DC Fashion: Here Today, Gone By The Weekend!

It is a known fact that New York City is the fashion capital of the United States and arguably of the entire world. Though on Thursday, September 8th, various cities across the U.S. followed suit participating in Fashion's Night Out, the annual kick-off to New York Fashion Week.

The tiny but trendy corner of Georgetown was the center for Washington D.C.'s second annual Fashion's Night Out affair. A slew of style aficionados braved tornado-like weather to experience the many sales, raffles, fancy cocktails and sample giveaways provided by the participating boutiques. Although Georgetown may have lacked the celebrity foot traffic and high-profile coverage of it's New York City counterpart, D.C. more than compensated with it's Vintage en Vogue fashion show,the FNO Flash Mob performers and talented stylists offering advice to fashion enthusiasts.

With the success of Fashion's Night Out Georgetown, the momentum was set for September 10th's Fashion, Beauty and Lifestyle Expo that took place at the Washington Convention Center. Though, even the presense of industry representatives Nigel Barker, Korto Momolu and Jaslene Gonzalez, could not overshadow the sea of two-tone hairstyles, flammable fabrics and ill-fitting garments. Rather than exhibiting what D.C. could offer the competitive industries of Fashion and Beauty, the event took the form of an impromptu audition for America's Next Top Model.

Though best known for it's concentration in politics and legal affairs, Washington D.C. does have a network of fashion admirers. Yet, as rapidly as one event can come along and peak interest, another could follow and douse all hope.

Some Rules Were Made to Be Broken!

Indeed, if we were members of the elevating middle class of the late 19th century through the 1950s, all breathable white fabrics and pristine white shoes would be packed away until the next Memorial weekend. Fortunately, rules of social etiquette have greatly evolved since that time period and contrary to popular belief it is okay to wear white after Labour Day.

We must all bear in mind that certain colors and fabrics are highlighted during particular seasons for a reason. Dark wool knit materials are not befitting of the heat intensive summer months. Yet, should we limit the well-garmented display of an entire color to a few weeks within the year? This question is not meant to indicate that white sandals and sun hats should be worn against the backdrop of fall and winter months, but a lovely blouse or, dare I say, even a sleek pant could endure beyond the first Monday in September.

“Before Easter, after Labor Day, the old rules no longer ring true. White is a 365 day-a-year proposal! Keep the fabrications appropriate to the season and you will always be chic.”
–Ken Downing, Neiman Marcus creative director

(Picture provided by collegefashion.com)

Body Ink - Artistic Expression or Permanent Accessory?

Often times we pass individuals on the street with various representations of themselves scrolled across their bodies. Some tattoos appear to have personal/ emotional indications, but others could very well be the result of silly adolescence or a night of intoxication. Either way, there is a market for permanent body ink. The question is, how do these lasting expressions affect the ever changing realm of style?

Persons with tattoos often defend their body ink as a form of artistic expression. Yet, can this form of expression take away from another? In fashion, there are a few style choices that could possibly be enhanced by tattoos; for example, Glam Rock or Punk. Familiar public figures that often exhibit this look are Rihanna and Adam Lambert. But when the style changes, is it possible for the body art to adjust to the new look?

Angelina Jolie, an actress famous for her tattoos, is pictured above in a long elegant black gown with the updo to match. Though, when she turns around, her tattoos are made visible and somewhat downplay the look of the woman facing forward. The picture almost depicts a mullet sort of effect. Ms. Jolie seems to be business in the front, but all party in the back.

Of course, tattoos are a personal choice and definitely a lot easier to pull-off in Hollywood than corporate America, but when contemplating which picture should be imprinted on an ankle, back or forearm, how long will it be before the look just does not fit? After all, one scarf may be great under a blazer, but may not suit that polka-dotted cardigan as well.

(Pictures provided by 2tattoodesigns.com and trendhunter.com)

It's Time to Reap What You SEW!

Tonight was the premiere of Project Runway season 9. In an effort to stir up the original formula, 20 designers were invited to New York, but by the end of day one only 16 could continue on in the hopes of becoming America's Next Top...wait, wrong show.

The designers chosen for this show are creative, vivacious and their personalities never disappoint. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for the first runway show. It was clear that the designers comprehended the 70s wide leg trend and the remaining looks were rather one note. Of course this could be accredited to first day jitters and limited materials (pajamas and sheets?!?).

The most impressive, both through design, styling and construction, was former Miss Trinidad and Tobago Universe, Anya. She entered the competition with only 4 months sewing experience but was able to produce a silk kimono print halter with a well-tailored wide leg grey pant . Yet, she was in great company with adorably wearable pieces produced by Anthony Ryan and Bert. Anthony Ryan, though challenged by color blindness, created a grey blouse with striped black lace and paired it with an emerald green mini with continued lace detailing along the front. Bert cleverly converted boxer shorts into a chic day dress using slate grey to perfectly color block the peach strips in the undergarment. Putting aside a few dated styling concerns, the judges named Bert the winner of this week's challenge.

On a more sour note, viewers can only hope to recover from the eyesores that were Joshua's, Julie's and Rafael's designs. Although Rafael was forewarned by the insightful Tim Gunn about the judges concerns regarding his taste and style, he produced a rather frightful display of ill-fitting heather grey capris, an okay white blouse and a leopard bib-like necklace. Unsurprisingly, Rafael was the first eliminated from the competition. Fortunately, fans can take comfort in knowing there are many more episodes to come.

Until next week :)

(Picture provided by askmissa.com)

Follow "Sil_Browne" On TWITTER!!!

In addition to frequenting more blog entries, look to my Twitter account for immediate commentary on breaking fashion news!!!!

(Picture provided by propsblog.com)

Lavishness Is Sooooooo Last Year!

The fashion industry has not been exempt from the wrath of the global economic crisis and thus we have witnessed various alterations for these exhibitors of style. Fashion magazines are vying for greater ad layouts and using the mass appeal of celebrities to increase sales and profits. Luxury designers are experiencing the weight of potential foreclosures and in turn have opted for a more cost-effective means of artistic expression. Today, fashion greats such as Vera Wang, Karl Lagerfeld, and Jean Paul Gaultier have partnered with department stores Kohls, Macy's and Target, respectively, to offset the loses they are experiencing on the "high-end".

It seems a bit ironic that an industry based on the glamour of inaccessibility is forced to perform the same checks and balances that everyday citizens endure. Yet, due to the basic principals of supply and demand, the same industry that dictates our trends has now fallen to the will of the people.

Don't get me wrong, I am not exempt from the overwhelming gaiety any fashion aficionado feels in the presence of Chanel, Louboutin, and Prada. There is a sense of accomplishment that is highlighted when given the opportunity or achieving the success to obtain such rare and luxurious pieces. Yet, until both we as individuals and the global economy are financially tuned enough to keep up with the Jones', the more fiscally fabulous clothing options will do just nicely. "Fiscally fabulous" - sounds better than "economical", "cheaper", or "discounted" right!

(Picture provided by editinternational.com)

Following the Leader

This... 'stuff'? Oh... ok. I see, you think this has nothing to do with you. You go to your closet and you select out, oh I don't know, that lumpy blue sweater, for instance, because you're trying to tell the world that you take yourself too seriously to care about what you put on your back. But what you don't know is that that sweater is not just blue, it's not turquoise, it's not lapis, it's actually cerulean. You're also blithely unaware of the fact that in 2002, Oscar De La Renta did a collection of cerulean gowns. And then I think it was Yves St Laurent, wasn't it, who showed cerulean military jackets? And then cerulean quickly showed up in the collections of 8 different designers. Then it filtered down through the department stores and then trickled on down into some tragic casual corner where you, no doubt, fished it out of some clearance bin. However, that blue represents millions of dollars and countless jobs and so it's sort of comical how you think that you've made a choice that exempts you from the fashion industry when, in fact, you're wearing the sweater that was selected for you by the people in this room. From a pile of stuff.(Meryl Streep, The Devil Wears Prada)

Although this excerpt from The Devil Wears Prada is a bit lengthy, I could not agree more with how well it sums up the effect of the fashion industry on every man. More specifically, that there are a set few rooms full of people that have selected certain items for the masses and all but too many have fallen slave to these decisions. One could even suggest that there is a sinister facet that allows this select few to determine just what people would be willing to wear as long as someone of consequence deems it "fashionable".

Some of the items that plague the greater population include Uggs, Jack Rodgers sandals and now TOMS. If you have not noticed already, you will now.

Challenge yourself on the commute home from work to count how many pairs you can spot. Just how uniform have the decisions of select few made us as a population?

Maybe you'll have to start this challenge in your own closet.

(Pictures provided by shoebuy.com, kozeetoes.com, popentertainment.com and hcs.harvard.edu)