All posts in Fashion/Style

Jessica Alba at Bethesda’s Front Row… Honest!

By K Street Kate in Around Town, Beauty, Books, Celebs, Fashion/Style, Parties/Events, Shopping · May 22, 2013 · No comments

Last Friday night, fashion — and Jessica Alba — took Front Row. The award-winning actress and 32 year old mother of two was in the Washington area to headline Bethesda Row‘s annual style weekend, dubbed appropriately “Front Row” and promote her new book, “The Honest Life: Living Naturally and True to You.”

Alba shared some secrets for a safer, healthier environment for oneself and family at a VIP meet and greet at Redwood before facing a flock of enamored fans in the courtyard for an hour long signing session — the last stop on her current book tour.

Then it was off to the front row, with her own Mother by her side, to catch a runway of local retail offerings from local Bethesda Row boutiques and shops.

Michael Andrews Bespoke Fetes Suits and Lucky Sevens

By K Street Kate in Around Town, Fashion/Style, Parties/Events, Shopping · May 17, 2013 · No comments

Just off the heels of their “Apres Derby” seventh business anniversary party in New York, Michael Andrews Bespoke held a “Client Appreciation” party at the DC location earlier this week. Men came — mostly in their MAB custom wear — to mingle with the ladies who love them (and/or love to look at them!). The occasion additionally served as a seven month milestone for the brand’s local office, which has become a Capital City fashion favorite.

*Photos credit Jack Conroy

Spring Style: What’s New in Shoes!

By K Street Kate in Around Town, Fashion/Style, Shopping · May 8, 2013 · No comments

Browsing and sipping bubbly in the shoe department Tuesday night, DC fashionistas joined The Glamazon Diaries’ Makeda Saggau-Sackey at Neiman Marcus for talk of the season’s trends — and a peek at Mak’s most crushable seasonal shoe picks.

After the Glamazon Bloggess shared what she’d love to be buying, guests also got a play-by-play preview of some of Neiman Marcus Fashion Director Ken Downing’s favorite shoe stylings, and how the footwear translates to clothing trends that have been “walking” the runway. Here’s what’s in Ken’s collection:

orange (it’s the new nude!)
cool blue (THE color of the season)
lace
prints, prints, prints!
electric “high voltage” color
snake (python in particular)
relaxed chic
warm weather leather
gladiators (and gladiator inspired)
metallics

In addition to showcasing new styles, Neiman Marcus announced that they’ve just started carrying Jimmy Choo brand. And, not to be outdone, Manolo Blahnik will now offer, exclusively at Neiman Marcus, the iconic BB in 22 colors in 5 different heel heights!

Tadashi Shoji’s Advice for Marymount’s Graduating Seniors is… More Studying?

By Casey Linsey in Celebs, Fashion/Style, Parties/Events, People · May 5, 2013 · No comments

Before Marymount University seniors majoring in fashion design can walk across the stage to graduate, they had to take on the runway. The students presented their jury-selected designs to an audience of well-dressed Washingtonians at the 24th annual Portfolio in Motion on Thursday evening.

But even though graduation is in sight, fashion designer Tadashi Shoji reminded students to remember that finishing school isn’t reason enough to ramp up the party calendar. “Don’t forget to study, research, and read more!”

Shoji, the recipient of the event’s prestigious Designer of the Year Award, practices what he preaches. Shoji explained that while the inspiration for his latest collection comes from CNN’s special report on the Silk Road, months of in-depth research went into the design process.

“More curiosity is very important, especially in this business.”

Blackberry and Hot Men Score a DC “10″

By K Street Kate in Around Town, Fashion/Style, Parties/Events, People, Tech · April 24, 2013 · No comments

Not all of DC Magazine‘s featured 2012 “Men of Style” are sports stars. But those that are stole the party spotlight.

Wizards’ point guard John Wall and Redskins’ wide receiver Josh Morgan — men of sport, now men of style — were on hand along with other dapper DCers tapped to represent the city’s most sartorially sophisticated late last week at Georgetown’s new Power House event space.

Washington’s most connected joined them, Verizon, Blackberry and the glossy for a celebration of fashion that also doubled as a tech-troduction.

In conjunction to the issue launch, the evening was a playful promotion for the Verizon Blackberry Z10. Guests navigated an introduction to the communications device through a series of activity stations showing the phone’s capabilities, and were led to a final gifting suite where prizes were presented — like tumblers, speakers and several Blackberry Z10 phones!

Sports stars, style stars and free stuff?! That scores a 10 on our scale.

FOX5 Anchor Invites Girlfriend’s to Get Foxy, Philanthropic with Swapped Styles

By K Street Kate in Around Town, Charitable Involvement, Dish, Fashion/Style, Parties/Events, Personalities · April 22, 2013 · No comments

Who needs to shop when you can swap?! FOX5 DC News Anchor Shawn Yancy held her annual Girls’ Night Out Saturday at Pepco’s Edison Place Gallery, inviting a growing group of girlfriends to Spring clean their closets and then find some exciting exchanges.

Expanding from a simple style swap to a main event over the years — with a jewelry boutique, a photo booth and a professional makeup artist as well as mini-manicures — this year’s GNO & Spring Cleaning brought together nearly 100 women walking away with a bags full of designer finds.

Items not swapped were donated to two DC charities, Martha’s Table and Dress For Success DC. “From an early age, my parents instilled the importance of giving back,” said Shawn, who has served as a board member for Dress for Success DC. “There were plenty of women going from welfare back to the workforce who needed quality clothing.”

*Images provided courtesy Maurisa Turner Potts, SpottedMP

“Men of Power” Party at ZILLI Opening

By K Street Kate in Around Town, Fashion/Style · April 16, 2013 · No comments

Is it just us, or do men seem to be having all the sartorial soirees these days?! Late last week another men’s fashion brand, ZILLI, feted its way onto the style scene at Tysons Galleria.

A French men’s clothing atelier (from gastronomic Capital Lyon!), ZILLI was founded by Alain Schimel (a Knight of the Legion of Honour in France!) in 1970 and caters its coats, jackets, sweaters, ties, footwear, belts, small leathergoods, cufflinks and other accessories to “men of power.”

But when power is in the purse — as it so often can be in Washington. Congressmen: Are you listening?? — women are going to want it too. So ZILLI’s Tysons Galleria store is its second ever location to offer women’s luxury items, including coats, handbags and other fine accessories.

Last week’s opening festivities were hosted by sports men Steve Buckhantz and Doc Walker together with Zilli Executive Vice President, Kaan Cedric Turk, and Communication Director, Alexandra Schimel.

*Photos credit Naiffer Romero Photography

[Vid] 7th Annual Fashion For Paws

By K Street Kate in Around Town, Charitable Involvement, Fashion/Style, Parties/Events, People · April 14, 2013 · 1 comment

“They really are the best damn dogs out there…,” Host Ashlan Gorse (with fiance Philippe Cousteau at left) of E! News said of rescue dogs. And as they strutted their stuff one after another on the runway at the National Building Museum Saturday night, they also proved to be the best in show.

Area animal lovers and fashion enthusiasts high-tailed it to the 7th Annual Fashion for Paws Runway Show to benefit the Washington Humane Society (WHS), which honored Congressmen Jim Moran (D-Virginia) and John Campbell (R-California) with 2013 Humane Hero Awards (recognizing individuals displaying a passion for animal welfare), and showcased styles from Tysons Galleria and Toka Salon & Day Spa on over 70 citizen models — many with accompanying pooches!

With a goal to exceed $5,000+ in fundraising for each human model (the night’s top model, Susan Ostrowski, raised some $37,000!), the event raised close to $700,000. Pup participants (many in canine costumes!) showed off tricks for treats (and attention!) and even posed for pics at the end of the stage.

And after the fashion fun, crowds joined DJ Seyhan for the post-show party — continuing the drinking and dancing — but also adopting! Two pups were saved and adopted on site.

DVF Makes Personal Appearance for Vital Voices at Saks

By K Street Kate in Fashion/Style · April 13, 2013 · No comments

Models posed for pictures backstage before the show as Diane Von Furstenberg made a personal appearance at the Saks Fifth Avenue in Chevy Chase Wednesday night to benefit Vital Voices by featuring her 2013 Fall Collection “Glam Rock.”

Macy’s Downtown Goes Cherry Blossom Chic

By Sonya Gavankar in Around Town, Beauty, Fashion/Style, Shopping · April 1, 2013 · No comments

One of the few places with flowering cherry trees after last week’s sporadic snowfall was the Macy’s Downtown-Metro Center. There, Spring has sprouted — in full bloom — with a week of show events linked to the famed National Cherry Blossom Festival.

Last Thursday in particular, DCers’ warm-weather wardrobe wants finally got their due as Daisy Lewellyn, The Queen of Effortless Chic, hosted a Spring Trends Fashion Presentation in store.

Peplum, prints and fab accessories inspired those who got there early for coveted catwalk-side seats. After the show, Bare Minerals makeovers, mini manicures and massages got all the gals ready for the upcoming Easter Weekend.

Events continue till April 6. More info can be found here.