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!