Check out our style feature, DC Designers, where we highlight a local designer who has caught our eye.
An Estella Couture design.
What: Custom-made ethnic and exotic couture clothing.
Who: Estella Ogbonna, a Silver Spring-based designer originally from Nigeria. She worked in computer network administration until 2006, when she decided to pursue a full-time career in fashion design.
Where to buy it: E-mail Estella at info@estellacouture.com or call 301-915-5927. Online sales will be available by the end of the year on her Web site, estellacouture.com.
Back to basics: When she realized that fashion design was something she wanted to do full-time, Estella—who began sewing and designing when she was a child—took classes to hone her skills and tried to get her clothing into stores. Even now, she continues to look for opportunities to grow; she’s planning to take a short program in Milan in the near future. “It’s the home of fashion,” she says. “I’m going there to learn the ways of taking my business to the next level. Having a talent is not the same thing as making a business.”
An ethnic touch: Estella started her business because there was a local demand for culturally rich African designs. She takes traditional and ethnic themes and creates colorful clothes that she says are modern and trendy, so they’re seen as not just African but also stylish. The majority of her designs are for women, although she sometimes designs for men, too: “For women you get to work with the curves, complexion, the colors—and that’s what I love to do.”
This week, we stopped Janis Penman, who approaches her work and wardrobe with the same no-nonsense manner.
Janis Penman, 36
Partner, Baker Hostetler LLP
What she’s wearing: Tory Burch dress from Bloomingdale’s in Chevy Chase, Gucci shoes from Bluefly.com, Kate Spade bag from the eponymous store in Georgetown.
Where do you like to shop? “I really don’t like to shop—it’s just very time-intensive. I do a lot of it online at Zappos, Bluefly, and both Neiman Marcus and Saks online. I like the Bloomingdale’s in Chevy Chase a lot.”
Those shoes actually look pretty comfortable. “They are. They have tread on the sole, and the heel is fairly substantial. I used to wear a high stiletto heel until I had twins three years ago, and they just really stopped being comfortable. It seems that a bit more of a platform is popular these days, so I’m happy that the trends followed suit.”
How has motherhood affected what you wear? “I have less time now than I did before, and that wasn’t much! You learn to streamline and to eliminate what doesn’t work. On the weekends I look like a refuge from the J. Crew catalog: cords and jeans with simple, clean-cut sweaters. I have to be able to get dirty and not feel bad about it.”
Some Washington women can’t get dressed without Lauren Rothman. Owner of Styleauteur, a personal-shopping service, she provides closet makeovers and wardrobe advice for everyone from new moms to CEOs.
Rothman, who previously worked at Elle magazine and as a personal shopper at both Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue, says women here are not like those in New York or Los Angeles. “Women in Washington need a reason to buy,” she says. “They aren’t going to adopt a trend ‘just because.’ ”
We talked to Rothman about fall fashion trends she thinks Washingtonians will like.
What’s your favorite fall trend?
Without a doubt, it’s the idea of American glamour. I love the sheath dress, the return of dresses with jackets. Every woman should have at least one piece this season that makes her feel glamorous.
We stopped a woman and her handsome—and considerably younger—Miami-import musician boyfriend in Adams Morgan.
Cassidy Karakorn, 30, associate marketing director, the Human Rights Campaign. Albert Ovadia, 20, musician, the Mutiny and Turn to Black, both based in Miami.
What she’s wearing: Escada boots from a consignment store in Miami, cutoff Diesel jeans, thrift-store T-shirt, DKNY cardigan, Marc Jacobs handbag, and Chanel necklace. What he’s wearing: All Saints boots, Cheap Monday jeans (from the boutique Cinema in Miami—his sister is the owner), Zara shirt, and Hugo Boss jacket.
How would you describe your look today? Cassidy: “Designer-consignment sassy chic.” Albert: “Dark. Because life is so beautiful that I have to offset it somehow,” he jokes (I think).
Ankle boats: the latest ’80s-fashion flashback to hit the streets. Love ’em or hate ’em, they’re everywhere this fall, and they’re being paired with tight, skinny jeans and mid-thigh skirts with leggings. We found four pairs to drool over: two that might break the bank and two that won’t.
Splurge: These Italian boots by Moschino have four-inch heels and feature a faux-wrap detail in the front. They don’t cheat you on the leather—you’ll find calfskin inside and out on this cute pair of kicks. They ring in at $600, so they’re definitely a splurge. Pick them up at Nordstrom.com.
This year's charity event and runway show was hosted by actress Parker Posey and Fox 5 anchor Will Thomas. See our photos of both the fashion and the fashionistas who attended.
All photos by Chris Leaman. Click on the photograph to see the next one.
Want to see more photos from Washington events and parties? Click here for Washingtonian.com's photo slideshow page.
We stopped diners exiting the new bar and restaurant next door to Ben's Chili Bowl to find out how chef Rock Harper's crab cakes compare to the famous half-smoke.
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Here’s our list of galas, balls, and parties happening around town during inauguration time. We’ll be updating this on a rolling basis as events are confirmed.
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