Fashion Designers - Washington, D.C. Fashion Designers

Designers

May 23, 2012 10:45 AM

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Peep Some Old-School Glamour At This Oscar Trunk Show

As a designer, Oscar de la Renta is one of those surprising chameleons — a legendary clothier with a flair for old-world European tailoring and a savvy approach to social media. Get a taste of just how unique Oscar's pieces are at a two-day trunk show for the fall '12 collection.

Filled with shades of soft peach, icy blue, and bold turquoise, with a hearty helping of sequins, fur, and tweed, this line defines D.C. glamour, really. This is the perfect opp to scoop up a new cocktail dress for winter soirees or a now-I've-really-made-it skirt suit for work. And then you should probably tweet about it — just to show you're on the cutting edge, too.

When: Today, May 23, and Thursday, May 24, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie, Couture Salon, 5300 Wisconsin Avenue NW; 202-966-9700.

Photo: Courtesy of Oscar de la Renta

Special Features

May 23, 2012 6:00 AM

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3 Awesome Itineraries For Memorial Day Weekend (And What To Wear!)

By Holly E. Thomas

Not sure about you guys, but Memorial Day weekend totally snuck up on us this year. Seriously — the kickoff weekend of the summer is here, and if you haven't planned a thing to celebrate, you're probably not alone. Luckily, we did some homework for you and came up with three fun, fuss-free weekend itineraries that'll get your summer off to a solid start. We've covered it all — a beach trip, a food fest, a close-to-home cool-down — and we even whipped up three extra-haute outfits to make you look like you really had your act together this year. Don't worry — your secret's safe with us.

Delaplane Strawberry Festival
Looking for something that's not just off the beaten path, but truly a world away from Washington? Head to Sky Meadows State Park in Delaplane (roughly an hour's drive from D.C.) for the 19th annual strawberry festival, where you can eat your fill of the juicy summer berries while taking in live music, local crafts, fair food, and plenty of wide open spaces. You'll want an outfit that's equally cute and cool, with a little country charm, so opt for a feminine chambray top and cheery printed denim cutoffs. Classic sunnies, a walkable wedge heel, and a roomy bag to tote your farm-fresh finds are ideal finishing touches.

From left: Forever 21 Round Sunglasses, $5.80, available at Forever 21; Madewell The Caravan Mailbag, $62, available at Madewell; Old Navy Ruffled Button-Front Top, $19.94, available at Old Navy; Citizens of Humanity Chloe Printed High-Rise Stretch-Denim Shorts, $175, available at Net-a-Porter; Mossimo Black Pallas Wedge, $29.99, available at Target.

Photo: Courtesy of Delaplane Strawberry Festival

Everywhere

Fashion Tips

May 22, 2012 10:40 AM EDT

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Study The Hyperbalist's Sinful Eveningwear Philosophy

By Us

Looking for yet another take on the right way to prep ourselves for an epic night out, we turned to Alina Gonzalez, whose diary of fashion, food, and fun — The Hyperbalist — stole our eyes some time ago. Turns out, the D.C. looker has some pretty strong opinions on the issue, favoring high-impact over high-elegance and preaching against all things cute for after-hours dressing. Dig in below.

AlinaGonzalez

Alina Gonzalez, blogger, The Hyperbalist
"In my humble opinion, what you wear to go out should always be sinfully fun and sexy. 'Romantic' is for getting engaged in a prairie field, 'sophisticated' is for daylight, and 'cute' is for brunch. As such, my no-fail, go-to 'going out' ensemble is a cropped, crisp tuxedo vest (preferably '90s vintage DKNY) paired with vintage, high-waisted, distressed Levi’s cut-offs and a metallic d’Orsay heel. Because of they way they magically elongate the legs, I whip out d’Orsay heels every time I’m dressing to impress. I think distressed denim shorts are totally underrated when it comes to eveningwear — I truly wear my Levi's every time I’m going out, dressing them up with a super-tailored top like the tuxedo vest. And because tuxedo vests give you that cool, masculine vibe, I like to keep my hair down with messy waves to play up the bedhead sex appeal. A pop of color in the form of a red vintage Moschino belt certainly won't hurt your look, along with a slight peek of a neon pink bra through your sleek vest. Jewelry-wise, I’m very minimal. One bangin' cocktail ring and a thin gold bangle, and I’m ready to go!"

Diy And Tips

May 21, 2012 6:00 AM

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7 So-Smart Tricks For Styling Summer Shorts — The Chic Way

By Holly E. Thomas

Even diehard denim fans who rock skinny jeans all summer long eventually start to feel stifled—especially come the muggy, steamy middle of July. And while we've always been smitten with cute skirts and flowy dresses for hot temps, we're also loving the fact that stylish shorts have reemerged on the scene. From classic cutoffs to tailored options and blousy silhouettes, we've racked up an impressive collection—but sometimes, we get stumped on how to style them.

Luckily, Washington has a chic crew of bloggers who can help us out. Click through to peep seven extra-stylish ladies in their summer finery, and then master their styling tips to refresh your own bevy of bottoms.

Lookbooks

May 18, 2012 4:00 PM

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This D.C. Designer's Newest Offerings Have Us Swooning

By Holly E. Thomas

Nothing makes us happier than a "local gal makes good" story, and Rochelle Behrens' bio is exactly that. The D.C. native launched a company based around the concept of a properly fitted shirt for professional women — one that doesn't gap between buttons and expose your bra — and soon landed her product, simply called The Shirt, on Oprah, The Today Show, and in The New York Times, Glamour, and People. Pretty savvy, right?

So, we're stoked to give you an exclusive peek at the brand's new collection of blouses that go way beyond the workplace. With a color inspired by L.A. at sunset and 10 silhouettes that pair easily with trousers, pencil skirts, and more, the collection builds on Behrens' vision of a confident yet fashion-conscious working woman. “When we design, we innately consider how a woman is going to live in our clothes," Behrens says. "From button placement to how it skims the body, to subtle details and special fabrics, we really innovate for a woman who loves luxury and appreciates fit." Click through to see our favorite pieces, and start planning a work wardrobe makeover — and maybe even a corporate takeover — now.

New Products

May 18, 2012 10:30 AM

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Aspirational Shopping 101: Céline RTW Comes To Hu's Wear

By Holly E. Thomas

While we normally always recommend fiscal responsibility over fashion splurges, tonight might be the one occasion where we struggle with our own practicality. Why? Because Hu's Wear is showcasing the Céline Spring '12 RTW collection, with help from local stylists Tara Luizzi, Jen Roberti, and Alison Lukes. So, basically, you can expect really beautiful clothes paired with practical advice on how you can actually wear them — otherwise known as a one-two punch.

Phoebe Philo's ultra-luxe, blissfully minimalist designs for spring will be on display, and the style mavens at Hu's Wear are hoping that the District's working girls will fall for the tailored trousers, structured tops, and fashion-forward florals. At the very least, you'll enjoy a bit of Parisian eye candy and some free personalized advice from the pros. But, should you opt to splurge on a perfect blazer and then have to resign yourself to eating ramen for a month, we won't judge.

When: Today, May 18, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Where: Hu's Wear, 2906 M Street NW; 202-342-2020.

Photos: Courtesy of Céline

Summer Fashion

May 18, 2012 6:00 AM

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15 Lightweight Lingerie Finds To Help You Keep Your Cool This Summer

By Holly E. Thomas

They may not be here yet, but they're on the horizon — summer days so hot, you'd rather commute to work in your skivvies than don more than one single layer. We feel you! But that doesn't mean you have to give in to the urge to go bra-less all summer long.

Instead, we believe that a gal's lingerie drawer should be subjected to the same seasonal overhaul that her closet undergoes. So, if it's not light and loose and barely there, stow it away 'til September. And then, invest in a new cache of whisper-thin boyshorts, stretch-lace briefs, ultra-comfy bralettes, and dainty camis. Sounds cooler and comfier already, right?

New Products

May 17, 2012 10:30 AM

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This Trunk Show Is Hawking Billiard-Ball Baubles — & They're Cute

By Seija Rankin

In a world of fast fads and hot-this-second trends, we're always on the lookout for super-unique and personal pieces, and we especially dig it when the ones finds are locally made. Case in point: D.C.-based designer Eleanor Salazar makes hand-carved jewelry out of billiard balls (yes, we're talking cue balls, 8 balls, and everything in between), and her wares are completely quirky and adorable.

We've shown you pieces from her previous collections already, but now you can peep the goods in person. Mount Pleasant boutique Nana, a go-to for all things vintage and handmade, is hosting the designer for a trunk show this Saturday, so keep an eye out for colorful hoop earrings and chunky statement rings. And remember — you don't have to be a pool shark to sport these baubles.

When: Saturday, May 19, from 1 to 5 p.m.
Where: Nana, 3068 Mount Pleasant Street NW; 202-667-6955.

Photo: Courtesy of Eleanor Salazar

Fashion News

May 16, 2012 12:30 PM

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Get Your Front-Row Fashion Fix At This Stylish Shindig In Bethesda

By Holly E. Thomas

Need a quick style boost to get you geared up for spring? How about a three-day affair that involves book signings, runway events, trunk shows, discounts, and more? Yeah, we thought that'd do the trick. It's time for Bethesda Row's fourth annual The Front Row event, which kicks off tomorrow with a free screening of this year's most major fashion flick, God Save My Shoes.

On Friday, Andy Cohen (Executive VP of Development and Talent for Bravo, and host of Watch What Happens: Live) will sign copies of his new book; afterward, you can catch a fashion show highlighting designer looks from some of our favorite shops on Bethesda Row. Oh, and in between events, be sure to stop and snag makeup touch-ups from Aveda and mini-massages from The Spa @ Equinox, or make your own floral fascinators, bib necklaces, and headbands at H.Bloom's Bud Bar. Head back on Sunday for brunch offers, kid-friendly activities, and special shopping deals. If that's not a solid reason to get psyched for summer, we don't know what is.

When: Thursday, May 17, through Sunday, May 19. See a full schedule of events here; RSVP for the film screening here.
Where: Bethesda Front Row, 4950 Elm Street, Bethesda.

Street Fashion

May 11, 2012 6:00 AM

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Fancy Feet! 10 Ultra-Chic Snaps Of The Coolest Kicks In Town

By Holly E. Thomas, Photographed by Denisio Truitt

If anything can instantly kickstart our internal covet-o-meter, it's seeing a fabulous pair of shoes... on someone else's feet. It's funny, but true: Nothing makes a pair of killer heels or perfectly distressed moto boots as appealing as spying them on a stylish stranger. To wit, we're always scoping out the shoe scene at events, on the street, and inside local shops. But lately, we've been keeping a photog close at hand to document each stalk-worthy set of soles, too.

Now, we're presenting you with the fruits of our (somewhat voyeuristic) labor — a bounty of lust-worthy footwear we spotted, and snapped, right here in Washington. Click through to see our favorite pairs (and pick out your own!).

Designers

May 9, 2012 12:00 PM

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Ready For Summer Parties? Shop Aliceanna's Pretty Wares To Prep

By Holly E. Thomas

Besides being a major 2012 buzzword, "shopping local" also just makes us feel really good — we get to support local designers and champion indie retailers, and put money back into our local economy. That's about as warm and fuzzy as it gets, right?

So, if you've got the buy-local bug, too, you'll want to make tracks to Mount Pleasant shop Nana, where Maryland-based designer Patrice Gentile has been sending batches of adorable items from her Aliceanna spring '12 collection.

Owner Jackie Flanagan handpicked three stellar pieces from the collection — the gorgeous ruffled pencil skirt shown here, a fitted cocktail dress with an intricate halter neckline, and a cotton-eyelet frock with a peter pan collar. Items are available in sizes 2 to 12, and each piece is handmade by the designer. But wait, there's more! While just three pieces are available at Nana, you can shop the full collection, which includes gorgeous tiered sundresses and so-hot bralette tops, online.

Where: Nana, 3068 Mount Pleasant Street NW; 202-667-6955.

Photo: Courtesy of Aliceanna

Lookbooks

May 8, 2012 4:00 PM

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This Spring Lookbook Is One Picture-Perfect Picnic

By Seija Rankin

What do you get when you combine The Secret Garden with Alice's tea party and a dress-up playdate? In short: the lookbook of our dreams. The vintage pros (and stylish bloggers) behind La Petite Marmoset have released yet another obsession-worthy lookbook, this time featuring their May collection of reworked vintage pieces. The ethereal images (shot at Green Spring Gardens in Alexandria) show off a treasure trove of bohemian-chic pieces — think tons of pastels and florals, perfect for dinner under the stars or a summer poolside BBQ.

With all the lust-worthy fishtail skirts, flirty bandeau tops, and intricate jewelry, it's hard not to make mental notes for our own wardrobes as we soak up the early summer vibe of this lookbook — plus, the dreamy snaps by photog Amber Mahoney are practically begging to be pinned. Click through to gaze at this gorgeous garden party, and get inspired to plan your own pastoral picnics.

Photo: Courtesy of La Petite Marmoset/Amber Mahoney