panda head features...

name: ashley may
age: 25
occupation: makeup artist (www.canvasface.com)/bartender
how would you describe your style?
Timeless. As in: I have no time to dress how I'd like to. Har har.
do you follow trends? how do you stay current?
I have lots of small pockets of downtime at work and I go through magazines like chocolates. It's actually quite funny because I make all this effort to dog-ear pages containing things I plan to buy, then I never have time to get them because I am always at work. Alas...
where do you like to shop?
My latest obsession is Intermix. I know, I know! They're pricey but they have amaaaazing sales.
who or what inspires you, fashion-wise?
Sienna Miller is totally my style star. And I'm constantly inspired by people I see walking around sporting pieces that I covet, then I go out and search for their lookalikes.
any favorite designers?
I am a die hard Marc Jacobs fan. He can do no wrong. and I don't care if his next collection looks like garbage I would worship him still. Of course Chloe. And I am really excited about Christopher Kane as someone that has been designing for a bit and is now getting some serious recognition...I think he's amazing and has a huge future.
if $$$$ wasn't an issue, what would you buy?
Every dress from Chloe's spring/summer 2007 collection. Delman pumps. Wolford Trend line tights.
how would you define 'fashionable' or 'stylish?'
Trying to [define it] is just stupid. If it looks good on a particular person, it's stylish.
in your opinion, is makeup more important than clothing?
Makeup has to work with clothing - People that pay attention to one and not the other always look unbalanced. Clothes are probably a bit more crucial to an overall look, but I definitely think makeup is more important than hair. I wish more people realized the power of it.
what's your favorite item of clothing?
This changes on the regular. I become enthralled with new things. Right now I'm sleeping with my Michael Kors boots under my pillow. Seriously.
what's your take on DC style?
I am too immersed in DC to have a truly objective view on the city's style - in terms of fashion at least...I can tell you that when I first moved here, almost 5 years ago, I was really disappointed. In Philadelphia, which is where I was living before, people have this weathered, eclectic look. And New York is just New York. Washington has very few standouts in my opinion. Not that many people on the block seem like they put much thought into their look .. but like I said, who am I to judge?

interview & photo: morgan. ashley may wears thrift store finds and shoes from steve madden. "Fashion's where you find it!"

18th street: adams morgan.

OMG YOU GUYS

BYT and garutachi present STYLEistics saturday, april 21st! save the date, save up your dollars, and start planning your outfits because not only are eleven WICKED AWESOME DC designers going to be selling their wares, but there will be free booze and free STUFF. GOOD stuff. make sure to stop by the mao suite - panda head will be all set up to snap you in your finery. and of course, stick around afterwards for a dj set from johanna and JD of le tigre! get excited! get so excited! see you then!

calvert street: adams morgan.

black cat: panthers, black lips, the ponys.

panda head interviews...

redeem's website describes their aesthetic as "elegance mixed with grit;" a walk through the shop reveals men's and women's pieces that combine urban appeal with beautiful (and perhaps more importantly, INTERESTING) craftmanship. lori parkerson opened her 14th street store just five months ago, but by carrying hard-to-find lines (try locating another alex + chloe necklace within 200 miles. i dare you!) and facilitating events like february's prevue revue, she's already established redeem as one of the coolest independently owned boutiques in the city.

how do you go about choosing brands to carry?
I just look for lines that appeal to me aesthetically - or ones that are doing things a little differently. Stuff that I can get excited about. I also try to find brands that have a bit of a story to them. While there’s strength in brand recognition, I definitely like supporting up-and-coming lines. Some of these young designers are completely brilliant, and it’s nice to be able to get behind them—contribute to them realizing their own dreams.
what's your favorite item or line in the store?
It’s so hard to pick a favorite! Right now I’m loving Spring ’07 stuff from Corpus and Anzevino & Florence because they’re so ahead of the curve. They’re both west coast brands who do a lot of unisex type styles - such cool and unexpected details mixed with complete simplicity. One of the girls who works with me in the store says Corpus’ men’s line almost makes her wish she was a boy - it’s pretty stunning!
where did the name come from?
I originally wanted to do re-purposed vintage, maybe throw some old furniture in, etc... Over the years, the business plan evolved to just carry new clothes, but I stuck with the name because I loved it so much. It also fits in well with my own personal faith. Who doesn’t like the idea of redemption?
any philosophy behind redeem?
The store’s tagline is “It’s never too late to change.” It’s a multi-faceted philosophy, certainly - It’s never too late to change your outfit…your personal style… your career to pursue your dream (as in my case)… your life in general. We’re definitely hoping to create a shop to counter the typical DC conservatism in fashion — redeeming style in DC!
how did you choose your location?
I’m a DC native, and I’ve enjoyed watching the 14th and U Street corridor change over the years (much of DC for that matter!). I like being able to be a part of a neighborhood, to add to a real community - Isn’t it nicer to be able to walk down the street or hop on the bus and come to your favorite shop than to have to fight the crowds in Georgetown? The people in the community have been amazing - so supportive and warm. I never really considered any other part of the city.
what excites you about being in the district?
For Valentine’s Day, BrightestYoungThings.com posted reasons people love DC… one guy summed it up best - “It’s not New York.” “It’s not LA.” It’s exciting to be in a place where small changes are still recognizable and people appreciate them. I love the fact that DC is still realizing its potential--- being in a growth phase is always gratifying.
what's your take on DC style?
I think it’s coming along. I think in the past it’s been defined, naturally, by the political culture- very buttoned-up… but our customers continuously comment on how glad they are to have us in the neighborhood and how refreshing it is to see something different open up — so I think, generally speaking, folks are looking for things to loosen up and get a bit more edgy.
is there anything you'd like people to KNOW about redeem that you aren't usually asked?
It’s the culmination of a lifelong dream…Thank you for supporting us!

interview and photo: morgan. lori wears a cashmere cardigan and check-v t-shirt, both by corpus and available at redeem. redeem is located at 1734 14th street NW.

columbia road: adams morgan.

panda head features...

name: Amelia
age: 28
occupation: I make work about animals and I work for animals.
www.sixofslugs.com

how would you describe your style?
I consider getting dressed an opportunity to have fun and be subtly funny...so I guess "tongue in cheek" would be the appropriate phrase.
do you pay attention to trends? how do you stay current?
I do pay attention to trends, as fashion history is as interesting (cycle-wise) as any other type of history! I stay current by watching the people around me. I do a lot of reading too. In terms of what I chose to wear, sometimes I'm into what's hott, sometimes I'm not. If something trendy is something that I have been wanting for a long time, then I am very happy to have the chance to stock up.
where do you like to shop?
I "window shop" online the most; on chain retail sites, independent designers' sites and independent boutique sites. Beauty Island on Columbia Road has always been a local favorite, just because they carried comfortable inexpensive bright red tights and bright red knee socks when I was 20 years old, and they still do now. They are also good for faux bling. eBay is very good for when you want to replace that favorite expensive pair of jeans that you could only afford to buy once in your life at a fraction of the cost!
what's your absolute favorite item of clothing?
My favorite item of clothing was a semi-transparent multi-layer white Swiss cotton dress with red and green flowers, lace, and teeny tiny ric rac. I made it in 2002, let it hibernate for a while, and then finally reconstructed it in 2005. It took me three years to get it perfect. I lost it in Hurricane Katrina, and I'm very sentimental about it.
what inspires you, style-wise?
My all-time fashion icon is Jeannette from the Chippettes (Alvin and the Chipmunks), as she was very bookish and disheveled in a charming, feminine way. Currently, I am very inspired by the characters "Shane" on the L-Word and "Jackie" on that 70's show.
any favored designers?
Valerie Soles of Dear Birthday is my favorite local designer. Her clothes are very distinctive, not too young or too old, can be worn as casual or dressy, and are skillfully crafted.
if money was no concern, what would you splurge on?
Knitwear from the Beckerman sisters.
how would YOU define 'stylish?'
I think stylish describes a person who knows what clothes make them feel happy and comfortable, and wears exactly that.
what's your take on DC style, in general?
One thing I truly appreciate about DC is that there are people here from different places for many different reasons with their own different styles. I wish that more of the laid back/relaxed attitude to dressing that I see in the spring/summer here could carry over to fall and winter.

interview and photo: morgan. amelia wears a top by dear birthday and the most excellent pair of pants i think i've ever had the pleasure of meeting.

technologic.

panda head got all geeky this weekend. check the new iqons portrait (and sign up, all you DC designers, photographers, models, and independently-owned shops. let's represent - there's literally ONE other district resident on there right now). and if you can only handle one online community then go ahead and add us on TEH MYSPACE. see you tomorrow at the corcoran,
morgan.

rock and roll hotel: the raveonettes, jette ives.

duke ellington bridge: adams morgan.

columbia road: kalorama.

columbia road: adams morgan.

panda head interviews...

the raveonettes are as well known for their unmistakable brand of 1950s-inspired rock and roll as they are for their impeccably cool style. their music is a sultry, noir hybrid of 60s girl-group vocal harmonies and sickening surf guitar riffs; their looks range from james dean classic to rockabilly vintage, pulled together with a very modern danish sensibility. this friday night sune rose wagner and sharin foo play a 'loud, intimate, and very electric' duo show at rock and roll hotel with the pity party and DC's own jette-ives. stick around afterwards for their guest dj set, and until then, put 'pretty in black' on repeat and read this interview over and over. that's what i'll be doing.
how would you describe your style?
SuneRoseWagner: Classic, that's it.
SharinFoo: Feminine, classic, sophisticated with a playful pin-up touch and a rock’n’roll twist.
do you pay attention to trends? if so, how do you stay current?
SRW: When you're into classic and timeless style you don't have to stay current or trendy, that's the beauty of it.
SF: I guess I can be a little bit of a trend victim in some sense… but I always stay very true to the style that works for me, whether that is in or out of fashion. But I do enjoy the occasional fashion show and I like to discover new, upcoming designers.
what do you spend money on, clothing-wise?
SRW: Vintage cardigans and sun glasses. Sometimes a vintage shirt.
SF: Shoes more than clothes. Beautiful one-of-a-kind vintage pieces.
how do you pack for tour?
SRW: Very light. I've learned that over the years. 1 pair of pants, 1 pair of boots, plenty of shirts and a few of my favorite cardigans. tons of underwear:)
SF: Ouch. Not light. I like to have a good and varied selection on or off tour.
does what you wear on stage differ from what you wear off stage?
SRW: Not at all. I learned that from Kurt Cobain.
SF: Not so much. But I definitely have a few dresses that I have worn on stage that I would not wear on an everyday basis. Like for instance, my baby blue rockabilly skirt with pompoms. Wouldn’t work on the streets on NY.
what's your absolute favorite item of clothing?
SRW: My John Lennon boots.
SF: Dresses. And skirts. At present it’s my high waist “Staerk” pencil skirt by Danish designer Camilla Staerk.
who or what do you find inspiring, style-wise?
SRW: Movies, music and travelling.
SF: Literature, art/design books, music, architecture, exhibitions, movies, people-watching, multi-culture, traveling. Lately I have been very obsessed with Eileen Gray, an amazing furniture designer and lacquer artist. Before her it was Monica Vitti.
do you have any favored designers? why do you like their clothes?
SRW: I really like Danish designer Camilla Staerk because most of her clothes for men are black and very classic. I think Acne Jeans make great classic stuff too. I like Ben Sherman for a more British, almost mod feel and finally Lindeberg is very cool and classic too.
SF: I love Staerk with her feminine sense that’s so classic but innovative and futuristic at the same time, - amazing shoes and bags. Luella Bartley. Noir. Acne Jeans (not just the jeans). And then I will admire pieces from the high end fashion houses that I can’t really afford.
do you make or customize any of your own clothing?
SRW: I sometimes ask my sister to make band t-shirts for me like Suicide, The Ronettes, The Shangri-Las, The Cramps, etc...
SF: Not so much. I’ll cut the occasional sleeve or neck off my t-shirts.
what city do you find to be the most stylish?
SRW: London.
SF: Tokyo
how would YOU define 'stylish?'
SRW: A place where young people are quick to pick up on new and interesting things and modify them and truly make them their own.
SF: Confidence in taste. Being innovative and unique in your aesthetic.



interview: morgan. photos nicked with permission from the raveonettes' myspace. see more there or at theraveonettes.com. **still don't have enough? head over to byt for even more on the raveonettes.**

hirschhorn after hours.

civilian art projects: contours and detours/natural acts/behind the wall.

the philips collection: aka nikki s. lee

adams mill road: adams morgan.

columbia road safeway: adams morgan.

panda head interviews...

shannan fales stocks her store, junction, with smartly edited collections of vintage clothing, shoes, and jewelry. named for the place where 'old meets new,' junction also features pieces from local designers. shannan recently expanded her u street shop to make room not only for more wearables, but also for vintage furniture and housewares. stop by wednesdays-sundays to check out the revamped store and new spring pieces.
when and why did you start junction?
I’ve always loved vintage. I have a friend back home in Massachusetts who owns an amazing vintage shop and he inspired me to open my own. After miserably working day jobs for 6 years, I needed a change. Because opening a business is such a risk, I decided to see if there were other like-minded people in DC who wanted to share a space. I placed an ad in the City Paper and the Post and put up flyers around Adams Morgan. A few people responded and after some meetings, 3 women decided to moved forward with me. We opened our doors in December of 2003. Although the previous partners have left, I’m determined to maintain the same collective atmosphere for creativity where old meets new.
how did you choose your location?
We found a small space in the basement of a building on U street and luckily were the first to respond. We wanted to stay locally in the Dupont/Adams Morgan area and with 14 and U turning into such an up and coming neighborhood, we definitely wanted to be a part of the action.
how do you go about choosing collections?
I feel that vintage is always in style, whether it's a mod scooter dress or bell bottoms from the 70s. So I don't necessarily choose my pieces based on trend. I just keep an eye out for what's cool - pieces that are original and functional.
when/why did you start selling local designers?
From the start, Junction was inspired to encourage creativity among local designers. One of the original partners designed her own clothes, which defined Junction as a creative avenue for other artisans. Over the past 3 years, I'm happy to say that many designers have found Junction to be a beneficial venue for their work. I currently sell items from 7 local designers: jewelry by Renee Prioleau and T Street Designs; original designs by muss and Space Weather; and hand silk-screened t-shirts by Kristina Bilonick, Tim Gibbon, and Arvin.
what do you like about being a shop owner in DC?
I like having the creative freedom of owning my own store. I hand select every piece that goes into Junction, so the store really is an expression of myself. I'm also proud to be a part of the U Street community, as it's gone through so many historic changes and continues to progress.
what's your take on DC style, in general?
I think that a lot of DC fashion is understandably conservative. But don't get me wrong, there are definitely a few risk takers with a creative style. And I love it when they come into Junction because they really appreciate vintage and all its possibilities. But for the most part, I think DC follows the safer trends. I wish more Washingtonians would step out of their comfort zone and really explore their own style.

interview: morgan. junction is located at 1510 u street NW and is open wed 3-7, thurs - sat 12-7, and sun 12-5.

club avenue: betsey johnson collection.

a big big thanks to ean williams and DC fashion week!

3030 m street: cusp georgetown opening party.

3307 m street: the district sample sale.