A PUBLICATION OF

f a s h i o n w a s h i n g t o n | s u m m e r 2 0 0 9Be the heroine at your own

wedding in a gown blooming with floral accents, dramatic

ruching or old-fashioned lace

baggage chic Bound for Bali or Brazil?sophisticated travelers tell you how to carry on in style

flash and carryrev up your look with a bright bag, from haute pink totes to taxi yellow clutches

michelle, her belleDesigner isabel toledo chats about crafting edgy dresses and outfitting the first lady

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BlossomingRomanticswow them (and him) as you take your vows in a gown festooned with flowers or dressed up by feminine lace

Obsessed by DressOur advice guru reveals her favorite secret boutiques and gets the scoop on the best makeup shades for African-American skin

Lush LifeA guy’s guide to dressing well, a new dangle on earrings, sculptural frocks for summer, and — ahh! — Bliss finally opens its first D.C. spa

Scene StealersChristian Siriano led the

fash pack to a catwalk of summer fashions during

Bethesda Row’s big style salute, plus sportsmen,

socialites and other elites partied in the name of

ponies and chukkers at the America’s Polo Cup Gala

Haute TopicAre those Crocs in your carry-on? Why taking a trip

shouldn’t keep you from looking hip, especially if you capture a few exotic fashion trophies along the way

Style SetterDesigner to the first lady Isabel Toledo chats about Michelle’s inaugural finery and getting her start with Vogue’s Diana Vreeland

Top ScoresBored with your bag? Lighten up with a shocking pink satchel, lemon yellow clutch or another bright tote

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FA SH ION WA SH I NGTON | su mmer 2009 | 5

shapes, shifted

the season’s hip happenings and hot items

gr.da no photo by dr a k e ; jack et deta ils by ja mes Wojcik

Bridges, paper airplanes, spindly tree branches and other architectural forms crowd the minds of Jill Giordano and Brian Scheyer, the San Francisco design duo behind gr.dano. The citified line’s sculptural day dresses (shown, $298) and crisp, shapely blouses — just picked up at Betsy Fisher (1224 ConneCtiCut ave.

nw; 202-785-1975) — suggest days working at an art gallery and nights swanning around just-opened Penn Quarter lounges. Form and function cleverly mesh in all the pieces, like a Greek goddessy top that can be tied several ways and frocks whose full, folding skirts flatter, not fatten, the derriere. “When we start draping, we come up with such unusual shapes,” says Giordano. Luckily for us, they’re quite wearable, too.

on trend

Foot Prints

on trend

Lobal Warming

Summer fashion’s wanderlusty vibe means we’re all seeing a pattern here,

from “Are-we-in-Bali?” batiks to straight-from-the-Sahara mud cloth.

Printed shoes — like Oscar de la Renta’s ikat espadrilles ($395, sassanova, 1641

wisConsin ave. nw; 202-471-4400) — lasso the trend’s well-traveled mood with-

out making you resemble an “Indiana Jones” extra. A pair of the bright babies — or a similar style like Bettye Muller’s peep-toes in a terrific South Pacific flo-

ral ($375, simply soles, 1438 park rd. nw;

800-909-3679) — bring worldly dash to simpler clothing: pleated wide-leg pants,

a crisp black shift. “They mix well with things you probably already have,” says Sassanova’s Sarah Cannova. “You may

not be going to Bora Bora or St. Bart’s, but wearing something that looks like you’ve

been there suggests boho luxury.”

Ask style savant Tom Julian about his pet peeve in men’s fashion, and the answer is diplomatic but decisive. “It’s time to evolve from the three-button jacket, pleated pant and square-toed shoe,” he says. “It’s basic, it’s fine and it’s over.” In the new “Nordstrom Guide to Men’s Style” ($20, ChroniCle), Julian assembled an encyclopedic, nicely illustrated primer to help guys put together stylish ensembles, knot a tie properly and make the most of tailors. “Over and over again, men say to me, ‘I get how to buy a car, a gadget or something from Home Depot,’” says Julian. “They want the same approach to appar-el. Our response has been to create a systematic way to build a modern wardrobe, from suits to shirts to shoes.”

Dramatic earrings — last seen in the “Dynasty” era — have dangled back into the gem case. Shoulder-

dusters range from silver scribbles by D.C.’s Anya Pinchuk ($400-$500,

Jewelers’werk Galerie, 3319 Cady’s

alley nw; 202-337-3319) to Zil’s Victo-rian lady-gone-hip stunners dripping

with topaz ($4,300, relish, 3312 Cady’s

alley nw; 202-333-5343). Color stars in some baubles, like amethyst, tour-

maline and citrine drops from Marco Bicego’s new Jaipur line (shown,

$1,780, tiny Jewel Box, 1147 ConneCti-

Cut ave. nw; 202-393-2747). “Earrings bring light and brightness to your

face,” says Tiny Jewel Box’s Matthew Rosenheim. “They’re mood-lifting.”

reading list

Prep Talk

Cult beauty brand Bliss has spread its sump-tuous, skin-rejuvenating spa secrets from its Manhattan flagship to places as far-flung as Hong Kong. Now, Washingtonians can get pampered, too, when the company opens its first local spa in early July at the plush new W hotel (515 15th st. nw; Blissworld.Com). A menu of 50-plus treatments includes a signa-ture revitalizing triple oxygen facial (75 min-

utes, $160), a carrot and sesame body buff (90

minutes, $165), and a popular hot milk and almond pedicure (60 minutes, $65). Just-for-men offerings like the talon-taming “Manly-cure” (30 minutes, $25) mean couples can book spa dates. No time for a proper wind down? The brand’s scrubs and salves are also available to take home for DIY de-stressing.

spa scene

Deluxe Detox

new line

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FA SH ION WA SH I NGTON | SU MMER 2009 | 7

Your style columnist fears just two things: the resurgence of acid-washed denim jeans and the jam-packed aisles of Sephora. For the

latter, we sought out Hollywood makeup artist Sam Fine, who has built an impressive roster of first-name-only clientele — Halle, Tyra,

Beyonce — and has just released a how-to makeup DVD for women of color, “The Basics of Beauty” ($25, Samfine.com). “The trick to

shopping any beauty department is to first prepare a grocery list of what you need,” Fine says. For African-American skin, he suggests

gravitating toward cosmetics lines — Stila, Nars and Smashbox are favorites — known for strong pigments that will stay vibrant on

darker skin. Surefire bets include brown shadows for day, greens and blues for evening — and just about anything with gold shimmer.

(But stay away from silvery shades, which can look ashy.) Another Fine tip for dark skin tones: Skip traditional blush, and instead reach

for bronzer, which gives cheeks a luminous glow. Unfortunately, we did not think to ask Fine about how to ace the acid-washed look.

STYLE ADVICE BY BETSY LOWTHER

DO YOU KNOW those T-shirts that claim “Shop-ping is my Cardio?” Well, in this columnist’s case, it’s very much true. (I would not, how-ever, ever be caught dead in

one of those ghastly tops.) I bank major mileage in my Dries Van Noten heels by trekking to my hidden faves, including Old Town’s Chinoiserie (1024 King St., Alexandria; 703-838-0520), a chic home emporium with a tucked-away clothing section full of artsy dresses from cutting-edge labels like Charles Chang-Lima and Yeohlee. Nearby, the just-relocated outpost of Treat (103 S. Asaph St.; 703-535-3294) delivers a constantly updated selection of discounted finds like over-sized Bulga totes and airy tops from hip label Sally Tseng. In Bethesda, I’ve snagged Robert Rodriguez sheaths among the stylish assort-ment at Luna (7232 Woodmont Ave.; 301-656-1111) and always head around the corner to Pirjo (4821 Bethesda Ave.; 301-986-1775 ) for artsy pieces by small Scandinavian designers. Even the malls are worth scouring: The easy-to-miss Carol Mitchell shop in Tysons Galleria (1785 International Drive; 703-506-8963) boasts a well-edited selection of innovative pieces from top labels like Jil Sander and Prada.

LET ME TELL YOU a little secret that devoted fashion followers have been keep-ing tucked away in their Proenza Schouler PS1 totes. Early summer is actually a prime time for closet updates, thanks to the pre-fall collections offered by many of the top design

houses. As the summertime counterpart to late winter’s resort lines, pre-fall focuses on transitional items that — unlike spring and fall runway styles — aren’t focused on major trends. “Because pre-fall pieces aren’t overly seasonal, you can get much more wear out of them throughout the year,” says Nancy Pearlstein of Relish (3312 Cady’s Alley NW; 202-333-5343), who’s bringing in Narciso Rodriguez’s pre-fall line of neo-Asian sheaths in June. Other highlights: MaxMara’s delicate, origami-pleated pencil skirts and draped cocktail dresses (available at Bloomingdale’s, 5300 Western Ave., Chevy Chase; 240-744-3700), Michael Kors’ paint-erly black and white abstract sheaths (Neiman Marcus, Tysons Galleria; 703-761-1600) and Diane von Furstenberg’s sleek one-shouldered jer-sey frocks (Urban Chic, 1626 Wisconsin Ave. NW; 202-338-5398). Stick to simple shapes, mid-weight fabrics and classic palettes, and you’ll get plenty of mileage from these pieces for seasons to come — unlike, say, a pair of summer’s wear-’em-if-you-dare harem pants.

AS AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN, I FIND THE VASTSELECTION AT BIG BEAUTY STORES OVERWHELMING. ARE THERE PRODUCTS I SHOULD SEEK OUT (OR AVOID)?

I’m always on the lookout for

o� -the-beaten-path boutiques.

Do you have any favorites?

I want to invest in a few pieces for my wardrobe,

but I’m worried about making a big buy that will

be out of style in just a few months. Any advice?

HAVE A STYLE DILEMMA OR A QUERY ABOUT HOW TO WEAR SOMETHING? E-MAIL OUR

SARTORIAL PRO AT ADVICE@FASHIONWASHINGTON.COM. FOR LIVE ANSWERS, JOIN OUR

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July 24-25 – Harriet Kassman Bridal Salon. Pattis Bridal Trunk Show. 5300 Wisconsin Avenue, NW. 202.363.1870. www.harrietkassman.com

Storecalendar of advertiser and editorial fashion selections

in

Starting in June, TREAT will be open 5 days/week (Wed-Sat, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.; and Sun, 12-6 p.m.) in a new, larger location at 103 South St. Asaph Street in Old Town Alexandria. www.shoptreat.com

June 26-28 – Summer Solstice Shop-a-thon in the Old Town Boutique District. Join us for a weekend of exclusive shopping discounts, gift with purchases and special events. Shop Unique. Shop Boutique. www.oldtownboutiquedistrict.com

june 09

August 1-2 – MidCity’s Dog Days of Summer sale. Features discounts, trunk shows and other specials from boutiques in the 14th and U Streets area. Including Rckndy, Caramel and Lettie Gooch. www.midcitylife.com

august 09

Friday, June 19 at noon: Live fashion chat with FW editors Jennifer Barger and Betsy Lowther

www.fashionwashington.com/junechat.html

We’re on Facebook.

Fashion.Washington. Together at last.

Fan Us!

Log on to FW’s blog for constant D.C. fashion scene updates. www.fashionwashington.com/blog.

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fashionwashington.com

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FA SH ION WA SH I NGTON | su mmer 2009 | 9

sty

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a bov e photo by inez va n l a msw eer de a nd v inoodh m ata din; low er photos court esy of isa bel tol ed0

Did you always want to be a designer?I learned how to sew when I was very young and always made my own clothes. But I never thought of fashion as a career until I interned at the Met-ropolitan Museum of Art in the early 1980s when [former Vogue editor Diana] Vreeland was there. I fell in love with the work of all the masters. That’s when I realized it was what I wanted to do.

What was it like to apprentice under a legend like Diana Vreeland?Inspiring! She was full of energy and always so in love with whatever she was doing. She really loved clothes and the culture of fashion, and I respected that a great deal. One always thinks of fashion as such a frivolous thing, but she really understood its impact. When she looked at a Balenciaga, it was like she was looking at a Picasso.

How did you launch your own career?When Ruben and I got married [in 1984], we had to find a way to make a living. Ruben took my clothes from the closet — I don’t even think I knew about it — and brought them to Bendel’s and Patricia Field. Both stores placed orders. He came home and literally said, “We’re in business.”

How would you explain your aesthetic to someone who doesn’t know your designs?Describing my own work is the hardest thing for me to do. I’ve been into so many different concepts over the years, like architecture and origami. I don’t like to define things, because it solidifies it. I prefer not to be labeled. Someone once described me as a “radical classicist.” That sounds pretty good.

How would you describe your customer?Daring women. Individuals. I’m not a big label, so those who search me out really make an effort. They love the work, and that makes me happy.

Michelle Obama is a longtime customer. Did you know she would be wearing your dress to the inauguration ceremony?I thought she was going to wear a black and white dress, which she actually wore later to Bucking-ham Palace. My mother-in-law called [on the day of the inauguration] and said, “She’s not wearing black and white. She’s in beige.” By the time I got to the TV, she had already gone inside the church, so I had to wait for I don’t know how long. Finally, she came out. What a beautiful moment, to see her smile, to sense her confidence. You could just see that she felt really beautiful. I started to scream.

She seems to have a real sense of style.You know, she looks like Michelle Obama. And that’s what I love about that woman: She has her own style, and she picks what she likes. She might wake up in the morning and say, “I thought I wanted to wear this black dress today, but I actu-ally feel like wearing color.” When you have a pre-scribed wardrobe, you don’t live in the moment. Michelle does.

Your retrospective covers 25 years of fashion-forward designs. Any favorites?I do feel an attachment to this one dress that peo-ple disliked a whole lot, even in the studio. I called it the “hermaphrodite” — it’s a weird, amorphic shape created by hula hoops. I think it only made it in the runway show that season because I pushed and pushed. It is a bit peculiar, but it’s a beautiful dress that later birthed so many different designs. I’m still evolving that pattern today.

It sounds like a good lesson in staying true to your vision, no matter what. You got it! You just described Isabel.

Hues in the White House Isabel Toledo chats about making clothes for Michelle Obama,

working with Diana Vreeland and why hula hoop dresses rule

for the record, the color is “lemongrass.” Isabel Toledo should know — after all, she designed Michelle Obama’s golden green inauguration ensemble, a shimmery lace sheath and match-

ing coat that awed viewers and stumped newscasters who clumsily tried to explain its elegant, efferves-cent hue. In an instant, the 48-year-old Toledo, a New York-based Cuban-American long championed by

the fashion world (and nearly unknown outside of it), was catapulted to fame. Toledo’s 25 years of bound-ary-pushing clothes, including that inauguration outfit, will star in a mid-career retrospective from June

17 to Sept. 26 at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology (Fitnyc.edu). Those who can’t make it to Manhattan will have a chance to admire Toledo’s work in D.C. when she and her artist husband and long-

time collaborator, Ruben, stage a fashion show at the Embassy of Switzerland this fall. betsy low ther

I’ve been into so many different concepts over the years, like architecture and origami.”

hau

te to

pic

FA SH ION WA SH I NGTON | su mmer 2009 | 10

travel brochures set the bar for vacation fashion higher than Hong Kong’s towering skyline. If you believe their marketing hype, you’ll need Anna Wintour’s furs and sunglasses to shop in Paris, and Gisele Bündchen’s bod — and weensy bikini — to frolic in Sao Paulo. And where the heck do the babes in cruise ads store those mile-wide sun hats on their flights to Hawaii?

Unless you leave town with a trunk-lugging assistant, dressing with the same panache on the road as you do at home might be as fruitless as Don Quixote’s quests. But jetting to Bhutan or Barcelona shouldn’t mean entirely jettisoning your sarto-rial sense, even though practicalities (fabrics that resist roll-on wrinkles, shoes fit for cobblestones) seem to trump glamour. “I wish I had a Wonder Woman jump-suit for travel. Your wardrobe has to do so many things,” says D.C. writer (and fre-quent flyer) Melina Gerosa Bellows, author of “The Fun Book for Girlfriends” ($13, Andrews McMeel). “So I try to not overpack. I’ll put in my go-to black pants, white T-shirts and lots of accessories, which add style without taking up much room.”

Still, the need for comfort in transit shouldn’t cause you to morph into the Lesser American Sloth, so step away from the Juicy tracksuit. “You’d never wear a bikini top and skirt to dinner at home, so it’s a bad idea in Key West, too,” says TLC network stylist Andy Paige and author of “Style on a Shoestring” ($17, McGraw-Hill).

It’s fine to pack flat shoes, but there’s no excuse for bringing clunky Crocs, unless you’re 3 years old and building sand castles. “I try to look put-together, even if it’s just ballet flats, jeans and a cashmere sweater for the plane,” says Samantha Brown,

The Getaway As Runway

Traveling shouldn’t be a roadblock to good

style, and it might land you fashion trophies

Il lust r atIon by john jay c a buay

who globe-trots as host of the Travel Channel’s “Great Weekends.” “As a traveler, you make noth-ing but first impressions. Dressing well is uni-versal, and it helps you get treated well in shops and waited on at restaurants.”

Old-school packing rules (“no” to linen, “yes” to knits) can mean you arrive refreshed, not rumpled. But a T-shirt touting another jaunt (“Ithaca is Gorges”) won’t wow natives or other travelers. Instead, go for easy-to-layer cardigans and a worldly chick’s secret weapon: the frock. “I’m on a book tour now, and I’ve got eight knit dresses in my bag,” says Paige. “They’re whole outfits you can dress up or down.”

The joy of an escape also includes outfitting yourself to suit the surroundings. Yoga wear fits a Napa spa; a cocktail gown — maybe Lanvin? — rules for dinner in Paris. Blending in both keeps you safe (“Jeans shorts and a camera make you an easy mark in Rome,” says Brown) and allows you to cloak yourself in another culture. “I think about how I want to feel when I arrive,” says Bel-lows. “I just went to Mexico and didn’t want to look J. Crew. I took gauzy shirts, dangling ear-rings and metallic sandals.”

Capturing fashion trophies — a colorful Thai scarf, Navajo turquoise earrings — on the road can even improve your trip. “Most women are up for a retail safari,” says Bellows. “And if you get an unbelievable gold necklace in India, it’ll remind you of your trip when you’re home.”

Still, before you snag a style souvenir, con-sider how it will come across in your real world. “I pick up accessories, which are easier to incor-porate into your wardrobe than, say, a sari,” says Arlington personal shopper Cathy Phillips.

Brown, who loves trolling boutiques in strange cities, also encourages restraint. “You don’t want to come home and say, ‘Why did I buy this som-brero?’” Besides, it probably won’t fit in your carry-on anyway. Jennifer Barger

As a traveler, you make nothing but first impressions. Dressing well is universal, and it helps you get treated well.”

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1-888-483-5284 www.velatis.com

Also available at The Montgomery Farm Women’s Market, 7155 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, Maryland

THE ORIGINAL

FAMOUS CARAMELS SINCE 1866

A delicious tradition since 1866, Velatis produces

over twenty varieties of chewy and sugary styles of

caramel candies made from Old European recipes.

FA SH ION WA SH I NGTON | su mmer 2009 | 11

hothouse power: ruching gives rosa

clara's silk gown ($4,862, hannelore's, 106 n. lee st., alexan-

dria; 703-549-0387) a screen-siren vibe.

the simplest of accents — vintage

millinery flowers, celluloid earrings, ($30 and $18, acces-sories of old, 4822

st. elmo ave., bethes-da; 301-760-7228) and a

faux pearl necklace by carolee (worn as a bracelet, $55, lord

& taylor, tysons corner center; 703-

506-1156) — let the dress be the center

of attention.

ON Summer'S rOmANTIc brIdAl GOWNS, everyTHING'S cOmING up rOSe-TrImmed, SWeeTly drAped Or cOvered IN lAce

photos by mArGe ely styled by Neely bArNWell dykSHOrN

love in loom

FA SH ION WA SH I NGTON | SU MMER 2009 | 12 FA SH ION WA SH I NGTON | SU MMER 2009 | 13

hen Alice Roosevelt — the spirited daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt — got married at the White House in 1906, she wore orange blossoms in her hair and a silver brocade-accented gown. Modern D.C. brides probably don’t want to imitate her passé pompadour or whopping 12-foot train, but the season’s fresh crop of aisle- or beach wedding-ready dresses do channel the sort of scene-stealing, flower-inspired embellishments Roosevelt used when she said, “I do.” These range from Vera Wang’s big-as-a-sunflower silk posy pins — meant to grace the waist or shoul-der — to Lela Rose’s feminine ball gown festooned with a field's worth of organza poppies.

Lace — whether it’s traditional, intricate guipure or contemporary laser-cut stuff — also summons a romantic mood. “It has a special, old-fashioned quality, but it looks fresh when it’s done in modern shapes,” says Carin Rosenberg Levine of Georgetown's Hitched (1523 Wiscon-sin Ave. NW; 202-333-6162).

“Interesting back details, like little bows or tiny pearl embellish-ments, sell well for us,” says New York designer Nicole Miller, whose sleek, Turner Classic Movie starlet styles usually include just one “aha!” element: horizontal pleats unexpectedly ringing the bottom half of a full skirt, a floor-sweeping bow on the back of a slim satin gown. Such subtly stunning dresses leave room for you to bloom on your big day, whether you say your vows in botanical splendor (like our bride, who was captured among the trumpet flowers and exotic palms of Wheaton’s Brookside Gardens), or with your toes in the sand, clasp-ing just a simple bouquet. JENNIFER BARGER

FLOWER EMPOWERED: CALATHEAS AND OTHER PLANTS GROW WELL BY

THE WATER INSIDE BROOK-SIDE GARDENS' CONSER-

VATORY. NICOLE MILLER'S SILK-SATIN GOWN ($1,100,

NICOLE MILLER, TYSONS GALLERIA; 703-821-1630)

LOOKS SWELL WITH PARED-DOWN ACCESSO-

RIES LIKE AN ART DECO-INSPIRED CRYSTAL STAR-

BURST BRACELET ($175, NICOLE MILLER).

LEFT: LAYERING TWO VEILS ($295 EACH, RIZIK'S,

1100 CONNECTICUT AVE. NW; 202-223-4050) ADDS

UP TO SHOW-STOPPING VOLUME, MUCH LIKE A

TRUMPET FLOWER.

BELOW: ADD SPARKLE WITH A RHINESTONE FLOWER-ENCRUSTED TIARA BY TONI FEDERICI ($540, HARRIET KASS-MAN, MAZZA GALLERIE, 5300 WISCONSIN AVE. NW; 202-363-1870).

CENTER: VERA WANG'S SILK FLOWER BROOCH

ELEGANTLY SPROUTS ON HER CHANTILLY LACE BALL GOWN ($450 AND $19,390,

SAKS JANDEL, 5510 WIS-CONSIN AVE., CHEVY

CHASE; 301-652-2250)..

RIGHT: ARTFUL CUTOUTS AND FOLDS LEND DELICATE

DRAMA TO CAROLINA HERRERA'S STRAPLESS

TAFFETA GOWN ($7,990, CARINE'S BRIDAL ATELIER, 1726 WISCONSIN AVE. NW;

202-965-4696).

W“Interesting details,

like little bows or tiny pearl embellishments,

sell well for us.” NICOLE MILLER

FA SH ION WA SH I NGTON | su mmer 2009 | 14

About the Cover and SiteIsadora wears a silk Lela Rose gown with an organza flower-dotted skirt ($7,995, Hitched, 1523 Wisconsin Ave. NW; 202-333-6162), a faux pearl necklace (worn as a bracelet, $55, Lord & Taylor), faux pearl earrings ($10, Lou Lou) and a vintage millinery flower ($30, Accessories of Old). She's pictured among the Birds of Par-adise and spiral ginger plants at Brookside Gardens, a 50-acre botanical expanse in Montgomery County, Md., where a conservatory full of tropical flowers, wind-ing vines and trickling ponds conjures faraway, exotic climes. It's a popular site for weddings, which often take place in the holly-bush-framed gazebo or among the colorful roses of the fragrance garden. Brookside is also open to visitors daily. 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, 301-962-1400; Brooksidegardens.org

old-fashioned lace meets a newfangled shape on elizabeth fillmore's flapperish gown ($6,490, promise for the savvy bride, 4931a st. elmo ave., bethesda; 301-215-9232). play up its slim lines with long strands of faux pearls ($50-$60, lord & taylor) and simple studs ($10, lou lou, 7125 bethesda lane, bethesda; 301-652-0048).

shot on location, brookside gardensspecial thanks to leslie mcdermottstyling assistant: ashley joy parker photo assistants: fredi reiher, beverly nazaroffhair and makeup: victoria stiles/t.h.e. artist agency model: modelogic for wilhelmina models

FA SH ION WA SH I NGTON | su mmer 2009 | 15

scene stealers

Christian siriano knows that in fashion, you’re either “in” or you’re “out” — or, in Bethesda Row’s case, you just might be outside. Heidi Klum would surely have approved of the shopping zone’s spring runway show, held under the stars as part of a three-day fest of all things chic. Guest-of-honor and Annapolis native Siriano was suffering from a fierce cold, and it’s no wonder — with his ready-to-wear line, a new maternity collection, upcoming collaborations with Payless shoes and Victoria’s Secret cosmetics and a book in the works, he’s been nonstop busy since his “Project Runway” win. His post-show plans? “I’m sleeping in and watching bad TV, because I never get to do that at home in New York,” he said.

you Could’ve said that mud was the new black at the Land Rover America’s Polo Cup Rockin’ the Runway gala. But the rain-soaked grounds at the Capi-tol Polo Club and the dirt on people’s shoes didn’t stop a crowd of haute guests — including event co-founder Michaele Salahi (above right, far right) and local advice diva Andrea Rodgers (of Askmissa.com) — from dressing up to take in a fashion show (left) and concert by “Ameri-can Idol” star Michael Johns. Sure, a few Louboutins sank into the muck. But everyone, including the American and Australian polo players who would play in the next day’s match, seemed to enjoy the fete. “I’m still smiling,” said Rodgers. “Just look at me from the ankles up!”

What They Wore After the threat of rain, the balmy night set the scene for a flock of breezy frocks. Shannon Cusello popped by Urban Outfitters on the way to the fete, swapping her dark top for a daffodil yellow tank. “The sun came out and I thought, ‘I need color!’” she said. One item rarely spotted: flip-flops, to Siriano’s delight. “I’d love it if women would finally stop wearing flip-flops everywhere,” he said. “Ladies, take two more seconds and put on some cute flats. It looks so much better!” BeTSy LOw Ther

What They Wore women scored points in cocktail frocks and Ascot-worthy hats, but it was the polo players in their knee-high leather boots and blazers who embodied the spirit of the evening. “It’s muddy, but everyone still looks great,” said event co-founder Salahi. This held especially true for fashion consultant rodney Foster, who accessorized his slim suit with the ulti-mate luxe add-on: an hermès Birkin bag. “I knew everyone was going to be wearing black suits,” he says. “I wanted to stand out.” AShLey jOy pArker

The Front Row Fashion ShowBethesda Row, may 15, 2009

the best of who, what and wear at the capital’s poshest parties

America’s Polo Cup Galapoolesville, md., may 8, 2009

fron t row photos by l aw r ence luk ; a mer ic a’s polo cup ga l a photos by m a rge ely

Eva Jurkevicsgrad student-to-be

Andrea Rodgersadvice diva/philanthropist

Christian Sirianofashion designer

Rodney Fosterfashion consultant

Angelica Talanactress

Sarah Connorstudent

Seth Obedpolo player

Shannon Cusellosalon manager

Christina Michellejewelry designer

For store locations and hours, log on to macys.com

From short babydolls to flirty maxis, smocked paisleys to bright florals... we have the dresses that’ll make you the center of attention. Find it all on 2, Fashion Centre at Pentagon City and select stores.

Macy’s by Appointment.Call Linda Lee & her personal shoppers for our free service. 1-800-343-0121.

summer dresses+

new prints

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