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We Love: Pandahead Mag

Tuesday, September 29, 2009


I am eternally impressed with the talent and hard work of fellow D.C. fash blogger Morgan, who just debuted the first anniversary issue of her indie-cool online fashion/arts/all things hip webzine Pandahead Mag. The photo shoots are clever and creative, but my favorite part was the music video of four local bands, shot during a camping trip. Love the grainy, sun-dappled pictures, love the catchy song, love the cheerful, 70s-ish feel. It made me feel happy. Happy birthday, Pandahead Mag.

Serious Bootie Lust

Sunday, September 27, 2009


Hmmm... Would I rather have Hannah's amazing Coclico Odanak pair (above, $350, but 20 percent off with her code NEWFALL20), or Rumi's awesome Aldo option (below, $140, and part of an assortment of cute foldover booties they're offering this season)? Decisions, decisions...

Yes, Please: Gripp Jeans


Via Because I'm Addicted, how great are these simple, sculpted pieces from Aussie line Gripp Jeans? Love.

Fashion Wisdom From a Food Icon



Along with the stack of fashion books on my bedside table — John Fairchild's The Fashionable Savages; Who What Wear from the super-cute Who What Wear website gals; the hilariously insightful Retail Hell by Freeman Hall — I've got a stack of food books (not that I can actually cook or anything, but a girl's got to be well-rounded).

I'm halfway through Julia Child's memoir My Life in France (just. delightful!), and I was really struck by a comment Julia had made after she cooked a terrible meal for a friend one day.
"We ate the lunch with painful politeness and avoided discussing its taste. I made sure not to apologize for it. This was a rule of mine.

I don't believe in twisting yourself into knots of excuses and explanations over the food you make. When one's hostess starts in with self-deprecations such as "Oh, I don't know how to cook...," or "Poor little me...," or "This may taste awful...," it is so dreadful to have to reassure her that everything is delicious and fine, whether it is or not. Besides, such admissions only draw attention to one's shortcomings (or self-perceived shortcomings), and make the other person think, "Yes, you're right, this really is an awful meal!"

...The cook must simply grit her teeth and bear it with a smile — and learn from her mistakes."

My immediate thought was that this mindset should apply to fashion as well. Often, when we can be feeling out of sorts or unstylish — even those of us who do this for a living — we quickly start making self-conscious, self-deprecating comments about our outfit or appearance. Well, no more. Julia's right — it just calls attention to what other people probably aren't noticing in the first place.

In short: If you're having a bad hair day, don't offer apologies. Just rock it. You'll do better next time.

Tuesday Night Fash Talk at Neiman Marcus

Monday, September 21, 2009


Forgive the interruption of fash week musings, but just a little reminder that tomorrow (Tues., 9/22), I'll be hosting a fall fashion talk at Neiman Marcus Chevy Chase (in the Mazza Gallerie) from 6-8pm.

The details:
1) I'll give a run-down of the big fall trends -- but, more importantly, some thoughts on how to wear them. (I'm loaded with ideas from fashion week!)

2) Champagne and treats, of course.

3) Free giveaways! Neiman Marcus will be giving away a $500 shopping spree, two $25 gift cards and a basket of beauty goodies to some lucky attendees! (Um... if no one shows up, does that mean *I* get the $500 shopping spree? Because that might be what it would take to get over the sadness that no one showed up.)

It should be a fun time -- lots of fall inspiration, pretty clothes, free swag and all that good stuff. Please come! Quick update: We'll be in the Chandelier Room, on the second floor of Neiman's. Just ask if you can't find it!

Photo by Nina Leen.

In Case You Missed It: J. Mendel

Sunday, September 20, 2009


Yup, still in bed. But at least it gives me time to pore over all the New York shows I missed. J. Mendel? Phenomenal. Love the idea of pale grays, taupes and creams -- with just a touch of color -- for spring.


Oh, Oscar...

Friday, September 18, 2009


Can you tell I'm home sick today? Sigh -- I was hit hard and suddenly with the fashion week flu. About the only thing I'm good for is lying in bed and surfing the internet.

Which brings me to... Oscar de la Renta might not be one of fashion's more daring, directional designers, but season after season, he turns out some truly beautiful, elegant stuff.

Sculptural Shapes in the new FW



The fall issue of FW: Fashion Washington, The Washington Post's fashion glossy where I'm an editor, came out this week. It's my favorite issue thus far, and not just because of the cover shoot featuring architectural fashion, which I was lucky enough to get to style. (But, okay, a little bit because of that...) It was a massive undertaking, involving hours and hours (and hours!) of planning by our whole team, but the results were worth it.

If you're in D.C., you can pick up the new FW at any of these local locations. Of course, I'm already deeply immersed into our next issue, out in November...


Phenomenal.



The Avedon:Fashion exhibit wraps up Sunday at the International Center of Photography in New York, and if you're able to stop in, you should absolutely go. Luckily, ICP is right across from the fashion week tents, so I was able to check it out between shows. To see these photos on a large scale...? Words can't express the utter amazingness.




Scenes from a Fashion Week

Thursday, September 17, 2009



If you've been following the FW blog this week, you know that I've been up at NY fashion week, and seen some pretty awesome (and, admittedly, a few awful) things. Of course, my camera is ever-present; these are some of my favorite snaps from the week's adventures.

Also! Before I forget! Don't miss the Big Announcement about FW's Anniversary Party, because it's going to be awesome and we'll be giving away tix to a large number of lucky local readers. And! I've also got some exciting new announcements about this Tuesday's fall fashion talk at Neiman Marcus Chevy Chase; stay tuned and I'll tell you about them very shortly.

In the meantime, I present: Fashion Week!


the staff does a run-though before alexander wang. bonus points if you spot him


midwestern gal karlie kloss, who stars in the new october vogue


the press descends on wang before the show


somebody was really, really excited about getting a seat for wang


the majestic brooklyn bridge. no, i can never get enough.



the uniform at milk studios. i called it "a tad cheesy." my friend here seemed to agree.


this editor was my favorite person to look for at the shows. stunning!




at rachel roy... love the colors...



nyt lensman bill cunningham, aka the most adorable fashion icon around


stumbled onto the set of sex and the city movie in soho


devi kroell presentation



me! in helmut lang tee, vivienne westwood skirt, my enormous phillip lim bag


the rodarte gals, being filmed for a movie. at least it seems like a fun crew.


more karlie, getting inked up at rodarte


aveda served artisanal ice cream outside rodarte. pistachio for breakfast... ommm...









can you identify your front-row vogue editors at lim? (with leighton meester!)