Haute & Cool

Alexis Williams • September 21, 2012

Georgetown has always been the center of flourishing fashion in D.C., and the Sept. 6 fashion and retail festivities proved up to the task. The streets were alive with the sound of clicking heels and ringing cash registers as shoppers flocked to their favorite boutiques for the third annual Georgetown Fashion’s Night Out.

A block party of epic proportions, FNO is a global initiative sponsored by Vogue Magazine and the Council of Fashion Designers of America and is held in the most fashionable cities in the world including New York City, Los Angeles, Milan and Paris. In addition to supporting local fashion businesses, FNO also serves as a philanthropy event. This year, volunteers sold FNO themed t-shirts, tank tops, and tote bag to benefit the DC-based Vital Voices Global Partnership.

The after-hours shopping extravaganza, sponsored by the Georgetown Business Improvement District, brought out some notable faces including celebrity stylist and image expert Paul Wharton of “Real Housewives of D.C.” fame and local NBC4 news anchor Angie Goff. Fashion lovers dressed up in their most stylish clothes with women working it in maxi skirts, fitted tops, dresses and more to men donning dapper three-piece suits just in time for fall.

With a myriad of events to choose from and more than100 stores, restaurants, and salons participating in FNO, crowds of all ages invaded M Street and Wisconsin Avenue. For instance, under a huge, white tent on Dean and Deluca’s patio, attendees were invited to sip free drinks and dance the night away at a party sponsored by BrightestYoungThings. Along with shopping bags, those who stopped into Georgetown Cupcake also carried around a free red velvet cupcake. DC Scout hosted an FNO party of their own at Cusp that included a styling session with personal stylist and wardrobe consultant, Meredith Liberty. Men’s clothing store, the Streets of Georgetown, celebrated its “Man’s Cave”; Tari offered a “Glamourazzi Makeover Contest”; Ella Rue held a “Positively P Street” party.

Following the success of this year’s FNO and with autumn on the horizon, we can bet that D.C. will continue to be one of the best-dressed cities in the world. [gallery ids="102477,120509,120546,120533,120517,120525,120539,120553" nav="thumbs"]

Pamela Burns • August 22, 2012

The Gap All Wrong
Many people believe that if one sticks to the basics in dressing, you cannot go wrong. But this is not always the case. This woman’s outfit is a classic example. Her khaki skirt is too long for her frame. The jean jacket is too short for the skirt and wrong for the high- necked top, and white socks and sneakers never go with a long skirt. My suggestion would be: A knee-length khaki skirt, a V-neck top, and jean jacket that hits the waist, with colored flats for a pop of color.

Lumber Jack
This man must be from out of town, because everyone who is from D.C. knows you do not wear flannel and heavy jeans in August in D.C. It is just too hot. I guess he realized that he did not have right outfit on for the very hot day and that is why he walked the streets of DC with his flannel completely unbuttoned and open. Next time he is in town, I suggest he bring a tee shirt and shorts.

Style King
The Streets of Georgetown party on Aug. 8 was all about “Old Fashion, New Look,” and Kevin Gray got it right. He was edgy, yet sophisticated in his royal blue Zara blazer, light blue Alton Lange shirt, light tan Zara pants and skinny colorfully striped tie from Aldo. Whiskey brown Aldo shoes completed this strong look.

Menswear Gets A Feminine Touch
Adra Williams and Beth Webster are women who know how to get noticed at this men’s clothing store event. Williams surprised us all in her men’s Hickey Freeman jacket. She paired it with a wide black belt, black leggings and black heels by BCBG. Webster was super sexy in her red-hot dress from Banana Republic and red & white bowed heels from Nine West.

Master of Style
Patrick Leugers was dressed to impress at Streets of Georgetown’s “Old Fashion, New Look” party. His navy blue Hickey Freeman blazer, white Polo pants, Brooks Brothers green and blue and white gingham shirt and brown Allen Edmonds shoes were on key with the night’s theme. His look has timeless appeal.

Old School
Paul Beirne takes preppy to the next level at “Old Fashion, New Look.” I love how he put together his navy Breuer blazer, blue and grey Hugh & Crye shirt with rolled Unis khakis and white old-school Tretorns. Now, this is some comfort with style!
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Pamela Burns • June 8, 2012

Madness about Town
Model and Blogger Baille Gelwicks was all glam in her Pinupgirl.com navy floral dress for the Man Men party at Peacock Café. Mike Lean played the part as well in his sharp black pinstripe Express suit. Mad Men, here they come.

A Double Take
We had to take a second look to make sure Megan Draper was not at Peacock Café. But, no, it was Fadmashion’s Anastasia Lambrou. She was the perfect “look–a-like,” dressed in a floral skirt from England, an off-white Zara jacket with vintage pin and Miu Miu shoes. The missing accessory was Don on her arm.

Martini Time
Kelly Carnes—aka Joan Harris—sizzled in a red bombshell Black Halo dress from Rent the Runway. Chris Meyer was ever so sleek in his 1960’s inspired JoS. A. Banks black pinstripe suit, striped tie and fedora hat. Now, a toast!

A Psychedelic take
Just as the 1960s “Mad Men” period defined ultra-sophistication, this tie dye shirt and dirty, ripped, too tight jeans highlight a very different color of that same decade. We may need to send her to Sterling, Cooper, Draper, Pryce Advertising Agency for some style tips.

Pamela Burns, owner of Pamshops4you — a personal styling company.

Georgetowner • May 17, 2012

The Fashion Fights Poverty Gala brought out the fashion conscious with top designers taking on the challenge of designing eco-friendly runway looks that wowed all in attendance.  “Eco looks” images of Birkenstocks and loose linen pants may pop into some heads, but the fashion world has come far in producing a multitude of luxurious fabrics that dazzled with bold colors and elegant textures.  Designers Seth Aaron Henderson (winner of Project Runway 7) and Luis Valenzuela showed off their wares. All of Henderson’s looks of bold colorful patterns and snugly fitted 1950s-style silhouettes were made with renewable fabrics, and Valenzuela stunned with sexy corsets and edgy floor length gowns that incorporated recycled paper.  This fashion show proved that if you want to be considered truly fashion-forward, your garments must still make a statement without leaving a negative mark on the environment. [gallery ids="100738,121516,121497,121510,121505" nav="thumbs"]

Walter Grio • May 3, 2012

FALL 2012 COLLECTIONS: MERCEDES- BENZ FASHION WEEK BERLIN IN FRONT OF THE BRANDENBURG GATE JANUARY 17-22; MERCEDES- BENZ FASHION WEEK NEW YORK AT LINCOLN CENTER’S DAMROSCH PARK FEBRUARY 9-16 [gallery ids="100507,118371,118378,118385,118391,118398,118405,118413,118419,118425,118432,118439,118445,118453,118460,118365,118358,118351,118494,118282,118487,118289,118480,118297,118475,118305,118312,118319,118325,118333,118339,118345,118468" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

Attention last-minute shoppers: this is the gift guide for you! Stocking stuffers are usually the last gifts that we remember to buy and they usually consist of things like nail polish, socks and, if you’re lucky, a piece of cheap jewelry. Make it fun for your friends and family to un-stuff their stockings this year with this gift guide. With presents this clever, they’ll never know you bought them the day before.
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Marit Fosso •

For your wedding wishes this season, you’ll want to go for a traditional interior style, mixed with exotic details. Think creamy white and strong colors, like coral, turquoise and yellow. We also love contemporary pieces in materials such as steel and glass. The bride and groom will want to be prepared for romantic dinners and fabulous dinner parties. Even more importantly, to be perfectly equipped for long, snuggly mornings in bed.

1. These classic Athena bed linens in luxe egyptian cotton are offered with monograms. YvesDelorme, $160-$590 a piece.

2. Diane von Furstenberg decorative pillow brightens up your bedroom or living room. Bloomingdales, $360.

3. Rivulets Bedding provides a romantic feel in the bedroom. Anthropologie, $68-$368 a piece.

4. Madeira Court four-piece set dinnerware, classic and fun for your everyday dinners, fancy enough for special occasions. KateSpade, $80 a set.

5. Vera Wang for Wedgewood “Love Knot” napkin rings for elegant table settings. Bloomingdales, $50 for 4.

6. Coral napkin rings put a fun twist to your classic dinnerware for fun summer parties. Amano, $125 for 4.

7. Voluspa Maison Blanc “Pink Citron” candle provides an intoxicating scent that really fills up a room. Bloomingdales, $22.50

8. Michael Aram candle fills a room with a delicious scent. Bloomingdales, $60

9. iPad 2 for reading the newspaper in bed on those lazy mornings. Apple, $499

10. Hartland bowls will make the plainest green salad look exciting. Amano, $155-$295 each.

11. Nespresso CitiZ and milk espresso machine lets you indulge in gourmet coffee every morning. Surlatable.com, $349

12. Occa nesting tables are elegant, yet cool, for the bedroom or living room. BoConcept, $529

13. Kitchenaid holds every function you could dream of, including looking super stylish on the kitchen bench. SaksFifthAvenue, $349

14. The Bose speaker system can fill your home with your favorite tunes. SaksFifthAvenue, $99

15. This citrus squeezer is a little piece of art for the kitchen that also makes juice. Alessi, $100 [gallery ids="100484,117197,117191,117185,117179,117173,117167,117161,117210,117153,117216,117221,117146,117226,117204" nav="thumbs"]

Emma Watters • March 22, 2012

From Aztec to Navajo, spring fashion is witnessing the return of tribal
patterns. Look for these bold, graphic prints and the loud colors that compliment.
As cold weather gives way to warmth, these exotic looks remind
us that it’s time to enjoy the outdoors. Here’s how to wear them this season. [gallery ids="100597,100598,100599,100600" nav="thumbs"]