Passport to Style

Driving rains didn't keep the crowds away from the Passport to Style event at The Shops at Wisconsin Place in October. Kelly Collis of Fresh 94.7 emceed the fashion show, which showcased area stores including Bloomingdale's, White House Black Market, Adolfo Dominguez, Eileen Fisher and BCBG. Those BCBG looks were straight off the runway and not available in all stores. Even the dogs donned their Halloween best and enjoyed a night in support of their kind. Patrons could choose from an array of food from area restaurants (sliders, lettuce wraps, cupcakes and more) and wine from The Tasting Room and were treated to a stocked swagbag. All $20 ticket sales benefited either Fashion for Paws and the Washington Humane Society or Hope for Henry.

Awarding Local Creative Talent at the County Exec's Awards

On Oct. 24, The Music Center at Strathmore will present the annual County Executive’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities. The event celebrates community cultural leaders  and will feature performances from various county arts and humanities groups including The Bog Band, Coral Cantigas, The Eubie Blake Jazz Ensemble, Eubie Blake Quartet, Lumina Studio Theatre, Christopher K. Morgan and the Washington Printmakers Gallery. The performances and award ceremony will be followed by a dessert reception. Best of all, it is free and open to the public--no RSVP required--and a great way to get familiar with local talent. Not to give anything away, but the Lifetime Impact award is going to choreographer Liz Lerman. For more information, please visit www.creativemoco.com/executives-awards.

Best-Dressed Windows in Town and a glimpse behind DRESSED, the film

Don't walk by Ginger in Bethesda Lane without stopping to check out their windows. Always innovative and very clever, they are clearly the best-dressed windows around. I snapped these on designer Thursday during Bethesda Row's Boutique Week. That night we met furniture designer Barclay Butera at Urban Country and then wandered over to Landmark Bethesda Row for a screening of DRESSED.

Afterwards, we met the designer and subject of the documentary film, Nary Manivong and the director, David Swajeski. What I especially liked is that the story shows the power of perseverance and the results of stubbornly following your dreams. Swajeski told me that they are taking it to different schools--most recently in New Mexico--showing it to students to convey the message that no matter how bad it seems, there really is a way out. Manivong was an abused child whose parents finally abandoned him and his siblings when he was 14. He went from living on the streets to designing a collection for New York's Fashion Week--and after a series of mishaps, finally showing that collection. The documentary shows the gritty side of the fashion world and the hard work it takes to succeed. Manivong told me he was inspired by the pictures in magazines and thought, "I can make people look like that." Fashion was also his disguise--his escape--from the brutal reality of his life. As Tim Gunn would say, he certainly "made it work"--in a big way. He has partnered with Ally Hilfiger to form the NAHM line, which launched this fall. The name is comprised of Hilfiger's and Manivong's first and last initials. It means water in Manivong's native Laotian. Here are some snaps from the after-party at Jaleo.

Nary Manivong posing with a guest

...and chatting with another

The  most fabulous shoes (Nine West! she said)

Mingling, chatting

I loved this ensemble--coat, hair, the whole thing.

David Swajeski chats with a guest

Countdown to tonight

Are you ready for this?

And this?

We are. If you're not, you should check out the Bethesda Row site, RSVP and start getting ready. The apex of Bethesda Row Boutique Week events happens tonight when hot designer Barclay Butera appears at Urban Country for a meet-and-greet amid cocktails and appetizers. We'll be there. Afterward, we're heading straight to Landmark Bethesda Row cinema for the Washington premiere of DRESSED, the documentary about designer Nary Manivong's epic journey from homelessness to New York's fashion week. Following the film, the director and designer will be available for a Q&A. Right here, tonight. I don't want to give away any secrets but I'm old enough to remember when going to Bethesda meant a trip to Pines of Rome (still good white pizza) and a shop or two. Now it's all this. Here are some shots of Butera's designs and also some stills from DRESSED. Enjoy.

Kicking off fall at the District Sample Sale

After a long, hot August waiting for fall, we were sooo happy to get out to last night's District Sample Sale. This event is always fantastic, but this fall's was off the charts. The venue was HUGE; exceptionally excellent nibbles (I was rhapsodizing about the Black and Orange Rogue slider) and deep discounts on clothes to wear NOW. I scored big on shoes. My three pairs really should have been four: At the last minute I found Oscar de la Renta open-toed stilettos that said "lady" but screamed "sex"--and what did I do? Dither, dally and ultimately pass. Don't do that, people. It's never worth it. Those shoes were originally $695. Last night they were $120 at Sassanova--that's exactly two fattening nights out at Rio Grande with my husband. I can make my own Mexican food, but not those shoes!! Another regret--not snagging a beautiful Madison Marcus blouse for $80 that I ogled this summer for over $200 at Emily Grace. Fail.

Okay, enough beating myself up. Here's what I did score: Seychelles black suede booties with hot studs for $25,  Dolce Vita dressy, sexy black suede booties for $69 and buttery leather, all-season slingbacks for $50. And, suddenly, my friends and I were all smitten with a $10 tee from Imagine that said Peace, Love and Fashion. Ok, why not? We had shopper madness and it's really cute. We finally paused at that point to have dinner: sushi, baby burgers, gelato and cupcakes. It's almost embarrassing to go on. But I will. There were also tables loaded with brie, artichoke dip, crackers, hummus--all my faves. The DSS was my official fall kick-off event. If you missed it, I hope you know not to let that happen again.

Calm before the storm at Sassanova

Sassy is all ready to go

And yes, you got two flavors with each serving. Pumpkin: unreal

 It's still the VIP hour so you get first grabs in a peaceful setting

Cocktails, wine, champagne and soda. We loved stopping here. 

 Gretchen Hitchner of Ginger awaits the onslaught. 

You could do some serious damage at the elegant Belina

 Julia Farr (far left) is working it. The madness has begun.

Friday Night ALL ACCESS Fashion Show

Once again, Tysons Galleria was the stage for the ALL ACCESS fashion event, a three-day extravaganza of panel discussions, trunk shows, beauty events and a Friday night runway show followed by a cocktail reception. The event benefits Make-A-Wish, and Mary Frances Wain, vice president of philanthropy for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic introduced the show and introduced the young woman whose wish was granted --  a fabulous trip to Paris. Evening gowns were the stars of this show in every style from Hollywood glamour to 80s redux. Bold colors--especially purple--took center stage, while the sheer number of glittering frocks in every color proved that all that glitters doesn't have to be  gold....

A follower, not a leader, be--just this once

Just this one time--do what you're told and follow the leader. BrandLinkDC will make it worth your while. Follow, follow, follow for a chance to win some of this: