A Fashion Frenzy in D.C.

This past week has been a whirlwind experience for me. Not many people can say they got a behind-the-scenes perspective at Washington D.C.’s biggest fashion event of the year. It’s an opportunity that could have easily passed me by, but now that the week is over, I can’t imagine not being a part of it. Thankfully, I’m (somewhat) rested and recovered from what can only be described as a hectic week, so I can share all my adventures with you!

Corjor International - I'm absolutely in love with this dress. Can I have it? Thanks.

After the eco-fashion show last Monday, I got a break for a couple of days. A calm before the storm. I could not have anticipated what was in store for the weekend. It all began on Friday night with a show featuring Corjor International by DC Fashion Week Executive Producer Ean Williams, at the Alex Gallery in Dupont Circle. His line features rich colors, billowing fabrics, and elegant silhouettes. The show was a smooth delivery, in contrast to what was happening behind the curtains: the mad rush to get everything ready before the show and figuring out every last-minute detail.

Where are we going to put the DJ? Upstairs? Downstairs? ON the stairs?!

We have to make sure nobody is standing in the runway! The models have to walk there!

It’s so hot in here. Someone turn on the air conditioning! Did they turn it on yet?! Is it even working?!?!?

Finally, the show began. There’s nothing quite like a runway show. The sparkle, the music, the flash of cameras. It’s like being transported to a whole new world full of glam and glitz. I’m not sure how accurately that describes me. I bike to work in the rain. I enjoy cleaning the kitchen. I like to hang out in sweats and a tee shirt. I may not be the poster child for the glamorous life, but I’m not one to turn down the chance to play a little dress-up! It felt like being a kid and putting on mom’s heels and lipstick.

Backstage at the menswear show at the Washington Post Conference Center

The following day was the menswear show at the Washington Post Conference Center. After setting up the chairs with gift bags and seat assignments, I worked at the door; checking off names and sticking wristbands on VIP guests. I didn’t mind doing the grunt work because I got to see most of the show from the door without having to pay the price of a ticket. Win.

The week closed out with the International Couture Show on Sunday. After arriving at the gates of the French Embassy and walking up the long hilly driveway, I entered this massive building and saw people bustling around the venue to get ready for the evening. A buzz was in the air. I felt ready since I had learned a lot in the last two days about how to set up for a fashion show, but another thing I learned is to that fashion shows can be unpredictable. As ready as you think you are, you never quite are. There’s always more prep work than you think. Unexpected questions come up that you don’t have the answers to. You have to be adaptable and resourceful.

International Couture Show at the French Embassy

I was put in charge of managing the VIP lounge, so I kind of felt like I was the bouncer at a posh nightclub. I still got a pretty sweet view of the runway despite the fact that I was standing for the whole show.

It feels like I’ve only hit the tip of the fashion week iceberg, so there’s a lot of details I’m probably leaving out. I’m still processing it all. The important thing for me to remember is what I’ve taken away from the week: getting to meet some great people, experiencing the rush of preparing for a show, and adding one more milestone in my journey.

DC Fashion Week's lovely volunteer staff

About these ads

Adams Morgan – Up Close

It’s been almost 4 years since I got my digital camera. In 2007, the Canon Powershot SD1000 was the slimest, sleekest, fit-in-your-pocket camera on the market.  I was so excited when my parents got it for me as a Christmas present. Compared to professional digital cameras and smartphones these days, however, this little camera just doesn’t stack up anymore. Up until now, I’ve been using it to take mediocre pictures. Basically, you can tell where I was when I took the photo but they are nothing special to look at. I was getting fed up of taking photos that looked like they came from a disposable camera, so I started looking up tips online. There’s a lot of information out there. I also learned a lot about photo editing on Google’s Picasa. As long as I can get the basics of the photo right when I take it, I can make it look 100 times better on the computer. It feels like I’m getting better at using my camera when really I’m just getting better at photo editing. Totally the same thing, right?

I decided to test out my new photo editing taking skills at the Adams Morgan Day Festival and my apartment roofdeck. I will continue to take photos in the hopes that one day I’ll finally get a hang of my old digital camera; that complicated little brat. I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I enjoyed taking them!

14th and V Street

Dumpster Art

Books and Art

Festive Fabric

Sea of Color

18th and Kalorama

18th Street

ET4'

Empty Alley

Three Amigos

Eye Spy

Coffee at Sunset

Soot and Grime

The Pursuit of Coffeeness

As someone who drinks a lot of coffee, I appreciate a good cup of joe. Sure, you can find a Starbucks on every corner in the city, but it can get kind of old going to the same place over and over again. Rather than pumping my non-profit salary into big corporate coffee, I’ve found a lot of joy in discovering and supporting the local coffee houses of D.C. Here’s a rundown of my favorites and some places I have yet to try.

Tryst (Adams Morgan)

I’d love to have an apartment that looks like the inside of Tryst: shabby-chic furniture, farm tables, and funky artwork lining the walls. This place is part of why I love living in Adams Morgan; I’m far enough away from 18th street to avoid it on Saturday nights, but close enough to stroll through on Sunday morning with a latte from Tryst.

Open City (Woodley Park)

Sister establishment to Tryst, this D.C. brunchpowerhouse is always packed on the weekends. I try to take my parents here whenever they’re in town, and the first thing I order is an iced coffee. With patio seating and natural lighting, it’s just the perfect D.C. brunch.

M.E. Swing Co. (Downtown)

Located just a block away from the White House, this quality old-school coffeehouse dates back to 1916. It’ s only a short walk away from my office so I often stop by for an afternoon pick-me-up.

Jolt n’ Bolt (Adams Morgan/Dupont)

This place may be my absolute favorite place for coffee in D.C. Their cold-brew iced coffee and Vietnamese iced coffee are probably the best I’ve ever had.

Ebenezer’s Coffee (Capitol Hill) - I’m not usually in the neighborbood, but I make an exception for Ebenezer’s. In addition to having great coffee, they have a downstairs area where they are able to hold small concerts. I still go to 9:30 Club for the big shows, but there’s something about a coffeeshop gig that I absolutely love.

Tynan Coffee and Tea (Columbia Heights) – If making a trip to Target or Bed Bath & Beyond, I know where I’m stopping by to get my caffeine fix. I’m a fan of both their coffee and teas (iced and hot).

Places I haven’t tried yet (but want to)

Baked and Wired (Georgetown)

Big Bear Cafe (Bloomingdale)

Filter Coffeehouse and Espresso Bar (Dupont)

Java Green (Dupont and Downtown)

Peregrine Espresso (Eastern Market)

Coffee with an International Twist

Pretty much every Thai or Vietnamese restaurant I’ve been to in D.C. has excellent iced coffee. I would give you a list but I literally can’t remember them all. All you need to know is that these places clearly know how to do iced coffee. I’ve also recently become a fan of the sweet and hot Turkish version served in tiny espresso cups. I enjoyed a cup after dinner at both Cafe Divan (Georgetown) and Agora (Dupont).

What’s your favorite coffee shop in D.C.?

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

I’ve walked by several community gardens in D.C. and every time I do, I get the urge to start growing my own food. I’ve killed a lot of plants in my day, but being the Wellesley Woman that I am, I will never stop trying. Like many people, I try my best to buy local and organic when I can, but sometimes it isn’t that easy or inexpensive to do. Slowly but surely, the local food movement is growing and one local food campaign is trying to make it more accessible for D.C. residents

The Eat Local First campaign is working to promote the benefits of eating locally grown food, foster a true sense of community through residential gardens, and make local food more accessible in the D.C. area. The campaign was started by the D.C. non-profit Think Local First DC as a way to promote growing a sustainable local economy. You can participate in Eat Local First Week by going to your local farmers market, making a pledge to eat local foods, or attending one of their events.

Explore community gardens in the Shaw area at tomorrow’s Edible Garden Tour, starting at Old City Green garden shop. On Saturday there’s a fun-filled Farm-to-Street Party, where you’ll sample local food and drink. There’s also a pie eating contest and dunking booth to keep you entertained. If you want to make your entire weekend focused on local food, be sure to check out the several farmer’s markets in the D.C. area (here). I enjoy spending many summer Sundays at the one in Dupont Circle. I also go to the one by the White House after work on Thursdays.

Several restaurants are also participating in the local food campaign by having a Farm-to-Table Restaurant Week. The week consists of specials and discounts on locally grown menu items. Click here to see a list of participating restaurants.

Fringe Benefits

It’s inevitable that when you’re in Washington D.C. during the summer, you need to come up with ways to distract yourself from the unbearable weather (and the flood of interns). What better way to escape the heat than a festival of unique plays, music, and performances. In a city where summer usually conjures up images of tourists and long museum lines,  Capital Fringe Festival offers a refreshing and much needed boost in D.C.’s art scene. The shows all take place during the month of July in the Mount Vernon Square area.

After I got myself all excited about Capital Fringe Festival, I actually needed to decide which shows to go to. When I went to the event website, I was quickly overwhelmed searching through over a hundred shows. Thankfully, there are some wonderful people who have done the grunt work in picking out which shows are worth going to.

Washington Post Going Out Gurus

DCist

Brightest Young Things