Your final dose of 90s magazine goodness is brought to you by an issue anyone reading this should probably own: the Vogue 100 anniversary issue (start your eBay search engines!). It’s the ultimate fashion bible’s ultimate issue, printed in April 1992, the heydey of the supermodel and covered by the top faces at the height of their careers (clockwise from top: Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, Karen Mulder, Elaine Erwin, Niki Taylor, Yasmeen Ghauri, Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, and Tatjana Patitz (center). How amazing to gather all of these women together for one cover!

All that, and in classic white shirts styled “the newest way to wear it–tied at the midriff,” according to the ‘cover look’ notes. That’s just a hint of the good, the bad, the hilariously the-way-we-were that is every single page of the rest of the issue. As I watched (and became giddy during) Madonna’s Superbowl half-time show – and saw the flashes of Vogue covers – this issue and the glory of the nineties came to a serious full circle. All the better to flip through these pages with you, and all the more awesome that Vogue trolled its archives for Madonna moments.

This was the age of Cindy at her beauty-mole-est, Christy at her classically-visaged best, Claudia as the Guess Girl. Cindy is particularly on fire in this issue. She had it all: the hair, the sex pout, the mole, and the cleavage. The nineties LOVED cleavage. This ad, apparently, is for a handbag:

Cindy was a serious minx, and this editorial showcases her sexual power and healthy-looking body:

No 90s-magazine roundup would be complete without some (awesomely)bad, am I right? I give you:

This one is particularly awkward:

There are ads for Caboodles and Zum Zum, Keds and Sam + Libby, shampoo to extend the life of one’s perm, Virginia Slims, fashion editorials featuring baby-doll dresses (well, more of these appeared in the back issues of Seventeen I also have at the moment, if we’re gonna be technical). If you wanted something featured in an ad, you bought it in a store, called or mailed off for it. For the media-minded, these mags are a case study in advertising and branding. What worked then and how consumers and brands have changed–or haven’t. For example, Clinique ads have remained largely unchanged. Would you think this ad was from 20 years ago?

And here was Banana Republic then, referencing its safari-themed roots:

Ads reflected a clear imperative to appeal to the needs and concerns of the everywoman, from Armani hawking basics a la the neighborhood produce stand to no-nonsense hosiery.

Then there are ads that prove that certain ideas aren’t quite new, but rather newly packaged or reintroduced:

I could go on and on and scan for days and days, but let me leave you with two final images. Compare, soak it in, and let this be a lesson: there ain’t a whole lotta sartorial space between this Wal-Mart ad and this current American Apparel ad. You’re welcome!

The just-released Autobiography of a Fashion Designer: Ralph Rucci ($195; Bauer and Dean)
Ralph Rucci is one of the most underrated American designers in the industry. He was the first American designer to receive an invitation to show at the Paris couture shows since Mainbocher in the thirties. This book would look great in my new apartment, resting on my coffee table, as I watch Ralph Rucci: A Designer and His House.

Classes at The Bar Method
I grew up in dance classes and I miss the rhythm of being in a studio.

Cartier’s Baiser Vole perfume
Somehow they’ve bottled freshly cut lilies. It’s a gorgeous, gorgeous scent. I always recommend including small sample vials of a perfume when giving a scent as a gift – they are perfect for stowing in a clutch and for travel.

A Tiffany blue Tiffany handbag
I recently found myself at the Tiffany store in Chevy Chase and was completely blown away to discover that Tiffany even had a handbag line, but also that they are all completely gorgeous. The designers behind Lambertson Truex are responsible for the designs; many of which include some way to include the company’s signature eggshell blue. The Tiffany Reversible Tote, above, is a simple design in a gorgeous color, and it’s reversible to a metallic leather in an act of thoughtful day-to-night construction. This was just one of a number of handbags that I admired–including one clutch featuring a strap that can be removed and worn as a necklace. It’s a brilliant, well conceived line.

Cozy Knits: A knit Cowl scarf and Slouch Beanie from De*Nada
Local designer Virginia Arrisueno’s knits are incredibly soft and stylish, and have the exact-right amount of heft and drape. Form and function in one warm, cozy place.

Major Earrings
I’m scheming an accessories plan for the year ahead that involves big cuffs bracelets and big, bold earrings. Right now I’m loving the Black Teardrops from local designer ARTAYA (she has a trunk show this weekend at the Bloomingdale’s in Chevy Chase; details are on her website) and various styles from Etsy seller DolorisPetunia, including the watercolor rhinestone lovelies above.

Happy holidays!

I met Gabrielle Fouche Williams at Pulp the other night and promptly abandoned all urgency fr purchasing a wedding card to peppered this gorgeous stranger with outfit questions: where did you get that amazing scarf? (it’s called a kanga, and she got it while in Kisarawe, a village in Tanzania, where she was volunteering for her uncle’s organization, AHEAD) I love those funky but classic boots (Tommy Hilfiger ‘Sadie’ available at DSW)!

That perfect-fit, cheery cherry red topper? A size tall from J.Crew, the only tall sizing that truly looks great, she said. And oooh, that ring! (YSL). Who else is inspired not just by the fact that smart, interesting and cool people are this easy to trip over everywhere you go in DC, but also by this fantastically colorful winter look?!

I do love a yellow gown on a red carpet. What better to convey It-Girl-status – or trumpet an “I’m back!” reemergence from romantic-heartbreak-fallout – than a canary-yellow frock on a crimson background?

To wit: Jessica Chastain in Zac Posen at Cannes, as featured in August Vogue, Reese Witherspoon in Nina Ricci at the 2007 Golden Globes, and Michelle Williams in Vera Wang at the 2006 Oscars.

Annie Lee is back! And better and more affordable than ever – with her new vintage concept, Pretty People Vintage, that just opened in Old Town (yes: Awesome vintage in Old Town!). Those of you familiar with Annie Creamcheese – often overpriced & inconsistent, if you ask me – will see that Annie took her well-practiced eye with her to Old Town when she parted ways with Annie Creamcheese, and has opened a feminine, quirky store with a an appealingly boutique-like feel in a sunny little space just off King Street, near Bellacara and the adorable Misha’s coffeeshop.

Shopping here feels like shopping in your best friend’s closet – the one who has amazingly cool and interesting style. On that front, the store offers contemporary and vintage clothes and accessories, so what you’re getting is a selection of pieces hand-picked by Annie for ultimate personal, wearable style. It is impossible to not find something gorgeous, special and wardrobe-shifting at this store, and typically for around $40. If I hadn’t agreed to help her with promoting the store, I’d want to keep this to myself (but I love you all too much to do that). Go.

{photo courtesy Revamp}

At this moment, Karl and Tori and Kanye are partying with the Annas (della Russo, Wintour) at the Met Ball. On Friday, I had my own bit of glamour at the 56th annual (!!) Corcoran Ball, to which I wore my beloved Mischen (RIP, so upsetting) thirties-esque color-block silk gown.

Many others went out and partied at the White House Correspondents Dinner and parties on Saturday, but I opted to stay home and read Eleanor Dwight’s biography on Diana Vreeland. I’m barely into it, and already I’m certain Dee-Ahhhna would have a permanent seat on my ultimate dinner table guest list.

The Corcoran Ball is so elegant! Everything, from the flowers to the custom linens and chair cushions and amazing table settings to the location in the galleries is so special. I mean, speaking of the ultimate dinner table… **UPDATE: I got a few email questions about the decor, etc…that’s the collaborative work of Occasions Caterers and Jack Lucky Floral Designs – who both go beyond what their names say and go into full-on event-planning/conceptualization.

NEXT at the Corcoran: BFA Class of 2011 is up, and I loved the playful relationship between the art and the decor in some of those galleries; this one in particular. This is one of Forest Allread’s paintings, the background is this lovely white fuzzy fur. It’s whimsical and wonderful.

The Women’s Committee of the Corcoran orchestrates the event each year. One member, Jeannette, wore a custom dress that she has had for years. She had it made so that the bottom third of the skirt can be removed via discreet buttons, for a cocktail dress. I love this thoughtful, old-school approach to building a wardrobe. And that elegant drape of crystal beads cascading down her back – fantastic!

Today I am overly excited to have discovered that I have a pair of shoes in common with Jane from Sea of Shoes. I scored these flawless Biba platforms on eBay. Worn with pointelle ankle socks from American Apparel. I’m wearing these socks today, not with the Bibas but with my new platforms from Gap.

Apparently my friends and I all had the same idea for the Jete Society’s Dance Party on Saturday night: bold, big earrings! These tassel earrings are one of my favorite pairs to wear, and they were so cheap! I’m sure Natalie Portman’s pair from last night’s Oscars were not…

I have an affinity for large, ridiculous earrings. I recently came across Lunch at the Ritz earrings on eBay. They’re so ugly! Love them!

The tenth District Sample Sale will take place March 29 from 5:30-9:30, and tickets just went on sale. It’s one of the most fun fashion events in town, not just for the awesome deals on gorgeous pieces from local boutiques, but for the sheer thrill of beating hundred of other women to that hidden gem on the racks at 90% off retail.

This spring’s event is taking place at 2101 L Street, a new location for the event, which means that without a doubt, this one will be bigger and better than ever.

Tickets are available here, and keep in mind that the more you spend on your ticket, the more access you’ll have to the best goods, a swag bag laden with goodies, and best of all, the more money will go directly to this season’s designated lucky local charity, E.L. Haynes Public Charter School.