DC Fashion Week: The Menswear Collections

DC Fashion Week was in full swing last Saturday at the DoubleTree Hotel in Crystal City. But it was all about the men. Six menswear collections including Emore J Couture, Ray Vincente, Kustom Looks Clothier, Durkl, Stella Bonds and my personal fav, Andrew Nowell, hit the runway. Each collection told a different story. With the very vibrant colors of Stella Bonds' swimwear, to the urban look of Durkl to the everyday man look of Ray Vincente. My only wish would have been that the Menswear Collection would have been a part of the Sunday show. Maybe it could have been earlier in the day. There is something special about the French Embassy, especially since France it the home of haute couture.

At first I decided that I would just sit back and enjoy the show. I thought that I could get photos from their official photographer, Damion Miller. But when Emore'J Couture hit the runway, I had to take pictures. Emore'J considers his work "wearable art." That perfectly describes his collection. There was an array of fabrics and textures that would not normally be used for the runway. He definitely pushed the envelope with his designs.

Emore'J Couture






So I decided to continue taking photos and next up was Kustom Looks Clothier. Kustom Looks Clothier is the heart and soul of Kwab Asamoah. He is dedicated to making the men of the DMV hit the streets in high style.

Kustom Looks Clothier







But I have a big crush on Andrew Nowell because he pulled together sex appeal, ruggedness, impeccable tailoring together with fashion forward looks. I first saw his work during the Walish Gooshe show last year. I almost fell on the floor. He makes clothes for the kind of man that I am attracted to. The guy who insists on being stylish but dances to the beat of a different drummer. Can I just say that the fur jacket was hot to death!

Andrew Nowell

DC Fashion Week Finale: Andrew Nowell

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.