This summer we had the opportunity to work with Northern Virginia Magazine on the photoshoot of our dreams. The theme of the shoot was the dark romance of the Neo-Victorian trend this fall. We worked with local designers like Kicheko Goods, Dina Mackney and TSALT. We also pulled from local boutiques The Shoe Hive, Mystique Jewelers and Take 5 Boutique. Our team had such a productive, creative harmony with the magazine’s editorial staff. The spread was out on stands in September and we were floored by the end product.
Our staff has gone back and forth about which looks we loved the most. It’s nearly impossible to choose. The custom TSALT velvet skirt with the cropped leather jacket by The Row was the perfect blend of old-world detail and modern edge. The barefoot model in the black slip dress, dark lips, dripping with pearls and gold was pure gothic romance. We dubbed “Victorian Clueless” the orange Alice & Olivia brocade fit-and-flare dress layered over the silk Carolina Herrera full pleated-sleeve blouse. And the perfectly controlled, almost militant, Alexander McQueen white buttondown ruffled tunic with the bob, red lips and gold jewelry?
DC Style Factory is partnering this month with PopNod for a fashion event to benefit DC’s The Urban Alliance - an organization that mentors at-risk youth, preparing them for professional life after high school. The group’s supporters include Vice President Joe Biden and First Lady Michelle Obama. PopNod is a website and app that combines shopping the latest styles and fashions with donating to your favorite cause. You pay the same price for the item as you would normally — but then PopNod matches a portion of your purchase and donates to your cause. Shopping with purpose.
Come mingle, drink, eat and enjoy the rooftop pool and bar of Embassy Row Hotel, 2015 Massachusetts Ave., NW. DC Style Factory will also showcase the latest fall trends and how to incorporate them into your professional DC look. We will have six male and female models wearing the latest in fall fashion. I will give tips on how to update your work look this fall, how to rock an office cocktail party look, and more. Festivities start at 7 p.m.. Our models take center stage at 7:30 p.m.
The event also kicks off a digital campaign for The Urban Alliance that focuses on students’ need for professional work attire. PopNod and Urban Alliance have teamed up to encourage donors to purchase brand new clothing items on popnod.com and donate them to Urban Alliance interns entering the professional workplace. Register at bit.ly/FashionImpactDC and join us for a wonderful evening of food, drinks and fashion for a great cause. #FashionImpactDC
I love styling, but I also love being a small business owner. Regularly connecting with other women businesses owners in the area is one of the things what keeps DC Style Factory fresh, new and moving forward. Recently, I had coffee with Uyen Tang — owner of Style Cable. Style Cable is an online shopping destination featuring emerging brands and designers. I am familiar and have worked with a number of her featured designers like Erika Schrieber, Sophie Blake and more.
I often hear from my clients, “How do I find those special pieces that no one else has? The ones that have a story and style that is different from the pack?” Well, folks, with its focus on finding newer designers, Style Cable is a great way to add some of that individuality to your wardrobe. We are excited to partner with Style Cable for some fun video projects this coming holiday season. In the meantime, enjoy a special, limited-time offer of $25 off your Style Cable order. Simply enter in the code “dcstylefactory” at checkout.
Here are my favorites currently available on the site. They are adding many more styles into Fall as well. Happy shopping!
You know I love a white blazer! This foldover jacket by Amy Lu has a modern, slim silhouette, and I love the black contrast detailing along the sleeves. With my black skinny tuxedo trousers, sparkly heels and major bling on my ears? Ready for date night. Also great over a simple black sheath and pumps for a work look that is DC-appropriate…with a dash of edgy chic.
I talk to clients all the time about their handbag wardrobe. Usually I say you need a black or sparkly dress clutch (smaller) and then an oversize envelope clutch. One is for formal events and one is for date nights, drinks out with friends, etc. Every now and again, I find a clutch that could work both ways. The size of this Nite Cap Clutch by Khaki Raffia makes it appropriate for that LBD cocktail look. The texture and band make it funky and relaxed enough to pair with a skinny jeans-heels look for a night out with the ladies.
I love a great cuff to add edge to any look. Brass and gunmetal are of my two favorite metals for jewelry because they are flattering on most skin tones and easy to pair with many looks. They feel a little grittier and edgier than silver and gold too. This antique brass one by Elaine B is sure to become one of your wardrobe staples.
I love Erika Schrieber’s minimal, modern take on work-appropriate looks. The Alejandra pencil skirt in this glacier blue is on sale now from spring. But don’t be thrown. I love pastels in fall — layering with a cream sweater, scarf and tall boots cognac boots? Insta-chic.
A month ago, our team had the pleasure of styling a 13-page spread for the September issue of Northern Virginia Magazine. Our daily work life is rooted in one-on-one client work — real people, real-life style. It was so much fun to step outside the norm and work on an editorial shoot where our style imaginations could run wild.
We conceptuatlized the Neo-Victorian-themed shoot, scouted, pulled, dressed. Everyone brought something special to the table and the result was magical. Pick up a copy today and check out one of the hottest fashion trends this fall. In the meantime, watch what happened behind the scenes during our shoot (including a torrential downpour). Special thank you to the wonderful team at Northern Virginia Magazine and my tireless staff , N’jeri and Tanvi.
I get selfies from clients all the time. It’s one of the most fun parts of my job — seeing in real time the clients I have bonded with happy and excited about how they look.
If you have worked with me, you know there are some tried-and-true Rosana-isms that get the style ball rolling. For example, you’re likely to hear, “We can do better!” when I visit your closet and see that, in fact, we can do better. Then to actually see clients embrace their new style is absolutely the best part of what I do each day.
Last week I asked a couple of my favorite selfie-taking clients to tell me what is the most important style lesson they learned from me. Here’s what they had to say:
“Julie,” 45
“What worked for you in the past may not work for you today. My body had transformed over several decades. But I was still putting the same shapes and silhouettes I had always worn over my current body. It didnt’ work. I learned to consider other styles and silhouettes for where I am today.”
“Katie,” 36
“Just because you have kids, work from home, or want to be comfy doesn’t mean you should run around in yoga pants. You can have a relaxed style without looking like you are cleaning your house or going to the gym. You just need the right pieces to do it!”
Ready to learn something new about your style and get on my roster of selfie-taking beauties? Email [email protected] to find out more today!