Gothic Appeal

Posted on February 28, 2009
Filed Under Around Town, Everything Else | 1 Comment

This design from Rodarte’s Fall 2008 RTW collection was inspired by Japanese horror films; specifically, the image of blood in water.

While I was in New York for Fashion Week, I paid a visit to the Museum at FIT to see the Gothic: Dark Glamour exhibit. As it was my first Fashion Week, I knew was going to attend a handful of shows that would show gorgeous, wearable and thus very marketable collections, which is all well and good, but I wanted to see something a bit more conceptual while I was there.

Needless to say, it was a fascinating show that really captures the history behind all that’s dark, chained and caged in fashion. It featured everything from 18th-century mourning gowns to Kei Kagami’s steampunk-ish organic futurism to very current work from goth-leaning, avant-garde designers like Galliano, Gareth Pugh, Rodarte and the amazing Jens Laugesen.

I came away from the exhibit with all kinds of random knowledge (one of Alexander McQueen’s ancestors was executed for witchcraft! So that explains it….) and a reignited love for all that is black and mysterious. I know that’s it’s almost spring. But you know what? Black will always be the new black.

I discovered local designer Jesse Walker in the spring of 2007, but his designs are a-callin’ my name now more than ever. And kids, it’s way cheaper than Tom Binns!

{Rodarte image from style.com}

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Catwalk Fantastique

Posted on February 27, 2009
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I love these photos, taken by an unknown photographer at a Dior show. Not sure what show, but aren’t they fabulous to look at? The hair! The eye makeup! The feathers! {hat tip to Holly Jackman}

Happy Friday. Everyone be sure to pick up this Sunday’s Washington Post and check out the Style section…hint!

Xo
Rachel

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It’s a Buyer’s Market at Area Sale Events

Posted on February 26, 2009
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Don’t forget – District Sample Sale tickets are on sale, and the VIP tickets tend to go quickly (in my experience, it’s the only way to go). The organizers haven’t released the official list of “Haute Pursuit” items for this year, but we’ve been told that items include a bracelet from David Yurman, a year’s supply of SmartWater and a handbag from U Street boutique Caramel. We also hear that the raffle will be a shopping “passport” with gift cards from each participating retailer.

Sounds like this might be one of the best years yet for bargain-hunting attendees at the DSS. As a result of the economy, items will be up to 90 percent off. Wardrobe overhaul, anyone?

And if you’re one of my Annapolis readers or plan to take a day-trip out to Annapolis this weekend, be sure to check out Sunday’s Annapolis Warehouse Sale at the Loews Annapolis Hotel (126 West St.). There’s a VIP hour from 12-1 in return for a $10 donation to charity Modest Needs, and from 1 on it’s free. Expect major discounts from boutiques like Madison, Horse, Saucy Shoes and Lilac Bijoux.

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Runway/Beltway

Posted on February 25, 2009
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This dress from the Ports 1961 show made me remember a woman I photographed in 2007 near Dupont Circle.

{Ports 1961 image from style.com}

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India: So Hot Right Now.

Posted on February 25, 2009
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Some of the critics called out Ports 1961 designer Tia Cibani for being “too literal” with her Fall 2009 collection, but after Slumdog Millionaire swept the Oscars this past Sunday, perhaps it’s fair to say that she was on to something?

I’ll admit that there were times when the show seemed off (did I catch Anna W. smirking a bit when the model, above, who really did seem a little green, tripped and struggled to walk in her long dress?), but the clothes, the fabrics especially, were truly gorgeous and at times otherworldly in a wonderful, almost regal way. I loved the long, loose wavy-haired braids the models wore, and the long cream gloves (with fuschia palms!) were a surprising foil to the neutrals that opened the collection.

{images from Style.com}

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Anna Wintour at the Ports 1961 Show

Posted on February 23, 2009
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Nanette Lepore

Posted on February 19, 2009
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What’s exciting about watching a show like Nanette Lepore’s is that the clothes are really Ready-to-Wear, as in, this is stuff that sells well in stores – including the Chevy Chase boutique that opened recently with the kind of noisy and genuinely fun party not often seen in DC, much less “the Chevy”. The clothes are young and fresh (and so were the models, I honestly thought to myself, look at these fifteen year-olds!) and generally go over really well in Washington.

The overall look was decidedly boho and heavily patterned: leopard prints, ribbon-festooned dresses, and some very bright purple plaid. I couldn’t get on board with one burnished yellow crushed velvet dress, but I loved a pink chiffon dress and a pair of brown leather pants in the season’s cropped, slightly slouchy trouser cut. Erickson Beamon toughened up the looks with some seriously cool chain necklaces.