Who: (right) Madeline Caldwell, 20, Phillips Collection intern; (left) Anca Uliu, 21, Romanian native.
Where we spotted them: Fresh off the catwalk. Madeline and Anca modeled in the Art in Fashion runway event at Artomatic.
What they’re wearing:
Madeline: Skirt from LaRok, Kain T-shirt, shoes from a discount store in Brooklyn, and a PR at Partners hairpiece (the salon provided styling for the evening).
Anca: Pants and shrug from Forever 21, Express shirt, and “the most comfortable pair of shoes I own” from Burlington Coat Factory.
Who did you walk for on the runway tonight?
Madeline: “I walked for Diallo by Diallo Dejuan, Heydari by Miriam Heydari, Imorge, Kustom Looks Clothier, and Yosoy. In Diallo’s collection, I wore a red cocktail dress; for Heydari, I wore an architectural white linen dress with a chunky white necklace; and for Imorge, I wore a creation of black, white, and silver with chains, polka dots, and a silver mouth covering. For Kustom, I wore a funky pink business suit; and in Yosoy, I wore a black tie-dye dress with a sweetheart neckline. I was really impressed with all the designers, but I loved Diallo’s clothes because they were unique and fashion-forward but also wearable. His swimsuits are killer.”
Washington gets a lot of flack for its lackluster fashion scene. Did Art in Fashion do its job in proving critics wrong?
Madeline: “I think the Washington fashion scene is really growing right now, and it’s events like this one that are giving designers and models great opportunities to show their stuff. I thought the crowd was young and energetic, and the venue was cool and very open. I just hope they keep doing this every year. I had a lot of fun.”
Show’s over—time to celebrate. What do you wear for a big night out?
Madeline: “I like to mix really simple pieces with one exciting item. I love soft and shiny materials, and I can never have enough jeans. When I do go out, I mostly keep it casual with jeans and a T-shirt. I love shirts by Kain and Alexander Wang, and I just got some silk tops from Rory Beca and Myne at a sample sale. They’re so comfy, and I can also wear them to work. I usually pair a more casual look with some antique jewelry. I have a lot of hand-me-downs that I wear all the time. Sometimes I wear feathers or flowers in my hair to get really dressy.”
Anca: “It’s rare that I’m not wearing high heels. High heels for me are a necessity, and it doesn’t feel right without them. I usually wear dresses and skirts when going out to a club or lounge, and since my wardrobe’s predominant color is black, it most likely would be a black outfit. I’m not afraid to wear anything that would make me stand out in the crowd.”
Any best bets for Washington nightlife?
Madeline: I’m not much of a bar girl. I prefer a party or just chilling with friends in my back yard, but if I do go out, I’d probably go down to DC’s U Street or my neighborhood place, Comet Ping Pong for some Ping-Pong and pitchers of beer.”
Anca: “I can honestly say that there wasn’t one time that I’ve been to K Street Lounge and not had fun. The place plays music you can dance to, which is usually music you would hear on the radio. The people who attend that place are well dressed, and the atmosphere is spectacular. I’d recommend it to anyone who’s looking to have fun.”
Though both girls were captured in their own clothes, the Washington-based designers’ clothes they donned for the show are responsible for some equally trendy party gear. We can especially get into the glitzier designs of Yosoy for a night at Anca’s recommended K Street lounge—the high-waisted Leah Skirt, harem-style Gaucha Pants, and backless Kumiko Dress (all available on Dekka Showroom’s Web site) are versatile, trendy basics necessary for any regular club-goer.
Earlier:
Sidewalk Style: Bright Lights, Big Jewelry
Video Sidewalk Style: (Not Your) Granny('s) Style
All Sidewalk Styles
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Sarah is the Editor-in-Chief of Washingtonian Bride & Groom, and writes about weddings, fashion, and shopping. Her work has also appeared in Refinery29, Bethesda Magazine, and Washington City Paper, among others. She is a Georgetown University graduate, lives in Columbia Heights, and you can find her on Instagram at @washbridegroom and @sarahzlot.
