I totally adore a well-dressed man. There is something special about watching a man walk down the hallway in a well-fitted Italian wool suit with his crisp blue shirt and his sexy striped tie and his ever so polished black oxford shoes. He is so dashing in his camel-colored wool overcoat. You just have to stop him and give him your card. I know that I would.
Guys, if you want us to pay attention to you, then here are your work essentials.
I was invited to take a voyage and “Escape to Style” with Style Expert George Worrell. His "How To Be Sexy In The City" fashion show was so fab. First of all, the venue was beyond belief. The rooftop of the Highland Park Apartments in the Columbia Heights area of DC is the spot of all spots. The views were amazing. It is without a doubt the perfect place to have a soirée.
Can I just say that I was totally treated like a VIP?!? The gorgeous LaNora Williams-Clark of the Muse Creative Arts Agency, greeted me, walked me around, and made sure that I was personally introduced to Mr. Worrell. She seated me on the front row and ensured that I had a great time. She was wearing that beautiful red dress in high diva style.
Then I was introduced to the always beautiful Michel Wright of XM/Sirius Radio Heart & Soul station. She was so nice and very down to Earth. She asked someone to take a picture of us. I was very honored. Make sure that you check her out from 4 pm to 10 pm on Channel 51 on XM/Sirius Radio.
The night's climax was an array of amazing clothes from Loehmann's personally chosen by George Worrell. His theme for the night was how to pull off an amazing look on a budget. I give him major props. So many people act like there isn't a recession going on. It was so refreshing to see someone acknowledge it and give us girls (and the guys) tips on how to still be fab without breaking the bank. He was able to get one of the men's suit ensembles for $65.00! I was very impressed. As one who also knows how to look fab on a budget, it was great to see that men can also garner some great deals, too.
My favorite item of the night was this gorgeous Dolce and Gabbana black shearling coat. I had to take a closeup of the intricate detailing of the coat. I adored it. I have to have one.
After spending a delightful time with the stylish George Worrell, I dashed over to the Mayflower Hotel, checked-in and hurried upstairs to get myself ready for the fashion show. I was wearing a vintage Pat Sandler sequin dress with a pair of fab silver sequin shoes. Can I just say that as a native, I have never had a staycation at The Mayflower Hotel, but I will be sure to take my next one there. The staff was great and the room was perfect. It is such a great location. I even loved the design on my bill. I would highly recommend the Mayflower for your next visit to DC or staycation.
I didn't take pictures of the fashion show because I just wanted to enjoy the show and not worry about writing everything down or taking pictures. I am glad that I did. I was able to really understand what Fashion Fights Poverty is all about. The founders (above) came out to tell about their amazing journey. They had slide shows in between the viewings. Each one talked about their mission, what they have accomplished in five years, and where there were headed next. I was truly inspired to learn more about this wonderful organization and quite possible volunteer.
There were six wonderful designers who graced the runways on Friday including Mirza Mperial, Nudie Jeans, Aidah Collection, Studio D-Maxsi, Rene Geneva, and ReneeQ Bespoke. All of the collections were top notch. But the star of the show was the model that Will Thomas of Fox 5 News dubbed DC's Naomi Campbell. He was so right. She had the most amazing walk and wore those clothes fabulously. 
Another highlight of the night was these guys, especially the guy on the left. He was sitting in the next row of chairs and had walked by me several times. I could not help but notice his too fab outfit. The picture does not do it justice. He had on black jeans and a blacklight-colored vest with a crisp white shirt that he had rolled up and was adorned with lovely baubles around his neck. His hair was perfect. He looked stunning. I had to stop them and take their picture. They were so nice to agree. You go boys!
Italian designer, Gianni Lilliu definitely brought the European flair to light in his Spring 2010 collection. He adorned his sophisticated collection in metallics and lace and sequins with unusual silhouettes. Gianni's womenswear was girly and flirty enveloped in sexy. His menswear was also very sexy. A strong man could definitely wear a fab pair of metallic pants! These were my favorites: 
{images: Damion Miller/DC Fashion Week Photographer}
Nayna Fashion House and Amna Khan showed a wonderful Eastern-inspired collection. The things that I love most about the clothes of women in the East are the sultry, rich fabrics and the amazing beading and embroidery. The fabrics are so beautiful with rich colors that add a little mystique. While the beading and embroidery gives each one the perfect finishing details. The only thing that I wished she would have done would be to lengthen each one to the length of the first dress shown below. It would have added just a little drama. These were my favs. The first one is my absolute favorite from the collection.
This was my first time at the DC Fashion Week Finale show. So I was beyond excited. Of course, I was looking hot with my lovely pink J. Crew dress/sweater and my too fab pair of pink metallic patent leather Charles David platform slingbacks. You can't see the entire outfit but trust that I was looking fab. That's one of my hanging buddies who is an amazing seamstress and should be showing her line next year! But I digress.
I was totally loving the ambience except for the rude folks who didn't seem to understand that there were cameras everywhere taking pics! Sit down! LOL. There were some amazing designs that walked that runway. Unfortunately, I had a little bit of a disaster with my brand new camera. I hate trying to program a new camera. What a nightmare. My first set of pics were less than desirable. So the photos below were taken by the official DC Fashion Week Photographer, Mr. Damion Miller. 
One of my favorites was Andrew Nowell. I will stop on a dime to gawk (and maybe whistle) at a well-dressed man. Mr. Nowell knows just what we women like to see. I first saw Andrew Nowell's collection at the Walish Gooshe fashion show last month. I was sitting on the front and had an up close and personal view of his work. Can I just say that his tailoring, craftsmanship, and creativity sets him apart from so many menswear designers that I have seen in my day. This man used mesh to create a fab pair of pants! Mesh. You have to be a genius to make mesh look sleek and stylish. The fifth pic down is the mesh outfit. LOVE IT! If I had a man (the Love Gods are working on that one), I would want him to adorn himself in anything designed by Andrew Nowell.
There was wondrous sophistication that was apparent in the Glamorous Gowns by Glynn. For those of us that are curvy (in all the right places), you can truly appreciate Glynn Jackson's choice of fabrics and styling. I adore the gold gown. I would have never considered wearing a gold gown before. I have not come across one that did not look tacky and cheap, regardless of who's the designer. But this gown was spot on. 
{images: Damion Miller/DC Fashion Week Photographer}
As with her gorgeous silk creations that strutted down the runway at the H Street Festival, Mariam Heydari's Spring 2010 collection was swathed in luxurious silks and lace in rich, vibrant colors. The black dress with the twisted ribbon style bottom and the orange jacket are my absolute favs.
{images: Damion Miller/DC Fashion Week Photographer}
DMV, don't you just love when you get a deal on something going on in the city? I know I do. It makes me beyond giddy. So you need to sign up for What's The Deal. They have some awesome things for you and your friends to do in Washington DC to help you get out of the house to explore the city.
How does WTD work?
Here's a little sneak peek @ the finale show of DC Fashion Week. This was the best entrance of the night. The dress is by Corjor International and the guys... well the guys... what can I say. They appeared from under the dress. Be still my heart.
Fashionistas, whenever there is an opportunity to shop for unique items, take it. The Sugarloaf Craft Festival is taking over the Montgomery County Fairgrounds twice before the end of the year - October 9-11 and again November 20-22. The gorgeous necklace above is the creation of Wendy Waguaman and she will be one of over 250 acclaimed artists at the Festival, exhibiting and selling their original handmade works, including fiber and fashion, jewelry and fine art. You can get more information for the Sugarloaf Craft Festival web site.
This Fall prepare to take the ultimate voyage and “Escape to Style” with Style Expert George Worrell.
Set amongst the stars on a rooftop with cocktails, socialites and fashionistas this is the place to be! This reception and fashion show held at the luxurious Highland Park, at 1400 Irving Street NW and will run from 6-8pm. The show will feature Fall fashion advice for men and women on “How to Be Sexy in the City” without breaking the budget. The tickets are $25 and must be purchased at www.escapetostyle.com.
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to “Dress for Success”, a non-profit organization providing professional clothing, mentoring support, and career skills to women who are making the transition from welfare to work. Event sponsors include Loehmann’s, Greater Washington Fashion Chamber of Commerce, and Muse Creative Arts Agency. To learn more about George Worell visit www.escapetostyle.com for more information about the sponsors and the “Dress for Success” organization, visit www.musecreativeartsagency.com,
I was invited to attend the opening of the Immortal Beloved Salon on Saturday. Immortal Beloved is latest venture by Kelly Gorsuch, one of the nation's leading stylists. This fab spot is located at 1457 Church St, NW, off 14th Street, NW. 
The space is amazing. It didn't have the look of a salon from the outside. It looked like a studio space for the latest hip indie rock band. But when I got inside, it screamed "salon."
The chairs are über sleek and modern. The huge handmade wooden mirrors add just the perfect touch allowing clients to get a full visual of their transformations. I totally loved the bird cages at the back - the cages added so much character.
I asked Kelly how did he find such an amazing space. "I knew that I wanted to be in the 14th Street area," Kelly said. "My friend has a salon next door and recommended the space. When I came to look at it, I knew that this was the perfect spot." He added that the space is very open and amazingly well lit during the day thanks to the skylights above which pour in the sunlight each day.
The waiting area was full of more handmade wooden beauties. The receptionist desk is gorgeous, as were the benches arranged randomly but purposefully. I was so blown away at the craftsmanship. Gorsuch and his business partner, Caleb Woodard, built every single piece in the salon, including those fab mirrors. 
As promised, there was a cellist setting the mood with Beethoven. She was gracious enough to pose for me with her lovely cello. There was also plenty of wine, beer, and cheese to go around.
The Fashion Show finale belonged to PhillyGurl. Philly native Donita Vann used the richness of her Philadelphia upbringing to bring life to her PhillyGurl line. She was surrounded by vibrant colors and style as well as the arts, especially jazz music. Her designs bring all of that to life. She chose fabrics with amazing colors and very unique silhouettes to give it that extra special touch. I could not pick a favorite because I pretty much loved everything in her line.
Lili Forrest Creations was next up on the runway. Lili Forrest is an L.A. girl transplanted to Williamsburg, VA. She has two lines including Lili Forrest Designs and I Adorned. Her designs are for the young sophisticate who definitely gets her party on. Her dresses were flouncy and flirty and a little bit naughty. The seventh dress down from the top was my favorite.
It was time for a shout-out to the H Street Corridor and HIPS Boutique. I was sad to only see a few designs from their boutique but was pleased by what they have to offer. The flower print dress is gorgeous. You really have to see it in person to really appreciate how vibrant the fabric is.
Heydari Design was up next. For more than 25 years, Mariam Heydari has been pouring her heart and soul into her designs for Heydari Design. It was very obvious that this was the work of someone with a long history in fashion. Her designs were impeccably made from beautiful silks and quilted fabrics. Her line definitely was more for the sophisticated working woman who wanted something a little different to wear to express her individuality. The jacket and pants in the second picture was my absolute fav.
Next down the runway were the designs of Diallo. Diallo, a native Washingtonian, came to fashion via his artistry. He used his artists skills in drawing and painting and meshed it with t-shirt design as his first dip into the fashion design pool. He has been designing fashion lines since the early 2000's. For me, it was his swimsuit line that blew me away. I loved every one of those swimsuits. His swimsuit designs were unique in fabric choice and silhoutte. My favorite suit was the two-piece swim suit. Too fab for words!
After the little divas and gents modeled the best offerings at Spoiled and Rotten Kids Boutique and Spa, it was time to see what was "haute" for Spring 2010.
First up was the beautiful designs of Corjor International. Corjor is the brand of Ean Williams, Director of DC Fashion Week. His showed pieces from his current line which included an array of fab evening gowns made from the most sumptuous fabrics. He would debut his Spring 2010 line on Sunday at the finale of DC Fashion Week at the French Embassy. While I loved everything from Corjor, the second dress from the top is to die for. 
The runway shows opened with a "little" bang. Little in the sense that there were some budding America's Next Top Models contestants strutted their little selves down the runway for the Spoiled and Rotten Kids Boutique and Spa, a clothing store and salon that caters to children ages 2 to 13. Khadijah Bronson is the brainchild and owner of this unique concept. Where else in DC can you shop for your little diva and get her a spa treatment at the same time? This would be the place. Located at 1204 H St. NE, the Spoiled and Rottenn Kids Boutique and Spa started out as a clothing store but quickly expanded into a spa set to primp and pamper your little darlings. What a cool idea.
This was my first year attending the H Street Festival. Can you believe that I am a native? I am and it was my first time. I loved every minute of it. Of course, my main interest was the Festival's Fashion Show, one of the events rounding DC Fashion Week before their big show at the French Embassy on Sunday.
I loved the outdoor runway. It was a great way to give hard-working everyday folks a chance to briefly step inside the world of haute couture. There were quite a few designers from all over the world and their different perspectives were evident in their designs.
I was bowled over by the outdoor makeup setup. You just can not be more open than allowing people to see the fabulous folks that give models that look. Models would be nowhere without an amazing team of hair and makeup artists. Some of the artists and salons included Makeup Artisty by LaGerie Nicole (or Lala as folks called her), Beautiful Becomings, Charlene, and AB-FAB Designs.
The Capitol Fashionista is so excited to report that as of September 14, 2009, kidGQ.com will be known as the District Cut. District Cut reflects the transformation, growth, and identity as DC's Premier Men's Fashion Blog. The content remains the same, the commitment to perfection is still intact, and the respect for the city of DC and fashion industry will always remain true. You will still have the availability to access District Cut via http://kidgq.com/ until the end of October, however, their new site URL is http://www.districtcut.com/. Hit them up to see what's happening over at District Cut. New contact information can be found on the bottom of the page and any other information can be obtained by directing all questions to contact@districtcut.com.
Okay. I had to take it there. I have been salivating over the look of thigh-high boots in every September issue of every fashion magazine. Up my thighs is so right. Sexy, sexy, right? These kick-ass boots are by Report Signature Footwear (i heart Report) and are available at 80's Purple (i heart 80's Purple, too).
Oh Giuseppe, how I adore you! Suede platform boots available at Net-a-Porter.
I really like the look of these "Linger with Me" brown wedge wedges with its amazing cuff and tie backs. You have to wear these with a dress or skirt so you can show off their full fabulosity. Get a pair at FreePeople.com
I am lovin' these leopard print ankle boots. I'm tapping into my inner kitty cat. Available at Spiegel.com
I do not own a lot of flats but these are just too cute to pass up. The color is gorgeous. What a lovely shade of purple! The "Dream" patent by Bernardo is available in Grape, Red, and Pewter. It's available at Feet First.
DC Fashionistas, mark your calendars for the opening of Immortal Beloved located at 1457 Church St, NW, this Saturday, September 19 at 8pm. Immortal Beloved is the latest venture of Kelly Gorsuch, one of the nations leading stylists.
Inspired by the famous love letters penned by Beethoven, Immortal Beloved accurately captures the beauty and romance of its namesake. Situated in the hip 14th street neighborhood, Gorsuch not only designed the space, but also handcrafted every piece of wood furniture featured inside with the help of business partner Caleb Woodard.
The party promises to be equally as enchanting with wine, cheese and candle light - all accompanied by a live violinist and cellist set to play only Beethoven.
‘Beloved’ promises to fill the void that plagues the young and the fashionable of the district. You know that the Capitol Fashionista is all for that. So come on out and I will see you there.
I can only imagine what it must be like to be married to a rock star. Even when you have had your own brilliant career in modeling, you are still known as Mrs. Simon Le Bon. But Yasmin Le Bon is stepping outside of the shadow of her Duran Duran hubby to design her first clothing and jewelry line specifically for Wallis. 
The pieces are really simple and elegant. In a world full of metallic and heavy embellishment, women really need some simple pieces that can be easily accessorized and don't cost a fortune. Le Bon's line is very moderately priced. The look of this gray batwing dress is so modern and stylish. All you would need is an amazing pair of earrings and a statement bracelet to give this dress a very polished look. Oh and a fab pair of black ankle booties to add a little sex appeal.
There are some other great pieces in her line including this trendy embroidered military coat. The military look is all the rage at the moment. So she is very tapped into what is current without delivering a piece that looks just like every other military coat available on the market at the moment. There is intricate metallic gold embroidering on the cuff and back neck of the coat which dresses up the coat making it perfectly appropriate for evening.
In addition to a fab fur capelet, there are several lovely evening dresses, a gorgeous blue velvet jacket, as well as, beautiful pieces of jewelry to add a little something special to any outfit. Here are a few more of my favorite pieces. You can see the entire line at Wallis.
It is so hard to find a cute denim wedge. Well, here's a really cute one, available at Go Jane for $12.90.
I am so loving my weekly fashion challenges. These challenges have been getting me going. I have been discovering some wonderful little gems in places that I would not normally look. This week's Little Gems Fashion Challenge is at Caché. This one was one of the hardest challenges to date. I really could not find that much that I really liked. I have to give Caché credit, they have a great line of accessories. If you are looking for jewelry and belts, check them out. I did find this amazing yellow biker jacket that I adore. But the pickings were slim for me at Caché. Here's what I discovered:
Get this prtty watch with the look of tortoise shell at Spiegel.com for $34.
Edited by Jennine
ADMK's Trunk Show @ Caramel, Saturday, September 12th between 2 PM - 6 PM
Caramel is located at 1603 U Street NW, Washington, DC.
Prepare to fall in love with the modern classic designs of ADMK Jewelry. Handcrafted using the finest quality materials, ADMK's distinctive pieces will transform your look with sparkle, style, and sophistication.
We women are such exquisite creatures. Despite how imperfect you may think your body is, we really are gorgeous wonders. So I was overjoyed to hear from New York photographer, Lily Kesselman about her new addition to her photography studio, Urban Boudoir.
Urban Boudoir is a personal boudoir photography service for women in the New York area. Lily has an unique approach to photography and styling which helps you to create stunning images in an intimate setting. Whether you are looking for sexy, romantic or adventurous – her team can help you create a completely custom shoot tailored to your taste and style!
They also create one-of-a-kind custom Boudoir Books in a variety of styles or archival prints and display options. Their sessions make great gifts for brides that want to give something truly unique to their loved ones or women who want to celebrate their strength and beauty. Here are some amazing images from her web site. View more gorgeous images and get additional information on her service here.
Sequins are never out of style. Get this cute sequin mini at Arden B for $19.99.
Join the Greater Washington Fashion Chamber of Commerce on September 10, 2009, for D.C.'s FASHION'S NIGHT OUT!
The global Fashion's Night Out on September 10 will encourage shopping and support of the fashion industry with late-night shopping parties in New York, D.C., and elsewhere! In partnership with Vogue and the Council of Fashion Designers of America, participating retailers will stay open late and will host designers, stylists, celebrities, and more.
GWFCC has partnered with the MidCity Business Association and boutiques throughout the Greater Washington area to promote D.C.'s Fashion's Night Out and place GWFCC members in boutiques for the evening's parties. The participating boutiques in DC will be open until 10pm or later.
The MidCity participants include: Caramel, Dekka, Junction, Lettie Gooch, Muleh, Palace 5, Redeem, Rue 14, Stem, and Treasury. GWFCC member stylist Katherine Limon of My Signature Look will be styling shoppers at Lettie Gooch and other stores throughout the evening.
In addition to MidCity's Fashion's Night Out, other area stores will participate in the evening. Treat in Old Town Alexandria will be holding a Fashion's Night Out party with champagne and a gift with purchase. The Neiman Marcus stores in Chevy Chase and Tyson's Corner will hold Fashion's Night Out parties with trunk shows and special events.
Visit GWFCC.org and MidCityLife.com for a full list of D.C.'s Fashion's Night Out events. See the Facebook invitation and GWFCC's Twitter for updates of new participants and special events.
Visit FashionsNightOut.com for more information on the global Fashion's Night Out.
Do we love these or what? The color of the gems is amazing. The turquoise is paired perfectly with the fluorite. Definitely statement jewelry! Get a pair at Vivre.com.
These are way fab. These Uma Zipper Booties are by Balmain and would be perfect with a pair of skinny black jeans. Get yours at mytheresa.com.
I love when designers know how to create a totally modern vintage look. This is a fab dress by Heidi Merrick. The big bow adds the perfect touch to this beautiful dress. Get it at Sunday Brunch Dress Shop.
After stints at Lanvin, Rochas and Hermès, French designer Guillaume Hinfray turned his focus to shoes with a collaboration with Bottega Venetta and working as Chief Designer at the shoe haven, Salvatore Ferragamo. He branched out on his own in 2002 to put his mark on the world. He labels his unique style, "brutish finishing and 'underground' elements." I would say that is spot on. This collection has ridges and unusual shapes with very vibrant colors. Guillaume Hinfray sets himself apart from the pack. These are my favs. See his entire collection here.
It's totally easy being green. Get this cute green mini-bag by Loverboy @ Lulu's for $25.50
Edited by Debutante Clothing
This week's Finding the Little Gems Fashion Challenge was with Mandee.com. I definitely do not shop at Mandee and no knock on anyone who does. It is more geared towards teens but I am a firm believer that you can find something fashionable anywhere. So after perusing their site for about 45 minutes, here are my fashionable finds. They had a lot of items that are totally on trend and also they sell shoes by Madden Girl, Dollhouse, and Dereon.
Get this cute Chantral Hobo bag at Delia's for $19.99.
Here's the new LDB. Not only are the ruffles down the side too fab, but the back of the dress takes the cake. Make an entrance and an exit. Love it. It's Tsumori Chisato. Get it at Forward by Revolve.
This fab bow-tie shirt is only $39.99 @ Ann Taylor.
This is the best jumpsuit that I have seen all year. I want this big time. Love it. Available at Miss Selfridge.
I have been resisting buying a pair of cowboy boots for the longest time. I much prefer riding boots. But when I noticed the shorter styles, I decided it could be time for my first pair of cowboy boots. I am really lovin' this studded pair by Frye available at Endless.
Too sexy. Fiona by Omelle. I love Omelle.
I am such a design nut and a sucker for beautiful packaging. Package design is an essential part of branding and graphic design. The right packaging can get you noticed which in turn can boost sales. But the wrong packaging will get your product quickly placed on the bottom shelf (product graveyard) or worse - off the shelf altogether. No one aspect of fashion relies as heavily on product design more than fragrances. Yes, it has to smell good but a pretty bottle is what gets our attention. We women, we love pretty things.
So I searched around for the most amazingly beautiful perfume bottles from then and now (debut year information via The Fragrance Directory). Here are my favorites:
Since the summer is winding down, you can get these sexy turquoise thongs Monica sandals by Candela @ ShopBop.com for $61.50. Also available in charcoal and light brown.
