Very very excited to announce that I’ll be teaming up with Neiman Marcus for a fashion-themed evening of art and inspiration at Phillips after 5 next month. The event is focused on the interplay of inspiration between minimalist painter Robert Ryman and a one Jason Wu. Wu drew inspiration for his Fall 2010 collection for TSE from Ryman’s work – of which neutral colors and materiality are hallmarks – so it makes sense for Wu to explain that for this collection, he wanted to consider TSE’s cashmere as the ultimate canvas (isn’t it, though!).

Please see awesome comparative slideshow here!

FASHION COLLECTION BY JASON WU MEETS ITS FINE ART INSPIRATION AT A SPECIAL PHILLIPS AFTER 5

With Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie and Project Beltway’s Rachel Cothran

WHEN: Thurs., August 12, 5–8:30 p.m.

WHERE: The Phillips Collection

WHAT: Designer Jason Wu cites Robert Ryman’s paintings as the inspiration for his Fall 2010 TSE cashmere collection. For one evening, models act as living works of art in the Ryman exhibition, bringing Wu’s designs face-to-face with their fine art inspiration. A video of Wu’s fall 2010 ready-to-wear runway show is on view in the café, and a scavenger hunt leads visitors through the museum, collecting fashion and fine art facts for a chance to win prizes. The program is part of Phillips after 5, a lively evening of art and entertainment with food and cash bar.

WHY: In conjunction with Robert Ryman: Variations and Improvisations on view at the Phillips through Sept. 12, 2010

COST: Due to the popularity of Phillips after 5, advance reservations during special exhibitions are encouraged to insure admission: $12 for adults, $10 for visitors 62 and over and students, free for members and visitors 18 and under. Reserve online until 12 hours before the event at www.phillipscollection.org/calendar or 202-387-2151.

{Two looks from Jason Wu for TSE Fall 2010 Collection with Robert Ryman. To Gertrud Mellon, 1958, © 2010 Robert Ryman}
{Two looks from Jason Wu for TSE Fall 2010 Collection with Robert Ryman. Untitled, 1964, © 2010 Robert Ryman}

All kinds of fun and fashionable things happening this weekend (starting tomorrow) in Bethesda during the second annual The Front Row event. I’m particularly interested to see Tinsley Mortimer in the flesh, for some reason I don’t really understand (Does she stand with her legs crossed just so, like at all times? What’s up with her and Topper? aaahhh RIP Park Avenue Peerage). Check out the full roster of parties and in-store events to attend, including a book signing with author Jill Kargman hosted by Sharon Bradley, Sabrina Clopton, Susanna Quinn and Ashley Taylor – our city’s very own Very Blonde Socialite.

Full event listing and RSVP requirements here.

I was a little underwhelmed by the Capitol File party (presented by Microsoft Bing! – yes, exclamation point – and Renaissance Hotels). Maybe it was because I was standing around in the press area for a lot of it waiting for ScarJo to show up in her light-pink cupcake dress (which I’m sorry, I sort of love…I think she’s too adorable to do any wrong). She didn’t show, but Gayle King, Kim Kardashian, Ashley Judd, Tory Burch, Wolf Blitzer, Chris Matthews, Bobby Flay and Desiree Rodgers all did (Rodgers in a short red Jason Wu frock; she snuck around the step-and-repeat!) Anyway, I think I was just not in the mood, because everyone on the dance floor seemed to be having a blast. The locale (The Mayflower) was gorgeous, there were petits fours and a huge chocolate display from Edward Marc Chocolatiers and swag bags.

As for the dresses from the weekend…as of today I’ve seen a bunch of slideshows of everyone who attended, and I thought Jessica Alba looked amazing. I loved how gussied up Helen Thomas got in her pink satin. Thought the First Lady rocked that red dress like nobody’s business. And – looking to her and to Tory Burch, among others – it appears that big, jeweled doorknocker earrings are back.

Tory Burch

Ashley Judd looked lovely in a white eyelet dress

DC Real Housewife-to-be Mary Amons

The White House Correspondents Association Dinner got under way about an hour ago, and the city has been crawling with celebrities all weekend, including the Jonas Brothers and OMG Justin Bieber (who I only knew about by reading The New York Times…god I’m old). Just heard that Joe and Kevin Jonas and JUSTINOMG are all wearing Brooks Brothers this evening – Joe in the line’s Fitzgerald tux, Kevin in a Black Fleece number, and Justin in Golden Fleece. Fitting for Washington, where the suits (albeit the line’s boxier, less sophisticated, notinvitedtotheVanityFairparty friends) are omnipresent. I’ll be snapping photos and hanging out with (my girl) Scarlett Johansson at Niche Media’s Capitol File Magazine after-party tonight, so, coverage to come!

This Saturday I’m moderating a panel as part of a symposium organized by interior design students at the Corcoran College of Art + Design. The subject is the green movement’s impact on design. There will be presentations from (the insanely fabulous) Madeline Weinrib, designer Dre Rawlings and others. There will be lots of cute design people there, including students Caryn, Brittany and Stephanie, who are so inspiring to me. creative, lovely things just fall from their fingertips. Just look at the green “outfits” they designed and photographed to make these posters!

It’s free. There’s wine and stuff after. You should come. Just RSVP to corcoran.materialworld@gmail.com.

And then! On Sunday I’m going to head to the Mall for the Climate Rally to see Passion Pit (saw them at the Black Cat last year…so good), John Legend, Sting, and Willie Colon (who is apparently amazing) and a bunch of others. Also for free. I recommend you sign the petition they’re working on if you decide to go. The concert element is awesome, but the day is meant to not only draw crowds but to inspire change where it matters – on the Hill – and protect the beautiful places we love.

Calling all Clinton supporters!

Last night, due to a rather long (and I’ll admit it, whiskey-soaked) evening before, I cut out of a party at the W early and didn’t accompany Betsy and Holly up to the roof for drinks. And today I’m very sorry, because Clinton Kelly was there! What Not to Wear is one of my favorite TV/fashion guilty pleasures….and it turns out he’s in town for an event tomorrow at Macy’s in Pentagon City as part of his Make Over America campaign (“political” campaign branding=the new black?).

Twelve lucky ladies from the DC area (we were one of 8 cities selected) got the Clinton Kelly treatment – style makeover, hair, makeup, witty Clintonisms – and will strut their stuff tomorrow at Macy’s Pentagon City at 2 pm.

Click here for tickets.

I went to an advance screening of Alice and Wonderland last night and it’s all I can think about today. I may need to see it several more times. As you’d expect from Tim Burton, everything is just a little bit off – at times outrageously so, as it should be. And just when you think it’s getting a bit too box-office (explosion/chase scenes, girl-power cliches), some camera angle or line throws it back into fantastical delirium. The clothes, notably Alice’s wardrobe, are gorgeous – there’s a long blue gown with straps criss-crossing it (above), an unfinished-looking red dress with a tulle skirt, and a long pajama jacket with pants and sandals…somehow both costume and ready-to-wear at once. I’ve read a review or two suggesting that the clothes look “too runway” for this story, but I think they fit perfectly into Burton’s imagining of Alice as she teeters on the precipice of adulthood, learning love and instinct over fear, trusting the internal and exploring the external, and discovering the distance between impossibility and possibility. If fashion is fantasy, then these clothes are ideal for the film (and don’t we all want the fairy tale?). In keeping with Burton’s vision – the story is an interpretation – an expansion, if you will…they remind us of an Alice we knew, or thought we knew – before.

One of my favorite makeup looks of late is a bold, poppy-bright lip. It looks so feminine and glamorous, but is actually very easy to do, since it looks best with a near-naked face. So many of us reach for lip gloss that we forget the impact a bold lip can have. Try it tomorrow morning, and take note of how much more you are noticed (shades on my list-to-try: MAC Ruby Woo, Estee Lauder Cherry Ice, Chanel Gabrielle…anyone have a favorite?).

There is something so womanly and self-possessed about a woman applying her lipstick. To that point: observe Vanessa Paradis, the face of Chanel’s lipstick line, Rouge Coco, singing and whistling What a Day for a Daydream, engaging in the semi-private ritual in the “behind-the-scenes” campaign video, far better than the final edited version.

I got a sneak peek at the video during a preview for the Neiman Marcus Beauty Event, going on through Sunday (awesome free gifts w/a minimum purchase – so definitely go if you buy any sort of nice makeup and need to re-stock)

I’m positively smitten with Vanessa at the moment: her overall French sex-kittenishness, her comments about her relationship with Johhny Depp, the Joe Le Taxi video (omg!) and especially this video, which is making me want an old barn and a kitty.

The District Sample Sale is back – tix went on sale to past shoppers at 10 am. That means that those who attended in the past are snapping up tix right now….so I’m blowing the cover off of that in case you want to buy yours before the to-the-public date of next Tuesday (VIP tix are always the first to go). If you’ve never been, it’s really fun – great shopping but also a fantastic party. And as always, the charity is fantastic: City Dance Ensemble’s Early Arts program. Dance taught me, among other things, so much about respecting and loving my body, so I’m thrilled that they’ll be supported. As for the shopping, I’ll be sure to post some tips & guidelines for doing the DSS right next week. Buy tickets EARLY here.

Betsy Lowther of FW/Express and awesome blog Fashion Is Spinach is hosting two great parties next week. Get your photo taken for Lucky’s Style Spotter feature on Thursday (RSVP here), and then shop Betsy’s personal collection of vintage clothes and accessories at sweet prices ($20 for a great vintage dress? yes, please!) at Proper Topper Georgetown.

I’ve been meaning to check out the shamelessly girly-sounding Bras & Brunch event that takes place once a month at Sylene (plus, love the retro bullet bra on the invite there). Invite on Facebook here, or call (301) 654-4200 or RSVP here.