I’m pleased to announce that I am continuing my partnership with Washington Life in bringing you the best weekly fashion news from around the world. Here, you can find all back posts for 2012.
I cannot be more thrilled than to happily start building a spring collection, dedicated to the 1950s. It’s absolutely one of my most favorite decades (next to the 30s and 40s). When Prada had released their spring shoe and handbag collection, I knew that almost all designers would follow suit and sure enough, one caught my eye.
Say hello to the newest addition, by Elie Tahari:
This past Saturday, Luke’s Wings held their 4th annual Fashion Takes Flight. This year, the best of some of the most talented local designers were featured in a place that has never seen an outside fashion show: Nationals Stadium. Walking to the beat of Deejay Neekola‘s masterful mixes, the models graced the runway in the SS12 collections of Nam Nguyen and Walish Gooshe (Greg Taylor), F/W11 men’s collections by Streets of Georgetown and Donovan England, and the always amazing finds of Ella Rue.
Photos can be found here (check back for additional photos in the coming days):
Early press (check back for additional press in the coming days):
A Thousand Things to Do – owned by a member of the military and Fashion Takes Flight uber-organizer Kristen Murdock!
Shout outs go to: KRISTEN MURDOCK (for whom this show would more or less not happen), my mom and stepdad, Ashley Pennington, Marissa Borst, Donna Donella, Erica McCants, Constance Christakos, Wendy Gordon, Sophie Pyle, Charlie Martel, Kate Michael, Elizabeth Kreft, Paige Mueller, Luke Radlinski, Mark Radlinski, Jason Morris, Jesse McCarley, Brittny McKinney, Lauri Tamney, Tim Lundin, Vithaya Phongsavan, Cheryl Romero, Mackenzie Miles, Katherine Kennedy, Ken Suarez, Brendan Kownacki, Kimberly Glenn, Tanya Good,
In just a few days, a brand new local designer will hit the scene, showing the best of his SS12 collection at Luke’s Wings Fashion Takes Flight, at National’s Stadium on February 4th. His name: Nam Nguyen.
I sat down with the 19 year-old designer a few weeks ago, to review his collection for the show and find out more about how he got his start, what inspires him and what’s next.
Tell me about your label – Nam.
Nam is for anyone who needs a go-to statement outfit for a fun day at work or if they want to shine at a late night party – it’s all about versatility. I love making high-glam outfits to be able to walk around on a casual day – city day wear. My signature design is to put a spin on a classic piece.
How did you get your start?
I always loved fashion – ever since I was a child. I remember always wanting to go the mall, instead of playing on the playground.
I grew up in Fairfax County and they had an amazing fashion design program. I started taking classes my junior year and fell in love with it. During the summers, I took courses at FIT, specifically for menswear. (Side note: He found out that he preferred designing women’s wear to menswear because of the higher level of creativity.) By senior year, I had learned in two years, everything I would learn in college. Although I applied for colleges, I decided to stay in Northern Virginia and keep on sewing – to keep working towards my dream of being a designer.
What did you learn at FIT? Do you still practice what you learned?
I learned how to construct garments, drafting, draping, flat pattern making, as well as different techniques to create a garment. I still revisit my notes from high school.
Do you feel DC’s fashion scene is evolving?
DC has evolved so much. There seems to be so many more fashion shows here now – I’ve worked a lot of them backstage and it shows me there continues to be so much more fashion here than people know.
Dressed anyone particular in DC?
I’ve dressed a few local celebrities for well-known media outlets, one of which was featured on Bravo.
What is your inspiration?
I work with ballroom dresses at Encore Ballroom Couture. It is the biggest ballroom consignment shop in the United States. I’ve been working there since right out of high school and it’s where I get all my inspiration. It’s there I learned how to put the right embellishments on a gown – how to add stones, glue the right way, add appliques, etc. I also have to work with delicate materials, such as feather work – we get a lot of ostrich and turkey feather gowns.
Most of the gowns we get in can retail for up to $12,000 (consigned at $1200 – $7000) so it’s important to know how to work with such delicate fabrics and intricate designs. It’s this level of detail that I put into my own designs.
So tell me about your SS12 collection: Pallet
Pallet was inspired by a mix of 70′s fashion and colors with a touch of 90′s over-sized flare. I use light chiffons, heavy lace, and flowy, light-weight fabrics to complete the garments. This collection includes the go-to pieces in your closet that are both comfortable and appropriate to wear to work, but sexy enough to wear right into the evening for a night on the town.
What are your goals for this year?
Since my pieces are one-of-a-kind, they fall in line with couture. Therefore, I will continue making custom collections for my clients. (Prices range $80 for a skirt, $150-$250 for a dress and $400-$700 for a gown).
Why support Luke’s Wings?
I grew up in a church community and always loved doing charity events. Getting the opportunity to work with Luke’s Wings is thrilling, as I do believe in bringing home injured soldiers. My father was in the military in 60’s and 70s and although retired, I know he did a lot to serve our country.
Where you will be showing your collection next?
Crystal Couture, February 11th at 8:45pm.
Finale Showcase for the West Potomac Fashion Academy Design Class – May (TBD)
There is no doubt about it, I’m a lucky girl. My other half knowingly feeds my Michael Kors addiction, faster than I can look up what’s new in the store. What’s more impressive, he’s already thinking forward to spring. See two new additions to my growing collection:
Yes, he's already thinking forward to spring 
My "murdered out" watch. Love pairing this with lots of funky silver bracelets.
Some were asking what my dress was from last night. It’s a Mikael Aghal.
Yes, it’s a bit early to shop for spring (given this weather, it’s throwing me off) BUT… in “stopping by” the Michael Kors outlet this past weekend (some of the sales girls remember me – that can be taken one of two ways), a bag that had been on my mind is now mine.. and it goes with “everything”, which means spring might arrive a little early
With that, I give you the newest addition to the Michael Kors Hamilton collection in my closet:
Something to note: vibrant dark pastels (almost neon) are big for spring. If any of you have perused the Nordstroms SS12 catalog, you will know what I am talking about.
In my last post, I talked about my new love affair with Joe’s Jeans – this was just part of my fun shopping trip, over New Year’s weekend. Check out some of my other new additions:
By Matty M
By Willow and Clay. I loved this so much that I bought it in burgundy too.
By Diane von Furstenberg. Great as a beach cover up too!
By Michael Kors - My New Year's dress!
By Michael Kors
This will now be the third Michael Kors watch I own - I'm addicted!
A throw back to the early 2000s with the velour but I don't care because this is my work attire! By Michael Kors
Always hated ankle boots until I realized I didn't want to wear knee-high boots all the time. By Levity
By Guess - FYI... Guess makes very comfortable shoes that don't require painful break-in
In two previous posts, I’ve covered both how to dress for curvier figures, as well as a great place to shop for jeans. I’ve had many comments, over the last year and a half, on both. You have asked me to both expand my horizons on what is acceptable for curvy women, as well as brands of jeans that are flattering – I’ve done both.
Tackling the Skinny Jean
This particular topic I got a lot of flack for. BUT (figuratively speaking), I’ve been to True Religion, Joe’s Jeans and Gap and so far, NOTHING has been flattering. Why this is the case: They end up looking like leggings that although from the front can be quite flattering, do not paint the prettiest picture in the back. These days, most skinny jeans are made from soft cotton and lycra, which means they are forgiving – too forgiving. For those of us with bigger backsides, the problem isn’t what you sit on – it’s the upper part of your thighs that give a not-so-flattering silhouette. As disappointed as I am, I’ve given up (if you know of a brand that constricts in all the right places, I’m happy to try them). Thus, I stand by my original statement – skinny jeans are still not flattering in my opinion.
Jeans Made for Real Women
I have been a tride and true True Religion girl for years. The Joey was made for women with curves and sadly, they have discontinued making them (although plenty of pairs can be found on eBay). So, I’ve had to restart my hunt for the perfect jean. I went back to True Religion to see if there was a replacement and there isn’t.
In Lucky magazine, several issues ago, there was a small blurb about Joe’s Jeans and their line for curvacious women called “The Honey”. When out at the outlets, I headed into their store and ended up buying not one but THREE pairs in different fades. They minimize troubled areas, lift others and are 100% incredibly flattering. My suggestion: Make sure you get ones that are a little tight (they are true to the size you wear), as the cotton will stretch a little bit, making them look slightly too large otherwise.
Also purchased: Some of their fantastic cotton tops – they are as soft as James Perse and Theory but half the price.
Never miss a Washington Life Magazine Global Fashion Roundup again! I’ve compiled a list of weekly postings I have done so you can keep current on what is going on in the fashion world.
December 20, 2011 -‘Tis the Season for Jimmy Choo Coffee Holders, Blinged Out Commodes and a Million Dollar Fragrances.
December 2, 2011 – Marc Jacob’s SS12 line goes missing, Shanghai shoppers hire stand-ins to line-up for H&M Versace launch, Lady Gaga channeled and Snooki … really?
November 17, 2011 – We always knew fashion was crazy, but royal wedding action figures? Let us explain.
November 9, 2011 – $630,000 “Manolo Blahniks”, a Fendi Maserati, Guylashes, the Capital Region is full of shopaholics, and a guide to “Glamping”.
October 28, 2011 – Counterfeit bust in D.C., the most expensive shoelaces ever, penguin chic and Anna Wintour is willing to change anywhere.
October 19, 2011 – $500 blow drys, an outfit made of chocolate, constructive criticism for Kanye West and just who IS buying a $39,000 backpack?
October 4, 2011 – Live like Karl Lagerfeld, wear Judy Garland’s shoes, dress like a Muppet and jet set around the world for fashion week!
September 20, 2011 – New York Fashion Week ends, London begins, Lindsay Lohan goes crazy, metallic pants are in and is Fashion’s Night Out over and out?
September 12, 2011 – Fashion icons remember 9/11, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, a Valentino musical, and why women are obsessed with shoes
September 1, 2011 – 90’s brand revivals, Chevy Chase listed as top place to shop luxury, Miss Piggy at Fashion’s Night out, and will Lady Gaga will become a Mrs.?
August 18, 2011 – A $1M perfume, $18,000 flip flops, iPad cases from Bernie Madoff’s pants and elevators that Tweet.
August 8, 2011 – Walking on art, Louis Vuitton bottles their own honey and bat your eyelashes, tell a story.
July 27, 2011 - Attack of the beg bugs (again), the red-heeled lawsuit marches on and Tom Ford just wants to be loved.
July 20, 2011 - “Cutting-edge” swimwear, a $40,000 backpack, the biggest fashion show ever and even Lady Gaga is an intern.
July 11, 2011 – Couture week, a $10,000 order on ChristianLouboutin.com, Karl Lagerfeld writes with nail polish and glasses made from human hair.
June 30, 2011 – An unwearable Louboutin, models crying on the runway, Marc Jacobs in drag and a diva kitty.
June 22, 2011 – Happy Birthday Jimmy Choo, H&M and Versace collaborate and what is the new trend in furniture?
June 16, 2011 – The CFDAs, Resort Wear, Naked Ankles… and How Much Should You Pay for a Hat?
June 9, 2011 – A new royal fashionista to watch, dresses made out of food, rocking collaborations … and a photobooth.
June 1, 2011 – Oprah says goodbye, the history of the red soles, buyers don’t go gaga for Lasy Gaga’s dress on Gilt, and more auction items.
May 23, 2011 – Taking on Cannes Film Festival Fashion, High-Fashion Collaborations and Prada Going Public?
May 17, 2011- Cannes Film Festival, Museum Exhibits, Gilt Group now worth $1 Billion and more designer news.
May 12, 2011- Met Ball, Anna Wintour Attends Pratt Fashion Show, and Lanvin for Kids.
May 6, 2011 - Lagerfeld, Combatting Size Labels, McQueen and the Royal Wedding
