Our September issue follows 19 of Washington’s most fashionable ladies and gents through a cool night out at the W Hotel. While the clothes do most of the talking in print, the Style Setters themselves get the last word online.
Who: Shom Chowdhury, management consultant at Navigant Consulting
Describe your style in ten words or less: “Here’s two: svelte and utilitarian.”
Favorite Places to shop in Washington: “Diesel (3303 M St., NW; 202-747-7855)—love the jeans as well as the staff and the new Georgetown space. You can’t beat the fit at Hugh & Crye shirtmakers, and me and my Ducati motorcycle are in the spring/fall catalog. Adidas (1251 Wisconsin Ave.; 202-625-8501) always has a fun vibe. And have you seen the new baby-blue Gazelles?”
Fall gear you’re most excited for: “The Burberry military trench coat—it’s long, black, and slim, so I feel like a vampire. Also, any of my tattoos by Tim Corun and his crew at Jinx Proof Tattoos in Georgetown. Aren’t the best fashion accessories the ones you can’t take off?”
Our September issue follows 19 of Washington’s most fashionable ladies and gents through a cool night out at the W Hotel. While the clothes do most of the talking in print, the Style Setters themselves get the last word online.
Who: Cheryl New, divorce attorney, New & Lowinger
Describe your style in ten words or less: “Rebel with a cause.”
Favorite Places to shop in Washington: “Muléh when I’m looking to be creative; Saks Jandel, Gucci, or Ferragamo when I have to dress for a particular event; Neiman Marcus for shoes; and Target for long, ribbed tanks to wear under scratchy sweaters.”
Fall gear you can’t wait to wear: “Capes are big this fall. Ponchos or cape-type wraps complete any outfit, and I’ve been wearing them for years. I’m also looking forward to longer-length in skirts and dresses. Unless you’re five-foot-two and 16 years old, the short-short lengths just aren’t flattering.”
Who: Rockstar Diaries couple Naomi Davis, dance instructor and blogger, and husband, Josh, banking associate
Describe your style in ten words or less.
Naomi: “Vintage-inspired, colorful, classic.”
Josh: “Eclectic, pragmatic, varied, and not what it used to be.”
What do you love about your significant other’s look?
Naomi: “One of the first things I noticed about Josh was the way he dressed. I love that he has the confidence to wear things you never really see, and that he knows how to pair them with the appropriate shoes or blazer to make everything work. I’m glad I don’t have to ever worry about ‘dressing’ my guy.”
Josh: Naomi has a knack for color and matching different patterns. The way she dresses reflects her love of everything pretty, girly, and feminine.”
Who: Eric Felten, jazz singer and trombonist
Describe your style in ten words or less.
“A retro sensibility embracing the swing era and the Rat Pack.”
Favorite places to shop in Washington:
“The Polo store in Chevy Chase always has a great selection of suits cut in the late-’30s, Savile Row style. I get my suits tailored by Baytok in Georgetown. For casual clothes, I like Lacoste shirts, Brooks Brothers khakis, and Levi’s 501s.”
Fall gear you can’t wait to wear:
“A new navy-blue suit with an early-’60s, narrow-lapel Mad Men cut. Cut slim, with no break in the trousers, it’s both modern and vintage at the same time.”
Ever wonder what goes into a fashion shoot? Our September issue follows 19 of the District’s most fashionable ladies and gents through a cool night out at the W Hotel— check out our behind-the-scenes video to see how it all came together.
>>For more Style Setters extras, click here.
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Best consignment prices: Frugalista, 3069 Mount Pleasant St., NW; 202-328-2135. “A store with a consignment selection and thrift-store attitude. Designer gems are scattered among the carefully organized Ann Taylor and Banana Republic pieces. Pricing is consistently cheap.”
Best vintage: Polly Sue’s, 6915 Laurel Ave., Takoma Park; 301-270-5511. “Hands down, the best vintage in the area. It’s a charming two-story space that contains clothing spanning from Victorian-era jackets to 1960s hats. Everything is affordable—you’re not going to find much over $50.”
Think Washington and fashion can’t go together? At Saturday’s Fashion and Technology panel—part of last week’s Digital Capital Week—Fashion Fights Poverty vice president Elaine Mensah brought together a passionate and experienced group of local industry leaders to discuss how Washington’s blossoming fashion culture can grow through careful application of technology.
Some of the five panelists’ arguments came as no surprise to the tech-savvy crowd.
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Aisha Davis
President, Desho Productions, which produces the Live! On Woodrow Wilson concert series.
What she’s wearing: A Cavalli jacket with a Diane von Furstenburg dress and Steve Madden shoes. Her sunglasses are an inexpensive pair purchased from a street vendor that she keeps at her desk for the times she forgets her regular shades.
How would you describe your style? “I think of my style as a personal expression of my creativity. Each day is a different mood.”
Have you gotten a lot of comments about the jacket? “This morning as I was walking up the street, a man yelled out to me and gave me two thumbs up. In some places, women will make reference to the label; they just know it somehow. Here, women just say, ‘You look great’ or ‘I like that on you.’ I think it’s important for women to compliment one another.”
What will you be wearing this summer? “Strong, bold colors. My eye has been going toward color-block looks recently—crisp reds, pure white, and jewel tones.”
Rachel says: What’s your standout statement piece? Mine is a pink, swing-shape brocade vintage jacket with beaded embellishments along the opening and cuffs. It looks great with jeans or with a springy pencil skirt. I feel happy every time I wear it, and compliments are always guaranteed. What in your closet makes you happy?
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Allison Curtis, 19
Student, American University
What she’s wearing: Dress from Smash! in Adams Morgan, thrift-store boots, and tights from the back of her sock drawer.
What will you be wearing this summer? “Dresses along the lines of this one. I’ll be going to thrift stores to load up. I like Unique Thrift and Value Village because they’re large. And St. Alban’s Episcopal Church has a thrift store right across the street from my apartment.”
Do you have a style uniform? “Oversize sweaters and tops with black skinny pants of some kind. Anything high-waisted, like American Apparel Disco Pants.”
Rachel says: A loose dress, ripped tights, and old boots? Some of you will say “no thanks,” but Allison’s look represents a certain undone, less-is-more swagger that’s all the rage in fashion circles right now. If the New York Times says it’s true. . . .
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Katie Nash, 22
Student, University of Maryland
What she’s wearing: “Actually, it’s all from H&M!” The sandals were a recent purchase from Target.
So you must be an H&M fan. “It’s cheap and fashionable. I’m a college student, so it’d be tough to shop anywhere else.”
Tell me about your style. “Laid-back, earthy. I don’t like to throw a bunch of trends on all at once. I’m not big on heels and super-short miniskirts.”
Favorite things in your closet? “My tall Minnetonka boots with layered tassels. They’re all worn in; they’re my go-to boots. And pair of acid-wash skinny jeans.”
What will you be wearing this summer? “I’m a big dress fan. The long, flowing Maxi style is my thing.”
Rachel says: I’m not making any argument here that Katie’s look is revolutionary (can we all agree, though, that her hair is completely amazing?). But quite simply, Katie’s outfit struck me as just the right sort of thing to wear to a live show on a spring day. Light, loose layers, flat shoes, and a cross-body bag are all good ideas for a concert.
