Styles

Event Horizon: Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500

FAMOUS FOODIES and the aspiring chefs who love them take over the Washington Convention Center (801 Mt. Vernon Place NW) this weekend for the Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show (Metrocooking.com). Attend presentations by Food Network stars such as Paula Deen, Tyler Florence and Giada De Laurentiis, along with cooking demonstrations and wine tasting seminars. Tickets start at $20.

Photo by Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post

A Tights Spot: Embellished, Edgy Stockings

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:00:00 -0500

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).

Dear Manolo: Sturdy Sandals

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:00:00 -0500

I HAVE A lovely, warm cruise on my schedule this winter. I'd like to find an unusual pair of sandals to take, but I want them to be U.S.-made. Any ideas?

MANOLO SAYS: Sadly, at least for the person who is looking for the stylish sandals to wear on the cruise, most of these high-quality American feetwear companies specialize in boots, and not just the cowboy boots either.

The best and most rugged work boots in the world are produced in America by such companies as Frye, Wolverine, Whites Boots and West Coast Shoes, the nearly century-old family firm in Oregon, which uses American leather to custom-make the world's best pole climber, forest ranger and motorcycle cop boots; in other words, serious shoes for serious occupations.

Filmmaker, Author, Dapper Dad: Walker Lamond

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:00:00 -0500

GEORGETOWN RESIDENT Walker Lamond wasn't yet a parent when he launched his blog, 1,001 Rules for My Unborn Son (Rulesformyunbornson.tumblr.com) a couple years ago. But his pearls of fatherly advice — "There is never an excuse for stealing someone's cab," "Don't date the bartender"— found an instant following. Now, the father of two has compiled a selection of his charming snippets into a book, "Rules for My Unborn Son" ($15, St. Martin's Griffin).

» EXPRESS: The book was born from your blog, but how did the blog start?
» LAMOND: The whole thing began as a personal project of sorts, long before I was even online. I was just trying to keep track of all the things my dad had taught me growing up. It was as simple as that. I compiled them on the back of bar napkins and in a notebook, and then one day, decided to put them online. It grew from there.

Hot Mess: Christian Siriano

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:00:21 -0500

TUESDAY: Christian Siriano made a reality show splash on "Project Runway," with his bewildering catchphrases and startling, bold designs.

Now he's written a book, "Fierce Style: How to Be Your Most Fabulous Self," and he's stopping by the Corcoran to give tips in person. Feel like you can't pull off a giant ruff or cigarette jeans at the office? Siriano will convince you otherwise. Send us pictures of the ensuing fashion-forward and office-ridiculous hilarity.

» Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th St. NW; Tue., Nov. 3, 7 p.m., $20; 202-639-1700. (Farragut West)

Photo by Frazier Harrison/Getty Images

B.I.O.: Peas Be Mine

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:11 -0500

SHE TELLS PEOPLE that their first encounter was at a wine tasting, but the truth is Jen Schuett and Paul Vaca met at a Georgetown University event known as Security — "a nerdy game similar to Model U.N.," Jen says. "We were both on Team Poland. He likes to explain the details of the event and our team strategy when people ask how we met." Their first date: canvassing for Barack Obama on U Street.

Paul's proposal took an unexpected turn when Jen twisted her ankle 20 minutes before the romantic evening he'd planned was to begin. He switched gears and brought dinner, wine and champagne to Jen's place, "where I found her lying in bed, icing her foot with a bag of peas." And there he popped the question. "It wasn't what I had planned, but she said yes!"

Jen, 25, is a graduate student. Paul, 28, is a foreign service officer. They live in D.C. and will marry Nov. 21.

Written by Express contributor Rachel Kaufman

B.I.O.: Paul Hinders, Virginia Wilkins

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:10 -0500

Paul, 26, is a systems administrator. Virginia, 23, is a recruitment manager. They live in Arlington.

» The Main Event: A Nov. 21 wedding at an old Masonic temple in Baltimore. Their pastor will officiate in front of 150 guests.

» Honeymoon: A Caribbean cruise. "We're excited to go scuba diving in the different islands," Virginia says.

» How They Met: On move-in day at St. Mary's College of Maryland. He was a junior and she was a freshman.

» First Impressions: "I was afraid she wouldn't like me." "I thought he was annoyed by freshman girls following him around."

B.I.O.: Stephen Decker, Ed Moore

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:10 -0500

Stephen, 56, left, is a nonprofit accountant. Ed, 46, is a retail manager and art instructor. They live in D.C.

» The Main Event: They'll marry Nov. 21 in Hartford, Conn., with a small reception that day. A bigger party in D.C. will follow on Dec. 6.

» Honeymoon: None due to time constraints at work, but "the last 20 years have been one anyway!" Ed says.

» How They Met: Ed took out a personal ad in the Washington Blade, which Stephen answered more than 20 years ago.

Pane Management: Open a Window on a Chicer Home

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:52 -0500

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).

Burlesque Star, Secret Hoarder: Dita Von Teese

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:30 -0500

HOLLYWOOD GLAMAZON Dita Von Teese is best known for bringing back the art of burlesque (OK, and her short-lived marriage to goth-rocker Marilyn Manson). The surprisingly down-to-earth star talks about her new book, "Stripteese" ($30, It!), and how long it takes to put together her throwback Hollywood look.

"Stripteese" is actually a package of three flip books showing you performing. What was the idea behind it?

I love that flip books are very old-fashioned, but I also thought it was a great way to show people what I do without a video. My favorite is the "Classic" book, which shows me up close. In some ways, it's even more intimate than seeing me onstage.

» EXPRESS: What else are you up to lately?
» VON TEESE: For the first time ever, I've put my burlesque performances from the Crazy Horse in Paris on DVD, which is coming out in mid-November. It includes a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff, as well as the show. The DVD won't be available in the U.S., but it's not too hard to get. I'm just too hot for America, apparently.