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International Show at DC Fashion Week

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By Brynja Brynjarsdottir   Published Tuesday, March 06, 2007

DC Fashion Week ended Sunday with the International Couture Collections Show at the French Embassy. The grand finale offered both couture and ready-to-wear clothing for women. The event was truly international, with several collections inspired by Eastern Europe, Africa, and South America.

Designers such as Estella Couture and JD7 Couture, influenced by African culture, used layers of colorful fabric to create extravagant pieces. Valentina Vidrascu, born in the Eastern European Republic of Moldova, created designs inspired by the national costumes worn by her country’s ancestors for centuries. But the designs that caught my attention in La Maison Française’s ice-cold space weren’t culturally specific.

The Baltimore duo Devon Jones and Brandon Boardley showed a fantastic collection from their label, Descai. It was a mixture of couture and ready to wear— trendy and young but very sophisticated. I would wear every piece. The colors were mainly earth tones such as brown, orange, dark blue, and a natural, soft white. My favorites included a beautiful denim coat with feminine details such as puffy shoulders and a brown belt; detailed and refreshingly pretty velour dresses; and a natural white silk jacket, again with puffy shoulders as well as a belted waist and high collar. I loved this collection.

The day before, menswear designers had a show at the Holiday Inn Capitol. With a buffet table of cheese and crackers, exotic fruit dipped in chocolate, and an open bar, this was the week’s most extravagant event.

The men’s runway was, of course, dominated by suits. But there were also slightly edgier designers, such as Andrew Nowell, who showed uniforms mostly in black with a style that reminded me of SWAT teams, the Secret Service, and the Army. Ean Williams—the man behind the label Corjor International and executive producer and director of DC Fashion Week—showed his men’s collection on Saturday and his women’s on Sunday. The men’s was mostly night wear, while the women’s was filled with sparkling dresses and intricate hats with fantastic details.

DC Fashion Week is over for now. But prep yourself for September, when it makes a triumphant return.

More pictures below. 

Comments

This entire DC Fashion Week thing has been garbage from the start and continues to be garbage.

Posted by: One who know's,

how can i get involved with fashion week , im am interested and would like to be part of the fashion shows!!!

Posted by: shade',

marie u r so beautiful!!!!! omg i love u!!!

Posted by: chaya jones,

wow! gorgeous cloths and models!

Posted by: Nick Angelo,

marie....such elegant poise..such a serious smile..so seductive.....u look gorgous hun miss ya bunches

Posted by: david ramsaroop,

This show was 'MARVELOUS' darling and the models sensational, the best to all lof you. Continue the wonderful work!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: AFSHAN WASEEM/ AUDREY-HOME,LLC.,

GREAT ....SUPERUB....HOTS MODELS........ESPECIALLY APRIL (WHO'S MY NIECE)...YOU GO WORK IT GIRL......

Posted by: Deloris Young,

we are proud of our Nigerian Roots and Nigerian Designers.
Loved 2face's music at the DC fashion week
Up Estella Couture, Up Jd-7 and up Nigeria

Posted by: Naijalife,

Keep on keeping on DC Fashion Week. I wouldn't miss the show for the world, especially since my granddaughter Chanelle models and loves it too. The designers and the entire show are wonderful.

Posted by: Simone,

DC fashion week is a crying shame..the producers need to study the true meaning of Fashion Week and start from scratch. The designers are paying to be in the show..playing to an audience of less than 500 not to mention no buyers in the audience? Models are not paid! You've got to be kidding me! This is a joke.

Posted by: Are you kidding me?,

She looks like a TAN STALLION walking the runway,Who could it be? April or my BOO. love ya

Posted by: janice G. Boyles,

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