The Tim Burton Retrospective

Nothing to do with Washington, but on November 22nd you will be certain to find me in NYC. Why you might ask?

Well, November 22nd is the opening of the Tim Burton Retrospective at the MoMa. 

The exhibit will run through April 26th, 2010- the slated released of Burton's upcoming Alice in Wonderland. 

A plethora of films, drawings, paintings, puppets, story boards will highlight Burton's multi-faceted career as a director, producer, writer, conceptual artist, fiction writer, photographer and illustrator- whew! Quite the career.

Faire la fête

The weekend of October 23rd through the 25th is a promising one indeed. 

On Friday, Oct. 23rd you can head over to the Hirshhorn for After Hours, featuring Fatback.

Purchase tickets here (and quickly!) 

The following night will behold the Corcoran's 1869 Society's Fall Fête: A Nautical Affair.  

The evening will feature a private viewing of John Singer Sargent's Sargent and the Sea, music by DJ Neekola and an open bar. For tickets and more information click here. 

Whatever Lola Wants....

London Fashion Week is in full force and designer Christopher Kane didn't miss a beat.

Christopher Kane's Spring 2010 collection conjured up thoughts of Nabokov's Lolita; innocent, yet overtly seductive and wholly inappropriate.

Check out my full review of Kane's collection for 212/BLOG.

Fashion Week: It's Raining, It's Pouring

New York's Fashion Week has come to a close and fashionistas and reviewers alike have turned their attention across the pond to London's Fashion Week.

New York Spring 2010 left a bland flavor in your mouth. It seems the recession has crept into every designer's mind, leaving no designer safe from mental depression.

There was little experimentation nor a bold new direction to head in. Designers such as Donna Karan offered up beautiful, yet standard pieces; Alexander Wang puzzled some and delighted others with his football throwback collection. Thakoon gave us well done, yet 'seen one, seen em all' bold prints. Marc Jacobs, known for his role as a bold trendsetter, underwhelmed- though a few inspired moments peaked through the cloud cover.

And Ralph Lauren, as Robin Givhan so wonderfully described, " At moments, the Lauren show was like watching the entire financial meltdown unfold as a fashion production."

Spring 2010- in terms of fashion- left me underwhelmed, anxiously waiting and frankly a little depressed. Beautiful clothes, yes. But little imagination to be found.

Perhaps London will prove to be a beacon in the storm?

One can only hope.

DC's Fashion Week

All eyes maybe on New York right now for Fashion Week, but don't dispair DC, you have not been forgotten. Events have been quietly occuring this entire week but DC's own Fashion Week ( Sept. 14th-20th) really kicks off Thursday evening. Come celebrate Fashion Week in the nation's capitol at Senate Square apartments, 7-9pm. (201 I Street NE, 202-271-7235) The happenings culminate this Sunday at the French Embassy with a showing of 11 collections from various international designers for the 11th International Couture Collection.

Check out DC Fashion Week's website for tickets, more information and designer profiles. Come support DC Fashion Week as it works to make itself the international fashion hub.

Proenza Schouler Spring 2010

"We wanted something young, something that felt fresh, so we looked to surfing and skating, the things we grew up on," Lazaro Hernandez backstage at the Proenza Schouler Spring 2010 show.

Um, mission accomplished fellas.

The Proenza Schouler boys, Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough found a way to make tie-dye sexy, fun and hip. The duo nailed effortless cool with a sci-fi edge.

Proenza Schouler offered up a little experimentation in a highly unexperimental Fashion Week.

[Images and Quote]

Welcome Park(ing) Day to DC!

Listen up Washingtonians! Tomorrow (Friday, Sept. 18th) is DC's first ever Park(ing) Day from 11am to 9pm.

Parking(ing) Day will take place at local garden shop Garden District (located on 14th and S street NW)

DC's very first Park(ing) Day is the brain child of ReadySetDC and Bloomingdale blogger of F1rst-n-R, Brandon Schmittling.

Park(ing) Day will turn a portion of the lot at Garden District into a park for a day. Come by with friends and pets and enjoy music, games and refreshments.

Park(ing) Day was founded in San Francisco by Rebar an art and design collective.

What is a Park(ing) Day you ask?

Well it's an annual global event where artists, activists and citizens collaborate to transform metered parking spots into Park(ing) spaces aka temporary public parks.

Park(ing) Day was created to rethink what we use urban spaces for.

Check out the Park(ing) Day website for more information.

Donna Karan shows us why she's Donna Karan

The Donna Karan Spring 2010 collection is sure to steal your breath away.

Donna Karan reminds us; why change a good thing?

The collection is clean, feminine, and strong; models floated down the runway in ethereal and weightless pieces.

The slate grey body appreciating frock topped off with the hat is stellar.
Washington take note; this collection was tailor made for us- showing us how good the basics really be.

Hats off to the pro.

[Images]

Be the Ball

Thinking pretty at Jason Wu.

[Image]

Band of Outsiders makes it in

Band of Outsiders blazers for Spring 2010-what a homerun. The collection is great ready to wear; the blazers are a perfect example of the perfect blazer.

Not to exclude the fellas; Band of Outsiders grey usage in menswear is fantastic. Grey suiting is no longer dreary and dull, but an emerging trend.

[Images from Style.com]

Calendar Mark Needed: Hirshhorn After Hours

The next Hirshhorn After Hours will be held on October 23rd.
Tickets go on sale September 23rd for $18- no ticket sales at the door. After Hours has been selling out so nab your tickets quickly!
After Hours has (rightly) earned a reputation of being the premiere contemporary art events.
Don't miss it!

Rah Rah Rah for Alexander Wang

For Spring 2010, Alexander Wang presented a youthful twist on classic American sportswear; transporting the packed audience straight off of Pier 94 and onto the field for the big Friday night game. Fresh off Wang's collaboration with Gap, the influence from time spent with the American staple was apparent. The collection for Gap was altogether sporty, and in one word: khaki. For his signature collection, he focused on red-white-and-blue, browns, greys and heavy striping. It's almost as if Wang was nostalgic for yesteryear, craving a simpler, fresher female look straight off the side-lines.

Check out my full review on Alexander Wang on 212/BLOG.

[All images via Style.com]

Project Beltway presents EAST

Can't make it to the tents in New York?

If you hurry, you can head down to Marvin from 3-6 for EAST presented by Rachel Cothran of Project Beltway and Dunes to preview artist KEYA's spring/summer 2010 (and very eco-chic) kaftan collection.

The event benefits the Ekta Community Project.

Inspire Me Chloe

Above Image: Chloë Sevigny in Miu Miu spring/summer 2006

Photography: Craig McDeanStyling: Nicola Formichetti

Middle Image.

Second Image.

Top Image.

Candyland: Rag&Bone

So impressed with Rag&Bone Spring 2010 right now.

Easily worn straight off the runway and both looks serve as great inspiration. Channeling menswear- as many collections are this fall.

Oh, I love fashion week...it's like candyland.

Look out for full review on Alexander Wang tomorrow.

[Images]

Fashion Night Out Re-cap

Love this. The Olsens bartending at Bergdorf Goodman on Fashion Night Out.

Good to hear that Fashion's Night Out was quite the success, not only bringing out big names but actually serving its purpose; getting people to shop again- or at least getting them into the stores. Most popular item seemed to be the $30 Fashion Night Out T-shirt. [Reuters]

A DURKL Shift

I always like focusing on local designers and artists...hence why I always enjoy discussing DC's own DURKL.

Very pleased to see new direction they are moving in; more detailed and classic pieces still with a unique edge. The new styles are available at DURKL September 13th.

It's here, it's here, it's here! Fashion Week

The moment myself and countless other DC residents (and global residents) have been waiting for has finally arrived: Mercedes-Benz Fall Fashion Week in New York City.

Kicking off today with Fashion's Night Out, attempting to jump start the economy in its own unique fashion right. New York Fashion Week begins today, September 10th and runs through September 17th.

I will be following intently and still maybe making the journey up to New York for the final day to witness PHI and Calvin Klein.

Watch out for my various postings and fashion musings both here on The District and on 212/BLOG.

Here are the shows I am closely watching;

Thursday:

Michael Angel

Friday:

Erin Wasson

Saturday:

Richard Chai

Alexander Wang

Altuzarra

Sunday:

Derek Lam

Monday:

Marc Jacobs

Donna Karen

Zac Posen

Jill Stuart

Tuesday:

Brian Reyes

Rodarte

Narciso Rodriguez

Wednesday:

Michael Kors

Thursday:

PHI

Calvin Klein

Stay tuned!

Fashion's Night Out!

Just because you are not in New York, doesn't mean you too cannot celebrate Fashion's Night Out! Check out Fashion's Night Out at the Chevy Chase Neiman Marcus tonight from 6-9pm.

The evening will feature Carla Hall (chef from Bravo's Top Chef) who will be giving you a taste of her Fashion's Night Out red velvet cookie, "Red Hot Runway" presentation by DC's own artist Adrian Loving as well as a vast array of entertainment.

The after party will be held at Little Miss Whiskey’s Golden Dollar from 10pm-2am with DJ Adrian Loving and guest host Phillipa Hughes.

Enjoy an evening filled with fashion, treats, music and leopard print hosted by the very fashion forward Rachel Cothran of Project Beltway.

Make your reservations: (202)274-3911

DC's own Fashion's Night Out is part of the big Fashion's Night Out 2009 celebration September 10th, 2009 in New York (and across the globe) in anticipation for New York's Fashion Week which kicks off today! (Sept.10th-17th)

"In the United States, American Vogue has joined with NYC & Company, the City of New York, and the Council of Fashion Designers of America to enliven again the consumer spirit that churns the economy and boosts the local industry of America’s fashion capital, New York City. Next only to finance, fashion is the second-largest sector of industry in New York City—the headquarters of more than 800 fashion companies employing 175,000 people and generating $10 billion in total wages. At City Hall’s May 20 press conference to announce Fashion’s Night Out, Vera Wang said, "To put it bluntly, if people don’t shop, people lose their jobs."

*Be sure to follow Fashion's Night Out on Twitter: @FNOnyc

Don't Miss It..

The end of summer blues maybe setting in, but cheer up; the Soul Collective Tour is rolling into our fair city. Just announced, the Soul Collective features;

WALE- Friday Sept. 18th at 7pm

Dan Deacon and the Creepers- Saturday, Sept. 19th at 7pm

MGMT- Private show on Sunday, Sept 20th at 6pm

All shows to be held at KIA Soul Collective Warehouse (3330 New York Ave. NE)

There are two ways to obtain tickets:

1. Email freeMGMTshow@gmail.com with your name (as it appears on your driver's license) 10 winners will be chosen September 9th.

2. Visit the Kia Soul Warehouse and test drive the Kia Soul...tough huh?

Make sure to follow twitter.com/kiacollective for more information.

Thanks at my pals at ReadySetDC.

Ying Edge

Properly titled, Ying Edge, 18 year-old Baltimore native Bishme Cromartie's collection is bold and sharp. Remember the name, for I believe you will be hearing about him in the future.

Thanks at Fashion District for the introduction.

Oh My, Richard Chai

When Richard Chai teamed up with Target awhile back, I was ecstatic. Chai's strong, clean designs at a low price was an A in my book.

Chai will now debut his very own affordable contemporary line, which channels tomboy cool; slouchy dresses and tees. The spring collection will debut next week at fashion week.

Chanelling The Red Balloon

Craving a special way to light up your night?

Consider balloon lights.

You can purchase these cherry red orbs on DesignBoom.

Very The Red Balloon, no?

A Classic: The Row

Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen's The Row is a small, delicate collection that packs a punch.

The duo focuses on an array of standards; well done tee's, skinny pants and leathers.

Though it'll cost you ( an ouch-worthy $230 to $2,400) I think the Olsen's do a fantastic job of creating beautifully made, classic chic pieces which we all should strive to have in our closets.

Check out The Row at Barneys.

Unfortunately The Row is only carried at the flagship stores- meaning no Row at the Georgetown Barneys CO-OP

Happy Friday!

Daily inspiration: Olsens donning bunny ears.

Enjoy your Labor Day weekend.

It is estimated that one third of Washingtonians are fleeing the city for one last time.

I will be here, revealing in one last empty weekend (and hopefully blogging...oh, and working)

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Leather Lovey; An Ode To The Leather Jacket

An ode to a leather jacket....

Organic by John Patrick from ShopBob (beautiful fit!)

Or (top) William Rast from Neiman Marcus.

Something from De*Nada

Apologies for my recent absence; from traveling about California to preparing for 2009 Fall Fashion Week to daily life it has been a busy week.

Just in time for fall, DC's own De*Nada designs has released its autumn/winter 2009 collection.

The designer at the helm is Virginia Blanca Arrisueno who channels her Peruvian roots to blend ethnic and contemporary styles. The collection of handmade knit accessories is sure to be a hit this fall. De*Nada has steadily been gaining recognition for the attention to detail and textures.

You can check out De*Nada designs for yourself.

I look forward to interviewing Virginia this fall, so be on the lookout for more to come from De*Nada (due to my love affair with scarfs/knit accessories)