Town Topics

Adra Williams •

After years in the fashion industry, working as a stylist and a fashion editor, Adra has now focused her expertise and business experience into the field of marketing and events. According
to Adra, “it’s all in the presentation.”

This holiday season let your loved ones know how much you appreciate them with the gift of consideration, experience, emotion, and stimulation. It’s worth finding a gift that won’t soon be forgotten. With gifts like these, your loved ones will be thankful all year long. Price tags, labels and fads become obsolete in the presence of individually tailored, experiential endowments. No matter what, remember that a little thought with a touch of sentiment always prevails over the tangible. May the holidays provide you joys that supersede your credit card statement!

Kids

Philips 3D

Stimulate the mind with education and entertainment with a Phillips 3D television complimented with educational 3D DVDs such as Man Walks the Moon, Oceans, and IMAX’s Journey through space all available at Amazon.com or at Best Buy.

For Her

Year’s worth of flower delivery

A gift she’ll remember all year long and constantly remind her of the beauty she brings to your life.
Special packages available at Ultra Violet- 1218 31st st NW www.ultravioletflowersdc.com

Blue Prints with a Bow—Home additions that enhance her spaces. Provide her with the peace of mind that comes from organization, personalized space, and home aesthetics. Assure her that you understand
the sacrifice of her nurturing and simultaneously provide her a creative outlet.

Canal Builders expands and enhances the feeling you’ve worked so hard to create in your home- #1 in Georgetown www.canalgroupbuilders.com

For Him

Virtual Golf

Take a few swings off of his golf handicap by bringing his ultimate relaxation right to your home. He will love you for this one! www.virtualgolf.com

Gift Certificate for tailored suit from Everard’s

Whether it’s his first or his umpteenth, the Everard’s experience is unmatched. By appointment, he will feel like the superstar he is and be comforted with over twenty years of experience and the best tailoring in DC. Wine in hand to accompany his favorite snack, he’ll relish in selection of ties, cuff links, and pocket squares to compliment the most perfectly fitting suit he’ll ever own. Everard’s Fine Clothing
www.EverardsClothing.com 1802 Wisconsin Ave, NW [gallery ids="99552,104544,104556,104549,104553" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

The Georgetowner’s annual photo competition has returned, bringing some of the year’s best images of the neighborhood from over the past year. The photographer who took this year’s winning picture is none other than Jeff Kouri.

Kouri, last year’s winner, consistently offers a wealth of unforgettable, signature images of Georgetown and the surrounding area, turning our very living memories into photographs. His winning photo, taken on the Potomac with a breathtaking view of the Georgetown University boathouse, offers a glimpse of the Key Bridge that most of us don’t often get the opportunity to experience.

Kouri captures the life, history and beauty of Georgetown like few photographers have. From the main drag of M Street to the back alleyways and Canal Towpath, Kouri has his fingers on the pulse of this city.

Please join us for a reception to launch the Georgetowner’s first issue of the year and to announce the winner of the Georgetowner’s 2011 Photo Competition at Farmers and Fishers on January 25, 2011 from 6-8PM
RSVP:photography@georgetowner.com (space is limited)

Farmers & Fishers
3000 K Street NW (fountain level)
Washington DC 20007
[gallery ids="99591,104989,104984,104979,104974,104969,104964,104998,104959,105002,105006,104954,105010,104994" nav="thumbs"]

Ari Post •

Walking into the living room of Tim and Jocelyn Greenan, nothing screams out in particular extravagance. Its colors are earthy and neutral, its décor tasteful and understated, it invites guests to relax and enjoy a moment of quiet elegance. But then Tim walks into the room and informs you that the rug you are standing on is a Turkish Oushak from the 1880s, and the mirror over the fireplace is a late Karl Springer framed in lacquered goatskin that only appears to be marble. The horse armor you may have overlooked? “It’s called a chaffron—from the 1500s,” Tim explains. “Austro-Hungarian in origin. It’s the armor for the horse’s head. I’d been looking for one for years. Most people mount them on their walls, but I had it mounted on a stand to sit on the coffee table.”

The coffee table has a story, too—as does everything else in the room.

Slowly you realize that you are standing in a lived-in, soft spoken museum of sorts, researched, acquired and curated by Georgetown’s most fascinating and engaged collector-couple. Since being together, the Greenans (pronounced “Gréh-nun”) have honed their skills and tastes as collectors of historic, artistic and cultural treasures from around the world. But far from the domain of many collectors, their home doesn’t bludgeon guests with their objects of affection. “Our house is eclectic and somewhat minimalistic,” says Jocelyn. “We want our house to be functional and not outrageous. But it incorporates elements from 700 B.C. to the present.”

Now, this isn’t to say that the collection — or the couple — is without its quirks. Through their varying range of interests, one theme to which Tim and Jocelyn return time and again is the history of dogs, field sports and the romance of the English countryside.

“For about 12 years I foxhunted with Piedmont Fox Hounds in Upperville,” says Tim. “And I’ve always had dogs and been interested in field sports — shooting, foxhunting, waterfowl hunting. And I think that interest manifested itself in the collection.”

Jocelyn, for her part, was raised on a farm in Loudoun County, Va., and this mutual affinity for countrified culture and animals has evolved into an unusual but fascinating focus for their collection: historic dog collars.

“I think the way people treat their pets says a lot about society,” says Tim. “Addresses and names are written on the tags of the collars, and you can piece together some fantastic stories.”

Over the last ten years, Tim and Jocelyn have amassed the largest private collection of historic dog collars in the world. Like other antiques, the value and historical context of a dog collar is determined by its provenance — where it came from — and condition. But there are other, more idiosyncratic factors in appraising and assessing dog collars. For instance, take the material of the collar.

“Is it made of copper, brass, silver, leather?” Tim says. “If it’s silver, it was likely worn by a dog in a stately home. If it’s made of leather, it was probably worn by a dog of more modest means. If it’s made of iron and studded with spikes, it was worn by a hunting dog to protect it from wolf attacks — most people don’t know that’s how studded collars originated.”

The functionality of these artifacts is much of the fascination for Tim and Jocelyn. “People take as a given that so many things in culture are a product of 20th century taste,” says Tim, “When, in fact, they are very utilitarian in origin.”

As an example, Jocelyn points to the traditional poodle cut: shaved close to the body with a bobbled tail. “That was just the most functional way people found to have the dogs’ hair clipped,” she says. “They were used to hunt waterfowl. You would send a poodle into water and weeds. With the big ball on the tail, you could see your dog in the brush.”

“All dogs have a job,” says Tim. “And a collar can tell you what the dog’s job was.”

The details people put into their articles of everyday life are epitomized in dog collars, says Tim. And so he was surprised to find that there is no scholarly or historic literature on the dynamic and global history of these utilitarian relics. One of Tim’s ultimate goals is to document and publish his research and findings on dog collars.

Given these interests and ambitions, it is not surprising that Tim has a strong connection with the National Sporting Library and Museum in Middleburg, Va. He is a current board member, as well as chair of the Fellowship and Publication committee, which offers a remarkable fellowship for researchers focused on equestrian and field sports. Since 2007, the fellowship has supported 23 researchers-in-residence from across the United States and five different countries. And Tim has chaired the fellowship since its founding in 2007.

The Sporting Library has been an unparalleled research center for Tim and his work. “Not many dog collars survived throughout the ages,” explains Tim, “because most people didn’t keep them — you’d bury them with the dog. So, they tend to be hard to find.” Given this situation, the many paintings, illustrations and visual resources of sporting life available at the Sporting Library have as such been a tremendous resource, as dogs and animals are almost always depicted throughout history with their collars and other traditional dress.

But Tim and Jocelyn have also taken matters of sporting art into their own hands. Among their private collection are a wealth of historic hunting, equestrian and dog portraits, including a few gems from Alfred Munnings (1878 – 1959), perhaps England’s most renowned painter of horses, sport and countryside life during its peak of social and cultural renown in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

So extensive and thorough is their collection that upon first meeting Ghillie, Tim and Jocelyn’s Scottish Deerhound, you might wonder whether she was a recent acquisition. A truly stunning creature, Ghillie, age two, is as friendly and refined as her owners. Her breeder was Ceil Dove, in Rappahanock County, whose own Scottish Deerhound, Hickory, was the grand champion at Westminster this year.

“We take Ghillie down to the waterfront all the time,” says Jocelyn. “One of her favorite walks is from the Key Bridge down to Washington Harbor. She’s such an unusual looking dog — people ask us for pictures all the time. We also love taking her running on the Capital Crescent Trail. And she’s a great runner — she can go up to 10 miles!”

The collar that Ghillie is wearing in the photograph is Tim’s personal favorite of the collection. “It’s an 18th century collar that was made specifically for a sight hound like Ghillie,” says Tim. “Sight hounds hunt predominantly by sight, as opposed to, say, a foxhound, which hunts via smell. The collar is of Belgian origin, with these beautiful floral and canine motifs, red velvet lining and the initials of the original owner.”

Among other notable collars, the collection also boasts a black, leather number from World War I with quite a story. “It’s a German message collar,” Tim says. “It was used by a German Shepherd with a message holder. You know, the German Shepherd as a breed was only identified in 1908, and less than 10 years later they were being used in the battlefields.”

This sense of story and history is the raison d’être for the collection. “I collect them because they tell a story about society and about a dog’s life,” says Tim. “A dog is the master of its world, and it knows it’s got a job. And if that collar can tell you what that job was, that’s what makes it really interesting to me. I’d rather have an ugly, torn-up collar that tells a great story than a beautiful collar that tells me nothing.”

Right now Tim is searching for older collars from 17th century. But the older the collar, the harder it is to find. “So many dogs were just buried with their collars,” he reiterates.

But there is more to the Greenans than the historic effects of canine culture. They have two sons, Piers, 10, and Graham, 7, as well as a second life in fundraising and community development.

Jocelyn is on the Board of the Starlight MidAtlantic Children’s Foundation, which works with critically ill children and their families to cope with pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities. Their upcoming benefit, Taste of the Stars, on Nov. 19 at the Four Seasons in Georgetown, promises to be one of this season’s highlights.

Tim is on the board of the National Children’s Museum, and in December 2010, he and Jocelyn co-chaired the foundation’s Gala together with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and his wife Karen.

But at the end of the day, it is a safe bet that Tim and Jocelyn return to the comfort of their cool and eclectic home with dogs on their minds. Ghillie needs to be walked, and collars need to be tracked down. “But don’t worry,” Tim says. “We’re not going digging in any doggy cemeteries.” [gallery ids="100336,108658,108647,108655,108652" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

When it comes to a body of style, nothing beats Georgetown’s retail district. From clothing and apparel, to jewelry, exercise and biking accessories, fine art, fine food, antiques and even furniture, Georgetown has perhaps the most stylish and eclectic selections in the city. We’re known around the area as a sort of outdoor mall, with all the major labels and a unique community of independent, custom retail shops. In fact, we are one of the only concentrated areas where you can find top national brands and Mom & Pop shops living side by side. And with our historic colonial aesthetic and an endless selection of great restaurants to choose from, there’s no better place in the District to while away your holiday shopping hours.

Just this year, we’ve seen a great number of new additions to our retail community. To name a few: New York-based All Saints; Lost Boys men’s clothing; Rag & Bone, which uses local D.C. tastemakers as spokesmen for their chic line of fashion; Brooks Brothers; Michael Kors; Calvin Klein; CB2; and Hugh & Crye.

And it is our community of independent, custom retail shops that have been drawing true shoppers for decades. From The Phoenix clothing, which opened its doors in 1955, to Joseph Abboud’s brand new local offering Streets of Georgetown, we have a history of variety, class, quirk, taste and style that is unique to our quaint and bustling streets.

Here are some “must-not-skips” on our list of local shopping destinations. From the one-of-a-kind experience and classic, custom-fitted suits at Everard’s Clothing, to the edgy, modern apparel of All Saints, you don’t want to miss these choice offerings. So, pick up a tasty hot beverage at Baked & Wired or Dean &Deluca’s, and let the holiday gift hunting begin!

Everard’s Clothing
Louis Everard thinks you’re great. I guarantee it. I can also guarantee that if you are from the Georgetown area — or even if you’ve spent some time here — he knows someone in your circle. And he’s probably fitted them a fantastic suit. Everard’s clothing has been a Georgetown institution since it opened its doors 20 years ago, and Louis, the brains and heart behind the operation, is the reason why.

A fourth-generation tailor, Louis has spent his life refining the art of the custom fit. “I was sewing when I was six,” he laughs. And his history with the Georgetown neighborhood dates back almost as far.

“In 1965, I got a job with Frank Rich at Rich’s shoes on Wisconsin and P. That’s how long I’ve been around these parts.” From his stories of managing a store for Rich — who Louis calls a visionary — and onward into the present, Louis spins a wildly entertaining web of stories and people recounting his years here. From his reverence and appreciation for longtime friend and client Ginger Latham, to recalling the “rickety old steps of the Willard” before its extensive renovations in the 80s, his history with the community is intimate and warm, and he brings that into his shop.

“We love the community here,” he exclaims. “That’s the whole point!”

Not that you need to know any of this coming into Everard’s Clothing. What sets his shop apart is the unparalleled service and attention to detail that is paid to each customer and each suit. Everard’s is unique in the community, one of the only independent shops that custom tailor for both men and women. Their aesthetic is also unique. “We’re not what I would call trendy,” says Louis, “but we’re classic with a twist.”

This mix of class, quirk and style has come to define Everard’s — you won’t find a better or more extensive selection of bowties and pocket squares in the city. The only thing better is the tailoring service.

“I pride myself on making sure the tailor is doing exactly what the client needs,” says Louis. “And with my knowledge and experience, I’m able to take our tailors to the next level. Our job is strictly quality control — we’re trying to be 100-percent perfect, and the key is to constantly improve. Every day, my tailors and I, we put our fingers on the pulse of our customer’s needs. And that’s the difference of a small business. We are it.”

Making an appointment at Everard’s, you are greeted with wine and snacks, and the first-class treatment continues to the very end.

“My motto is to do anything the customer wishes,” Louis says. “In terms of providing the goods in a timely basis and treating them the way they deserve to be treated. We’ll deliver the suit to our customer’s door if they like, no charge. We’re very old fashioned. Our clients are the ones who drive our business, and we try to give that back.”

Most of the men’s shirts and accessories in the store are Italian, from Aster shirts to Italo Ferretti ties. They carry Carrot and Gibbs, Albert Thurston of London, and Chrysalis of London.

If you like to dress well, let Louis dress you. You’ll never look better.

1802 Wisconsin Ave., N.W. EverardsClothing.com

Keith Lipert Gallery
Keith Lipert Gallery was founded in 1994 to provide the District with unique, international modern designs, from decorative arts, to fashion jewelry and evening accessories. And founder Keith Lipert has since made it his mission to bring a sense of sophistication and individuality to an age of fashion that seems to be dominated by mass production and sub-par quality. “While the pieces that I sell have always existed,” Keith says, “often they go unknown and unrecognized, whether hidden around the coves of Lake Como or down tiny Parisian alleyways.”

Keith travels constantly to these magical places where artistry is alive and healthy to bring their charm back to his store in Georgetown. Sixteen years later, the shelves that line Keith’s store are a testament to all his hard work in finding the most unique and exquisite modern fashion and decorative arts.

But what makes Keith Lipert such a fabulous shopping destination is not just the unique items from design centers such as Milan, Frankfurt, Paris, Venice, Buenos Aires or New York City. It is also the atmosphere and experience that Keith has created within the store. Every customer is treated with care and respect. Talk to them about your tastes, about what you are looking for, and they will surely help you find the perfect item. “It is about the friendships we have made,” Keith says, “the conversations we have held, the bonds we have forged, and the community we have come a part of. We have learned and gained as much from our customers as we hope we left with them while interacting in the store.”

Great design can be found at all prices, and Keith Lipert presents an eclectic array of design that is affordable and accessible. From Murano glass cufflinks and hand-woven silk scarves, to handmade Columbian salad bowls and candles from southern Italy, Keith Lipert has everything you could think of and more for a perfectly surprising, wonderfully original holiday offering.

2922 M Street, N.W. KeithLipert.com

Hugh & Crye
Philip Soriano and Pranav Vora, the co-owners of Hugh & Crye, have their fingers on the pulse of men’s apparel. Most men’s shirts aren’t made to fit the men wearing them — and Hugh & Crye is out to change this trend. And since they opened their Georgetown showroom last June, the customers have been liking the difference. We spoke with Phil about the mission of Hugh & Crye, the new showroom and the nature of men’s apparel.

Q: What is the raison d’être of Hugh & Crye?

A: We saw a problem with finding well-fitted shirts in the mass markets and mass label brands. They weren’t addressing the problems of fit. It tends to be much more linear, like blowing up a balloon. They take a small, blow it up, and it’s a medium. Blow it up again, and it’s a large. It doesn’t address the fit for leaner or athletically built guys. We found a market for finding these better-cut shirts ready made off the rack.

We focused on the shape of the torso rather than the sleeves and neck. If we see a guy’s size and shape, we can fit him, and a lot of times we can fit him right off the rack.

The Washington Post put us in best of Georgetown this the spring. We’re seeing a lot of success just having a showroom in Georgetown. It’s put us on the map in a lot of ways — Georgetown has a good name to go along with it, and having a showroom here is just ideal.

Q: What makes you stand out from other stores in the area?

A: There’s the mass labels like Brooks Brothers and Rag and Bone, but as far as local shops, we’re the one. You can stop by and meet the guys behind the brands. It’s a mix use space of brand and product. Especially with the more nerdy guys of D.C. like me, we like to see what’s behind the brand. Buying local brands seems to be a growing movement, which it’s pretty intriguing. Also, we’re primarily online — 95 percent of sales are online. Guys from all over the country buy from us.

Q: Are you doing anything special for the holidays?

A: We’re discounting shirts as much as 35 percent off, so a $80 price point for a cheaper shirt is a pretty attractive offer.

Q: Do you have any hottest selling items, or things people should keep an eye out for when they come into your shop?

A: We’ve got a new line of sports shirts that have been popular. They’re just a little bit more casual. Around Thanksgiving, a lot of guys picked them up on Black Friday sale. We come out with new shirts every two months. Dec. 20 is our next shipment, so it’s something to look out for. You might not want to wait for so late in the game to do your holiday shopping, but if you do, we’re your place. We don’t really do things seasonally, but we’re constantly bringing out new stuff.

3212 O Street, N.W. HughAndCrye.com

Streets of Georgetown
Renowned fashion designer Joseph Abboud opened his latest store in our neighborhood over the fall. Offering some of the finest men’s apparel available, you don’t want to miss them. We talked with store manager Jack Eggleston about the creative fire behind Streets of Georgetown.

Q: Where did Streets of Georgetown come from?

A: Joseph Abboud is the chief creative officer for our parent company, HMX Group, and it is his mission to open meaningful stores in communities around the country. We have a Beverly Hills location, we are converting a Chicago location, and the company’s looking at a SoHo and Boston location as well. With its history of high-end retail and great style, Georgetown was a perfect fit.

Q: What makes Streets of Georgetown so unique?

A: The catch is we are an American company that sells American products, and we’re all about luxury. From cashmere sweaters to made-to-measure services and custom tailoring, there just aren’t a whole lot of men’s stores like ourselves. In this neighborhood, we have Brooks Brothers, Ralph Lauren and Everard’s. But outside of those stores, there aren’t a whole lot of options for men looking for sportswear, outerwear and tailored clothing, and we aim to fill that gap.

Q: Are there any must-see items on your shelves right now?

A: Oh, definitely. The raw cashmere pieces are beautiful — it’s cashmere in its natural state, not treated or died in anyway. We have three different sports jackets, two sweaters and a sweater vest in raw cashmere.

1254 Wisconsin Ave., N.W. HMXGroup.com

Contemporaria
Deborah Kalkstein, with her dark hair and eyes, looks just as sleek as her modern, designer furniture, architecture and home décor store, Contemporaria in Georgetown. As the days left to finish your holiday shopping tick away, don’t forget to slow down and enjoy taking in all that the D.C. retail has to offer. At Contemporaria, Kalkstein and her staff will be holding open houses where shoppers can peruse the store’s beautiful pieces with a champagne toast. “People come to browse our new collection and enjoy a bit of the holiday cheer,” Kalkstein says, a scene which sounds even more appealing when described in her lilting Peruvian accent.

Q: What are your three favorite gift-able items that you have in the store right now?

A: Right now we are doing, which I love, we have these Missoni throws that are very cozy and plush. You can give it to anybody from older to younger to men or women to use on your bed or couch or anything like that. They come beautifully boxed and they’re a gorgeous gift. Then we have, since we are a design-oriented store, we have the miniatures by Vitra that are all the little miniatures of all their museum-quality pieces. They’re really beautiful to have around because they remind you of design and they remind you of a beautiful thing every day. And the third, I love this new lamp we have by Floss. It has the technology of a LED light, and it’s so cool to put on your desk or a night table or anywhere.

Q: Is there anything that you’d like to say to holiday shoppers who come to Georgetown?

A: Support Georgetown! It’s a beautiful part of town. We are here for a cause because we love it here, and we all want to be here to stay. We all need the support of Georgetowners and the support they can bring to bring people from out of town, and I mean out of town like Bethesda, Chevy Chase and Arlington, to come by Georgetown and support business here. There’s this misconception that coming to Georgetown there’s only expensive things, but it’s not. You can find everything from all lines of work. It’s one of the only places in town that you can walk around and feel a very European mood and enjoy it and share it.

3303 Cadys Alley, NW contemporaria.com

Three Sisters
If shopping from home is more your speed this holiday season, Three Sisters provides the perfect alternative. You can purchase their cute styles online and have them shipped to your home or, if you’d like to have the store come to you, Three Sisters also does special events and trunk shows. Shop online at ShopThreeSisters.com.

Q: How would you describe Three Sisters style?

A: Meet the sisters – they really are three sisters. These sisters have created a signature fashion company that offers casually elegant style for today’s busy woman, classics with an edge. The hallmark of the collection is a line of limited edition coats and jackets constructed in exquisite fabrics.

Q: Is Three Sisters doing anything special for the holidays?

A: We have been doing special events and trunk shows around the country and now are spending time filling Santa’s orders and enjoying time with family and friends.

Q: What are your top three favorite giftable items that you have in stock for the holidays?

A: Wonderful shawls from $58 – $168, our most popular item – horn necklaces – and the black Emily Coat for all your events and more.

Online at ShopThreeSisters.com
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Georgetowner •

Meet the Judges

Nancy Miyahira – Nancy is the Marketing director for the Georgetown BID. During her years there, she has headed major Georgetown branding efforts like the new-and-improved Fashion’s Night Out, Twelve Days of Georgetown Merriment and the implementation of Georgetown’s national branding program. Nancy is an expert at drawing shoppers in! www.GeorgetownDC.com.

John Asadoorian – Based in Georgetown, John is the owner of Asadoorian Retail Solutions. He has over 20 years of experience working with current and new developments to bring new retail shops to commercial and residential neighborhoods (like Georgetown). When it comes to retail, John knows what works. www.asaretail.com.

Kelly Sullivan – Kelly is a former graphic designer for the Washington Post and National Geographic, and now does Marketing and Design for The Georgetowner. When it comes to dynamic design with regard to use of negative space and focal points, this lady is at the top of her game.    

Megan Dunn – Megan is a recent Georgetown graduate, avid shopper, and newest addition to The Georgetowner family. With high aspirations and holding great promise in the event-planning industry, Megan is a fantastic asset and has become an important member of our team.  

Sonya Bernhardt – Publisher of The Georgetowner, Sonya has seen over two decades of Georgetown Holidays and, as she says, “it never gets old.” [gallery ids="100429,114217,114235,114227" nav="thumbs"]