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Crystal City’s Fashion Show Returns This Week

Published February 3, 2015 at 10:00AM | Updated February 3, 2015 at 10:27AM

(Updated at 10:25 a.m.) Crystal Couture, the annual fashion show and pop-up fashion boutique, returns this week, starting with a VIP preview Thursday evening.

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m., 38 area designers will offer deals on their latest fashions, and models will stroll down the runway to show them off. The show will be in the Crystal City Shops at 1750 Crystal Drive and is free to attend.

The designers are offering up to 50 percent off their items, and attendees can drink wine, beer and cocktails from the bar while getting free five-minute makeovers.

DJ Neekola will be spinning tunes and fashion consultants will be on hand to discuss the offerings with guests in attendance.

Those interested in being first in line to see the designers’ 2015 collections can pay $50 to become VIPs. The VIP preview starts at 5:00 p.m. and features an hourlong open bar before the official opening of the show at 6:00 p.m.

Disclosure: Crystal City BID is an ARLnow.com advertiser. File photo.

‘Top Model’ Casting Call Coming to Pentagon City Mall

By ARLnow.com

Published December 18, 2014 at 5:15PM

The CW Network show “America’s Next Top Model” will be holding an open casting call at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City in two weeks.

The casting call will be held inside the mall from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 3, 2015. Casting directors are “looking for females and males, ages 18 to 27, of diverse backgrounds, shapes, sizes with no minimum height requirement,” according to a press release.

Two local judges will be among those evaluating the hopefuls: Paul Wharton, the fashion and lifestyle correspondent for DCW50, the local CW station that’s organizing the casting call, and Maggy Francois, a D.C. and New York event and fashion marketing executive.

“Wharton and Francois will select three contestants that day to set up immediate Skype interviews with Los Angeles-based ‘Top Model’ casting directors,” the press release says.

DCW50 says it will also be conducting a $1,000 giveaway as part of the event.

Pop-Up Art Gallery Hosts Two-Day Event on Pentagon Row

By ARLnow.com

Published August 29, 2014 at 11:30AM

BL_NK WORLD, a pop-up art and fashion gallery, will be open for an exhibit on Pentagon Row (1201 S. Joyce Street) tonight and tomorrow.

The 1,600 square foot “creative space” is located in a vacant storefront next to Starbucks and across from the Yogi Castle frozen yogurt kiosk. It features art and fashion created by local artists from D.C., Maryland and Virginia. The pieces on display are also offered for sale.

The gallery will be open Friday and Saturday, as a fashion gallery from noon to 6:00 p.m. and for an “art social” event from 8:00 p.m. to midnight. The art social, which requires an RSVP, will feature music from a house DJ and guest musicians, plus champagne and hors d’oeuvres.

“After much buzz amongst the community of tastemakers in the D.C. area and beyond, BL_NK WORLD is preparing to deliver another tasteful experience where individual[s] can take in the culture and connect with others who appreciate the arts,” the organization said in a press release. “Follow us as we help bring light to the journeys surrounding the leaders of tomorrow.”

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published February 6, 2014 at 9:20AM

Lavern Chatman Running for Congress — Lavern Chatman, former president and CEO of the Northern Virginia Urban League, has announced that she’s running for the 8th District seat of the retiring Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.). “We need leaders who understand the struggles and joys of raising and educating children and the benefits of providing them opportunities for economic empowerment,” Chatman, a Democrat, said in a statement. [Blue Virginia]

TandemNSI Launches — TandemNSI, Arlington’s initiative to bring national security technology companies together with government agencies and universities, officially launched Tuesday night. The $525,000 public-private partnership is being launched at a time when Arlington is still smarting from the impending loss of the National Science Foundation. [Bisnow, DoD Buzz]

McKinley Elementary Expansion — A plan to add 225 seats to McKinley Elementary School by the fall of 2016 is moving forward. Arlington Public Schools hopes to complete the design of the addition by the end of 2014 and begin construction by mid-2015. [Sun Gazette]

Restaurant Challenge Begins — The Ballston Business Improvement District is now accepting applications for its Restaurant Challenge. The BID is seeking the area’s “next signature restaurant.” The winner of the challenge will receive an interest-free loan and an 11-year lease on the former Red Parrot Asian Bistro space at 1110 N. Glebe Blvd. “This new program is designed to activate commercial space and showcase the community of Ballston as a magnet for discovery and innovation,” the BID said. [Ballston BID, Washington Business Journal]

Marymount Creates Redskins Gear for Women — Fashion design students at Marymount University in Arlington have created new fashion-forward Washington Redskins apparel for women. The student project was initiated in response to what a professor saw as a lack of stylish options for female Redskins fans. [Marymount University]

Flickr pool photo by Ddimick

Photos: Crystal Couture 2014

By ARLnow.com

Published February 5, 2014 at 1:45PM

Crystal City’s annual Crystal Couture fashion show and sale got underway last night.

The show is being held through Saturday, every night from 6:00-10:00 p.m., across from the Crystal City Metro station at 251 18th Street S. In addition to models showing off the latest fashions from local designers, Crystal Couture features a cash bar, free makeovers and boutiques from more than 50 retailers.

Philippa Hughes of Pinkline Project guest hosted Tuesday night. Other scheduled hosts include 94.7 Fresh FM’s Tommy McFly (Friday) and WPGC’s Guy Lambert and former Miss D.C. “K Street” Kate Michael (Saturday).

Disclosure: Event organizer Crystal City BID is an ARLnow.com advertiser.

Four-Day Fashion Show Returns to Crystal City

By Ethan Rothstein

Published January 28, 2014 at 10:30AM

The Crystal Couture fashion show and sale — a four-day, free-to-the-public runway show and pop-up designer retail shop — is back for 2014.

The show will be held next week from Tuesday, Feb. 4 to Saturday, Feb. 8., 6:00-10:00 p.m. on each night, at 251 18th Street S. on the 11th floor. Models will pace up and down the runway showing off some of the season’s new designs, there will be a full cash bar and sales from more than 50 designers. There will also be free, five-minute “makeup and hair makeovers.”

Those interested in attending can choose which day they want to go to the show based on which designers will be on display, and for sale, on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Guest hosts include Philippa Hughes of Pinkline Project (Tuesday), 94.7 Fresh FM’s Tommy McFly (Friday) and WPGC’s Guy Lambert and former Miss D.C. “K Street” Kate Michael (Saturday).

Attendees can engage with the Crystal City Business Improvement District, which is hosting Crystal Couture, on Facebook and Twitter to be entered into prize drawings.

File photo. Disclosure: Crystal City BID is an ARLnow.com advertiser.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published July 16, 2013 at 8:30AM

County Mulls Streetlight Changes — Arlington County is considering changing the type of LED streetlights it uses after complaints from residents. One possible change is using lights with a color temperature that more closely matches traditional sodium-vapor lighting. [Sun Gazette]

Cyclist Sets Up Stolen Bike Sting — A cyclist whose bikes were stolen from a Fairfax County parking garage managed to set up a sting operation in Arlington to try to catch the thief. The cyclist found one of the bikes for sale on Craigslist, arranged for the seller to come to an Arlington parking lot, and flagged down a police officer to lend assistance. After agreeing to a sale, listened to by police via a cell phone in the cyclist’s pocket, the seller was arrested. [Gripped Racing]

Transgender Fashion Show to Benefit Arlington Org — A transgender fashion show will be held this Saturday in Falls Church to benefit NovaSalud, a Courthouse-based HIV/AIDS nonprofit. The show’s Honorary Mistress of Ceremonies is Kristen Beck, a retired Navy SEAL who was formerly known as Chris Beck. [Falls Church News-Press]

This Day in Arlington History — On this day in Arlington history, 1937, it was reported that the County Board was debating whether movie theaters should be allowed to open on Sundays. Also, it was reported that a majority of the $176 million the IRS collected in Virginia in 1936 came from taxes on tobacco. [Sun Gazette]

Photo courtesy James Mahony

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 1, 2013 at 8:55AM

School Board Candidate Skips S. Arlington — Arlington School Board challenger Barbara Kanninen has held all of her published campaign events in north Arlington, skipping south Arlington entirely, says political blogger Ben Tribbett. Although she’s a challenger, Kanninen is thought by some to be the favorite in the race, thanks to high expected voter turnout in north Arlington. Kanninen will face incumbent James Lander in a debate at tonight’s Arlington County Democratic Committee meeting. The Democratic School Board caucus will be held May 9 and 11. [Not Larry Sabato]

John Paul Stevens to Speak at Cmte. of 100 — Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens will be the featured speaker at the May 8 Arlington Committee of 100 meeting. Stevens is an Arlington resident. [Sun Gazette]

AMEN Becomes ‘Arlington Thrive’ — Arlingtonians Meeting Emergency Needs (AMEN) has been rebranded as “Arlington Thrive.” The nonprofit still provides “same-day, emergency financial assistance to County residents who experience sudden financial crisis such as temporary unemployment or illness,” with priority given to families. [Arlington Thrive]

Annual Marymount Fashion Show — Marymount University will hold its annual fashion show this weekend. “Portfolio in Motion 2013” will showcase the work of Marymount fashion design students. It’s being held on campus in the Rose Bente Lee Center at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 4. [Facebook]

Photos: Crystal Couture 2013

By ARLnow.com

Published February 8, 2013 at 11:40AM

The annual Crystal Couture fashion show will be wrapping up its five day run this weekend.

The show starts at 6:00 and closes at 10:00 each night, on the vacant top floor of an office building at 251 18th Street in Crystal City. The space, stripped bare of any of its former office accouterments, hosts a 360 degree runway that wraps around the entire floor. A procession of models walk the runway, wearing clothes, swimwear and jewelry from local boutiques and designers.

The runway is lined by boutiques, hair and makeup stations (free for patrons), a DJ booth and a cash bar.

Tonight (Friday) the show will be hosted by local media personalities Sarah Fraser and Kate Michael (“K Street Kate”). Tomorrow, on its last night, it will be hosted by Guy Lambert and Sunni (“Sunni and the City”) of WPGC-FM.

The photos above were taken Thursday night.

Disclosure: Crystal City BID is an ARLnow.com advertiser.

Crystal Couture Begins Tonight

By Katie Pyzyk

Published February 5, 2013 at 10:00AM

Crystal City is about to get more stylish, as its fifth annual fashion event — Crystal Couture — begins tonight.

Organizers are touting “360 degrees of fashion,” highlighting the many windows on the top floor of the office building at 251 18th Street S., where the event will be held. While taking in the views, visitors can browse through discounted clothing, jewelry and accessories from more than 40 boutiques and designers.

Customers can get free makeup and hair makeovers, chat with wardrobe stylists and watch models strut styles from D.C. area boutiques on the runway. There will be music, snacks and a cash bar.

Admission is free for the event, which runs every night from tonight (February 5) through February 9, from 6:00-10:00 p.m. A full list of local celebrity hosts along with participating boutiques and designers can be found online.

Disclosure: Crystal City BID is an ARLnow.com advertiser.

Fashion Show to Benefit Autism Charity

By ARLnow.com

Published February 1, 2013 at 10:30AM

The annual Arts for Autism gala will take place tomorrow (Saturday) night, featuring art created by autistic individuals and a “New York-style runway fashion show.”

The fundraiser starts at 7:00 p.m. tomorrow at Clarendon Ballroom (3185 Wilson Blvd). The runway show will feature a DJ and models who helped raise money for the event.

From the Arts of Autism web site:

The gala opens with remarks and performances by people in the Northern Virginia autism community, followed by a New York-style runway fashion show featuring model-fundraisers — local students, community leaders, and professional and aspiring models decked out in fine apparel provided by leading designers and boutiques. Throughout the evening, attendees enjoy fine food and beverages, artistic creations on display by autistic citizens of all ages, and great prizes available as door prizes and auction items. Proceeds of this fundraiser will benefit families with programs including the mini-grants offered by the Autism Society of Northern Virginia (ASNV) to pay for treatments and therapies not covered by local or state services.

Tickets start at $75. Students from Marymount University helped to plan the event.

Photo via Facebook