Don't. Miss. This. ALL ACCESS: FASHION!

Last year we had a blast with Project Runway's Tim Gunn, the affable host of the inaugural All Access:  Fashion event at Tysons Galleria. This year, Sept. 30-Oct. 2, the celebrity host of the runway show Friday night will be Paul Sinclaire, the man who among many other things has consulted with Valentino, Trussardi, Dolce & Gabbana and Dior. He most recently collaborated with Saks Fifth Avenue to create an exclusive fall/winter line of womenswear. Guests may also note another famous face in the crowd: Patricia Field, who styled the looks that made Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw, Carrie Bradshaw.  And that's just Friday. The 3-day fashion mega-event opens with "The New Rules of Engagement: Luxury 2.0," a lively panel discussion by high-profile industry insiders including Ned Martel of the Post Style section and Aaron Battista, retail VP for 7 For All Mankind. Saturday is a full day of individual runway fashion shows by Betsey Johnson, Nicole Miller, 7 For All Mankind, Anne Fontaine, Karen Millen and B/A/S/L/E/R plus 50 in-store events. While runway seating is invite-only, everything is free and open to the public. The event benefits SOS Children's Villages, an international organization that helps orphaned and abandoned children around the world.

Tim Gunn

Tim Gunn comments on the looks at last year's All Access: Fashion show

Fashion Tonight Everywhere

Ok, to recap, reinforce, gently hint and yes, nudge you. Get your walking shoes on (and for some those are  4-inch high) and your fashion sense honed at tonight's Fashion's Night Out events in MoCo and beyond:  1. Saks Chevy Chase has dueling DJs (click here for more events);  2. Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie is featuring Lafayette 148 designer Edward Wilkerson and live music (see my previous post here or click here for events). 3. Georgetown--for an all-out fashion and foodie extravaganza. Pause: if you need a rest, Dean and DeLuca is providing a lounge where you can regroup and refuel with a complimentary vitamin water. (Scroll down or click here for more info); 4. The 14th Street/U Street Corridor is holding a multi-store MidCity fashion blowout (click here). We need to embrace this night. It's fashion, it's fun, it's fantasy and it keeps us distracted from our problems and gives a little boost to our saggy economy. Yes, D.C. is known for its brains (wasn't Bethesda rated Numero Uno on the brainiac scale last year?), and smart doesn't mean dowdy.  Events start at 6 pm--in sync with the mothership Fashion's Night Out in NYC.

Have your shoe and eat it too

When sexy lingerie is just a tad too suggestive, a store-bought card too blah, a dozen roses too been there-done that, these gourmet edible pumps may be the most perfect Valentine's Day gift ever created. A stylish chocolate stiletto and matching clutch good enough to eat. Chocolate + shoes = Valentine bliss. Available at Saks.com $52

Spring in January at Saks

Visit the Chevy Chase Saks today (Friday, Jan. 22) to preview the Armani Collezioni Spring 2010 collection from 10-5. On Tuesday, Jan. 26, see a CHANEL spring 2010 Ready-to-Wear and Accessories Trunk Show until 5. Informal modeling from 12-3.

Cosmetic de-clutter

If you're a makeup junkie or have an assortment of cosmetics you're not sure how to use, let the pro cosmetic team at Saks Chevy Chase sort through your product congomeration now through Monday and show you what to keep, toss and buy. A $50 purchase gets you a free three-compartment cosmetic bag to help keep you organized back home. Call 240-497-5262 for more info or to schedule an appointment.