Do you like it RAW?

It is about to get all the way RAW in the District again Thursday, March 8 beginning at 8:00pm inside Café Asia, 1720 I Street NW, with the latest installation of the RAW: natural born artists series. RAW creates a one night showcase event that features local creativity in all of its flavors. The March gathering is being promoted as STIMULUS and will showcase the photography, art, fashion and live performances from 27 artists from the Washington area. Every month RAW hand selects and showcases artists in film, fashion, music, art, performing art, hairstyling, makeup artistry and photography. RAW is an indie arts organization for artists, by artists.

Being Stylish with B. Evans

Photo provided by BLTEvans

This week, the District celebrates DC Fashion Week 2011 from September 19 through September 25 with a host of events showcasing local designers and helping them build their brand and awareness for this growing creative community that often goes overlooked. The theme this year is The Power of Style.

One man exerting his power is B. Evans. After a fashion hiatus for several years he has returned to his passion of designing and creating women’s clothing that reflects his love for all things beautiful. In honor of DC Fashion Week, B. Evans answers these four questions for the ladies looking to convey their substance and style.

Q: What is something you’d like to see more women in the District try?

A: I would like to see women anywhere be fashion forward, more creative with their expression of style. Women have the ultimate availability to wear anything they choose…I love it! I think its very cookie cutter here. I would also like women to be more comfortable but conscience, and I’m talking in terms of shaping themselves. You can be Fabulous in a size 20 if the proportion is right and smooth. There was a time when women were concerned about the way clothing fit and flattered.

Q: What should women ask before purchasing a dress?

A: Does this fit and flatter my silhouette?

Q: What is a common faux pas women make when dressing themselves?

A: Thinking every style is for every body type. That’s its okay that your clothes are too tight.

Q: What should every woman have in her closet?

A: Every woman should own a black dress that is flattering, a pair of black patent leather pumps, red lipstick, fabulous trench coat, diamond studs, pearl necklace, black Kidd skin gloves and one custom fitted dress!

Art on the Wall | Art on the Street

Revolutionary by Wadsworth Jarrell

From Wednesday, August 24 through Saturday, August 27, 2011, International Visions Gallery in Woodley Park will hold its annual inventory sale featuring discounted artwork by artists from around the world and the U.S. The inventory, which will be reduced between 10 and 70 percent, spans various mediums, subject matter and price points.

Items include brilliantly colored oil paintings of Lagos by Nigerian native Stanley Agbontaen and whimsical depictions of jazz legends by Wadsworth Jarrell, along with smaller works by DC artists Michael Platt and Stan Squirewell, to name a few.

The summer sale gets even hotter when the art hits the streets. On Friday, August 26, International Visions Gallery will partner with its neighbor, sustainable fashion boutique Carbon, to host a sidewalk fashion show. Models donning eco-friendly clothing and accessories will showcase original artwork by gallery artists as they walk the runway. Reception begins at 6pm at the gallery; both venues will remain open until 9pm. The outdoor runway show starts at 7pm on the sidewalk between Carbon and International Visions. The gallery and Carbon are located directly across from the Woodley Park Metro station on the red line.

Brand U.

After serving on Capitol Hill as press secretary for the House Foreign Affairs Committee, David Baldwin Barnes (above center) has turned his attention to a domestic policy agenda. His new venture, Gait Consulting offers image and communication consult to professionals looking to enhance their personal and professional brand. Baldwin is a firm believer that the way you present yourself to the world is an extension of your personality and understands the intimate relationship between self-esteem and image, and infuses every aspect of his services to cater to the whole person, not just the clothes. Are you ready to take your personal style to the next level? Contact Gait Consulting for an initial consultation. Also check out his latest contribution to Gen Juice.

Black Fashion Focus

Friday, September 17 at 7:00pm, the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium will be stage of the first ever Black Fashion Focus event. Black Fashion Focus will draw attention to the talents of emerging African American fashion designers in the form of a charitable evening composed of a cocktail reception and fashion show. Proceeds from the event will benefit Metro TeenAIDS.  Purchase your tickets here.