IN OLDEN DAYS (or, at least, for the past few seasons) a glimpse of stocking was looked on as something far from shocking. Snoozy black tights ruled both runways and workdays. But this fall, designers encrusted hosiery with sequins and beads, and rolled out lace and fishnet styles that'd make a can-can girl weak in the knees. "Clothes this season don't have much trendiness," says designer Cynthia Rowley, who trotted out metal-studded and lace-trimmed pairs. "Embellished tights can be the thing that's spontaneous about your outfit." The ideal mate for such ornamental legwear: fall's sky-high statement heels and punky booties. Just be prepared for all eyes to be on your chic calves. "And I worry a little bit that the studded pairs might set off the metal detector at the airport," Rowley laughs.
1) Menswear Hose: Dandify a sheath with Wolford's spat-like tights ($58, Wolford, Tysons Galleria; 703-448-5586) and Sergio Rossi booties (Hu's Shoes, 3005 M St. NW; 202-342-0202).
2) Sun, Meet Shade: Natty herringbone stockings ($12.50, Thegap.com) play off the updated Victorian vibe of Tibi's suede pumps ($352, Sassanova, 1641 Wisconsin Ave. NW; 202-471-4400).
3) World-Wise Web: Pair Calvin Klein's spidery gray fishnets with YSL's pencil-heeled crocodile stilettos ($18 and $875, Nordstrom, Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, Arlington; 703-415-1121).
Continue Reading "A Tights Spot: Embellished, Edgy Stockings" »
A MOD HOMESTEADER might hear the word "curtains" and flash back to the Victorian brothel-esque velvet panels Aunt Ida put in her dour den. But framing, covering or simply adding decorative punch to your unsheathed windows needn't mean hiding your sense of style. Interior designers say all rooms deserve — really, need — window treatments. They add both functionality (blocking the sun, keeping Mr. Creepy's prying eyes out of your condo) and flair. And the pros also know that the curtain has closed on fluffy, too-sweet window frosting — and opened on low-key lines, punchy patterns and haute hues.
"Many people think window treatments are purely functional, but they're one of the more important parts of the decor, and one of the first things people notice," says Esther Steinfeld, trends blogger for Blinds.com.
Likewise, an undressed window looks just that: naked. "A clean, tailored drapery panel finishes a room and warms up the windows," says Liz Levin, a D.C. designer who just launched online design resource Liz Levin Nesting (Lizlevinnesting.com).
Continue Reading "Pane Management: Open a Window on a Chicer Home" »
EXPECT A STAMPEDE of fashionistas at the Tysons Galleria Neiman Marcus Saturday, 1-4 p.m., when heel boy Christian Louboutin makes an appearance. The Parisian footwear designer will sign shoes (purchased at the store, one per customer) and participate in a Q&A with Roopal Patel, accessory editor for Neiman.
» 2255 International Drive, McLean, Va.; 703-761-1600.
IN THE '60s, Andy Warhol muse Edie Sedgwick and Velvet Undergrounder John Cale sported wild-child clothes by Betsey Johnson. In the decades since then, the New York designer has given the world tutu skirts, leopard-print shoes and pink-walled boutiques, all of which seem two parts rocker, one part Vegas showgirl. We caught up with the big-haired, big-hearted, 67-year-old icon last week in her Georgetown store.
» EXPRESS: Why is D.C. a good spot for your designs?
» JOHNSON: It's a place that's very creative, kind of like SoHo. There's room in D.C. for a little frivolous dress-up. The town is driven by parties and lots of special occasions.
» EXPRESS: Well, party dresses are pretty central to your brand.
» JOHNSON: Yeah, they've been a real thing over the years. In the beginning, I was more about Lycra and stretch, kind of Jane Fonda leotard-y wear. But those ballerina tutu dresses caught on. Now we're trying to add casual stuff back, T-shirts and stuff, so we have a balance.
CHRISTIAN SIRIANO MAY think that you're a hot mess. But with his new book, "Fierce Style: How to Be Your Most Fabulous Self," he's trying his best to lift you out of the trenches of the badly dressed. Siriano won "Project Runway's" fourth season, and since then, it seems like everything has been going the Maryland native's way. From a shoe and accessory line with Payless Shoe Source to a makeup collection with Victoria's Secret to his clothes' being picked up by Saks Fifth Avenue, Siriano's brand is popping up everywhere a discerning fashionista — or recessionista — could look.
Before he stops by the L Street Borders (technically K Street) Saturday, Siriano chatted about his career and what every woman should stock in her wardrobe.
» EXPRESS: Did you ever think your career would branch out in so many different directions?
» SIRIANO: No, it's been amazing. I've been very busy, but … [the] experience is a dream. I really do feel like I'm living a dream every moment.
Continue Reading "Bringing the Fierce to D.C.: Christian Siriano" »
MANY PEOPLE PAY A lot of money to jet to exotic locales and browse crafts souks or rifle through flea markets. But Keith Johnson, buyer at large for boho boutique chain Anthropologie, gets to globe-trot and shop for a living. In Sundance Channel's new six-part series, "Man Shops Globe" (premiering Wed., 10 p.m.), those envious of Johnson's job (or just his frequent flyer miles) can trek and browse with him in locales from the South of France to South Africa.
» EXPRESS: How did you get such an awesome job?
» JOHNSON: My partner, Glen Senk [CEO of Urban Outfitters and former president of Anthropologie], had started to assist in one Anthropologie store. There were a lot of props there, but customers were disappointed they couldn't buy them. So, he asked me if I could start shopping for the stores, picking up unexpected pieces.
» EXPRESS: Is it hard to find cool furnishings and crafts?
» JOHNSON: The hardest thing is finding something that'll really surprise me, something that'll delight customers. There has to be a certain level of delight, whether an object is from India or Bali or the U.S. Recently, I found a whole French pharmacy that we turned into a section of a store.
Continue Reading "Anthropologie Buyer, Globe-Trotter: Keith Johnson of 'Man Shops Globe'" »
ONCE, A WOMAN popping on a leather jacket risked being branded a bad girl (Rizzo in "Grease" Madonna in the "Like a Virgin" epoch) or getting mistaken for Amelia Earhart. But this fall, bombers zoom beyond biker girl. By turns pretty and polished, one of these cropped, cozy beauties works as hip blazer stand-in over a daytime frock or a tough contrast to a flouncy party dress. Instead of the zippered, buckled numbers favored by Harley riders, the new jackets boast femme details: shrunken shapes, ruffles, even flower appliques. "I love the idea of a cool leather jacket over a blouse and pencil skirt," says Alice + Olivia designer Stacey Bendet, who turned out a racy red style with an oversized collar (shown, right). "It gives an edge to a normally conservative outfit."
Continue Reading "Bombshell Bombers: The Leather Jacket Zooms Away From Its Biker Past" »
WHEN SHE WAS growing up in Birmingham, Ala., Jodi Arnold loved sewing her own clothes — even if that meant she stood out in the crowd at school. Now, as the designer for womenswear line MINT Jodi Arnold, she specializes in similarly statement-making print dresses, shapely sweaters and embellished tops. She'll be in town today from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at a trunk show of her fall and holiday line at the Georgetown boutique Wink (3109 M St. NW; 202-338-9465).
» EXPRESS: What kind of women wear MINT?
» ARNOLD: I think they're most likely in a creative field. They're thoughtful and want to hear what the story is behind a product, what gives it soul.
DIY DECORATING USED TO to be simpler: Pick a style (modern, shabby chic, country craft), acquire its key accoutrements (chrome accents, weathered finishes, "Little House on the Prairie" ginghams), repeat until complete. But now, savvy nesters no longer want to be defined by one design look. Instead, they're fusing high and low, old and new, classic and oddball, for an effect that's both chic and cheeky. The trick to this artsy, madcap aesthetic? A healthy collection of vintage pieces, repurposed in unexpected ways (think an old classroom map hung as artwork or laboratory beakers as flower vases). We tagged along with three local experts to learn the secrets of nabbing secondhand scores.
[Flea Market]
TREASURE QUEST: Stu Eli and Janet Morales, Threepotatofourshop.com
When Janet Morales, above, and Stu Eli decamped from Brooklyn to NoVa a few years ago, they realized the quirky-cool pieces they were collecting for their new house might appeal to other hip homemakers, too. It wasn't long before their Reston, Va.-based Web store, Threepotatofourshop.com, earned a devoted design following for its mom-and-pop feel and well-sourced selection of eclectic vintage objects (retro letters that once belonged to 1960s-era storefronts, Fiberglas classroom chairs) unearthed at flea markets, antique malls and other troves easily reached via the duo's minivan.
TWEENS MAYBE haven't learned to freak out about parabens and sulfates yet. Help them kick off a life of natural beauty care products with Glory for Girls, a line featuring an antioxidant-rich wash ($16), scrub ($12) and other shower caddy staples in recyclable packaging.
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