ALL ACCESS: Fashion!

The three-day Tysons Galleria fashion event had its grande finale Saturday with a lineup of fashion shows from the best of the luxe mall's retail shops. Betsey Johnson, 7 for all Mankind and Basler made it work in a fun day that also featured special tents and events including blow-outs and cocktails. The highlight of course was the fashion show featuring looks by Juicy, Kensie, Kate Spade and more hosted at 1 by Mr. Fashion Fabulosity himself, Tim Gunn. He began with a shout out to "Mother's" friends and launched into a running commentary to the show, full of quips and fine advice. He suggested women need a "basic blazer" and a good dress, and said he doesn't really follow trends. "Proportion, fit and silhouette" are what make an outfit work; he also showed how to create different looks from one dress with accessories. He answered questions from the audience with sincere aplomb, and wowed the crowd when he said that he likes to take fashion risks himself--like with a pocket square--that aren't always successful.  "Tim! Take that off! You look like an ass!" As the crowd roared, he went on. "The pocket square is like this little demon in my pocket, 'you look like an ass, you look like an ass.'" We've all felt that way. The culmination was the line outside Chanel to get a photo taken with Gunn and receive a little box of Tim-themed holiday cards. He's as nice one-on-one as he is when working the crowd. I could've spent hours with him. Get more Tim Gunn now on the new Dr. Oz show in addition to Project Runway.

One dress, two looks

LBD Parade

A Kate Spade LBD we loved

Luxury: Reinventing the Dream

Ned Martel, Julie Gajcak, Rohit Bhargava of Ogilvy 360 Digital Influence

The ALL ACCESS:Fashion panel discussion, the Thursday night headliner of a three-day fashion event at Tysons Galleria, was a thought-provoking glimpse into the fashion world as presented by experts both local and international. Moderated by Post Style editor Ned Martel, the panel, including The Ritz Carlton's Julie Gajcak and Basler CEO Armin Fichtel, discussed the state of luxury brands in a time of economic havoc. Martel posed interesting and apt questions about the economy, luxury brands, philanthropy and marketing; his background as an editor for Men's Vogue was evident. Fichtel said he chose to open his first US boutique amid a recession (and at Tysons) because he's confident the German-based Basler has the quality, fit (sizes range up to 20) and price points to succeed. His biggest seller: the cashmere jacket. The next Basler opens in Michigan; when will we seen one in Chevy Chase? The night wouldn't have been the same without my friend, artist Anna Rose Soevik, who did the portraits of Bono, Gunn and Frederique Van der Wal that will be signed and sold for charity. Sitting next to me was new friend Ryan Charchian, the 15-year-old marketing director of Military's Style Guide for Teens (I wish he was around when I was a military brat stationed in a fashion no-man's-land) and Gunn's guest on Saturday. Look out slackers...generation Z is coming at you fast!

Lori Pawley of General Growth Properties and Armin Fichtel


Ryan Charchian


Tim Gunn as portrayed by Anna Rose Soevik


Event coordinator Aba Bonney Kwawu

Sunday Frienday

It's bring-a-girlfriend day at Bethesda Row's The Waygoose as the store celebrates Women's Friendship Day. On September 20, bring one friend and each gets a 10% discount; two friends scores you each 15% ...and so on. The Waygoose carries beautiful handmade crafts representing artists from all across the country, including stunning pottery, glassware, handturned wooden bowls and jewelry. Also note that The Waygoose is celebrating its 16th anniversary on Oct. 3 from noon-7 pm. Visit either in Bethesda or Rockville Town Square for cake (Bethesda) or Carmen's Italian Ice (Rockville) and special offers. Celebrate this store and owner Deborah Simon who has supported American artisans for so many years.

Dorian Gray Rocks the House

Contrary to yesterday's Washington Post review of The Picture of Dorian Gray at the Round House Theatre, I found the contemporary take on Oscar Wilde's novel a sophisticated, thought-provoking winner from every perspective. It's basically about a man who sells his soul to stay young; a portrait of him suffers the ravages of his life instead. I was immediately drawn in by the smart dialogue taking place in the decadent '80s when the art scene flourished, money (and cocaine) still flowed. Though not in London then, I was in Manhattan, and for a few minutes of the opening act, I was back, feeling the club and gallery scenes, which were done to perfection. Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa nailed it as far as contemporary context goes. And so did the brilliant actors. Each was perfect in his/her role--especially the coolly beautiful Faustian Dorian, played by Roderick Hill. James Kronzer's staging was art itself--large revolving gray-slab walls provided a bleak canvas for the living art created by the actors prancing about on the paint-splattered floor, subtly alluding to the stage as painter's studio. Which brings us to the thematic elements, which in my mind were intriguing (and kept me awake)--when you push art to the limits, you get cubism. When you live to the extreme, you get...well, less desirable results. We had an upper balcony seat in a corner and had a perfect view. Round House should be commended for staging, seating and accessibility. Kronzer, artistic director Blake Robison and playwright Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa scored a winner. 4 stars.

Bethesda Row Restaurant Week!

Another can't miss!! There is so much going on around town my head is swirling, so I'll calm myself with food. A primal delight we can get for much less during Bethesda Row's Restaurant Week, which runs Sept. 21-27. Bethesda Row has no shortage of great restaurants. Check out this list of participants: Assaggi Mozzarella Bar, Austin Grill, Delhi Dhaba, Lebanese Taverna, Le Pain Quotidien, Mon Ami Gabi (a fave), Raku (another huge fave), Tara Thai...plus a fall makeover party at bluemercury and shopping happy hour at Urban Chic. A two course lunch is $12; three-course dinners are $30. Amazing. Book at individual restaurants or when available at opentable.com.

DSS afterglow

The DSS VIP line

What fun it was last night at the District Sample Sale in Georgetown. Just getting out and about is always fun enough for me, but shopping with friends (writer Cathy Alter, publicist Zena Polin, Kelly Collis Fredrick of CityShopGirl, Barbara Saylor of Capitol B, Makeda Saggau-Sackey of The Glamazon Diaries, publicist Jill Collins), plus champagne, great food and tons of clothes just about sent me over the edge. A reticent shopper not in awe of crowds, I surprised myself at the number of terrific buys I found. Fabiana Zelaya of Daisy Too gets the credit for getting me started and giving me that initial push into fashionland. She said she knew a Jae Basilio cardigan would look great on me, and she was absolutely right. So I got the long taupe and plum sweater for $68--marked down from $341. The bargain of the night. I followed that up with a pair of plum suede Bettye Mullers (from Simply Soles). And...I went from there. A black jersey dress from Emily Grace and a teal graphic Donna Morgan (perfect for my upcoming trip to Japan), champagne, a snack and a chance to say hi to many MoCo shop owners. And as always, kudos to Barbara Martin of The Patton Group. Am I gushing? Yeah, a little. Morning-after glow.

Ginger owner Gretchen Hitchner and friend, Cathy Alter


Cathy Alter, Zena Polin, Kelly Collis Fredrick, Maurisa Turner Potts, Jill Collins, Barbara Saylor

Reefer Madness

Check out Bloomie's for different takes on this great fall classic reminiscent of noir films' natty dressers--crisp tailoring, chic grays in menswear-inspired reefer coats that would only look better accented with slick black booties, a hint of ruffle, a great slouchy bag. For Bloomie's card holders it's a matter of "the more you spend, the more you save." Also check out Bloomingdale's exciting event this fall called "Lights, Camera, Action." Bloomingdale's has partnered with motion picture studios, indie filmmakers, classic movie cable networks like TNT, and locally with Women in Film and Video, AFI and others to merge film and fashion in an innovative fall theme, incorporating ticket giveaways, private screenings and more. The store has even commissioned five indie short films, called "BFLIX" to be produced, screened and voted on by customers online at bloomingdales.com. Directors include Emily Abt, Andrew Hunt and Amy Redford. Customers can also put themselves into their own favorite movie scenes via Yoostar. Cool! I'd like to see myself right in between Robert Redford and Paul Newman in Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid. "Lights, Camera, Action" runs through October.