Photograph by Jeff Elkins.
At the end of every school year, students and alumni from Marymount University’s fashion design program compete to showcase their creations at the school’s prestigious Portfolio in Motion fashion show. (Missed the show? Check out a slideshow of our favorite looks.) And to go along with the show’s festivities, each year the program bestows upon one person the honor of Designer of the Year—an announcement as highly anticipated as the fashion show itself.
Last Thursday, Marymount University added Tadashi Shoji to its already impressive roster of honorees, which includes Eileen Fisher (2012), Peter Som (’09), Michael Kors (’07), and Carolina Herrera (’05).
Marymount University’s Portfolio in Motion 2013 fashion show. All photographs by Jeff Elkins.
Each spring, students from Marymount University’s fashion design and merchandising program celebrate the end of the school year with an elaborate fashion show showcasing the work of the graduating seniors. Last Thursday—after months of brainstorming, planning, and rehearsing—the 2013 Portfolio in Motion fashion show took place at the school’s campus in Northern Virginia.
This year’s theme, Cosmic Dreaming, took an extraterrestrial approach with a galactic backdrop and otherworldly designs. Entirely produced by jury-selected design students, plus a few alums, the show featured women’s day and evening wear, menswear, and girls’ and bridal apparel, running the gamut from elegant and expertly tailored to sporty and tribal.
As part of the annual show’s tradition, Tadashi Shoji joined past honorees such as Eileen Fisher, Peter Som, Michael Kors, and Oscar de la Renta in receiving Marymount University’s Designer of the Year Award. Check back tomorrow for our exclusive interview with the iconic designer—and for now, click through the slideshow to get a closer look at our favorite designs from the show.
Meet fashion blogger Makeda Saggau Sackey of the Glamazon Diaries as she hosts this shoe-focused Neiman Marcus event, at which the luxe retailer will present its newest designer footwear brands and discuss the latest spring trends. RSVP to rsvpwashington@neimanmarcus.com. Tuesday at 6 PM. Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie. 5300 Wisconsin Ave., NW.
Swap in the City
DC-based fashion companies Snobswap and Dewdrop host a social shopping event and fashion show to benefit Becky’s Fund. Bring your in-style designer duds to swap, then shop the selection of pre-loved goodies. You’ll find cocktails and sweet treats, of course, plus style tips from local experts, music from DJ Kryogen, and a fashion show featuring looks by D’Milikah swimwear and the cream of the designer swap crop, modeled by CapFABB bloggers and styled by Anchyi Wei. Thursday 6:30 to 9:30 PM. 1133 15th St., NW, 12th floor. $20 through Eventbrite.
Tabula Rasa’s Hello Gorgeous
Event space Tabula Rasa hosts a weekend of fun: Friday through Sunday, U Street’s Lettie Gooch brings its wares to the Barracks Row for a pop-up boutique. And on Saturday, a private shopping and beauty event kicks off, with add-ons that include mini makeup sessions, mini photo shoots, nails, Prosecco, treats from Hello Cupcake and Sugar & Ice, consultations with a stylist and a wellness expert, giveaways, and door prizes. Friday and Saturday 5 to 9 PM. 731 Eighth St., SE. $10 to $150 through Eventzilla.
Area spas, like Hela in Georgetown, make it easy to give the never-fails gift of pampering with special Mom's Day packages. Photograph courtesy of Hela Spa.
Treat Mom to a Makeover (Not That She Needs It)
Bluemercury’s Dupont store hosts Trish McEvoy makeup artists between 10 and 8 on May 10 and 11. Snag a makeover from the pros by booking via phone and purchasing two products. 1619 Connecticut Ave., NW; 202-462-1300.
Here’s a steal: A haircut, style, and makeup session at the opulent Karma by Erwin Gomez is $139 this month; $89 gets you an anti-aging facial and lip polish. Can’t make it right away? No worries—the deals are good through the end of the month. 1104 24th St., NW; 202-293-3333.
An image from Butler & Claypool's spring lookbook. Photographs courtesy of Butler & Claypool.
Vintage lovers, clear your weekend calendars: Local fashion collective Butler & Claypool unveils its latest batch of vintage gems with a spring pop-up shop this Saturday and Sunday, at which the group will debut their curated selection of clothing, homewares, and handmade accessories. Also on the list of pop-up fun: Tasty St. Germain cocktails and a showcase of custom upholstered furniture from Third + Grace, a brand new line from local photographer Nicole Crowder. Butler & Claypool’s awesome markets only take place every few months, so don’t miss your chance at the vintage goodness!
Inside the new Coco Blanca store in Alexandria. Photograph courtesy of Coco Blanca.
Urban Country Spring Sale and Trunk Show
It’s a big week for Bethesda home store Urban Country—not only did the store’s monthlong spring sale kick off on Friday (up to 40 percent off furniture!), but this Thursday it hosts a special trunk show showcasing London-based brand Designers Guild, during which the line’s luxe bedding, decorative pillows, rugs and more will be available for a 10 percent discount. Spring sale ends May 27. Designers Guild trunk show, Thursday 11 AM to 6 PM. 7117 Arlington Rd., Bethesda; 301-654-0500.
Coco Blanca Grand Opening
This whitewashed lifestyle boutique swings open the doors of store number two, in Old Town Alexandria, this week, kicking things off by giving shoppers 20 percent discounts storewide, plus an on-message celebratory sip of white tea or white wine. Wednesday 10 AM to 8 PM. 210 S. Union St., Alexandria.
Following in the footsteps of Andy Cohen, Kelly Cutrone, Tinsley Mortimer, and Christian Siriano, Jessica Alba will be the next celeb attendee of Bethesda’s Front Row fashion event, slated for May 16 through 18, Shop Around has learned.
Alba, who made headlines today for admitting she wore a “double corset” day and night for three months post-pregnancy to help mold her body back into shape, will sign copies of her new book, The Honest Life, on May 17 in front of Redwood Restaurant and Bar. The Front Row has become one of the area’s biggest style-centric events, particularly the fashion show portion, which immediately follows Alba’s book signing and which typically morphs the boutique-heavy ’hood into a rollicking runway extravaganza.
If you’re feeling your inner fashionista, you might want to snag a VIP ticket—which puts you in good Alba-sighting territory and includes a seat at the runway event, admission to the VIP party, and reserved seating to the screening of the fashion doc The Tents, as well as the after-party—via Gilt City. Tickets go on sale Monday at 10 AM.
Check back Monday for our exclusive interview with Alba.
Two of the R. Nichols originals up for grabs at today's sale: Boudoir ($195) and Paris Afternoon ($245). Images courtesy BrandLinkDC.
We’re not the only ones who are seriously charmed by the playful artwork of stationer R. Nichols. The Washington native (he’s a Sidwell Friends alum!) and fashion darling’s work has been featured at mega-stylish stores such as Barneys and Neiman Marcus, and in 2007 his drawings graced the cover of the best-selling book French Women Don’t Get Fat. Today is your chance to snag an original cut-paper collage signed by the artist himself—at 1 PM, 29 of R. Nichols’ pieces pop up on his site in a flash sale, starting at just $50. They’re only available for 24 hours—or until they’ve sold out—so move quickly!
Flash sale begins at 1 PM today at r-nichols.com.
Relâche Spa hosts a summer open house. Photo courtesy of Relâche Spa.
Go Bare Tour Launch Party
What’s not to love about a party that pairs up beauty with baked goodies? To kick off Bare Minerals’ national Go Bare tour, the cosmetics brand teams up with sweets shop Georgetown Cupcake, where a traveling team of beauty gurus will offer up complimentary make-unders and personalized beauty secrets. Plus: Snack on the famous cupcakes (without having to wait in that insane line) and meet the founding sisters and stars of TLC’s DC Cupcakes, Katherine Berman and Sophie LaMontagne. Tuesday 3 to 7 PM. Georgetown Cupcake, 3301 M St., NW. RSVP to rsvp@bareminerals.com.
Beauty Night Out
The 6th annual beauty soiree offers a night of pampering, with complimentary makeovers, skincare consultations, mini spa treatments, and—of course—cocktails. Vendors include Votre Vu, Manicures-n-Motion, Aveda, and more, and advanced ticket buyers snag a swag bag featuring samples from the likes of Kiehl’s and Deborah Lippmann. The night benefits Fashion Fights Poverty’s youth fashion programs. Wednesday 5 to 10 PM. Longview Gallery, 1234 9th St., NW. $35 in advance through Eventbrite and $45 at the door.
Relâche Spa’s Summer Preview & Open House
Sneak a peek at the Gaylord National Hotel Relâche Spa’s summer offerings with samples of the spa’s latest treatments and expert health and beauty tips designed to get you bikini-ready. Up for grabs: Product samples, giveaways, and a free gift bag for the first 50 guests. Thursday 6 to 9 PM. 201 Waterfront St., National Harbor. RSVP to 301-965-4414.
