Monday, March 17, 2008

CREAMY March-April DC Fashion Events


Hey Guys and Dolls:


Before I forget, here are a few CREAMY fashion happenings in and around DC.
  1. March 17 TONIGHT: Mayor Fenty's Art Awards at the Kennedy Center- 6:00 pm. IT IS FREE but when you see him be sure to thank him for signing the Fashion Bill!
  2. March 15-18: Meet The The Sartorialist at the Adamson Gallery and preview his most celebrated photographs capturing street style from all around the world. The Blogger himself will attend the Wednesday night reception! (1515 14th Street, NW) 202-232-0707
  3. April 14: 1st Annual WHS Fashion For Paws @ the Embassy for France. Fashion for Paws will feature forty of Washington, DC ’s most celebrated personalities as the models, with decked out designer dogs in-hand. http://www.washhumane.org/Phone: 202-723-5730, ext. 250
  4. April 23: Style Image Network Beauty Night Out sample sale @ The Carnegie Library from 5:00 pm until 10:00 pm

Enjoy!


Monday, March 10, 2008

WDC: A Fashionable Recovery

The Washington that I grew up with was a bit schizophrenic. With multiple personalities, it was quite understandable, really. Consider that in the 1980's and 1990's WDC was simultaneously the capital city, chocolate city and murder capital of the free world. She had her own Embassy Row, Georgetown, Gold Coast and Crack Epidemic. But, under Mayor William's leadership, WDC decided to freshen up, literally. The resulting construction boom left many of us terrified that she might never recover after going under the knife. But she emerged fabulous and no worse for the wear...

So what's next for our super heroine? Today, we have a unique opportunity to actually re-invent our beloved DC. We are limited only by our creativity. So why are we building one rectangular eye sore (Newseum) after another? Why are we recruiting giant retail chains to fill our newly constructed retail space? Why do we insist on looking outside of the Beltway for solutions to local issues when locals have great ideas, too?

It is time for the WDC creative class to engage. We can prevent WDC from reverting back to her old ways and days of limited options.

The recent transformation of 14th Street between Irving and Park Row was a victory for the status quo. How do we convince DC's Retail Strategists that we want more than a Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, Lane Bryant and Marshall's in every new development? (We're not the only ones baffled by the retail selections in the new Columbia Heights Target development...check out The Politics Hour with Kodjo and Johnetta on March 7, 2008.)We are not the only DC residents complaining that the stores do not match the income levels and panache of its surrounding neighbors.

Never one for complacency, we have been waving the pink banner for over five years. Unable to find support from within any existing government agency, we petitioned the City Council to create a Fashion Commission in WDC.

The Fashion Commission will be tasked with 1) developing a luxury retail corridor (gasp) within the city limits; 2) creating fashion related career technical programs for school aged children; 3) developing a fashion incubator; and 4) promoting the city as a fashion destination.

Today...after a year of stiletto clacking and tapping up and down the halls of the Wilson building; meeting with DC City Council Members, local retailers, developers, educators; writing articles, proposals, grants and even drafting the legislation...the Bill (17-173) to establish a Fashion Commission was introduced in WDC in November 2007. In February 2008, the Mayor signed the Bill! FAB-U-LOUS!

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

A Fond Adieu to the Alex boutique @ 19th and I, NW


The closing of Alex (boutique) today marks the end of an era. If you were lucky enough to snag a ticket to the District Sample sale tonight, you were rewarded with one last hurrah for a DC boutique that offered up a bit of whimsy with every purchase. Thanks, Liberty for adding a dash of Euro chic to my wardrobe. (Picture of Jackie, runway model and former Alex employee at 2006 Capital Catwalk wearing a yellow satin gown by DC's own April Reddick)

Ode to Alex:
When news spread that Alex would be under new ownership, couture aficionados throughout the area shed a collective tear. Would their beloved downtown boutique still present a reason to take a 2 hour lunch? Don and Liberty, proprietors since October 2004, put an end to the questions with their eclectic mix of vintage and modern fashion “forward and replayed.” Known for having the best sales in the area (sometimes as much as 75% off), Alex offers everything needed to be a stunner; unique shoes and boots, hand crafted jewelry, Latico wallets, French suits, and top designer brands including, Tracey Reese and Chanel. With Tower Records around the corner, you'll have at least an hour to make up your mind and load up the car. (An Excerpt by moi taken from Unique Places published December 2006 by Crown Guides)