Fashion Editorial

Yvonne Taylor, Fashion Editor • December 7, 2012

Are you still struggling to find presents for that fashionista on your gift list? Look no further. These looks have all the best gifts that you can find online or at your local retailer.

Makeup – Carl Ray
Styling- Anchyi Wei
Model – Hanni, Miss Sweden
Photographer – Yvonne Taylor
Assisting – Michael Taylor
Manicurist – Titilayo Banko
Producer – John Paul Hamilton

Look 1: Surell Fur Collar: $225, available at Bloomingdale’s
Giorgio Armani Crystal Dress: $7925,
available at Sak’s Chevy Chase
Alexander McQueen Python Clutch: $2295,
available at Sak’s Chevy Chase
Vintage Earrings, stylist’s own

Look 2: Melissa Vap Développé Hat: $495, www.melissavap.com
Stella McCartney Blazer: $2085, available at Sak’s Chevy Chase
Aqua Sequin Pant: $88, available at Bloomingdale’s
Celine Trapeze Bag: $3600, available at Sak’s Chevy Chase
Prada Cutout Booties: $850, available at Sak’s Chevy Chase
Links of London Britlines Earrings: $370, available at Bloomingdale’s
Anchyi Wei Tribal Silver Necklace: $168, info@anchyiwei.com

Look 3: Melissa Vap Battement Hat: $485
www.melissavap.com
Prada Coat: $2995,
Jeweled Collar Shirt: $820
Prada Dress: $2560, available at Sak’s Chevy Chase
Jimmy Choo Cosmic Sequin Pumps: $795, available at Sak’s Chevy Chase
AndreaGems Teeth Earrings: $165 andreagems.com

Look4: Melissa Vap Chassé Hat: $325, www.melissavap.com
Etro Printed Dress: $1580, available at Sak’s Chevy Chase
Jimmy Choo Candy Clutch: $995, available at Sak’s Chevy Chase
Yves Saint Laurent Mirror Heel Pumps: $1050, available at Sak’s Chevy Chase
Anchyi Wei Tribal Silver Chain Earrings: $125, info@anchyiwei.com

Look 5: Melissa Vap Faille Orange hat: $300,
www.melissavap.com/
Reiss Sequin Dress with Detachable Collar: $425,
available at Bloomingdale’s
Surell Fur Collar: $225,
available at Bloomingdale’s
Salvatore Ferragamo Gold Bonita Pumps: $775,
available at Bloomingdale’s
Stella Valle Hippie Harmony Earrings: $96, and Ann Ring: $96,
www.stellavalle.com/

Casey obrien • December 6, 2012

If you don’t yet know the name Basil Soda, you soon will. This Beirut-based designer is gaining recognition all over the world for his beautiful designs and attention to detail. He’s making a short tour of the U.S. presenting his newest collection before returning to his beloved state-of-the-art “play- ground” in Lebanon.

With the release of his third collection, Basil Soda garments are making their way into U.S. shops all over the country. Soda’s ready to wear collection has a couture feel to it, while staying modern, feminine and sensible.
This humble designer got his start working with designer Elle Saab, whom he still has good relations with, and considers a big brother. Soda gained experience, and after four years, felt he could go off on his own to begin working on his brand.

Though he has already seen great success with his previous collections, Soda never thinks he’s “made it.” “It’s an achievement for the Lebanese to be accepted in the fashion industry, but still, I don’t put myself in this mold because once you…believe in it, then you don’t move quickly, faster.” Soda says, “I have to keep moving, because my aim is to really create a story around the brand.”

“Now, fashion, the way we are seeing it, is not anymore only trend. It’s not only colors. It’s not cuts. It’s not volumes. It’s just a statement from a designer that [they] bring into the fashion industry, and this is how you recognize new brands. It’s not the color, or what you like, or what you don’t.”

His couture gowns have been popping up all over the red carpet lately. Marion Cotillard, Carla Gugino, Cheryl Cole, Dana Delany and Katy Perry are some of the many stars spotted wearing Basil Soda designs. “Red Carpet will always be our main exercise for the couture. This is where we feel it is giving us quite good visibility,” Soda says. “It is the fastest way to be seen; even the big fashion houses, this is what they are doing and what they are concentrating on.”

Basil Soda cites his inspirations for his collections coming from two sources: music and exhibitions, and, the most important, young people, and how they react to fashion. Soda says when it comes to fashion, one shouldn’t be too practical, and should have confidence to wear what one wants.

“You should love yourself; let’s say you’re tall, short, a brunette, a blonde, fat or skinny,” Soda says. “The first thing, you should love yourself, whatever it is. And when you love yourself, you can express more. You can be more confident about the things that you choose for yourself.”

Soda presented his collection at the René Moawad Foundation Gala at the Ritz Carlton on Nov. 10 to numerous gasps of awe and thunderous applause from the audience. He previewed 45 pieces from both the ready to wear and couture collections, creating a grand finale to an enjoyable gala.

“We need to reflect the good side about ourselves. To put a smile on.” Soda says, speaking on character. “This is what we need, this is why we are doing fashion, to be more happy, more relaxed, enjoying ourselves.

Green

Earthy green hues of emerald, moss or loden can be evocative of a woodsy holiday. Forget what you may think about the Grinch-y color. Soda’s couture dress,? from his fall collection, shows that a smoky green can be alluring and mysterious. More subtly glamorous, it’s a great alternative to red during the holiday season. Accesorize with these Kate Spade sunglasses ($128). Keep the cold out with an elegant fur collar from Brooks Brothers ($298), in keeping with an out- doorsy look.

Black

Closets during this time of the year can seem like an inevitable black hole. This long wool skirt by Michael Kors is a versatile piece that can transition season to season. This purse by Banana Republic ($98) is a fun evening bag that is more playful than a more plain option. The dress is from Basil Soda’s Ready to Wear line.

White

Get on the bandwagon with Basil Soda’s breezy winter white dress. You can look like an ice queen with blinged-out acces- sories like these Manolo Blahnik pumps ($1,295) or Alexander Wang purse.

Red

Soda’s look is ornate, modern and sultry. You can bring the same vibe to your tech accesso- ries and outerwear. This iPhone case by Banana Republic with card sleeves will keep you organized on the go, and this USB drive ring by Kate Spade is the most glam we’ve ever seen.

Outerwear is an important part of any winter wardrobe, and this Michael Kors coat is a great piece that will set you apart. With its assymetrical buttons and collar, it’s a modern coat in a traditional holiday color. [gallery ids="101077,137279,137274,137268,137262,137258,137252,137290,137246,137295,137240,137299,137234,137304,137284" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner • August 29, 2012

Those who love fashion are quick to associate it with fine art. As artists, designers work to create an atmosphere, evoke emotion and inspire contemplation. Tsyndyma is a Washington-based designer whose suits and dresses outwit the temperature with light materials in autumnal colors. Breezy, wide-leg pants create a strong base, drawing eyes to the masterpieces above.

Georgetown milliner Melissa Vap’s handcrafted hats and fascinators are beautiful pieces for formal gatherings. Free from conforming to the body, they are open to take any form she can imagine. Like the best works of art, their beauty is timeless by both looking to the past and throttling towards the future. Be confident in your own look as you transcend these two seasons.

Photographer Yvonne Taylor www.yvonnetaylorphoto.com
Producer John Paul Hamilton
Make-Up Artist Carl Ray CarlRayMakeupArtist.com
Hair Darrell Thompson
Model Clara Buchanan
Designer Tsyndyma tsyndymaonline.com Shop here.
Hats Melissa Vap www.melissavap.com
[gallery ids="100948,130382,130349,130375,130357,130370,130365" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner • August 10, 2012

As the temperature continues to rise, local store prices are doing just the opposite. Check out this week’s latest sales at some of your favorite M Street shops.

Annie Creamcheese
3279 M St. NW – 50% off any single vintage item, if you mention The Georgetowner

J. McLaughlin
3278 M St. NW – All women’s items 40% off

Waterworks
3314 M St. NW – 25% off beach towels until June 30

City Sports
3338 M St. NW – Up to 30% off on select items

The Running Company
3401 M St. NW – 30% off older running shoes

West Elm
3333 M St. NW –30-40% older items

The North Face
3333 M St. NW – 25-30% off select items

Second Time Around
3289 M St. NW – June 29-July 4: 20% off full price on selected items

Aldo
3237 M St. NW – Up to 50% off selected items

Lucky Brand Jeans
3271 M St. NW – 20% off selected items

All Saint
3235 M St. NW – 30-50% off leather and clothing

True Religion Brand Jeans
3225 M St. NW – 20% off shorts and select shirts until July 1

Banana Republic
3200 M St. NW – June 30-July 4: 30% selected items

BCBG Max Azria
3210 M St. NW – 40-60% off; additional 20% off sale items

Anthropologie
3222 M St. NW – $19.99 and up on sale items

Intermix
3222 M St. NW – an additional 30% off selected items

Yvonne Taylor, Fashion Editor • July 23, 2012

Travel around in style as hot as the summer weather. Gear up for summer with fun fashion and cute cars. Grab your ride at Passport MINI-Alexandria.

Photographer: Yvonne Taylor
Stylist: Stara Pezeshkian with T.H.E. Artist Agency
Stylist assistant: Bridget Thompson
Hair: Belinda King
Models: Angela Sipper and Monty Ashton-Lewis
MUA: Kim Reyes
Producers: John Paul Hamilton [gallery ids="100798,124415,124405,124411" nav="thumbs"]

Yvonne Taylor, Fashion Editor •

Swimsuit season has officially arrived. Be a vibrant vision in bright, bold colors, while lounging by the pool as seen here at the Lavender Hill estate.

Photographer: Yvonne Taylor
Stylist: Stara Pezeshkian with THE artist agency
Stylist assistant: Bridget Thompson
Manicurist: Natasha Ray
Makeup: Kim Reyes using MAKE UP FOR EVER for T.H.E.
Artist Agency
Photog assistants: Michael Taylor and Ximena Brunette
Hair: Belinda King
Model: Kelsey McGuire from CIMA Talent Management
Location: Lavender Hill in Upperville, Va., is on the market;
listing by Thomas & Talbot Real Estate [gallery ids="100857,126826,126821,126816" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

Summer sales in Georgetown this week are heating up. You don’t want to miss out on these great deals.

J. McLaughlin — 3278 M St., NW – Final markdowns up to 75% off until the end of July.

Design Within Reach — 3306 M St., NW – Floor sample Sale, always ongoing; upholstery sale starts Aug. 2.

Yves Delorme — 3320 Cady’s Alley, NW – Sale until July 21; 20% off storewide; excludes mattresses.

Poggenpohl — 3324 M M St., NW – Display sale (see store for more details)

Baker Furniture — 3330 M M St., NW – Save big at the floor sample finale.

City Sports — 3338 M St., NW – Up to 40% off spring and summer merchandise which runs through August.

Bo Concept — 3342 M St., NW – Floor model sale; a sale with any material and any layout until the end of August. End of season collection sale now through August.

Revolution Cycles — 3411 M St., NW – Trek summer sale ends July 22; free calendar has rolling coupons; previous year bikes on markdown.

Running Company — 3401 M St., NW – 30% off old model shoes

The North Face — 3333 M St., NW – 25 to 35% off selected items plus an additional 20-30% off spring items.

Annie Cream Cheese — 3279 M St., NW – Buy one; get another item half off.

Lacoste — 3146 M St., NW – Up to half off

Sports Zone — 3140 M St., NW – Shorts are two for $30. T-shirts, including women’s tank tops, are buy five for $20. Up to 25% off accessories.

Barney’s — 3040 M St., NW – Sale up to 75% off

Juicy Couture — 3034 M St., NW – Additional 30% off sale

Cusp — 3030 M St., NW – Up to 65% off, end of season sale.

Niccolo — 2928 M St., NW – Up 20% off

Charm — 2910 M St., NW – Up to 30% off

Hu’s Shoes — 3005 M St., NW – 50% off on select shoes

American Apparel — 3025 M St., NW – Swim sale up to 50% off; sunglasses up to 50% off; jewelry up to 50% off (excludes watches); t-shirts are two for $3; bras three for $25; men’s shorts are 50% off.

Diesel — 3033 M St., NW – Up to 50% off on men and women’s apparel; 25% off men and women’s denim.

Brooks Brothers — 3077 M St., NW – Up to 50% off; spring pants and polo shirts 40% off; all shorts 40% off; women’s apparel, 40 to 50% off, depending on item; spring suits 40% off.

Steve Madden — 3109 M St., NW – Additional 50% off; 10% off for student discount; 15% off for military discount

Urban Outfitters — 3111 M St., NW – extra 30% off

Georgetowner • June 29, 2012

Photo Credit:

Photographer, Digital Touch Ups Yvonne Taylor
www.yvonnetaylorphoto.com

Makeup Lauretta J. McCoy
www.laurettajmccoy.com

Stylist Ope Majek
www.opestyle.com

Hair Leah Watson

Model Fola NYC
[gallery ids="99614,105076,105073" nav="thumbs"]

Amy Engle •

Imagine your wedding day as national headline news, read from DC to Des Moines. You, your groom and your guest list are the subject of Washington’s biggest event of the year, and anyone who’s anyone is going to be there.

Marjorie Merriweather Post became accustomed to this tradition, as the bride in four of her own weddings, and the unofficial wedding planner for each of her three daughters. As the daughter of Charles William Postum, the founder of Postum Cereal Company (now Post and General Mills cereal) Mrs. Post was a distinguished socialite, with an eye for putting on spectacular events.

A regular host of Washington socialite dinner parties, Mrs. Post had a remarkable list of contacts, including Washington’s elite. Pulling from these contacts, Mrs. Post created the guest lists for each of the weddings she planned. These traditional white weddings stood apart from the rest because both the bride and her guests were all Washington socialites, and the events they attended were guaranteed to be grand.

Both as a bride and a planner, Marjorie Post had an extraordinary ability to envision an event from start to finish, scrupulously putting every last detail in place. In her second wedding to E.F. Hutton, Mrs. Post coordinated everything from her dress and flowers down to the color of the icing on the cake.

Very interested in fashion, Mrs. Post’s wedding dresses reflected the most prominent styles of the time. The first dress she wore to her 1905 wedding to Edward Close was very traditional, featuring a high collar and more fitted bodice. This changed drastically by her 1935 wedding to Joseph E. Davies, when she wore a dress of true Hollywood glam made of velvet with a seven-foot train. By her fourth wedding in 1958, she chose to embrace the popularity of the shorter gown, despite being nearly 70 years old.

Besides having an incredible eye for design, it was the way in which Mrs. Post carried out these events that made them a cut above the rest. By sending out reminders before the event occurred and thank-you notes in appreciation of all those attended, Marjorie Post had perfected the role of a socialite in gaining the respect of all who knew her.

Although Mrs. Post’s gatherings had a reputation for extravagance, and her guest list filled with Washington’s most powerful names, many of the traditions were no different than weddings of today. As a bride herself, Marjorie Post certainly had her bridal opinion, picking the color, style, fabric and design of her bridesmaids’ dresses. As the mother of three young brides, Mrs. Post had a strong hand in navigating their weddings as well, using her contacts to secure an amazing event.

Just as today, historic Washington socialite weddings were a monumental moment in the bride’s life, the planning as much of an event as the wedding itself. In observing the traditional ways weddings have been done in the past we can all gain a greater appreciation for the traditions we still carry out today.

For more information on Marjorie Merriweather Post visit the Hillwood Museum’s upcoming exhibit featuring all four of Mrs. Post’s wedding dresses and many other wedding artifacts. [gallery ids="99594,105020,105009,105016,105013" nav="thumbs"]