Tory Burch brings her blend of exotic prints and American cool to Tysons Everyone from reality stars to tweens has written a style book — but is the glam glut good for us? Old-timey seersucker gets a new twist thanks to hip shapes and fresh styles
fa s h i o n wa s h i n g t o n | s u m m e r 2 0 1 1
Bright Beautiful Summer’s hottest hues — from sunny tangerine to neon yellow — look better when worn together
A PUBLICATION OF
PUBLISHER
Jenny Abramson GENERAL MANAGER
Julie Gunderson EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Dan Caccavaro
9
11
I confess:
Summer isn’t my favorite season. I’m always more excited about crisp fall days — and crisp winter coats — than the sort of steamy sundress weather D.C. gets between, heck, May Day and mid-September. Still, putting together this issue of FW (during some chilly days in April), I found myself yearning for 80-degree afternoons and a bit of a tan (fake, of course). How else could I start wearing the rainbow of bright, color-blocked clothes in this issue’s cover story (page 11)? Hues that seem stolen from popsicle carts on the Mall — cherry red, grape Nehi purple, lemon yellow — sweeten pieces like cropped jackets, billowy blouses and — my fave — disco-inspired platform wedges. Color also plays a starring role in boho-prep designer Tory Burch’s
EDITOR
Jennifer Barger DESIGN DIRECTOR
Scott McCarthy ART DIRECTOR
Lori Kelley ASSISTANT EDITOR
Katherine Boyle STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Marge Ely EDITORIAL INTERN
Ashley Taylor CONTRIBUTORS
Abby Greenawalt, Erin Hartigan, Lloyd Wolf ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGERS
Anne Cynamon, Sheila Daw, Diane DuBois BOUTIQUE ACCOUNT MANAGER
Gayle Pegg ADVERTISING GRAPHIC DESIGN
Kristin Kato, Amanda Stefano ADVERTISING PRODUCTION
Mamie Belle, Jamie Richardson, Tara Shlimowitz
ON THE COVER
Color blocking that’d make Mondrian jealous cropped up for summer. Jackie wears a Diane von Furstenberg silk top ($265, Neiman Marcus), orange Milly shorts, a dramatic Sissy Yates necklace ($215 and $265, Julia Farr), a faux gold cuff (ShoeFly) and Kate Spade heels ($298, Sassanova). See the cover story, page 11, for store details.
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(202) 334-5224, 5226, 5228 Š 2010 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.
Tory Burch brings her bright and funky clothes to Tysons.
Jennifer Barger, Editor
printed tunics, shapely bags and sleek dresses. The New York glam gal opens her first capital-area boutique May 20, and we caught up with her (page 9) about her love of D.C. style (and Hillary Clinton) and why she’s digging pantsuits this season. Seersucker suits, long a part of D.C.’s sartorial landscape, aren’t on my gottaget-list for summer (too Lady Senator from South Carolina). But surprisingly, seersucker separates are. The striped, old-timey fabric is being sewn up in surprising new ways — sexy sundresses, pretty dinner napkins and the sort of slimcut sport coat I’d love to see my husband in. We explore its crisp, cool history (page 6) — plus how the cool kids will be donning it for D.C.’s second annual Seersucker Social June 4. Even when it’s sizzling outside, getting out into the city is easier this time of year. One of the best places to do that is Georgetown. We trek up Wisconsin
14
Point your platform heels toward Georgetown’s Book Hill for haute fashion, food and antiques.
6
Avenue to its northernmost zone, Parisian-charming Book Hill, where antiques shops, clothes boutiques and a sweet new chocolatier keep company with hip cafes. When leaving town —preferably to a nice beach — a good bathing suit is usually in order. So we also dive into the best local shops stocking them with a new feature, “I’ve Gotta Get...� (page 7). As in every issue of FW, we catch up with the city’s party scene and check in on edgy new lines and hot new stores. (Welcome to Georgetown, Rag & Bone!) I’m excited to put on my sunblock and sandals to check them out. I hope you are too.
Catch the blue line (aka seersucker) via shorts, shirts, even swimming suits.
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SUMMER 2011 | FashionWashington | 3
THE SEASON’S HOT ITEMS AND HIP HAPPENINGS
BOOK SHELF
Space Program
Anyone who has surfed a home decor blog lately (hey, Apartmenttherapy.com!) knows that slightly disheveled, personalized interiors are the new Houses Beautiful. This mix-and-mismatch idea — crystal chandeliers over rustic farm tables, a modern drum shade fixture embellished with vintage metal keys — headlines in “Decorate” ($35, Chronicle Books). By tapping hipper, younger designers (Celerie Kemble, Jonathan Adler), co-authors Holly Becker and Joanna Copestick show off mod, achievable spaces: a living room filled with flea market paintings and crisp white furniture, a bright boudoir that uses an oil painting as a headboard. Color us inspired.
1 2 3 4 5
Homey, In
Words like “heritage” and “classic” have been bandied about a lot in fashion lately. But in decor, old-fashioned and homespun never went out of style, a notion celebrated by RED BARN MERCANTILE’S (113 S. Columbus St., Alexandria, Va.; 703-838-0355) new, nostalgic accessories, like car bingo, vintage can candles (shown, $65) and retro felt pennants feting spots from Richmond to South Carolina ($20). “The appeal is memory-based,” says owner Amy Rutherford. “People look back to their childhoods or those of their parents.” Rutherford and FW editor Jennifer Barger explore this “New Americana” decorating during a free seminar May 18, 7-8:30 p.m. at the store.
He’ll Take Paris (And New York) A standing ovation at New York Fashion Week is an honor for any designer. But newbie ALEXANDER BERARDI got one for his femme-yet-sophisticated first spring collection, just in stock at HYSTERIA (125 S. Fairfax St., Alexandria, Va.; 703-5481615). The Upper East Side wunderkind (he’s only 24!) conjures a summery, Cote d’Azur vibe à la Jean-Luc Godard’s 1960 “Breathless” with easy, striped silk blouses ($435), khaki taupe satin shorts (shown, $330) and crisp, sleeveless wrap-around shirts ($380). “I design for modern, classic women,” says Berardi. “My collection fits D.C.’s elegant style perfectly.”
CHIC CHAT
David Neville
Tight jeans and last season’s bright patterns will fall out of style, but the structured styles of Rag & Bone seem here to stay. The Manhattan brand opens a Georgetown shop in May (3067 M St. NW). We grilled co-founder David Neville about it and why he likes dressing D.C.-ites. ERIN HARTIGAN
Why Georgetown? Rag & Bone is really about four seasons, and the East Coast has more extreme temperatures in that sense. We like that it gets cold. We also like that there’s a sensibility here that’s a bit more European, with nostalgia in the way people approach fashion.
4 | FashionWashington | SUMMER 2011
A Rather Smart Shirt
Guys, we won’t judge you too much if you wear baggy buttondowns or embroidered guyaberas that scream South Beach. But men who seek preppy shirts with a modern fit might try the plaid or plain styles ($80 each) by READ’S CLOTHING PROJECT, now at SHERMAN PICKEY (1647 Wisconsin Ave. NW; 202-333-4212). Founded by D.C.’s Read Wall (a St. Alban’s grad who should know from sloppy clothes), the brand makes “shirts that look good and do good,” he says. Twenty percent of his profits go to the School of St. Jude in Tanzania. “I’m interested in social entrepreneurship and fashion,” says Wall. “I think they work well together.”
Time in A Bauble
Antique lockets look sweet and sentimental — if you’re starring in “Boardwalk Empire.” But D.C.’s MEREDITH MERRILL refreshes such bygone baubles with her past-meetspresent necklaces. By affixing 19th- and early 20th-century charms (diamond-crusted ovals, enameled watch fobs) to chunky 14K-gold-filled chains, Merrill creates accessories that, she says, “people buy off my neck. They’re like appealing little puzzles.” Score the statement-making pieces (most, $350-$1,500, multicharm style, shown, $2,200) via Meredithmerrill.com, or at Julia Farr boutique (5232 44th St. NW; 202-364-3277).
Italian Accent
Sì, Missoni’s gypsy-glam zigzags, stripes and bright-as-a-Tuscan sunset colors light up cocktail dresses, sweaters and men’s ties. But the exuberant Italian design house’s rainbow patterns also shine on its line of home items — groovy bath towels, bright bedding, plush poufs (shown, $710), butterfly- print pillows and curvy settees. The dolce vita array, just in stock at Georgetown’s CONTEMPORARIA (3303 Cady’s Alley NW; 202-338-0193), makes an ideal backdrop for lounging around drinking glasses of Barolo, maybe while cavorting on the Divano Modular Sofa (components $710-$3,885), a louche grouping of slouchy seats in a wild floral print.
What are some of your favorite spring and summer trends?
A wooden platform gives the Addington wedge ($395) an edgy feel.
What ethos drives the Rag & Bone line? A big part of Rag & Bone is English guys who ended up in New York City, and we draw a lot on our heritage. Our clothes are classic, but we’re reinterpreting to make them cool and modern.
How do you hope to inspire the way Washingtonians dress? We’re a little uptown and downtown. Demure, but still sexy. It’s a great little cropped blazer or a sheer maxi skirt. That works for the Georgetown girl.
We have some really lovely sheer silk pieces for summer, plus really gorgeous prints based on a photo of Bequia, an island in the Caribbean. It’s turquoise, orange and red and translates well to longer skirts.
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Seersucker screams “summer party,” so use napkins ($4 for $64, Kimseybert. com) made from it at a cookout.
Seersucker Punch
The traditional summer fabric sheds its old-school rep with hip new styles When then-Mississippi Sen. Trent Lott
revived the early 20th-century custom of a summer “Seersucker Thursday” on Capitol Hill in the ‘90s, he probably had heat and humidity, not hipster cred, on his mind. After all, the crinkly fabric was popularized by Brits in steamy colonial India. (The stuff even gets its name from those parts, from the Hindustani term “shir o shekar,” which means “milk and honey,” possibly referring to seersucker’s smooth and rough lines.)
BUILT TO CHILL “For some people, the appeal of seersucker is purely comfort — it’s so airy and cool,” says Ethan Drath, owner of Sherman Pickey (1647 Wisconsin Ave. NW; 202-333-4212), which stocks pants and shorts in the fabric, like these, $75, by Castaway Nantucket Island.
6 | FashionWashington | Summer 2011
In D.C., seersucker enjoys a more classic than gin-andtonics reputation, with everyone from Franklin Delano Roosevelt to Lyndon Johnson having sported the fabric over the years. Campaigning for the Senate, the latter donned a stripey suit with cowboy boots; more trad types usually went for bow ties, straw boaters and — whoa, Grandpa! — powdered white bucks. But last June, a new crowd of young artists, social types and history buffs embraced the crisp cotton during the first-ever Washington, D.C., Seersucker Social Bike Ride. The fin-de-siècle-flavored event saw folks more likely to don Prada than madras suited up in seersucker jackets, straw bowlers, saddle shoes and sundresses for a spirited bike ride between Meridian Hill Park and Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens. “It introduced this very traditional fabric to a crowd that would normally thumb its collective nose at it,” says
Clockwise from top: Old-fashioned seersucker gets a coolkid vibe via Emerson Made’s crisply pretty blouse ($138, Emersonmade. com), Haspel’s classic men’s suit ($375, Macy’s stores), skinny ties in a range of Easter-eggy hues ($15 each, Thetiebar.com) and J. Crew’s figureflattering maillot ($82, Jcrew.com).
event founder Eric Channing Brewer, who is spearheading a sequel June 4, also at Hillwood. “It’s a nice, tailored fabric,” he says. “It looks cool and classy when it gets hot.” Still, slipping into headto-toe stripes could get you mistaken for Tom Wolfe or the ghost of Sen. Robert Byrd. So it’s best to mix the storied textile with mod elements. “Wear a seersucker jacket with jeans,” says Ethan Drath, owner of Georgetown prep trove Sherman Pickey (address, left). “But a whole suit might be a little too
Colonel Sanders.” Or, “choose seersucker in a new, unexpected shape,” says Emerson Fry, whose Emerson Made line (Emersonmade.com) has a flirty blouse ($138) and a sundress ($218) in the fabric. It’s a good thing that designers old-school and newwave have turned out a fresh crop of pieces in seersucker. “For me, it conjures up oldfashioned summer parties and a good way of living,” says Fry. “Wear seersucker, and you can’t help but be in a good mood and have a good time.” Jennifer Barger
South Moon Under 2700 CLARENDON BLVD., ARLINGTON, VA.; 703- 807-4083 10247 OLD GEORGETOWN ROAD, BETHESDA, MD.; 301-564-0995
A Stylish Swimsuit
This area chainlet was founded as a surf shop in Ocean City 40-plus years ago, and its styles still suit trendy, beachy girls. Brands include Marc by Marc Jacobs and Kenneth Cole, with a high concentration of teeny bikinis — look for Billabong’s printed suits, which often come with removable straps, so you can avoid pesky tan lines. BEST FOR: Younger, slimmer customers who want to bring casual-to-runway worthy styles to the waves in Waikiki or Rehobeth. OUR PICK: La Blanca’s punch-hued one-piece with braided details ($118).
BOOK SHELF
Behind public speaking, shark
attacks and foreclosure, trying on a bathing suit is high on most women’s worst fears list. But choosing a new bikini or maillot to flatter your bod and suit your style is easier if you know where to go. Here are three local shops with styles that’ll help you look better when wet. K ATHERINE BOYLE
1225 WISCONSIN AVE. NW; 202-625-8463
Vineyard Vines
TYSONS GALLERIA, MCLEAN, VA.; 703-883-0216
Sylene You’ve got a monogrammed beach bag and a dad named Skip. Unless you’re rebelling against your inner prep, this Martha’s Vineyard-based chain has got you (and your boyfriend, Biff) partially covered. Its new line of women’s swimwear with a just-off-the-sailboat mood goes in for patterns in a big way. Men’s trunks boast a similar look. Shops feature a “let’s have a clambake� atmosphere — think signal flags and cash registers that look like boat hulls. BEST FOR: Nantucketbound types and die-hard print fiends. OUR PICK: A retro bandeau top ($65) and ringside bottom ($60) in a navy starfish print.
4407 S. PARK AVENUE, CHEVY CHASE, MD.; 301-654-4200
Jazz on the speakers and a backstage dressingroom vibe set a femme scene for this 36-year-old lingerie/swimwear den. Fit and selection draws customers of all ages, as do brands like La Perla and Spanx. Plus, you’ll get help with what looks good on you. “All women are sensitive about their figures,� says owner Helen Kestler. “Swimsuits can play tricks on the eye, and we know how to fit any body type.� BEST FOR: Anyone who needs a little extra help, whether that’s whittling a waist with a ruched maillot or increasing a bustline with a padded bikini top. OUR PICK: Michael Kors black corset one-piece ($289).
If the suit fits, then wear it out to one of D.C.’s summertime pool parties. The Donovan House’s ADC (1155 14 St. NW; 202-3471738) and Capital Skyline Hotel (10 I St. SW; 202-4887500) host frequent events where you can strut and sun with drink in hand.
Spanish Conquest It seems like a “France or Italy?â€? question, but couture often has a Spanish accent. CristĂłbal Balenciaga, the man Christian Dior called “the master of us all,â€? opened his Paris fashion house in the late 1930s. His designs graced queens, socialites and fashion plates. “Balenciaga and Spainâ€? ($65, Rizzoli), lavishly showcases how the designer interwove art and fashion.
The Book
Vogue’s European editor-atlarge Hamish Bowles curates this unprecedented group of sketches, art and photos representing Balenciaga’s body of work. Side-by-side comparisons — a 1965 fuschia silk cape with a Goya painting of a Catholic cardinal, a matador jacket and an embellished 1943 gown — show how Iberian history, art and culture permeated the designer’s creations.
Worth a Trip
If you’re headed to San Francisco soon, the book serves as a companion to the exhibit, “Balenciaga and Spain,� at the de Young Museum (Deyoung.famsf.org) through July 4. The shows’ 100-plus ensembles span the designer’s long career.
ANDREW MARC He is known for his artisan fine points—which explains the wistful watercolor print and cascade of ruffles, among other delicious details.
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Get the Whole Tory
“I think the Tory Burch woman is probably me and my design team,” says the New York designer. “We cater to women who love fashion but who aren’t driven by runway trends verbatim.”
The high-priestess of boho prep opens a Tysons outpost It often takes decades for a designer to become known just by an initial or two. Cases in point: RL (Ralph Lauren), CK (Calvin Klein), Coco Chanel (linked Cs). But though she’s only been in the biz since 2004, sportswear diva Tory Burch gets instant recognition for her double T logo on bags, shoes and tunics. Her gypsy-preppy aesthetic (chunky platforms, are-we-in-Fez? caftans, femme dresses) lures fans from Katie Holmes to Michelle Obama. She opens a boutique May 20 at Tysons Galleria (2001 International Drive, McLean, Va.; 703-288-0786). JENNIFER BARGER
Groovy patterns and comfy wedges — two Tory staples — merge in the Araminta sandal ($375).
NOA GRIFFEL
What took you so long to open here? I’ve had my eye on opening here ever since I started. One of my brothers went to Georgetown University, and it’s on my radar. People here are so interesting!
were thinking of a customer who was 25 to 45. But we’ve found that women of all ages interpret our pieces. And some younger customers came in after we started being featured on “Gossip Girl.” Any pieces from your spring/ summer lines that excite you? I love the higher-waisted, wider denim pants. I’m also into the suits. We did a striped one with pants inspired by a pair of my father’s trousers.
But don’t D.C. women have a rep for not being very hip? D.C. women have a lot of style, though I do think it’s a conservative way of dressing. When I come down there, I think, “Is this skirt the right length?”
You’re known for iconic pieces, like ballet flats and caftans. How do you keep them fresh? I’m constantly pushing myself and my
What do you think of our fashionista first lady? I love what Michelle Obama does. She’s stylish, and it’s great to have somebody in the White House who loves fashion like she does. Who else in D.C. do you dream of dressing? I would love to dress Hillary Clinton. I’m a huge fan, and I think she’d look great in our knits. Yeah, I do too — especially since I think you appeal to such a wide age range. When we launched in 2004, we
design team to look at things differently. I look at those items as our basics. That’s why we’re opening a store in D.C. — to give an understanding of the whole collection. We’re more than tunics and flats! What’s a typical work day like for you? Every day is different, which is my favorite part. I’m either designing knits or working on the website or picking music for a runway show. It’s very diverse. Doesn’t travel really influence your designs? It’s such a huge inspiration. I like to say that we’re an American company with a global point of view.
NOW VOYAGERS A trip to India inspired many ofTory Burch’s current pieces, including a floral scarf (above, $95); a Polly dress (left, $425), shown with a Pearl sweater ($150), braided belt ($225), Mclane satchel ($535) and Tarien wedges ($295). Bags, like the Robinson (right, $550) also remain a big part of the brand.
“I would love to dress Hillary Clinton. I’m a huge fan, and I think she’d look great in our knits.” NEST DRESSED
BLINGY BOUDOUIR
Jewel in the Townhouse? A good necklace can doll up most outfits. So it stands to reason that rooms inspired by bling — aka pieces from local jewelry stores — would result in some dazzling spaces. That’s the idea behind the Washington Design Center’s “Jewel Tones of Design,” a show house featuring eight rooms riffing on bijoux from patriotic pins to Roman coin cufflinks. Step inside and you may be tempted to go gemshopping — or hire a decorator. Free. Open Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fifth floor. 300 D St. SW; 202-646-6100
A AMERICAN G IN T IT S ROOM Guided by D.C. jeweler Ann Hand’s gem-crusted eagle brooch, designer Charlotte Palmer Lekakos created a whimsically patriotic reading room in muted hues of red, white and blue, with cool elements like a vintage table covered in zinc (shown) and checkered walls. “I wanted it to be a subtle iteration of the idea of American style,” she says.
LUSH MASTER SUITE It’s hard not to feel luxuriously soothed in this bedroom retreat conjured by interior designer Zoe Feldman, who had Shah & Shah’s gold and diamond ring in mind. Metallic accents — a curvy table, a round mirror — mingle with shades of saffron, melon and silvery gray in a space that’s both organic and downright sleek.
Leather sheets, a canopy bed and fabric- and staple-upholstered walls make Chad Alan’s bedroom as dramatic as the Tiny Jewel Box necklace that inspired it. Is the mix of bombé chest, rich drapes and paint-spattered Home Depot work bench for the timid? No, but that’s the point. “Design houses are supposed to be idea labs,” says Alan.
SUMMER 2011 | FashionWashington | 9
WHAT I’M WEARING
So Shelf Centered ANNE BENJAMIN
Will the current glut of style books make us chicer — or just crazier?
You’ve heard the sartorial truisms before: Fashion is identity!
You can look great all the time! While some guidance is war- by these rules passed down from Buy this designer dress/fancy lip ranted, many so-called experts mother to daughter, father to son. gloss/organic deodorant, and you’ll dole out advice that seems too Without books, blogs and style trivial to print, i.e., “When dress- shows, humankind somehow win friends and influence people! ing for a party, dress festively.� managed to clothe itself. Whether it’s in a glossy book or blog Really? These books pose quanSure, there were a few guides, format, it’s all the same advice: Score daries such as, “What Should I such as fashion legend Edith Wear?� But the real question is, Head’s 1967 “How to Dress for a crisp white blouse, a trench and a “Why does everyone — celebs, Success,� which taught women little black dress, and everyone will reality stars, middle-schoolers — how to wear Lycra and which mistake you for Gwyneth Paltrow. These fashion tips seem obvious, “Some books give really obvious even stale. Yet every year, publishing advice ... Never buy one that houses print hundreds of style guides sounds like it’s regurgitating that target everyone from middleold magazine articles.� aged men to city-dwelling dog owners. (Yes, really. Fido parents feel qualified to pen a guide?� clothes would please their Some experts think the explo- spouses. But mostly, magazines can purchase “The Complete sion of how-to-get-chic books is and designers decreed when it Petrosexual: A Handbook of natural. “TV shows like ‘Project was OK to go hatless or how long Style for the Modern Dog.�) Runway ’ have made people a debutante’s gloves had to be. OUR PICK GQ’s Glenn O’Brien pens a witty critique of men’s fashion and popular culture in “How to Be a Man: A Guide to Style and Behavior for the Modern Gentleman,� ($25, Rizzoli).
interested in style,� said Janice Greenberg Ellinwood, professor of Fashion Design at Arlington’s Marymount University.� People want to know about fashion and what makes an outfit look appealing, so they buy books.� But wasn’t dressing well simpler back when Audrey rocked capris and Jackie stunned in sheaths? Maybe. In the past, certain principles existed (no white post-Labor Day, no black at weddings), and people abided
But who are the experts now? Have blogs and celeb stylists caused the explosion? Andrea Linett, creative director of eBay Fashion, thinks street-style blogs like the Sartorialist paved the way for new experts and advice. “People are seeking inspiration,� she says. “No one magazine dictates rules anymore.� But with a Library of Congress worth of style guides, how do you separate the sartorial sludge from the useful? “Some books give
really obvious advice. You should never buy one that sounds like it’s regurgitating old magazine articles,� Linett says. She prefers books that inspire creative thought, such as Amanda Brooks’ “I Love Your Style� ($20, It Books) and Julia Chaplin’s “Gypset Style� ($45, Assouline). But don’t be fooled by selfproclaimed fashion authorities ready to teach you how to dress for your Myers-Briggs type or zodiac sign. “Everyone’s a critic and stylist now. Some people are chic but can’t dress anyone else,� says Linett, a warning to starlets bearing tips for the masses. (Also skip titles like “Dressing Rich� or anything with “Tween Lifestyle� on the cover.) But despite phony experts and sensory overload, fashion execs aren’t complaining. Linda Fargo, senior vice-president of fashion presentation at Bergdorf Goodman, thinks blogs and style guides are great. “Fashion touches more people now,� she says. “It used to be that everyone followed museums or sports, but even the taxi drivers in New York know when it’s Fashion Week now. It’s on people’s minds, and that’s good for the entire industry.� It’s safe to assume publishers concur. KATHERINE BOYLE
A Fashion Infielder? When Washington Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa isn’t donning his uniform or a Hugo Boss suit, he dresses down with L.A. ease, mixing Vans and Coach, Armani and Levi’s, keeping with his Long Beach style.
TRAVELING
“D.C. hasn’t really changed my style. In Long Beach, everyone wears Vans and keeps it pretty casual and comfortable.�
TEAMMATES
“I don’t wear skinny jeans, but some of the guys give me a hard time because they think my jeans are too tight.�
10 | FashionWashington | SUMMER 2011
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Stripe it bright with Martin Grant’s graphic sheath ($1,1175, Hu’s Wear, 2906 M St. NW; 202- 342-2020), an Anthropologie necklace ($48, Anthropologie.com), a crystal heart ring and Kelsi Dagger sandals ($25 and $110, ShoeFly, 2727 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Va.; 703-243-6490).
FW 146
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Wake up your wardrobe with bright, color-blocked styles, from abstract dresses to neon bags PHOTOS BY MARGE ELY • STYLING BY CATHY PHILLIPS Model: T.H.E. Aritist Agency Hair/Make-up: Cathy Aragon, T.H.E. Artist Agency Photo tech: Jim Osen
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Blue and yellow — the color combo of French peasants and ‘60s decorators — gets hip again via Akris’ aqua wide legs, Piazza Sempione’s lemony jacket and an Elie Tahari tank ($795, $895 and $68, Neiman Marcus, Mazza Gallerie, 5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW; 202-966-9700). Pair bold pieces with brash accessories: a faux turquoise necklace ($38, South Moon Under, 2700 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington, Va.; 703-807-4083), a cheeky starfish cuff ($198, Anthropologie.com), a turquoise and gold ring ($5,900, Tiny Jewel Box) and Alexander McQueen studded pumps ($965, Hu’s Shoes, 3005 M St. NW; 202-342-0202).
“The brighter the better. It’s the Crayola spectrum: cerulean, crisp yellow, nothing muted.”
Neutral tones can keep brights in check — and keep anyone from mistaking you for a circus you-knowwhat. Try Matthew Ames’ khaki top and yellow skirt ($495 and $475, Hu’s Wear, 2906 M St. NW; 202-3422020) with a robin’s egg blue leather belt ($54, Anthropologie.com), Cole Haan green bag and blue platform sandals ($248 and $228, Cole Haan, Tysons Galleria, 2001 International Dr., McLean, VA; 703-506-2115) and a Herve Van Der Straeten cuff ($965, Neiman Marcus).
In 1965, when Yves Saint Laurent discovered
Michael Kors paints a sheath dress Dreamsicle orange ($1,495, Neiman Marcus). Play up its Tangierish drama with a necklace by Ranjana Kahn ($450, Neiman Marcus), Georgina Goodman sandals ($410, Hu’s Shoes, 3005 M St. NW; 202-342-0202), a minimalist Italian 18K gold ring ($1,575, Tiny Jewel Box, 1147 Connecticut Ave. NW; 202-393-2747) and a neon yellow patent leather clutch by Marc Jacobs ($198, Neiman Marcus).
that the shift dress was a near-perfect canvas for geometric blocks of color, he borrowed from Dutch painter Piet Mondrian to create an iconic day dress with squares of blue, red and yellow on white. Now, designers like Prabal Gurung, Max Mara and Akris are mixing pastels and neons and other combos that don’t traditionally match. The effect? Minimalist-yet-bold ensembles — a grape blouse with orange shorts, an aqua dress with yellow wedges — that’d get you noticed at a gallery opening or the office. The trick to pairing such bold pieces is, ironically, a lack of restraint. “The brighter the better. It’s the Crayola spectrum: cerulean, crisp yellow, nothing muted,” says Liberty Jones, PR manager for Neiman Marcus at Mazza Gallerie. “It’s a modern, adventurous trend. People want something that’s dramatic.” K ATHERINE BOYLE
That old rule about not wearing similar shades together? Throw it out. That means Patterson and Kincaid’s orange tiered top ($108, South Moon Under) goes with Kate Spade’s red pants ($295, Kate Spade, 3061 M St. NW; 202-333-8302). Play up the summery vibe with with a multi-color necklace, a gold watch ($38 and $450, South Moon Under), chunky bangles and Kate Spade’s cherry-toned slingbacks ($32 and $298, Sassanova, 1641 Wisconsin Ave. NW; 202-471-4400).
Color Watch: 1. Fendi platforms are like
SHOP THE SHOOT
12 | FashionWashington | SUMMER 2011
4 1
2 3
abstract art for your feet ($830, Hu’s Shoes) 2. All the raj? Indian influenced earrings work with almost any color ($38, South Moon Under). 3. A purple clutch goes grape with other brights ($40, South Moon Under) 4. Kate Spade’s cocktail ring amounts to a gum ball you can wear ($95, Kate Spade). 5. Try Milly’s textured coral skirt with a Kelly green blouse or turquoise sweater ($240, Julia Farr, 5232 44th St. NW; 202-364-3277). 6. Green wedges would pop under wide-legged jeans ($198, Cole Haan). 7. Yellow sunglasses brighten your complexion, and, maybe, your outlook ($20, South Moon Under). 8. Try Max Mara’s green jacket with brown or khaki ($795, Max Mara, Tysons Galleria, 1770 International Dr., McLean; 703-556-6962).
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SUMMER 2011 | FashionWashington | 13
Upper Wisconsin Avenue has hipsters and hip boutiques.
A Library Of Style Book it to G-town’s hip strip of antiques, fashion and eats Fire gutted the Georgetown Public
Library at the northern tip of D.C.’s oldest ’hood four years ago. The 1935 Georgian Revival gem on Wisconsin and R reopened last year, but in the meantime, the retail strip just beneath it, which locals call Book Hill, kept bustling. “Walking to work, I remember why I love this city,” says Robert Ludlow, co-owner of the zone’s Fleurir Chocolates. The red-brick sidewalks between P Street and Reservoir Road NW hold decor shops, antiques dens and fashion boutiques, functioning as a funky, local antidote to the chain gang below on M Street. It’s all very Left Bankmeets-the-banks-of-the-Potomac. Here are some of the top stops. ERIN HARTIGAN
DolceZZa
Book Hill, Georgetown
Sassanova
1560 WISCONSIN AVE. NW; 202-333-4646
THE ARGENTINE-STYLE GELATO at this
tiny shop incorporates produce from local farms. Worth-a-lick flavors, which change daily, include strawberry with mint, Champagne mango and black sesame. No scoop dreams? The excellent coffee is worth pausing for in all weather.
1641 WISCONSIN AVE. NW; 202-471-4400
LEOPARD-PRINT CARPET, crystal chandeliers and pink — loads of it — mean this ultra-girly shoe and accessory boutique might make your husband or BF antsy. But femme shoe fiends should enjoy parsing through the space for Missoni pumps (shown), Bettye Muller print kitten heels and a beach house worth of sandals by the likes of Jack Rogers. Accessories — many with a preppy vibe — include monogrammable bags, colorful costume jewelry and bags by Lauren Merkin.
Cafe Bonaparte
1522 WISCONSIN AVE. NW; 202-333-8830
UNDER A PRESSED-TIN CEILING, between snug red walls
that seem straight out of Montmartre, this oh-so-Français joint wraps sweet and savory items from Nutella to zucchini into its signature crepes. Sit by the giant, street-facing window — fab for people-watching — and order the Mirabeau, an Old World-gone-New World crepe filled with shrimp, cilantro, ricotta and saffron cream sauce. Champagne and salads are also popular with the combo of well-dressed college kids and hipsters who populate the place from le matin till late.
SUGAR CRUSH
We love: her Rebecca Minkoff crossbody bag, 1980s-punky striped blouse and black skinny jeans. Small accessories make a big impact, too, as in a vintage ring, sequined TOMS shoes and aviators.
Fleurir Chocolates (3235 P St. NW; 202-465-4368) sells its hand-decorated bonbons from a rowhouse with the reclaimed ecoglam look of a Brooklyn loft (think exposed wood and a moss wall). Owners Robert Ludlow and Ashley Hubbard scoured area antique shops for interesting vessels to package their sweets in. Our faves: mint-laced Ginger Rogers and spicy Pink Peppercorn ($2 per piece).
We caught Margaret Anne McArver outside Urban Chic, Book Hill.
Urban Chic Darrell Dean
1657 WISCONSIN AVE. NW; 202-338-7410
THREE SEPARATE but equally
creative designers share this sprawling space with a back patio. Their resulting collection? An eclectic, often pale-hued souk of vintage chandeliers, glazed earthenware flower pots, whimsical trinkets, glassbased lamps (shown) and gorgeous new silk ikat pillows ($78).
Fleurgreige
LOCAL DESIGN
THIS EURO-STYLE FLOWER SHOP special-
izes in lush, vaguely wild arrangements that overflow with sweet peas, greenery and fruit ($25-$100). Sleek gray (well, mais oui!) walls and steely tables set off the creations of Paris-trained German expat Jeanette Momeni. Momeni also teaches seasonal posy-wrangling classes ($195-$350 a person) which send wannabe Eliza Doolittles home with arrangements and ideas.
OTHER HAUTE STOPS
Carling Nichols: Lacquer tables, Tibetan cabinets and other Asian treasures. 1675 Wisconsin Ave. NW; 202-338-5600
INTRICATE SCALLOPED STONE GROTTO CHAIRS and antique
apothecary cabinets share space with clown shoes and seashell mirrors at this eclectic, era-defying antique and art trove. Owner Darrell Dean got his start at the nearby Georgetown flea market; now his cabinet of curiosities — a Dorothy Draper lamp ($3,200), South American saint statues ($2,400) and elegant wing chairs — lures interior designers and forward-thinking stylistas.
Sherman Pickey: Prep-set cool for Muffys and Biffs, from bright clothes by Lilly Pulitzer to men’s swimwear by Vilebrequin. 1647 Wisconsin Ave. NW; 202-333-4212
this growing fash-pack chain specilalizes in day-to-night dresses and bright tops by names like Tracy Reese and Shoshanna. On a recent visit, the swirling florals of a Beth Bowley dress ($265) needed no accessories, while a pink graphic top by 81 Poppies ($191) looked just right to pair with white pants. A who’s-who of contemporary designers includes D.C. faves like Elizabeth & James, Beyond Vintage and Rebecca Taylor, whose maxi dress, shown, runs $425.
Heiner Contemporary Gallery: New source for local art by emerging talents plus consultations on education, purchase and installation. The launch exhibition features bold, vibrant works by Virginia native Elizabeth Huey. 1675 Wisconsin Ave. NW
Seeing a (Vintage) Pattern Here During nearly a decade on U Street, women’s clothing boutique Nana earned a passionate fan base for its funky blend of eco-friendly work wear, vintage fashion, unusual jewelry and bags by names like Hobo. Earlier this spring, owner Jackie Flanagan picked up her edgy, urban business A Simplicity pattern from and moved it to her home the 1970s morphs into a ’hood — gritty-gone-pretmod new dress at Nana. ty Mount Pleasant (3068 Mount Pleasant St. NW; 202-667-6955). “This is really where my heart is,” she says. The focus, not surprisingly, stays on the local and the artsy, especially with the store’s latest venture: modern clothing made from vintage patterns. “Having my own line was always at the back of my
14 | FashionWashington | SUMMER 2011
THE FLAGSHIP LOCATION of
1524 WISCONSIN AVE. NW; 202-333-6330
1653 WISCONSIN AVE. NW; 202-415-5155
Oliver Dunn, Moss & Co., Catharine Roberts
1626 WISCONSIN AVE. NW; 202-338-5398
head,” says Flanagan. “But I love vintage clothes, the way they fit and how body-conscious they are.” So, working from a collection of 1960s and 1970s patterns sourced from “all over: Etsy, yard sales and a bunch of shops,” she’s created her first capsule women’s collection, a “Last Days of Disco”-era grouping including a dress (shown, $120), a flirty skirt ($60) and a sleek blouse. Keeping with Nana’s ever-more-sustainable and born-in-DC. focus, the fabrics are organic and earthfriendly, and garments will be sewn locally. “It’s kind of selfish, really,” says Flanagan. “These are the kind of clean and simple looks I like to wear, things that’ll mix and match in your wardrobe. They’re easy to accessorize and easy to wear.” JENNIFER BARGER
STREET SCENE PHOTO, LLOYD WOLF; OTHER PHOTOS MARGE ELY
THE BEST OF WHO, WHAT AND WEAR
American Heart Association Heart Ball FEBRUARY 28, 2011 |
RITZ-CARLTON TYSONS Five hundred
philanthropists, business leaders and health care professionals attended the 13th annual Greater Washington Region Heart Ball, which raised $910,000 to fund cardiovascular research. Guests actually donned what you might call red-tie, wearing the Heart Association’s signature color on suits, heart-shaped pins, shoes and even socks. ABC 7 reporter Jennifer Donelan was in attendance; “After having a heart attack when I was 36, I know how important it is to support such an important cause.�
Judith Wilson Beard Philanthropist
We love:
gown Her Grecian-style always and mink stole. “I buy pieces that are ard. timeless,� says Be
Christina David Bender Bongiovanni President, Director, KPMG Blake Real Estate
Christyne Nasbe
Cheryl Campbell Stanley Campbell
Senior Vice-President, CGI
Management consultant
President, Business Intelligence Solutions
Christina wears: A sleek Donna Karan jersey gown with Murano glass earrings and kohl nail polish.
Wearing: Pamella Roland’s festive jumpsuit and Stuart Weitzman stilettos.
Cheryl wears: A fuschia Marchesa gown, vintage earrings and a shellshaped handbag from SaksJandel.
David’s style philosophy: “I just try my best to look clean-cut.�
Style philosophy: “Oh, I wear whatever I feel like wearing!�
Stanley’s style philosophy: “Modern and contemporary.�
Corcoran Gallery of Art’s 1869 Society: Artini APRIL 2, 2011 | CORCORAN GALLERY
Math anxiety would be obsolete if all equations were so simple: Art plus martinis equals a fashionable crowd and swanky party. The Corcoran’s annual highball hightime featured mixologists from 12 local restaurants who created martinis and cocktails for 725 guests. Creations were inspired by works currently on display at the Corcoran. Drinks like PS 7’s “Between the Lines� and Tabard Inn’s “Sea Legs Daiquiri� riffed on a wide range of art, from Albert Bierstadt’s “The Last of the Buffalo� to Frederic Remington’s bronze “Off the Range.� When guests weren’t tasting or admiring the collections, they were dancing as if the Corcoran’s party equation suited them perfectly. K ATHERINE BOYLE
Dwayne Brice
Manager at Hu’s Wear
What’s
in
Shauna Alexander Svetlana Legetic Brightest Young Things
We love: His Louis Vuitton brooch, Jil Sander suit and Balenciaga clutch.
Wearing: Legetic wears a vintage dress and Madewell necklace. Alexander wears H&M.
Style philosophy: “Fashionforward meets luxe.�
We love: The Brightestyoungthings.com pair rocks the color block trend.
Store
calendar of advertiser and editorial fashion selections Through September 11 — Green: The Color and the Cause, green-colored historic garments, eco-friendly contemporary fabric art and organic fiber carpets star in this earth-minded exhibit. Textile Museum, 2320 S St. NW; 202-667-0441
May 2011
May 12-23 — Mikimoto Exclusive Tour. Fink’s at Tysons Corner Center hosts the traveling exhibition of couture cultured pearl jewelry and showcases unique jewels not normally available in the store. 7977 Tysons Corner Center; 703-584-3101; finks.com.
May 5 — Nordstrom Fragrances. Jo Malone Meet the Expert Event. 6-8 p.m. The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City; 1400 South Hayes St.; 703-415-1121.
May 18 — The New Americana Style: A free seminar on homegrown, heritage home decor and fashion with FW editor Jennifer Barger and Red Barn Mercantile Owner Amy Rutherford. May 18, 7-8:30 p.m. 113 S. Columbus St. Alexandria, Va.; 703-838-0355
May 7 — Tiny Jewel Box. Big savings, final week. Hurry! Sale ends May 7! Our once-a-year sale is almost over. Don’t miss up to 70% savings on fabulous treasures. If it’s not special, it’s not here. 1147 Connecticut Ave, NW; 202-393-2747; tinyjewelbox.com. May 7 — Saks Fifth Avenue Chevy Chase is the official “What to Wear� Sponsor of the 86th Running of The Virginia Gold Cup. Come in to Saks Fifth Avenue Chevy Chase for your head to toe look for the Virginia Gold Cup Races on Saturday, May 7. Our experts will be able to assist you with your selections. To schedule
Christopher Wang
We love:
vintage Her Armani stole, thon py i cc Gu s, es dr blue anel platforms and Ch alligator purse.
Attorney
We love: His Turist velvet blazer, J. Press bowtie and sleek Prada shoes Style philosophy: “I like to think of my style as “The Whimsical Traditionalist.�
May 12 — Macy’s. Clinique’s Wedding-Party Perfect Event. Let the experts show you and your entire wedding party how to look perfect on the big day. Bring your bridesmaids – guys are welcome, too! Area Macy’s stores. Please call your local Macy’s for more information.
May 17 — Nordstrom Cosmetics. Trish McEvoy personal appearance. 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. 8075 Tysons Corner Center; 703761-1121.
May 6-7 — Chas. Schwartz & Son. Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry Trunk Show. View the sophisticated, feminine and fashion-forward designs May 6 & 7, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Mazza Gallerie, 5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW; 202-363-5432; chasschwartz.com.
Aureta Thomollari
Fashion blogger, Aureta.typepad.com
your personal wardrobing appointment, please call 240-497-5292. 5555 Wisconsin Ave.; saksfifthavenue.com.
May 5 — South Moon Under. Cinco de Mayo grand opening event at Fairfax Corner. Join us from 6-9 p.m. for a night of fun, food, drinks & photo ops. 20% off your entire purchase during the event. 4206 Fairfax Corner West Ave.; 703-222-0571.
PHOTOS BY ABBY GREENAWALT
Brightest Young Things
May 19 — Saks Fifth Avenue. Chanel J12 Chromatic Launch Event. Join Saks Fifth Avenue Chevy Chase as we celebrate the launch of the latest men’s and women’s version of the Chanel J12, The Chanel J12 Chromatic. For more information or to schedule your private appointment, please call 240-497-5219. 5555 Wisconsin Ave.; saksfifthavenue.com.
July 2011 July 15 — Fink’s. David Yurman Fall Preview Event. This event will highlight the new fall fashions coming out for the David Yurman jewelry line and special orders will be taken for the jewelry. Noon – 6 p.m. 7977 Tysons Corner Center; 703-584-3101; finks.com.
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SUMMER 2011 | FashionWashington | 15
Mother’s Day is May 8
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‡All carat weights (ct. t.w.) are approximate; variance may be .05 carat. Photos may be enlarged or enhanced to show detail. Fine jewelry at select stores; log on to macys.com for locations. Almost all black diamonds have been treated to enhance their beauty and require special care, log on to macys.com/gemstones or ask your sales professional. Advertised merchandise may not be carried at your local Macy's and selection may vary by store. 1040092. ★ Enter the WebID in the search box at macys.com to order.
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DIAMOND FLOWER RINGS A. 1 ct. t.w.‡ white and Chocolate Diamonds® in 14k gold by LeVian®. $2700. ★ WebID 435454 B. 3/4 ct. t.w.‡ in 14k two-tone gold. $1775. ★ WebID 414655 C. 11 8 ct. t.w.‡ in 14k rose gold by Effy™ Collection. $3000. ★ WebID 387291 D. 1¼ ct. t.w.‡ in 14k two-tone gold by Effy™ Collection. $3900. ★ WebID 507100 E. 1 ct. t.w.‡ in 14k white gold. $2100. ★ WebID 534504 F. 1/2 ct. t.w.‡ black and white in sterling silver. $500. ★ WebID 501747 G. 1/2 ct. t.w.‡ in sterling silver. $500. ★ WebID 500230 MACY’S BY APPOINTMENT Call Linda Lee and her personal shoppers for our free service. Call 1-800-343-0121.
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