Inaugural 2017 Fashion

With Donald Trump’s Inaugural Ball less than 2 weeks away, here are some suggestions from Yours Truly on how to look your best at a most historic DC Presidential event!

First up, this gorgeous winter white, open-back gown by Stella McCartney from Net-a-Porter.  You could do it as shown with large earrings in gold or choose a pop of color (POC) like a mint green or jade and a coordinating clutch.  The cut of the dress if figure-flattering and donning white head-to-toe, coupled with the subtle sexiness of the open-back, will give you an effortless and appropriate wow-factor!

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The next dress is by one of my favorite designers, Roland Mouret, a two-tone, strapless gown from Net-a-Porter.  The navy and black together and peplum flare at the waist make for a very classic and flattering look.  I would keep it simple with this one and pair with with a black clutch and a navy or black fur cape to keep you warm and toasty.

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For a beautiful gown without high-end designer prices, Self-Portrait has been making a splash in the fashion scene from Kate Middleton to Kerry Washington and this next dress is one of my favorites from the fashion house.  The Mia dress – it also comes in white – would be perfect for the Inaugural Ball.  (This line runs very small so I recommend going up 2 sizes from your normal size.)

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Everyone knows I adore most anything Alexander McQueen and this next embellished dusty-pink gown is absolutely divine!  It’s unique, elegant, romantic and simply breath-taking.  If I were attending the Ball, this would be my pick!  🙂

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If you really want to look like the Belle of the Ball, this blue-gray glitter gown by Marchesa will fit the bill.

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Miami-based designer Rene Ruiz, who recently opened up a store in Georgetown, created this next stunning off-the-shoulder embellished navy blue gown available at Saks Fifth Avenue.  I had the pleasure of meeting Ruiz last month and viewing his gowns in person and I will say they are beautiful!  Not only that, he knows how to create a gown that truly flatters a woman’s figure regardless of her size.

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XOXO

~April

Holiday Shopping Soiree benefiting St. Jude!

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I would like to cordially to invite you to join me this Thursday, December 22nd at Intermix Georgetown for a Holiday Shopping Soiree benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.   Come out and shop for some fabulous frocks for your holidays party and/or pick up something gorgeous for your friends and family and 10% of every purchase will go directly to St. Jude!  Fashion and philanthropy going hand-in-hand, what better way to shop!

Oh, and I will be there to provide styling tips to all who attend!

If you can’t make it in to the event, no worries, we’ve got you covered!  Simply head in to the store anytime between Dec. 15th and the eve of the event to pick out your pieces and they won’t ring you until the 22nd which means your purchase will go towards the overall grand fundraising total!  :o)

St. Jude has a mind-blowing $2.2 million per day operating cost which is why events like this play such an important role in ensuring they can continue to lead the way in the way the world understand, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other pediatric diseases.  And since the majority of funding comes from generous public donors, every dollar counts, which means your purchase – no matter how big or small – matters!

For more info on St. Jude visit http://www.stjude.org

I hope to see you there and for a wonderful evening filled with amazing women to support an amazing cause.

XOXO

~April

Falling for Fall

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Red silk dress by Saint Laurent

Today I attended a fabulous Capitol File luncheon featuring a lovely showcase of some of the latest and greatest in fall ’16 fashion from Saks Fifth Avenue Chevy Chase presented by their Style Director and friend of mine, John Page.  John – who is a capsule of knowledge on all things fashion – curated a beautiful collection of some of fall’s hottest trends all while providing amazing fashion advice.  It was a wonderful afternoon spent with some of DC’s most fashionable women.

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Celine cotton oversized shirt paired with Brunello Cucinelli sweater vest and cropped leather pants and a YSL sac du jour bag.

The luncheon took place at the Rosewood Hotel (formerly the Capella) in Georgetown and if the venue looks familiar to you, you are probably recalling the fashion luncheons Yours Truly used to host as the former Resident Stylist for the Capella.  I can’t wait to do my next one – coming soon.  :o)

A couple fall trends I’m loving this season are the military look – every woman should own a military-inspired jackets; mixing day and night – pairing a sporty bomber jacket over a ball gown skirt; velvet – a fabulous velvet blazer is a must-have; and sparkle n’ shine during the day – sport a fabulous pair of sparkly heels with denim and a loose cotton button-down.

Then  of course there are some trends this season that are actually forever trends IMO.  Like the pussybow blouse, every woman should own at least one of these feminine and romantic staples.  And some trends recycle, case and point this season’s 70’s fashion trend – skin tight bell bottom jeans, boho maxi dresses, etc.- or the jean jacket from 1988 sans the button pins that you never thought you’d pull out again.

Hope you enjoyed all the beautiful looks from today’s luncheon!

XOXO

~April

#saksstyle #fall16fashiontrends #DCluncheon #DCfashion

 

St. Jude Heart of Fashion

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It’s less than two months away until my absolute favorite event of the year, the St. Jude Heart of Fashion (HOF)!  Soooo….

Save the Date:

Saturday, September 10

The HOF will of course take place once again at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie and I’m honored to once again be apart of the committee for this wonderful event and ask that you join me and a fabulous crowd of attendees as we unite together for a day of fashion and philanthropy to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

St. Jude leads the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.  Located in Memphis, Tennessee, the center is at the cutting-edge of the latest medicine and research in life-threatening pediatric diseases, such as cancer, all while freeing families from the biggest burden in getting life-saving healthcare: the cost.

Events like the HOF are so important to the continued success of St. Jude because the center receives the majority of it’s funding from generous donors.   With a $2 million a day operating cost, every dollar counts and the results are evident today as St. Jude has increased the survival rates for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) from 4% (in 1962) to 94%.

The event features a full runway presentation – designer TBA – brunch bites, champagne and an amazing silent auction!  New this year, a very special VIP pre-event reception.

Tickets will be available soon, so stay tuned!

Last year’s HOF was completely sold out only days before the show and we are anticipating the same to happen this year!  Below are a few pictures from a previous HOF to get you even more excited for this year’s.

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Photo creds: Zaid Hamid

Hope to see you there!

XOXO

~April

Take 5 || St. Jude

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Join me for an evening of fashion and philanthropy at  Take 5 boutique to benefitSt. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Saturday, September 26th

 5:00pm – 8:00pm

Take 5 Boutique  || Mosaic Disctrict

I’m thrilled to be a special guest to talk all things fall fashion as Take 5 will showcase a runway presentation of their latest arrivals for Fall/Winter 2015 womenswear (they’re gorgeous!) as well as children’s looks from Dawn Price Baby (cute!) while guests enjoy a full bar, passed hors d’oeuvres and a Godiva desert bar, #yummy.

Best part of all of this, a portion of the evening’s proceeds and ticket sales will go directly to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, an organization that leads the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

$40 General Ticket- includes 1 free movie pass to the Angelika movie theater

$50 VIP Ticket – includes 1 free movie pass, a front row seat to the fashion presentation, and a chance to win a $50 gift card to Take 5.

Click here to register and attend.

XOXO