8/07/2011

Just in case you didn't know

In the past year we have made many changes/upgrades to The President Wears Prada. The blog has transformed into a Tumblr blog, which you can find here: www.thepresidentwearsprada.com.

We have also worked hard to develop a carefully curated city guide to Washington, DC called TPWP Guide, which you can find here: www.tpwpguide.com.

You can also find us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/tpwpguide and Facebook at www.facebook.com/tpwpguide.

We look forward to you visiting our new addresses and hope to hear from you on Twitter and Facebook soon!

10/29/2010

ReadysetDC Fashion:District Fall/Winter 2010

I was sad to miss ReadysetDC's latest fashion:district Fall/Winter 2010 runway show and party.  Luckily, our TPWP photographer was there to capture DeNada's behind-the-scenes and some of the looks from the runway.  Looks like a wonderful time and an amazing venue, I'm already looking forward to the next one!



















9/13/2010

Florals & Crochet Loops

A few weeks ago we were part of a very exciting project with de*nada design - styling the looks for their "Form and Function" videos of the newest collection.  The "how-to" series shows you the different ways to wear each of the beautiful and versatile pieces.  We had a wonderful time working with an amazing team of people and couldn't be happier with the results.

Here are some of our behind-the-scene pictures plus the first Form & Function video showcasing one my personal favorite scarves - The Braided Rope - I wore it all winter last year... and as far as I could into the Spring - it's so versatile and looks beautiful with any outfit.  You can get it now at the de*nada website.

For this look I paired it with a vintage floral Lanvin silk dress from Treasury Boutique, my leather jacket, and a thick leather belt I bought in San Francisco.  For the early fall I really like pairing "summery" dresses with winter jackets and sweaters and layering them even further with leggings and boots in the winter.  It gives more versatility to my favorite warm-weather pieces and imparts much needed color and texture to my outfits in the colder months.  We'll show you more videos in the coming months - hope you like them as much as we do!

You can check out many more behind the scenes photos on the TPWP flickr: Here




Behind the Scenes:














Video Credits:
filmed by: a loquasto production
directed by: Tara Kocourek
produced by: Sebastien Tobler
music by: future people
model: Agnes Widbom
make-up stylist: Canaan Bianchi
film assistant: Kyoko Takenaka
assistant: Kelly Towles
clothes provided by: Muleh, Redeem and Treasury Boutique
wardrobe styling and behind the scenes photos by: TPWP

9/09/2010

Fashion's Night Out - DC

In case you haven't made up your mind about which FNO events to attend, here are some of our picks:

Our favorite accessories brand DeNada will be showing her latest collection along with two other local designers at Simply Soles as part of the Georgetown Fashion's Night Out.
















If you want to stay in the U/14th St area, Muleh is having a party from 6-10.  A portion of proceeds of the night's sales will benefit "Men Against Breast Cancer."  You will also get a gift card worth 15% of your evening's purchase.  To see other participating boutiques in MidCity click HERE for more details.






















If you'd like to listen to live music and get a free makeover by Bobbi Brown cosmetics - head over to Neiman Marcus at Mazza Gallerie to see US Royalty play songs from their upcoming album.  Cupcakes and cocktails included, of course.

8/10/2010

A week of paradise at the W Hotel on Vieques Island

Vieques the island is not only a home of beautiful natural attractions, it is also home to a man made one. The W Hotels chain has historically been more of a pretender to the throne of great design than being actual great design. The W Retreat and Spa on Vieques Island throws the previous thought out the window. Really all you need to say is that Patricia Urquiola did the design.  Of spanish descent but working in Milan, her design is of consequent eclecticism; the best combination of organic with modern lines and plenty of whimsy, metered by a touch of seriousness (ie the slate grey walls in the lobby).

My family and I stayed at one of the homes on the W property and were more than excited to have full access to the beautiful resort.  It is located on one of the few beach front plots where construction is allowed, has two private beaches and a very enticing infinity pool overlooking the ocean.  The airy lobby filled with soft light, ocean breezes and deep comfy sofas with lots of pillows was a very welcoming retreat after the long days of adventures around the island.  We ate lunch on their outdoor patio listening to ocean waves and eating the delicious and locally sourced cuisine of Alain Ducasse.  We also came back at night for their irresistible strawberry caipirinhas and for a wonderful birthday dinner for my mom.

I can still smell the sweet tropical scent in the lobby, it feels like just yesterday that I walked through the big wooden W doors and felt joyful and relaxed, and I can vividly remember my mom's smile and bright eyes when she saw the lobby for the first time.  It really is a special place and any others that join it on the island have some pretty extraordinary footsteps to follow.

These are some of our pictures:



Central seating area in lobby (Chaise sofa Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia, side tables by Autoban).


Outdoor lounge area, which overlooks the ocean (Carnival Daybed by Patricia Urquiola for Moroso).


Sling chairs by Paulo Mendes da Rocha, available at DWR.


Daybeds overlooking the beach (Patricia Urquiola for Kettal).


Back to back sofas in the outdoor lounge, great for eating lunch (Sofa by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia).


17th Century style demi-lune tables mix traditional with modern, and I love the brass wire ship!


The bar area at night.


A view through the indoor-outdoor restaurant.


The firepit looks over the ocean.


The pool and its changing lights at night.

8/08/2010

La Isla del Encanto

I just got back from an enchanted little island - wild horses roam its beaches and forests,  pristine turquoise waters welcome only you as their guest, it is perennially 85 degrees, and at night their bioluminescent bay, the brightest one in the world, sparkles and glows as you swim in it.  The island is called Vieques, or Isla Nena as the locals call it - it is 8 miles east of mainland Puerto Rico and has remained off the radar for most Caribbean tourists and is therefore as wild and virgin as a Caribbean island gets.  My family and I had an amazing time exploring its coral reefs, sailing to tiny islands on its bays, kayaking among schools of minuscule silver fish and of course swimming in its transparent waters.  We miss it already and can't wait to go back....

Here are some of the pictures I took:


The view while flying to Vieques.


The shore line as seen from our plane.


Trees near the beach.


Wild horses roamed the island.


A short path to turquoise waters.


The beach at Bahia de las Chivas.


View from our sailboat heading to snorkel and swim.


Snorkeling off the boat, I should have brought a more activity-appropriate bathing suit.


Coral reefs as seen by my brother.


The dramatic daily dusk and clouds in the horizon.

8/05/2010

Scout

It's no secret how much we like DC artist Kelly Towles, and not just because he's our good friend, but because his art with a genesis in graffiti and a finishing school in anime is simultaneously gorgeous, surprising and playful... One of his latest projects, the 2-story tall "Scout" mural on 12th and W St. NW is portrayed by Sebastien Tobler on this short film. I love everything about it, the beautiful Isabella, the Beirut song, the colors, the angles and most importantly how it made my entire family of 10 smile while watching it in a faraway airport.

Enjoy!



SCOUT from Kelly Towles on Vimeo.
Scout

"A new mural by street artist Kelly Towles in his hometown of Washington DC. The mural and short film explore a DC neighborhood with a child like sense of exploration. A quick take on what most people should do in their own area of the city. Enjoy!"

7/20/2010

Linen & Cotton

I have a favorite Summer dress and despite the hundred other dresses in my closet that's the one I always turn to on hot, humid days.  It's light, sexy, amazingly comfortable and unique.  It's designed by Julie from Vain and Vapid, one of my favorite blogs and also one of my favorite designers.  Her Summer Lookbook was filled with beautiful clothes that encompassed so much of what I want in clothes for this Summer - linens, asymmetric hems, sheer fabrics, light prints.  Julie makes all the items herself - her clothes are beutifully made and sell out very quickly.  So I was extremely happy that my favorite dress from the collection, the Ursa Major dress, was available in my size.  She emailed me that she just finished making it and it's on its way to DC... I can't wait to get it.  The combination of white linen, sheer panels, a mandarin collar and a plunging neck line are the perfect mix of sophisticated, sexy and cute.  Make sure you join her mailing list to keep updated on her latest collections and shop updates.  



Ursa Major Dress


Darcy Skirt in Ikat Chambray


Leo Dress


Pavo Dress

6/12/2010

Modern Classics in DC

Although here at TPWP we cover mostly DC-based stores, we wanted to share with you our pictures of the opening of the nationally known Room & Board.  The arrival of a store that is known for craftsmanship and style to DC says that maybe we are not as unfashionable or lacking as much taste as everyone thought.  And it's perfectly fitting that they came to 14th street - which is quickly becoming the most interesting and stylish shopping destination in DC.  Room & Board carries some classic midcentury pieces, as well as beautiful solid wood furniture at relatively reasonable prices.  The first thing you notice when you walk in to their store is the great use of natural materials.  Not only do they have great solid wood pieces, but they also show off some great use of natural wood in the store itself (floors, stairs, rails).  The store also succeeds where many other DC spaces have failed - by respecting the architecture of the building and not over-doing the design.

The store opens to the public this Monday, June 14th - make sure you visit this great new addition to the neighborhood, and also that you walk up to their rooftop, the views alone are worth the trip.

























Thanks to Alvaro T for the early store preview.