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Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, First Lady Michelle Obama, President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the Canada State Dinner
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FEATURING PORTRAITS OF MARTY BARON, FRED RYAN, CHRISTINE LAGARDE, JEH JOHNSON AND SUSAN DIMARCO, SIR KIM AND LADY DARROCH
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STEVE CASE REMEMBERS JIM KIMSEY | NATURE CONSERVANCY PRESIDENT MARK TERCEK WASHINGTON CAPITALS GOALIE BRADEN HOLTBY | WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS’ DINNER GOWNS CHEF PATI JINICH’S MEXICAN-INSPIRED HOME
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FEATURE | MEN & WOMEN OF SUBSTANCE & STYLE
WASHINGTON TRENDSETTERS From social media standouts to PR mavens, these men and women are being noticed across Washington for their individual style.
Photo by Tony Powell
ABA KWAWu
Founder & President, TAAPR
Photo by Tony Powell
Photo by Emma McAlary
timothy R. lowery
MONLING LEE
Architectural and Urban Designer
General Manager, CityCenterDC
How has your style evolved over the years? I used to purchase a new wardrobe to go with the trends of each season. As I’ve “grown up,” I now love great investment pieces with unexpected details and I update with pieces I love from the seasonal trends
How do you define your personal style? I believe what Yves Saint Laurent once famously said, “Fashion fades; style is eternal”… and I personally value classic elegant attire that isn’t subject to the ever changing tides of cyclical trends.
Who are your style icons? Michelle Obama
Do you consider Washington a stylish city? How would you describe Washington style? Washington D.C. is a true world capital, uniquely international, cosmopolitan, sophisticated and stylish ... and while the city is known for politics and a more conservative style, I believe D.C. is certainly becoming more fashion forward as evidenced by the growing presence of most major fashion labels having a presence here.
Where do you shop locally? Tysons Galleria, Relish Georgetown, Steven Alan Shaw, Take 5 Boutique Mosaic, Tabandeh Mazza (accessories) What is your favorite article of clothing and why? That’s a tough one! I love my Mulberry day bag with the zip pouch that turns into a clutch, It takes me from parent/teacher meetings to the gym, to the board room and out for cocktails after work. What are your go-to outfits for both work and play? I love a well tailored dress with great heels for work. For play it can range from anything from Rag&Bone leather to Rebecca Minkoff blouses and Clover Canyon midriffs.
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Where do you shop locally? CityCenterDC, of course! What is your go-to work attire? A navy blue suit, a crisp white French cuff dress shirt, beautiful tie and a well-coordinated handkerchief…accented by an elegant watch and cufflinks.
How has your style evolved over the years? While my style might have been a bit more fluid and eclectic in the past, I can say that my current style is a direct manifestation of my #COLORINDEX series on Instagram @monlinglee. The series started as an exercise to explore and catalog different color combinations that potentially exist in my wardrobe, using a color reference book for designers of the same name by Jim Krauss. After picking a specific color combination in the book, I would then try to reproduce the palette with items in my closet with a strict adherence, with hope that this more clinical approach would not only produce outfits with potentially interesting color results, it would also let me revisit items long forgotten. Who are your favorite designers? I keep an eye on a number of designers each season, whose works combine structure with unexpected color and texture. My current designer obsession lies with Roksanda and Delpozo, whose uses of color and shape are nothing short of brilliant and exhilarating.
WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
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Photo by Violetta Markelou
samuel wilson
VIOLETTA MARKELOU Photographer/Visual Artist
Company Member, The Washington Ballet How do you define your personal style? I would have to say that my style is “casual professional.” It is a look that is semi-formal and well placed in the day, but can easily transition to night life. I often forgo some of the formal pieces like a belt or socks, creating a more contemporary look. It’s really all about balancing the colors, shapes and vintages of clothing to keep in touch with today’s trends. I am often inspired by big name designers such as Dolce and Gabbana or Ralph Lauren when planning an outfit. These fashion icons show ways I can exaggerate certain trendy items without being too bold or eccentric.
How do you define your personal style? It’s a mix of the classic and the whimsical. I love a good tailored tuxedo, but I also love polka dots and graphic shapes and prints. I love menswear. I wear both bow ties and [neck]ties. Most people know me for this look.
What are your go-to outfits for both work and play? I am a professional dancer with the Washington Ballet and most of my day is spent in tight athletic clothing; however, dressing well to meet with patrons is also part of my job description. Some of my favorite outfits include an unexpected statement piece such as a leather vest or ascot. Items like these show my eclectic style, make me stand out, and are often conversation starters.
Where do you shop locally? I am a big thrift shopper! I have been shopping second hand and vintage and thrift finds for over 20 years. 95 percent of my wardrobe is from anyone of these three. I never buy anything new. Except shoes! I love Buffalo Exchange and Los Gitanos Vintage.
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How has your style evolved over the years? I’m definitely more experimental with my style than ever. I love pairing the unexpected, say a motorcycle jacket with full skirt. A body-conscious top with a baggy jean. And now I mix prints of all kinds-in one outfit. I never did that before. It’s a lot of fun.
Who are your style icons? I love Gwen Stefani and Carolina Herrera. I wish I could raid their closets!
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Photo by Cheriss May, Ndemay Media Group
FELIX BIGHEM
General Sales Manager, Rolls-Royce (Sterling) How do you define your personal style? Creative, out of the box! How has your style evolved over the years? I come from a background where we really had to make do with what we had, and that was not much. Over the years, being able to express my style started with consignment shops, then malls and afterwards my wife introducing me to BeeCroft & Bull, a men’s clothing boutique in downtown Norfolk, Va. which was a game changer. We could not even see affording a pair of shock (Pantherella’s) there. I would later become one of their known customers. What is your favorite article of clothing and why? Neckwear is the thing that catches the eye first. I predominately wear bow ties, and from time to time a neck tie or cravat or ascot. Carrot & Gibbs, known for their bows, is a good designer that embraces the styles that I like. I shop everywhere for ties, from a major department store to a small kiosk at a conference.
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FEATURE | MEN & WOMEN OF SUBSTANCE & STYLE
Photo by John Robinson Photography
DEAN ZACHARIAS
MARISSA MITROVICH
Founder & Editor, Proper Kid Problems How do you define your personal style? My style is really undefinable. I wear what I want, when I want and how I want. Some days that’s a pastel blazer with linen slippers and other days it’s head-to-toe black. I don’t think style should be constraining, so I don’t put a label on myself as it’s one of the best forms of expression that we have. Who are your style icons? Yves Saint Laurent, Cary Grant, and Ralph [Lauren]. Who are your favorite designers? Favorites is a dangerous word, but if I had to say it would be Hermès, Billy Reid and Thom Browne — I thought his Black Fleece line for Brooks Brothers was incredible. It’ll be interesting to see where Zac Posen takes the brand. What is your favorite article of clothing and why? Dad’s Brooks Brothers Brooksgate blazer from the ’80s that he bought when he met my Mother. It goes everywhere with me and is the staple of my wardrobe. I’ll take a heritage garment over something new any day of the week (especially when it’s from Dad’s closet).
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Founder, Politiquette
How do you define your personal style? Colorful. I love to incorporate whatever is inspiring me during a certain moment of time. This spring it’s all things rainbow and metallic. Photo by Tony Powell
kelly oubre jr.
Basketball Player, Washington Wizards How do you define your personal style? I try to be the best dressed! I dress to kill. Who are your style icons? Kanye West and Pharell Williams Who are your favorite designers? Ralph Simmons and Rick Owens What are your go-to outfits for work and play? Skinny joggers with a shirt and jacket. I like jeans because they are versatile.
Where do you shop locally? Ron David, Sherman Pickey, Ella Rue, City Center (special love for Gucci, Zadig&Voltaire, and CH Carolina Herrera). What are your go-to outfits for both work and play? For work I always tone things down, but don’t ever abandon my love for fashion. I think about what Claire Underwood, Robin Wright’s character on “House of Cards,” might wear and go from there. However, unlike Claire, I prefer A-Line skirts and will mix in prints. I use a Celine small ring bag in navy for work. For play, this is my artistic outlet. I just bought an amazing rainbow fringe Christopher Kane skirt and I also wear a lot of easy, boho pieces from Isabel Marant. My neutral handbag for spring is Gucci Dionysis bag that is green with cherry blossoms on it (ahem).
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