What is Style?

Gentlemen. This. is. Style.


Someone recently told me I have disregarded the opposite sex in my blogging. My sincere apologies men, I am working to make amends.
Thanks@The Sartorialist for always having style.

What To Expect: NY Spring Fashion Week '09

As Paris' Fashion Week concludes and New York prepares to strut its' stuff, lets take a look at what to expect this spring on the catwalks of New York City. Click here for New York Magazine's Spring Fashion Week previews.
I will count down some of my favorite things to look for:

6. Jumpsuits 5. Beige, beige and more beige 4. Black&White stripes 3. Polychrome with mesmerizing shine 2. Fabulous clutches (Bottega Veneta, Chanel and Chloe are my faves)
1. Peep-toe Booties

Click here for a complete line up for Fashion Week shows.

Directly Below: Balenciaga Below Left: Prada apron Below Right: Bottega Veneta

Washingtonian Reader's Favorites

Oh, how I love the Washingtonian! (esp. when speaking of restaurants) The mag has come out with their reader's favorite restaurants. Thought I would share a few with you...
Best Restaurant:
1. Komi, Dupont Circle.
2. Central Michel Richard, Penn Quarter.
3. Restaurant Eve, Old Town Alexandria. (My personal fave!)
Best Wine Bar:
1. Cork, Logan Circle. (My fave!)
2. Proof, Penn Quarter.
3. Tie Between: Tallula/EatBar.
Best Cupcakes:
1. Georgetown Cupcake, Georgetown.
2. Hello Cupcake, Dupont Circle.
3. CakeLove. Several DC Locations.

Overly Obsessed

This vintage blazer dress which style maven FashionToast aka Rumi found is so beyond fantastic! I am now on a mission to find a lil' something like this number, perhaps I will on Treasure Chest Vintage?

Michelle, Michelle, Michelle!

Finally SOMEONE is putting the spotlight on Jill Biden. The Cut finally gives Jill Biden a little credit. Check out thier slide show they have put together of the Second Lady's election/inaugural fashions.

She is by far the most stylish professor I have ever seen. Also, simply loving that she is teaching at NVCC. How "for the people" of her.

What was it...laundry day?

This is just too good...too good. I know this picture is making its rounds, but it is simply too good to leave out. Originally posted on Shenanigans then Famous DC: "Hey Howard, 1994 called. They want their sweater back" (Referring to his lovely teal 1994 Special Olympics sweatshirt.)
Howard Dean, did you run out of casual wear?

Farewell Lone Ranger

As a side note, say bye-bye to the Washington Post's Sunday Book World section. As reported today by Howard Kurtz, the Post is encorporating the Book World into the Style section. The New York Times will carry the torch for having one of the last stand-alone Book Review section.

McQ & Mizrahi & Chai, Oh My!

It seems the flood gates have opened. Paying less for designer digs is "in". While Isaac Mizrahi holds the title for the first real "designer" to create a label for the mega chain Target, many soon jumped on the bandwagon. Once Target realized the potential success of big name designers for less (well...some still are quite pricey even for T's standards) designers like Richard Chai, Thakoon (most recent addition) and Proenza Schouler created collections for Target's Designer Collaborations.

Now add a new name to this list: Alexander McQueen. The line for Target titled, McQ will hit a store near you this March. What do you think of Target tapping McQueen?

For more: click here for Target

Here for Thakoon

and here for the New York Times article on McQ.

Top: Thakoon for Target Above: McQ for Target

Super Bowl?

If you are like me, and need a place to go to watch the Super Bowl. The Washingtonian has a good list of DC spots to watch to Steelers take on the Cardinals. That is all I have to say about that...

A Cheers to Cork

In town this weekend with nothing to do? The wonderful Logan Circle restaurant/wine bar Cork is celebrating its year anniversary. Cork was recently including in Bon Appetite's The Hot 10: Raising the Wine Bar.

Thanks @Deacon Does DC

Fahamu Pecou is the Sh*t (his words, not mine)

This evening I attended part one of an art lecture series put on by the Paul R. Jones Collection of African American Art, featuring Fahamu Pecou. Pecou is an Atlanta based painter and native of Brooklyn explores the idea of NeoPop through his art. (for those of you familiar w/ATL, Pecou has set up shop in the Castleberry Hill neighborhood)
"NeoPop, explores the phenomenon of contemporary propaganda, the cultural context and significance of media and marketing and how they are both disconnected and relevant to fine art."
Literally promoting this idea through his own ad campaign of "Fahamu Pecou is the Sh*t," a concept which plays with marketing in the art world, modern forms of media, and traditional concepts of what is thought to be African American culture. Pecou mixes photography & painting and these ideas to create a unique style, which shouldn't be quickly written off.

Click here for more information on Pecou and his art.

Home Town Pride: Thievery Corporation

DC's own Thievery Corporation (DJ's Rob Garza and Eric Hilton) prepares to play 3 nights @9:30 Club this weekend as part of their Radio Retaliation Tour. The shows (all 3) are sold out at the DC venue (have been for about a month now). I saw Thievery play at 9:30 a few years ago and it was certainly not a disappointing show. Click here for more tour dates. As for you lucky people who have tickets, enjoy! Thievery puts on a killer performance!

Chanel Spring 2009

I ask the question: Can Karl Lagerfeld do wrong? (Obviously, the answer is no!) Here is a little peek at Karl's designs for Chanel Couture Spring 2009 for the Paris show.

By the way, anyone who has yet to watch "Lagerfeld Confidential," I highly recommend you leave your house right now and go find it! I can't think of anyone else who epitomizes cool more than Karl and to listening the the man himself tell the tale of his life is a must see.

Lanvin RTW Spring Collection

Enjoy a little visual stimulation from Alber Elbaz's designs for Lanvin's Spring 2009 Ready To Wear Collection. A fantastic mix of practicality and glamour. Love it.

Click here for video. (Thanks @WWD)

Winter Wonderland.

Hey there DC, welcome to a winter wonderland (a little post-Christmas). Enjoy the snow. I am stuck in Alabama missing all fun... but my grocery stores are fully stocked with bread and milk. (photo thanks @Dcist)

Picture Perfect

The New York Post published some behind the scenes snapshots of the Obama's Inaugural evening. A picture speaks a thousand words, don't you agree?

Maya Lin: Systematic Landscapes

The Corcoran Gallery of Art prepares to shut its doors for roof restoration tomorrow until March 13th but it promises to open back up with a bang! The Gallery will boast an installation of famed Contemporary artist Maya Lin (perhaps most notable perhaps for designing the Vietnam Memorial in Washington) opening March 14th through July 12th, titled Systematic Landscapes.

"Systematic Landscapes is centered on a trio of large-scale sculptural installations. Each offers a different means for viewers to engage with and comprehend a schematic representation of landscape forms."

The Ever Fab TopShop Hits the Streets of NY (Finally)

Okay okay, so I know this is way old news...but the fabulous TopShop is soon to open its doors New York. The first venture for the brand overseas will certainly see a positive welcome. The store opening(just leaked, after postponed for months will be on March 26th 2009) A full on boutique of Kate Moss's line and the TopShop staples will certainly make New Yorkers gravitate to the store. Ch-ch-check it out@ Topshop

Fashion Week Switch Causing Headaches

New York's Spring Fashion Week has been pushed from Feb.6th-13th to Feb.13th-20th. This wouldn't be a problem, except for the fact that London's Fashion Week is ALSO Feb.13th-20th. Not to mention, the Academy Awards fall just two days after NY's Fashion Week concludes. As these dates loom closer, I can think of a few designers who are going to get some major migraines.

I Don't Even Know How to Classify This...

Check out this very funny little video that Funnyordie.com did. It pretty much includes cameos of EVERY person in town for the Inuaguration. Including, but not limited to: Larry King, Arianna Huffington, Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski, Luke Russert, Peggy Noonan, Soledad O'Brien, Tucker Carlson, Ron Bonjean, Howard Dean, Jack Black, Jeffrey Wright, Raven Simone, Nelly, Adam Levine, Obama Girl, Sarah Silverman, John Legend and Newt Gringrich.

Sex & the City:Take Two

Yep...it's official. The ladies of Sex&the City have committed to making a second go around at the movie, which had wicked box office success.

What do you think? Excited? Or over it?

Fashion Week Courting Mrs. O?

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What does New York's Fashion Week have to do with the District you ask? Well apparently courting Mrs. O to appear at Fashion Week in 2009 is at the top of the list saying, "We’re prepared to do what it takes,” proclaimed Fern Mallis, IMG's senior vice president. Hmm..I wonder....

"It Has To Be Special"

Gotta love this...Jason Wu on MO's gown: “It had to be powerful, beautiful, striking and convey her exuberance and intelligence,” says Mr. Wu, who chose white because “it’s a bold color–nothing’s cleaner than white.” (Wu in Wall Street Journal's blog Heard on the Runway) Apparently Wu will not recreate the Inaugural gown Mrs. O donned for her big night. No matter what I thought of the dress, I like that not just anyone will be able to grab the frock at Barney's...it is her own.

Top Ten: Inauguration

The wonderful ladies over at Shenanigans @Politico have put together this humorous little top ten moments list of the Inauguration. My personal fave is number 2.

A New Day For The District

Above: Rainbow over the boutique Cusp in Georgetown

No, I am not speaking of how Barack Obama will bring change to the nation...in fact I am not talking about politics at all. I am talking about how stylish & cool Washington is. I am sure this came as quite a shocker to the estimated 1.8million DC visitors in town for the Inauguration.

Washington is often known for politics and power along with...well...a lack of fashion, but this has been slowly changing over the past few years. The transformation has been all too fun to watch whether it be the boutiques like: Cusp, Redeem and Urban Chic or the addition of Barney's Co-Op in Georgetown.

For foodies, DC has long been known for the classics such as Citronelle, DC Coast, and 1789, but there are tons of new and exciting destinations popping up in DC, some were featured in this recent New York Times article. Then there are restaurants like Restaurant Eve where chef/owner Cathal Armstrong is changing face the Old Town. Proof (where Entourage's Adrien Grenier recently ate) the stylish wine bar right in the heart of Chinatown and Cork another great restaurant/wine bar in the Logan Circle neighborhood.

Above: the lounge@ Old Town's Restaurant Eve

Below: Atmosphere@ Proof in Chinatown

The areas of Logan Circle and U Street are alive and kicking. The Donovan House (a part of Thompson Hotels) added a (much needed) sheek & sophisticated option in the DC hotel scene.

Below: The Donovan House

I love this city, always have and always will...and I cannot express enough joy that the District's style continues to increase (with infinite potential)

Restaurant Week (Winter Edition)

The winter Restaurant Week dates have been announced, running from Monday, February 16th through Sunday the 22nd. The participating restaurants in DC and Virginia will offer 3-course lunches for $20.09 and 3-course dinners for $35.09. (according the the Washingtonian Mag) Some of the participating restaurants will include: 1789 Farrah Olivia in Old Town and Adour.


Don't miss this beloved DC event!

The Inaugural Balls

Here is a recap of all the fun that occurred last night(certainly followed by many hangovers this morning)

The BIG tickets included the:

Creative Coalition Ball, the A-List ball that boasted the largest number of celebs and also which was the also the most expensive (yet sold out) events of the evening which included the likes of Anne Hathaway, Ron Howard, Magic Johnson, Scarlett Johansson, Tim Daly, Edward Norton, Spike Lee, Kerry Washington, Kim Raver, Elvis Costello, Susan Sarandon, Sting and Samuel L. Jackson.

Inaugural Youth Ball, where Kanye West preformed. The ball was reportedly a giant "prom-like" event filled with 18-35 year olds. Nearly 2,000 people packed the event, where along with West, Sharika and Fall Out Boy preformed and celebrities like Demi Moore, Aston Kutcher, and Usher attended.

2009 Green Inuagural Ball, quite obviously Al Gore was in attendance along with, Will i. Am, John Cusack and John Legend.

The Recording Industry Association of America Ball, headlined by Rihanna, which according to Anne Schroder Mullins of Politico became, "one of the best inauguration parties in town, hands down." The room was filled with the likes of, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Leo DiCaprio, Russell Simons and Cher (which I find very random) also someone began referring to DC as the "new L.A." hmm...I don't know about that one...

For more post-Inauguration gossip check out WaPo's Reliable Sources:

The (Almost) Forgotten Woman of the Evening

Amongst the glitz and polish of the Inuagural evening balls, all eyes were glued to Michelle Obama (including my own) to see what gown she would wear for the first dance as First Lady. While the Jason Wu gown has already recieved much attention (Wu and Isabel Toledo were on NBC's Today Show this morning) it fell flat in my eyes when compared to the stunning Jill Biden. Bam! That woman can wear red! And in a city where fashion certainly takes a backseat, I am absolutely loving Jill's bold wardrobe choices. The gown is by Lebanese designer, Reem Acra. Together, Jill Biden and Michelle Obama seem to be shaking up the often tired wardrobes of influential Washington women, and I say bravo!

The First Lady of American Designers

Here it is... Michelle Obama's choice of dress for the Inaugural Balls. Jason Wu, the 26 year old American designer created this very non-traditional, one shoulder white gown. Wu will certainly be receiving much attention for this gown like Narciso Rodriguez did post-election night when Michelle wore his design. However, this is not the first time Obama has worn Wu. Obama catapulted Wu into Mainstream fashion territory after she wore this little number.

Click here for more on Jason Wu.

New York Times' Cathy Horyn has a great article with more information on the First Lady's bold new strides into history: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/21/us/politics/21fashion.html?_r=1&partner=rss

What do you all think? Impressed...or would you have liked to see something else?

Hollywood Invasion

Seriously who is NOT in DC right now?? Not just famous for DC people, but actually famous people! Everyone from Oprah, Jay-Z, Leo DiCaprio, Diane Von Furstenberg, Faith Hill, Demi Moore, Aston Kutcher, Santogold, John Legend, Steven Spielberg, Adrien Grenier, Mariah Carey, Anne Hathaway, Beyonce, Sting, Ben Affleck and the list goes on and on and on...

If you need further names, just look at the guest list for the Creative Coalition Ball that takes place tonight which I would KILL to attend! (sold out of course) https://www.thecreativecoalition.org/secure/2009InGala.html

It's All About The Dress.

Lucky designer Isabel Toledo...Michelle Obama's pick of dresses for Inauguration day/night has been much speculated and so far one down, one to go. Obama chose Cuban born American designer Toledo for the daytime proceedings. The sunny yellow dress proves, the woman can wear a dress very very well and also the Jimmy Choo heels proved that Michelle is very very tall. (She was practically shoulder to shoulder with Bush)

Now on to the fun part...the Inaugural Ball. Rumors via Twitter& the blogosphere have me thinking Michelle has chosen American designer Narciso Rodriguez once again, after the success of the first go a round, but I suppose we will just have to wait and see... (below, Michelle Obama in Narciso Rodriguez on Election night and the original)

Richard Avedon: Portraits of Power

Amongst the madness that has decended upon Washington this weekend (I speak of the Inauguration, for those of you living under a rock) this week is your LAST chance to check out "Portraits of Power" at the Corcoran Gallery of Art . Ending on January 25th it is a must see for fans of famed photographer Richard Avedon. The Corcoran will close for roof restoration on the 26th until March 13th, so hurry on over. For more information: http://www.corcoran.org/index.asp

Avedon's ability to capture the essence of his subjects is astounding. The portraits range from Barack Obama, Karl Rove, Jon Stewart, one of my fave writers W.H. Auden, Andy Warhol, conservative icon William F. Buckley, controversial former Alabama governor George Wallace to Bob Dylan.