Victoria Beckham Collection has clout

Victoria Beckham is painting the celebrity fashion landscape as all of Hollywood, it seems like, is littered with Victoria Beckham Collection, the new line from the pop star. The same was not true for her ill-fated denim line with husband David, but now she has included the denim line under the VBC umbrella.

My jaw dropped as it was revealed that Courtney Cox's superb black gown at the Golden Globes was designed by Posh Spice herself. Well, at least the label is Posh's, but given her intense love of fashion, something tells me she's more of a designer than other celebrity lines (I'm referring to you J.Lo).

Photo Credit: Steven Granitz

With the Courtney Cox dress debuting at such a high-profile industry event, it should come as no surprise that two more of her frocks made appearances at the Grammy's last week.

Jennifer Hudson was a knockout in this geometrical dress/jacket combo:

Photo Credit: WireImage.com

Here's the runway look of the dress:

Country star Jennifer Nettles, otherwise known as the woman (with the funny voice) in that duo Sugarland, was a "may-ja" standout and for good reason in this head-turning, figure-hugging red gown with black outlining and strategically placed cut-outs:

Photo Credit: WireImage.com

Here's the runway look:

Don't clothes look so much better on real people?

So Miz Beckham has defnitely proven her designing chops as a real contender in the fashion world. I've always been a fan of hers as a fashion and hair icon, so I'm very happy she's having such great success with this line and await more to come.

To view the collection, visit: http://www.victoriabeckham.com/

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Meet Christian Louboutin at Tyson's Coner

While Billion Dollar Babes is offering a contest to win autographed Christian Louboutin’s – favorite shoe couturier of the stars – Tyson’s Galleria and Neiman Marcus are offering an event that blows this contest out of the water. On Saturday, October 24 from 1PM-4PM, Neiman Marcus at Tyson’s Galleria will host shoe designer Christian Louboutin, who will be autographing his shoes purchased at the Tyson’s Neiman Marcus. Not only is this event is free to the public, but lucky attendees will get to meet with Mr. Louboutin during his ONLY personal appearance of the season, said Melissa Ekblom, a spokesperson for Neiman Marcus. Free Counter

Top Looks of the Week

It should comes as no surprise that during fall fashion kickoff week, there would be so many hot looks gracing red carpets, sidewalks and even Congress. This weeks hottest looks:

While the tension over healthcare lives on, Michelle Obama added a much needed sense of decorum with this pink skirtsuit. Pulled together with a signature broach above the neckline and her look oozes sophistocation. But even more than just her attire, Michelle was simply glowing that night - her hair and make-up were impeccable.

Last night, New York and the world, including Washington, D.C. announced their support for the retail industry with Fashion's Night Out. An evening long event held in retail store across the globe to declare the war on shopping and spending was officially over. Paired with FNO co-collaborater and famed designer Diane Von Furstenburg, Kate Hudson shines in khaki and gold strapless number. Kate sure knows how to give good face!

Kim Kardashian epitomizes sexy/classy in this dark green shirt dress. The ensemble really works because she accessorized it just enough, pairing it with the wide belt, simple black heels and black bag. While this may be one of Kim's more casual looks, she sure knows how to make casual look hot!

Finally for the hottest look of the week, Demi Moore's daughter, Rumer Willis, pulls off an incredible elegant lace pantsuit from Stella McCartney. Wearing just a bra underneath, but only letting it "peep" through, along with her understanded up-do makes this look nothing less than chic and sophistocated!

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DC's Fashion Night Out - Guide to metro area participating stores

For weeks now, I’ve been writing about Fashion’s Night Out – the brainchild of Vogue’s Anna Wintour aimed to breathe new life into the struggling retail and fashion industry. Thursday, September 10, 2009, cities across the nation and countries across the globe will be participating in Fashion’s Night Out by hosting in-store events and extending store hours.

Retailers and designers throughout the Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia and surrounding metropolitan areas are also participating in this momentous event – encouraging support for local businesses and regional designers.

Click here for a list of local participating retailers and their Fashion’s Night Out offerings

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DC’s “Little Black Blog” marries fashion and politics with humor and irreverence

As city retailers prepare for Fashion’s Night Out later this week, a local new political fashion blog, Little Black Blog, will host its coming out party on this year’s palindrome, 09.09.09 at, you guessed it, 9PM at L2 Lounge in Georgetown. Described by blogeress and recent DC transplant Quin Woodward Pu as “politi-couture,” Little Black Blog offers an unconventional yet witty perspective on politics of the day and the fashions around the world.

While it’s difficult to pinpoint Pu’s political affiliation, it is that very mystique that draws the reader in along with a smart, left-of-center humor. A photo of a defiled clip-on hair piece laying the middle of the street accompanied a post about Kim, the wig-wearing-white-woman on the Desperate Real Housewives of Atlanta, posing for in a pro-gay marriage ad in the tradition of PETA’s “I’d rather go naked” campaign.

Another post about a finger-biting healthcare zealot features an original Pu paraphrasing of the bizarre altercation. Meanwhile she’s uncovered some new photos from the set of the Sex and the City sequel.

If you’re looking for a dose of smart and funny with your political fashion news, LBB will deliver.

Attending the Little Black Blog coming out party next Wednesday and want to meet Pu? The blogeress can oft be found wearing her signature pearl baubles.

Want more D.C. Style? Become a subscriber to receive updates on the latest styles and trends.

Follow me on Twitter, @DistrictCouture or for style advice, email me: welcometothedistrict@gmail.com

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District J'dore: Alexa Chung

I'll be honest - I don't know much about Alexa Chung, other than she's an MTV VJ in England. But her profile in this month's Marie Claire caught my eye for her truly organic sense of style and this quote:

"I believe in dressing to suit your shape. I don't have cleavage, so I flash my long legs instead."

It's no wonder she's considered a fashion icon when her daily ensembles are so calculatedly effortless.

(Photo: Derek Kettela for Marie Claire)

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Countdown to Project Runway: Behind the seams

It’s been a year since Project Runway (ProRo) has been on the air and now that the show has settled on its new network, Lifetime, the countdown begins. Just over a day away, the Project Runway website has interactive sneak previews, comprehensive profiles of the designers and their “before Runway” portfolios.

While the show’s move to Lifetime (a network more synonymous with “mom-jeans” than deconstructed denim catsuits) has some critics, such as the New York Daily News, are saying this season has lost some of the luster of its former Bravo-self. To find out if ProRo will be returning to its former glory or has to rebuild its edgy image, you’ll have to tune in Thursday to make your own assessment.

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Save the sales - Wintour's "Fashion's Night Out" declares war on discounts

On Thursday, Sept. 10, the eve of Fall Fashion Week, Anna Wintour and Diane von Furstenberg will host “Fashion’s Night Out,” a celebration of the retail, fashion and design industry, all hard-hit by the economy (of course ask anyone I know and certainly they’d have rather been shopping than saving pennies from 401K oblivion). Hundreds of designers and stores in the U.S. and in 11 other countries will host a series of entertainment-centered shopping, even extending hours to accommodate shoppers. Read more.

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Fall fashion mags feeling thin as designers turn to social media for visibility

As the September fall fashion magazines hit the shelves, you may notice they weight less than in recent years. As the economy has hit publications hard, advertisers, designers and magazines alike are turning to the internet, namely social media to raise visibility and seek out a larger audience. Read more at Examiner.com

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Perez Hilton expands to fashion critic on new blog, Coco Perez

Today, celebrity gossip blogger, Perez Hilton launches new fashion focused site, Coco Perez, further expanding his hold on celebrity entertainment. Describing the new blog as "the ultimate destination for where fashion meets celebrity," Coco Perez follows the overall same theme of PerezHilton.com, but is a bit more polished. No doubt the fashion industry will keep tabs on this notable resource. Click here to learn more.

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District Couture: As Seen In...

I have been so fortunate to work with and meet other writers, blogger and rising stars in the online fashion world. Twitter has been an incredible resource to me and countless others.

Last month, I was asked to speak at Couture Expressions business and fasion event, where I gave advice to professional women about ways to work your office attire and spice the interview.

The event, hosted by Couture Expressions founder and creative director, LeAnn Harley, was a great success, as it promoted a local Washington D.C. non-profit, Success in Style. As a result, the Washington Afro-American newspaper cover it in their 'Sophistocated Settings' section:

Furthering the coverage, last week, I wrote a column about handbags and body fit - which for some, myself included, was a new concept. Luxury and lifestyle online magazine, Pursuitist featured it in one of their posts.

Through a Twitter connection, I was able to provide German fashion blog The Good, The Bad and The Divine with coverage of the Paris and Milan spring 2010 menswear collections. I chose to cover Prada and Japanese designer Junya Watanabe.

All of these outlets have been excellent exposure for me and I hope continue exploring my passion for writing and fashion. Though I don't typically use this blog as a personal forum, I do wish to express my appreciation to everyone who has visited District Couture or my DC Style Examiner column. I hope you find the information useful and entertaining.

Something I love about being an emerging style writer is the opportunity to highlight others work as they have been so kind to do for mine.

Thank you all!

With <3,

Marie

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District J'dore: Megan McCain

It has long been my belief that fashion and politics are not mutually exclusive. With the most style-savvy Administration since the Camelot years, fashionistas and designers alike turn their eyes to Washington and the party talking-heads who make the most waves - style-wise that is.

This week's District J'dore - otherwise known as a "style profile" is on former Republican presidential candidate's, John McCain, daughter, Megan. Megan burst on the scene during her father's campaign, taking to her blog to detail her experiences. The blog became so popular that in January 2009, Megan became a regular columnist for the Daily Beast. Since then, the outspoken center-right writer has voiced her controversial opinions and has received backlash because of it. But despite our different political affiliations, Megan has been a crusader for women's body images, and I applaud her for doing so. As such, an hommage to Megan McCain's style, here Free Counter