Haute and Cool: Off to the Races

April 27, 2016

Heading to a local track with some friends is not only a great way to spend a day tailgating and enjoying the weather. It’s a great excuse to dress up. The Royal Ascot, one of Britain’s oldest formal races, has a strict dress code. Perfect! Let’s use those guidelines to help us decide what to wear to horse races here in the Colonies.

For gentlemen, a suit with shirt and tie is required, naturally. For ladies, a hat, headpiece or fascinator should be worn at all times. Strapless and sheer dresses are not permitted (as if there could be any question about that).
Here are two looks that will keep you fashion-forward while hewing to traditional guidelines.
[gallery ids="102411,122218,122222,122196,122201,122227,122208,122213,122232" nav="thumbs"]

Nancy Reagan: Fashion Icon

March 30, 2016

America has lost not only a former first lady but also one of its greatest icons of fashion. Nancy Reagan was known for bringing a sense of style to the White House of President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s that had not been seen since the days of first lady Jackie Kennedy in the 1960s. Reagan represented glamour, grace and impeccable style.

“Nancy never made a fashion faux pas,” said designer Oscar de la Renta. Her signature color was called “Reagan Red,” and it soon became the color choice of the Republican Party.

Her preferred designers were Oscar de la Renta, Bill Blass, Adolfo, Carolina Herrera, James Galanos and Arnold Scassi.  She will be buried at the grounds of the Reagan Presidential Library, next to her beloved husband, “Ronnie,” as she liked to say. With all her other achievements, her fashion style endures. [gallery ids="102262,128734,128741,128770,128749,128757,128762,128777" nav="thumbs"]

How to Dress Like You Are Sitting in the Front Row at New York Fashion Week

February 18, 2016

New York Fashion Week is right around the corner, and what you wear to the show can be almost as important as the shows themselves. Here are a few ideas about how to look fashionable, while still staying warm running from shows to show. A navy long-sleeve dress with sexy blue suede tassel bootie or red cap-sleeve sheath dress with killer t-strap black pumps will ensure paparazzi attention. For walking from venue to venue, a black swing ankle-length cashmere coat, fur slouch hat and very long red wool gloves will keep you cozy and fashionable. Fingerless black cashmere gloves let you text and take pictures of street style. Now, all we have to wait for are the invitations to come flowing in. [gallery ids="102378,123760,123753,123765,123777,123782,123772,123792,123787" nav="thumbs"]

Get Schooled on Fall Styles

September 17, 2015

This fall calls for rich Bordeaux and leather fringe. Maroon, reds and navy are making a bold burst onto the fall fashion color watch. Bordeaux, or wine, is a dark red tone that has both purple and burgundy shades. For years, Burgundies and reds tend to trend during the fall season, but Bordeaux is slightly darker — making it a great shade for accessories, fashion and beauty. Bordeaux is versatile and can revamp your brown, black, navy and khaki palletes. Pair with a chunky heel and hints of gold, and you will claim this fall trend as yours.

Photography by ANGIE MYERS

Model Kyler Garner from T H E Artist Agency

Styling Pamela Burns of PAMShops4You

Makeup Landre with Behind the Veil, LLC

Location GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY

Look 1: Model wears: Black Leather Jacket by Vince, $995 at Neiman Marcus Chevy Chase; Merlot Sweater by Alice & Olivia, $195 at Bloomingdales Chevy Chase; Feather Shirt by Alice & Olivia, $495 at Neiman Marcus Chevy Chase; Gold Necklace by Agua, $28 at Bloomingdales Chevy Chase; Red and Gold Bracelet by Agua, $25 at Bloomingdales Chevy Chase; Wine Handbag by Michael Kors, $298 at Michael Kors Tysons; Shoes (model’s)

Look 2: Cream Sweater by Joie, $228 at Neiman Marcus Chevy Chase; Olive Crop Jeans by 7 for Mankind, $198 at Neiman Marcus Chevy Chase; Fur Vest by Joie; $798 at Neiman Marcus Chevy Chase; Sneakers by Surperga, $169 at Bloomingdales Chevy Chase; White Earrings by Kenneth Jay Lane, $68 at Intermix D.C.; Gold Cuff; $120 at Nordstrom Tysons; Backpack by Marc Jacobs $198 at Norstrom Tysons.

Look 3: Navy and Red Plaid Top by SEA Exclusive, $295 at Intermix D.C.; Red Sweater by A.L.C. Hansen, $295 at Intermix D.C.; Jeans by Jbrand, $198 at Bloomingdales Chevy Chase; Tan Fringe Handbag by Rebecca Mincoff, $195 at Bloomingdales $195; Gold Cuff, $120 at Nordstrom Tysons; Earrings and Shoes (model’s)

Look 4 & 5: Multi-Color Sweater Vest by Alice & Olivia, $695 at Neiman Marcus Chevy Chase; Sleeveless Plum Turtleneck Sweater by Elizabeth & James, $195 at Bloomingdales Chevy Chase; Jeans by JBrand, $238 at Neiman Marcus Chevy Chase; Black Booties by Vince, $495 at Bloomingdales Chevy Chase; Earrings by Diane von Furstenberg, $128 at Bloomingdales Chevy Chase; Bracelet by Tory Burch, $165 at Nordstrom Tysons; Black Backpack by Tory Burch, $550 at Bloomingdales Chevy Chase.
[gallery ids="102284,127745,127740,127728,127735" nav="thumbs"]

Carolina Herrera’s CH Opening Party

June 18, 2015

Carolina Herrera opened her latest CH Boutique on Tuesday, June 9, in D.C.’s CityCenter. The 2,400 square-foot boutique is Herrera’s 21st store in the U.S. The CH Boutique features women’s suits, shoes, accessories and signature gowns, as well as men’s sportswear. The night was a huge success and 10 percent of the profits benefited the national Portrait Gallery.
[gallery ids="102117,133800,133795,133797" nav="thumbs"]

‘Seven’ Fashion Show at Artisphere

June 8, 2015

Fashion enthusiasts took a creative journey through the Seven Deadly Sins with “Seven,” a fashion show, on Wednesday, June 3. Guests experienced looks that represent greed, lust, gluttony, sloth, wrath, pride and envy, in a show that was styled and produced by fashion students at the Art Institute of Washington. The show was held at the Artisphere in Arlington.

The merchandise and talent for the show was pulled from local Washington area designers, small businesses and students at the Art Institute of Washington.

Highlights of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week: Spring 2014

April 11, 2014

Here are some highlights from New York City’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, held Sept. 5 through 12. The show featured Spring 2014 collections from the world’s most prestigious designers. More than 100 designers were represented on the runway.

Watch out for the Sept. 25 Georgetowner, which will include many more of the fashions seen at this season’s show. [gallery ids="101452,153602,153594,153597,153604" nav="thumbs"]

2014 NEW YORK FASHION WEEK

February 27, 2014

HERE ARE A FEW IMAGES FROM THE SHOWS I ATTENDED, PLEASE VISIT WWW.MBFASHIONWEEK.COM FOR ALL SHOWS. [gallery ids="101630,146108,146103,146110,146096,146100" nav="thumbs"]

Masa 14 and the Streets of Georgetown

September 12, 2013

GQ Ready
Joe Malone proves that men in D.C. do know how to dress. He looked sharp in his Galvani tan blazer, Tasso Ella purple paisley tie, purple- striped Ralph Lauren shirt and distressed Levi Jeans. Move over Taye Diggs.

D.C.’s Newest Fashionistas
These cuties were not photographed for a Gap ad. They were living it up on the new rooftop of Masa 14 with Sophia Becraft, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Sponsor Girl of the Year. They may be little, but they were there in big style. Looks like D.C. has some new style icons.

Dynamic Duo
Kate Michael, Miss DC 2006, was red hot in her figure-flattering Express dress and BCBG gold sandals at the new Masa 14 happy hour for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Man and Woman of the Year. Amanda Polk in her chic Theory skirt, white shirt and tan Michael Kors peep-toe heels, was the total package. Both girls dressed to impress.

NYC takes D.C.
Ted Loos just arrived in D.C. from NYC to interview Georgetown interior designer Thomas Pheasant. As a writer for Vogue, Architectural Digest and many other publications, he was, of course, head-to-toe ultra-cool. Loved his light tan Shipley & Halmos sports jacket, Levis jeans and sporty Nike sneakers.

Vineyard Vines Gone All Wrong
Pink hoodies are never easy to wear, but putting them with tight high-water navy chinos is always a fashion no. The black socks and birkenstocks only add to the problem. My suggestions: a pink sweater, navy trouser pants, a statement flat and no socks.

Zebra Lost in D.C.
A black-and-white large print jacket can be a good idea with a black skirt. The problem here is with the strange length, longer or shorter would have been better. The other problems with the outfit are the sneakers and backpack. The jacket would be better with solid pants, cute walking flats and a large handbag. Just a suggestion.
[gallery ids="100797,124414,124408,124404,124391,124398" nav="thumbs"]

Fabulous Fashions for the Inaugural Balls

January 17, 2013

For those lucky enough to go to an inaugural ball this weekend, it will be a night to remember for a lifetime. To complement this gorgeous champagne Oscar de la Renta dress, you need the perfect accessories. These Temple St. Clair moonstone, diamond and gold drop earrings, Alexander Mc Queen metallic leather-jeweled chain sandals and Judith Leiber crystal encrusted wristlet all complete this couture look and create the ultimate image.

Oscar de la Renta
A strapless champagne ball gown with thousands of tightly encrusted golden floret palette, $11,650 Available at Neiman Marcus Chevy Chase, Md.

Marco Bicego
18K Gold Cascade Earrings
From the Siviglia Collection. Hand-engraved, 18k gold ovals in an elegant, cascade design

Alexander McQueen
Metallic Leather Jeweled Chain Sandals, $815. Available at Saks 5th Avenue, Chevy Chase. Md. [gallery ids="101119,139553,139548,139538,139544" nav="thumbs"]