars, parking is plentiful.

Much like the Alexandria flagship, the Mosaic District reincarnation of this beauty emporium stocks over 50 brands of staff-tested-andapproved cosmetics and perfumes. Highlights include the District-born Alchimie Forever skin-care line and celebrity medicine cabinet mainstay Moroccan Oil hair care. The spot’s immaculate shelves recall a futuristic apothecary, but you can still freely test out Stila lipstick and Kevyn Aucoin eyeliner.

A new shopping center brings D.C.’s best to NoVa

Lou Lou

This Middleburg-born accessory shop (with 11 local branches and counting) stocks sparkly-yetaffordable gems like statement rings (shown, $15-$20) plus bags and scarves (703-992-9705).

I’VE GOTT GET...A

Bring the country getaway closer to home with a rustic mango wood style. ($399-$549, West Elm, 3333 M St. NW; 202-333-2928; Westelm.com)

You can order this headboard-footboard combo in 300 fabrics. ($2,600 and up, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, 1526 14th St. NW; 202-3323433; Mgbwhome.com)

This drama queen is 9 feet tall and meant to mimic an an antique French door. ($2,695-2,895; Restoration Hardware; 1222 Wisconsin Ave. NW; 202625-2771; restorationhardware.com)

WINTER 2012 | FashionWashington | 9

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER ...

...OR FORGET WINTER 2012 | FashionWashington | 11

TEXT BY HOLLEY SIMMONS

|

PHOTOS BY MARGE ELY

|

STYLING BY CATHY PHILLIPS STARNES

This winter, D.C. will play host to a flood of glamorous inaugural balls and partisan celebrations. Still, even those not on any VIP invite lists — or not in a festive mood about the election — will likely have plenty of holiday soirees and cocktail bashes to attend. Both black-tie events and less-formal bashes offer a chance to exercise your freedom of expression, as our models did throughout the Hamilton restaurant and concert venue, just a confetti’s toss from the White House. Whether you lean blue or red, Alexandria stylist Kathryn Martin advises bold colors. “I love jewel tones, especially deep blues and greens,” she says. And if you really want to stand out, she recommends splurging on jewelry. “It really makes a statement,” she says. That wins our vote.

TWINKLE TOWN

ALTERED STATE

Previous page, top: Clara shines against a D.C.-themed mural in an Alice + Olivia blue sequined top ($396, Neiman Marcus, Mazza Gallerie, 5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW; 202-966-9700), Carmen Marc Valvo satin skirt ($385, Neiman Marcus) and Alexis Bittar earrings, necklace and cuff ($275, $295 and $225, The Shoe Hive, 127 S. Fairfax St., Alexandria; 703-548-7105).

Previous page, bottom: Drown sorrows in a Vivienne Westwood dress ($595, Muleh, 1831 14th St. NW; 202-667-3440), Something Bleu pumps ($320, Shoe Hive), silver and turquoise necklace ($235, Tabandeh, 5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW; 202-244-0777), Iradj Moini amethyst, citrine and pearl cluster earrings ($710, Tabandeh) and yellow gold Schlumberger stitches diamond ring ($25,000, Tiffany & Co., 8045 Leesburg Pike, Vienna; 703893-7700).

12 | FashionWashington | WINTER 2012

▲

STEPPING OUT

Kyle is ready for the night in a Hickey Freeman tuxedo, shirt, bow tie and cuff links ($1,495, $295, $95 and $250; Streets of Georgetown, 1254 Wisconsin Ave. NW; 202295-9098). Clara wears a purple Monique Lhuillier dress ($698, Carine's Bridal Atelier, 1726 Wisconsin Ave. NW; 202-965-4696), five-row diamond half-circle hinged bangle ($14,500), Victoria line diamond bracelet ($21,500), Victoria alternating diamond bracelet ($35,000), yellow gold Schlumberger three-leaves earclips ($16,000), eightpoint star pendant ($35,000) and tanzanite pear-shaped Soleste ring ($8,500, all TIffany & Co.).

BIRDS OF A FEATHER Clara wears Oscar de la Renta gold lamĂŠ trousers ($1,190) with a Diane von Furstenburg yellow sequined top ($385, both Neiman Marcus), a gold multichain necklace with colorful Swarovski crystals ($335, Tabandeh), Diana Bouchard green plexiglass and gold earrings ($250, Tabandeh) and 18k yellow gold Elsa Peretti feather green jade cuff ($10,500, Tiffany & Co.).

LIGHT THE WAY Clara looks both haute and warm in Sara Campbell's skinny pant ($298, Periwinkle, 3815 Livingston St. NW; 202-364-3076), Stella McCartney gold top ($965, Neiman Marcus), James Coviello silver and gold dot coat ($475, Propper Topper; 1350 Connecticut Ave. NW; 202-8423055), Ivanka Trump glitter heels ($155, Bishop Boutique, 815-B King St., Alexandria; 571-312-0042), Alexis Bittar bracelets ($245 and $275, The Shoe Hive), Suzanna Dai earrings ($175, Sassanova) and red leather Beatrice Bag ($1,800, Sterling and Burke, 2824 Pennsylvania Ave. NW; 202-333-2266).

WINTER 2012 | FashionWashington | 13

LOUNGE ACTS Clara rocks out in a Milly printed lace skirt ($315, Neiman Marcus), Alice + Olivia jeweled top ($330, Neiman Marcus), Dolce Vita fuchsia pumps ($99, Sassanova), Alexis Bittar Teatro Moderne bracelet ($495, The Shoe Hive) and Suzanna Dai drop earrings ($175, Sassanova).

TAKING A STAND Clara draws looks in a Tadashi Shoji nude dress with beaded shoulders ($508, Carine's Bridal Atelier), Kate Spade textured pumps ($328, Sassanova), gold crystal fish-scale bracelet with resin overlay ($390, Tabandeh) and a moon stone bauble ring by Samira 13 Fine Jewelry ($3,800, Tabandeh). Credits: photo tech: Jim Osen; photo assistant: David Buchanan; models: CIMA; hair and makeup: Wayne Neiberg, T.H.E. Artist Agency; styling assistant: Jasmin Mason; special thanks to The Hamilton and Jennifer Vinson for The Hamilton Live.

14 | FashionWashington | WINTER 2012

Smoothing Things Over

Spanx’s Sara Blakely makes women look sleeker with shapewear and a new shop

Undergarments don’t have the power to smooth over

political differences or rein in the deficit. But thanks to Spanx — the mega hosiery brand founded by Sara Blakely (center) in 2000 — women (and men) can lose belly bulges and rein in jiggly rear ends. The company, which now sells a range of products including its namesake tush-toner (think control-top bike shorts in pantyhose material), bras and active wear, just opened its first retail store at Tysons Corner Center (1961 Chain Bridge Road, McLean; 703-848-8029). We caught up with Blakely as the store opened. JENNIFER BARGER

Higher Power briefs ($36) create a Marilyn Monroeesque hourglass silhouette.

What’s the shop like?

There’s a lot of whimsy, and it’s really interactive. Shapewear sounds easy to shop for, but a lot of women need guidance about what to wear under each garment. We try to walk them through it at the store.

No-elastic construction helps Spanx’s Bra-llelujah!

Underwire Contour bra ($62) be both comfy and uplifting.

You founded Spanx by cutting the feet off a pair of pantyhose.

Were you surprised they took off?

Spanx filled a void between thongs and heavy shapers. Women wanted something to make clothes hang differently. My mantra was, “We put a man on the moon. We can make shapewear comfortable.”

How are Spanx better than those “Mad Men”-era girdles?

It’s in the fit. It makes an enormous

Which area do women worry about smoothing the most?

It depends on the woman. I invented Spanx because I have cellulite on my thighs. And after I had my son, my concern became my tummy. So it changes from woman to woman and from time to time.

Spanx also sells toning garments for men. What sort of guy wears them?

Our male customer is a guy who is in great shape who dresses well. Many customers are athletes who like to wear Spanx for the lower-back support!

TEDDY WOLFF

difference. Before Spanx, the industry hadn’t been sizing waistbands. But I said, “We’ve got Lycra now!” So we made them all about compression and target areas.

Now Spanx also makes bras, tights and even tops that suck in your arms. How do you come up with this stuff?

It’s all happened organically. We test products on real women and ask them what they need. Our bras came about because women complained about back fat.

“Spanx filled a void between thongs and heavy shapers.

Women wanted something to make clothes hang differently.”

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Tell Us How We’re Doing!

FW

We’d like to know what you think.

Please complete our FW online survey. It’s fast, simple and will help us make the changes you’d like to see.

Go to www.FashionWashington/survey.html

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WINTER 2012 | FashionWashington | 15

THE BEST OF WHO, WHAT AND WEAR TEXT BY CHELSEA HUANG | PHOTOS BY ABBY GREENAWALT

Beauty and the East Party SEPT. 27, 2012 | TEXTILE MUSEUM

To open its new exhibition, The Sultan’s Garden: The Blossoming of Ottoman Art, the Textile Museum hosted an East-meets-West event inspired by the show’s Ottoman fabrics. (Think rainbow-hued kilim fragments and fit-for-a-princess silks.) Guests — many dressed in clothes and unusual jewelry that summoned Istanbul — snacked on food from Georgetown’s nowshuttered Mie N Yu and enjoyed live jazz by the Hot Club of D.C. A dramatic fabric and tassle tent designed by Morgan Hungerford West of online Pandahead magazine upped the exotic ante.

Morgan Hungerford West

Sierra West

Janice Reyes

Student, George Washington University

Liz Monahan

Nikki Brooks

Visual artist

Archivist, National Gallery of Art

Blogger, Beautejadore.com

Editor, LivingSocial

Wearing: Vintage dress, Target booties and a satchel necklace she constructed using a DIY kit.

Wearing: Jacket from Anthropologie, felt rose pin she crafted, American Eagle shirt and Uniqlo skirt.

Wearing: Dreamy vintage Lanvin bird-print dress, vintage black leather Fendi clutch and a vintage Yves Saint Laurent gold bracelet.

Wearing: An Urban Outfitters dress, a vintage leather jacket, Marino Orlandi purse and J. Crew flats.

WE LOVE:

West’s water color-inspired dress from Acne, her Chloe wallet and earrings by Annie Montgomery.

French Underground Festival OCT. 12, 2012 | THE EMBASSY OF FRANCE

The French Underground afterhours festival — a collaboration between web party/events power Brightest Young Things and cultural center La Maison Française — lured Francophiles for two nights of revelry. Smirnoff cocktails or Stella in hand, attendees danced to the music of Gallic songster Wax Tailor, snacked on Paul macarons and duck confit bites from H &Pizza and witnessed a live, large-scale painting demonstration by artist Paul Grelet, who jetted in from France for the event. Perhaps to escape the crowd, guests also viewed short films in the theater and warmed up around fire pits on the embassy’s impressive grounds.

Danté Smith

Wale Robert

Stockbroker

Manager, Immortal Beloved Salon

Shannon Cusello

Kelly Hughes Receptionist

BYT event assistant

Phung Vong

French Embassy employee

Wearing: Shirt and scarf from H&M, Marni tie, ASOS hat, Gap jeans, Venus belt and Neiman Marcus shoes.

Wearing: A little black dress from Forever 21, Salvatore Ferragamo flats and vintage jewels and headband.

Wearing: Hughes’ outfit is thrifted from head to toe, including her sheer striped shirt, brocade pants and leather brogues.

Wearing: Forever 21 top, Zara jacket, pants via Paris, suede boots, quilted purse and vintage headband.

Robert’s debonair-meets-casual look: Levi’s jeans, Jules B. vest and jacket and shoes from Urban Outfitters.

WE LOVE:

Inauguration Salon Preview Party NOV. 8, 2012 | HU’S WEAR

Yves Saint Laurent ball gowns, fur-trimmed Bergdorf Goodman evening jackets and other fashionable blasts from the past made their debut on the racks at the Georgetown boutique. A crowd of industry insiders (editors, bloggers, top shoppers, owner Marlene Hu Abdala’s dog, Ginger) got the first look at these pieces from Decades, the legendary vintage salon on Los Angeles’ Melrose Avenue, during a Dom Perignon and macaron-fueled reception. The three-week pop-up shop, which ran through November 30th, showcased a rotating stock of gowns, handbags, wraps, jewelry and shoes meant to appeal to inaugural-ball goers.

What’s

in

Store

Shari Sheffield

Charles Koch Eduarda Silva

Food and travel writer

DJ and club owner

Wearing: A bright orange dress from Gap and Impo International shoes.

Wearing: Sebago shoes, APC sweater and jeans, and Seize sur Vingt jacket.

calendar of advertiser and editorial fashion selections

December 2012 December 8 • Save the date and join us as at Havana Vintage as we celebrate our one-year anniversary; 1137 Walker Road, Great Falls; 703-4387770; havanavintageshop.com December 8 • Silk & Burlap hosts A Peace Treaty Fall/Winter 2012 Trunk Show with an expanded selection of their ethically-produced, artisan level accessories and apparel for the luxury fashion marketplace. 11am to 5pm; 28 E Patrick Street, Frederick; 301-360-9648; silkandburlap.com.

16 | FashionWashington | WINTER 2012

Hospital administrator

Wearing: J Brand pants, Michael Kors shirt and scarf from Urban Outfitters.

December 8-December 18 • Hu’s Wear will showcase their exclusive jewelry collections with individual weeklong trunk shows and designer personal appearances.

The selection at Hu’s is unlike anywhere else in the Nation’s capitol and their designer jewelry is no exception. Jessica Biales dazzles with modern shapes in 18kt gold delicately inlaid with diamonds and Nikki Baker offers timeless gems and 14kt pieces to layer with your own jewelry. Hu’s Wear invites you to discover these exquisite jewels, meet the designers and leave with a unique piece you’ll never take off; 2906 M St., NW; 202-342-2020; husonline.com.

December 9-11 • M29 Lifestyle - Where the Wild Things Are — Monserat de Lucca jewelry trunk show.

LA designs with edge!. M29 Lifestyle; 2800 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW; 202-295-2829; twitter.com/M29LIFESTYLE.

Rachel Cothran

PR director, Corcoran

Wearing: A vintage coat dress she got at a pop-up, Pour La Victoire shoes and hair

by Immortal Beloved.

Marty Souliere

Associate, Hu’s Shoes

WE LOVE:

Souliere’s necklace is a piece of scrap leather he pilfered while having a cuff made.

Shara Zion-Basile Associate, Hu’s Shoes

Wearing: Missoni dress, Loboutin heels, Proenza Schouler necklace and Cartier and Hermes bracelets.

December 9-20 • Come celebrate 12 days of Merriment in Georgetown, DC’s most anticipated holiday shopping season. The event is presented and sponsored by the Georgetown Business Improvement District (BID), and celebrates the holiday season with 12 days of special store sales and events, seasonal festivities, live entertainment, holiday activities, $2 parking and more;

December 15 • Meet Marvin K. from Aquatalia shoes at Saks Fifth Avenue Chevy Chase. He has designed some of the most fashionable and functional all weather boots and shoes on the market. Made in Italy, this line offers great style and warmth for all of your cold weather needs!

10am to 4pm; 5555 Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase; 301657-9000; saksfifthavenue.com.

December 10 • Georgetown will host the Merriment in Georgetown Kick-Off Party 1pm to 4pm; PNC Bank parking lot at the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and M St.; merrimentingeorgetown.com.

December 26 – December 31 • Nordstrom. Join us for the Lancôme Hypnose Star Event. Lancôme’s newest mascara creates show stopping volume with its innovative dual-sided brush. First it builds intense volume at the lashline and finishes with definition and curl. Space is limited; Appointments are required. 11a.m. – 7p.m.; The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City 1400 South Hayes Street Arlington; 703-415-1121; nordstrom.com.

December 13-24 • Visit Sassanova each day during the 12 Days of Sassanova Sales Event, where a new item will be featured at 30% off. Sassanova Georgetown 1641 Wisconsin Avenue, NW; 202-471-4400; sassanova.com.

wrap around luxury

From our Black Label Collection, the 47” deep Blackwell sofa with side bolsters sits like a dream.

Surrounding it, low Fritz bookcases on three sides, specially designed to encircle it in a perfect confluence of storage, display, and space to set a drink. Only 10” deep, these metal & glass beauties can serve a host of other storage-seeking spaces well.

1526 14th Street NW / BTW P & Q Streets Washington, DC / 202.332.3433 Mon thru Fri: 10am to 8pm, Sat: 10am to 6pm, Sun: 11am to 6pm / www.mgbwhome.com Blackwell Sofa with eco-luxe down cushions 94”w x 47”d x 35”h covered with an ecru linen blend ($4220) $3125, Fritz Bookcase for side of sofa 55”w x 10”d x 26.5”h $1245, Fritz Bookcase for back of sofa 94”w x 10”d x 26.5”h $1495, Cedric Bunching Cube 17” square x 18”h $470, Reading Rug 9’ x 12’ in ebony stripe $1495, Saturn’s Rings 54”w x 42”h $2245