DURKL Cash'N Carry Sale

"This Halloween, DURKL invites you to come down to EYE st and trick or treat in style for the 1st annual DURKL CASH ‘N CARRY Sale. What the heck is a Cash ‘n Carry Sale you ask? Well, it works like this....We made 2 types of reusable shopping bags, 1 large, and 1 small. For $200 bucks, you get the big one, for $100 bucks you get the smaller one. When you come to the warehouse, you decide what bag size you want, pay, and then get access to Cash ‘n Carry area. Once inside, you are free to stuff your bag to the brim with whatever DURKL you chose."

Daily Inspiration: Take me to Spain

My darling friend Caroline has left me and Washington for Spain for the year.

Ella en Salamanca Plaza y cafe con leche.

Below is a shot from DURKL.

FotoWeekDC: November 7th-14th

FotoWeekDC 2009, the premiere photography event in Washington, is nearly here.

The festival will run through November 7th-14th.

With so many events occurring at once, its essential to prioritize. Check out the full schedule here.

Here are some of my picks:

1. Edward Burtynsky and the Industrial Sublime

The artist himself will give a lecture at the Corcoran Gallery on November 11th at 7pm discussing his current exhibit "Oil" at the gallery and the connectivity of nature and industry.The lecture is $15 for Corcoran members, $20 for the public.

2. Foto Fashion Presents Immortal Style

On Sunday, November 8th at Immortal Beloved Salon (1457 Church Street) in Logan Circle, will host Immortal Style: An Exhibition of Fashion Photography. A special fashion video art installation will be provided by Adrian Loving.

3. Fixation

The eve before Foto Fashion, head to Fixation at Industry Gallery (above Conner Contemporary) from 6-10pm. The event put on by the Pink Line Project and Ten Miles Square will feature 9 Fixation photographers, music by Yoko K, Ayyoko Confidential and Suspicious Package (recently featured in Spin Mag) all seeking to break the stereotypical notion of the DC resident.

Stars Align: Tennis System, US Royalty and Death on Two Wheels

Don't miss of the week: two local DC acts, Tennis System and US Royalty along with Death on Two Wheels at Velvet Lounge. Doors open at 7:30, show begins at 9.

I'll be there with some of the ReadySetDC team.

Retro Glam:High & Low

I enjoy Phillip Lim's creation of a gentlemen flapper if you will.

Both items (ruffled tux blouse and beaded flapper mini skirt) are available through Bergdorf Goodman.

A combination fitting of the times- and one I would like to have in my closet.

**update**

Found this gem on Ebay. I have a feeling I am going to have to fight to the death for this one...

Daily Inspiration: It's Wild Out There

This image caught my attention on Interview's site today.

Max Records and director Spike Jonze (much like a big kid himself) filming Where The Wild Things Are.

The famed ten sentence long book by author Maurice Sendack was brought to life by Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers.

I caught the film last week and was thoroughly blown away by three things;

1.Max Records stellar performance as Max

2. Catherine Keener's compassionate (while short) performance

3. Jim Henson's Character Workshop costume designs.

Vesting in Fall.

I love Garance. I love the fact that Scott Schuman and Garance are together; it's like two supernovas coming together.

Another thing I like? This camel vest.

Fashion in Washington

Above are my two favorite looks from last night's Fashion Washington first anniversary party.

At the very top, Project Beltway's Rachel Cothran found Patricia Harr in this Valentino pantsuit. Then my absolute favorite, Tracy Rosenbaum, The Sartorialist's assistant; a very inspiring one at that.

Check out the full review @ReadySetDC.

Barton Seaver's blue winner, Blue Ridge

Mixed, is a polite way of describing the reviews of famed DC chef Barton Seaver. Restaurateurs Eli Hengst and Jared Rager (Capitol Hill's Sonoma) together with Seaver opened Blue Ridge this summer in the very neighborhood oriented Glover Park. The concept of Blue Ridge is farm-to-table dining, which he will expand upon later with the slated opening of Diamond District on the bustling 14th Street/U Street Corridor. Diamond District takes Seaver's concept of sustainability one step further by installing a fish market with a restaurant. Not one to isolate food lovers with tighter bank accounts, Diamond District's fish market will accept food stamps as payment.

Much controversy has arisen by Seaver's latest praise coming from Esquire Magazine. Esquire recently announced Seaver has been named 2009 Chef of the Year, and named Seaver's restaurant Blue Ridge as one of the best restaurants of 2009. The official spread can be seen in the upcoming November issue of Esquire Magazine. Esquire's critic John Mariani praised, "masterful creations...aged country ham, a perfect chicken potpie with hot rosemary-flecked biscuits, and sweet-potato fritters with honey mustard."

The announcement has come as quite a shock to many. On the one hand, Seaver has a loyal fan base here in our nation's capitol and many have enjoyed watching him grow as a chef, from his tenure at Cafe Saint Ex to Hook and now to his spread of sustainable dining at Blue Ridge. On the other hand, Blue Ridge has been met with an interesting array of reviews; some rave (as was John Mariani from Esquire) and some not so much (Washington Post critic Tom Sietsema gave Blue Ridge an one-and-a-half stars out of four) causing many to rebuke the title of Barton Seaver as chef of the year.

Indeed, many people's palettes are turned off by Seaver's ambitious menu, such as his flagship grilled calamari- a smoky piece of fresh calamari with the skin intact to retain the smoky flavor, accompanied by a shockingly light and fresh basil-walnut frisee. The menu as a whole, drawing inspiration from the mountains to which it is named for. A mix of southern cuisine and mid-Atlantic fare. Blue Ridge is committed to sustainable practices, therefore gathering ingredients from local farmers and fishermen. Blue Ridge's menu-quite appropriately- is heavily seafood oriented; from Rappahanock oysters to fried catfish to smoked bluefish. Above all, Blue Ridge is well priced for the intricacy of the menu (no entree exceeds 21 dollars.) The menu is accompanied by an appealing wine menu, including over 30 organic wines and over 10 local Virginia or Maryland wines. The wines are very well priced, with only a handful over 50 dollars.

My advice; when it comes to Blue Ridge you must make your mind up for yourself. Many have great experiences and find Seaver's touch just right for their dining experiences, while others find that Seaver's concoctions are not for them. No matter if one loathes or loves their dining experience at Blue Ridge, the restaurant is highly conceptual and reflective of the innovative mind of chef Barton Seaver. Seaver is determined to change the way Washingtonians eat, making national headlines along the way.

Personally, I find Seaver's vision for Blue Ridge to be inspired, innovative yet warm and comforting. The menu challenges one's perception of classic favorites while still pleasing both mind and body. I highly, highly recommend Blue Ridge.

Blue Ridge is located at 2340 Wisconsin Avenue NW Washington, D.C.

and is open for lunch; Monday through Friday 11:30-2:30 brunch Saturday&Sunday 11-2:30

dinner; Monday through Thursday 5:30-10 Friday&Saturday 5:30-10:30 and Sunday 5:30-9.

Parties Fit For Fall

Still on a high from being inches away from The Sartorialist and his assistant Tracy, I realize that there is still much in store this week! Here is a run down of some things not to be missed;

Thursday: Dirty Projectors at the Black Cat. 

The show is sold out, but the lucky sort who nabbed tickets are in for a treat. Show begins at 8pm at Black Cat's mainstage.

Friday: Hirshhorn After Hours. 

The quarterly event begins at 8pm Friday. Enjoy drinks and tunes from Fatback whilst perusing the museum's collection. Tickets are still available, much to the surprise of many.

Saturday: The Corcoran Gallery's Fall Fete.

The night is finally here, the Corcoran's annual fall event will begin at 8pm. This glamorous gala would make John Singer Sargeant himself proud, with the appropriate theme: A Nautical Affair. Something must be in the air, because like After Hours, you can still nab tickets for Saturday's fete.

The man, the myth, the legend: The Sartorialist

The night is finally here!
The first anniversary of Fashion.Washington. at Masa 14 and Mr. Sartorialist himself, Scott Schuman will be in attendance promoting his book.

I'm sure there are dozens of lovely ladies-and gentlemen-who are having near panick attacks as to what to wear tonight.

The public book signing at Masa 14 begins at 9pm.

Dreary Drizzle Does a Movie Weekend Make

This dreadfully dreary weather in Washington is terribly terrible.

However, it is a perfect movie weekend.

At E Street Cinema you can check out these flicks among others; 

New York, I Love You (trailer below)

Coco Before Chanel

A Serious Man 

Paris 

and of course Where the Wild Things Are

*Note: Wild Things is not at E Street, but can be found at local AMC and Loews theaters*

What movie will you see this weekend?

Sir Gucci Does Film

The genius Tom Ford tries his hand at directing in A Single Man. Starring Colin Firth, Julianne Moore and Matthew Goode. The trailer alone is genius; suspense, beauty and intrigue.

Rest in Peace Cursive

Perhaps you have heard the news?

Cursive is dead.

Maybe you could care less. Perhaps even loathed having to trudge through cursive lessons in grade school.

Well, I care. A lot.

I make it a point to write in cursive, in fact I actually never thought twice about it until recently when I learned through Time Magazine that youngsters are no longer taught cursive in school.

Chalk it up to the Internet, of which I have a love/hate thing going on. 

The Internet has single handily killed our ability to spell (thanks a lot spell check) and has created a new (and catastrophic) language for a new generation. Soon our elders will need dictionaries just to decode Internet speak and text messaging...

So here is one last plea for the life of cursive. 

Cursive is a beautiful, romantic reminder to who we are, where we have come and how charming writing REAL letters can be.

For as long as I'm around I will make it a point to keep cursive around.

Rest in peace my friend. 

Alright, I will step off my soapbox. Goodnight folks.

Edward Burtynsky: Oil

Edward Burtynsky's Oil recently opened at the Corcoran Gallery here in Washington and will run until December 13th. The photographer has chronicled the life cycle of oil; from production to distribution in this beautiful depiction of a hotly debated subject.

Be sure to check out this exhibit.

Edward Burtynsky: Oil from Corcoran Gallery of Art on Vimeo.

Floux De Fafa

Today was one of those beautiful fall days here in Washington. The first fallen leaves bustling at your feet, still warm enough for casual strolls around the city with solely a scarf as armor.

This video completely captures the day- I wanted nothing more than to bike around with a croissant. 

Contemporary Minds

"Black Like Me No.2," Glenn Ligon

"Berkeley, No.52," by Richard Diebenkorn

"I Think I'll..." Ed Ruscha

"Sky Light," by Alma Thomas

The New York Times recently featured several works of art of which currently hang in the Obama White House. And, as to be expected, the art world went wild.

Fine choices Mr. President (or shall I refer to the First Lady)

It is quite fitting that this  rather contemporary administration has such a contemporary selection of art, I suppose I am not surprised about the selection, but pleased all the same.

It's Fall...Supposedly

Here is what I am really drooling over: 

Vince Paper Leather Drape Neck Jacket.

Love you.

F.W. First Anniversary

Simply cannot wait for Monday, October 19th.

Fashion.Washington will hold it's first anniversary party at Masa 14. 

The event will feature Mr. Sartorialist himself, Scott Schuman and will also honor brother and sister environmentalists, Alexandra and Philippe Cousteau.

Seeing as I work with Alexandra at Blue Legacy and love Fashion.Washington- I think this just maybe my perfect night in Washington.

Que Sera

It is so easy to forget just how beautiful this life is.

Check out this video from Wax Tailor titled "Que Sera" You can also listen to it in the movie Paris

Hiatus, enter DURKL

I am sorry for my hiatus. It was needed. Enjoy this little gem from DURKL.

VIMBY - Durkl 2047

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.