Isabelle L'Huillier and Lucca Missoni at the Washington Design Center. (Photo courtesy: Kyle Samperton)

Luca is currently the Artistic Director of the Missoni Archive. He is commemorating 60 years of that iconic zig-zag print by developing a communication project that celebrates the artistic and fashion heritage of the ever-expanding Missoni family business.

Missoni Hotels in Edinburgh and Kuwait, Spring 2012 Chuck Taylor Missoni Converse collection, Missoni Home interior design for Acqua Livingston private residences, Missoni for Target, and of course the 2012 womenswear, menswear and home collections are just a sampling of the projects and collaborations that the Missoni brand has under their well-crafted belts.

During a visit to the Washington Design Center to showcase the 2012 Missoni Home collection, Missoni explains the different application processes and outcomes of the various business ventures. As the interview winds down, Luca’s middle-child, son Michelangelo, 20 years of age, joins the conversation. “For a while I was trying to get him to do i-Pod covers,” Michaelangelo reminds his father with a light nudge to the shoulder, “You should really think about it.” As he contributes his opinions on future projects it’s clear to see that the Missoni clan will be inventing, adapting and expanding for generations to come.

Q: How do you compare the clothing component to the home design or other extensions of the brand?

A: Clothing is something we do. Clothing, of course is our basic work. But sometimes you get interested in designing objects or using other items. Clothing is the basic foundation, but also you can’t wait to work with, or get excited about another project because that is another challenge.

Q: How do the design applications differentiate in outcome for each of the various projects?

A: I’m always surprised in a way, when you see the actual fabrics and textiles finished from all the experimentation we do before and now certain patterns and colors developed into a new skin. There’s a kind of a transformation, or metamorphosis of the patterns and designs. Things are so exciting when you see them coming out in the collection. Finally, you have these materials come out and you see the application of the garment.

Q: How do pieces grow and transition from styles and trends throughout the years?

A: Later on through the years, you see some pieces stay there longer than others maybe because you see them used in a particular way. Even if there’s something from this collection, or from 10 years ago, it’s amazing how these kinds of effects and adaptations create something.

"Daring to be different," MIssoni's motto and state of mind. (Photo courtesy: missoni.com)

Q: Are patterns changed at all for the Missoni Hotels from the Missoni Home fabrics?

A: The home is more of a personal, private environment. In hotels, as you have big surfaces, the patterns can be larger, wider and something softer or something bolder, depending on the ambiance and what you want to create as an effect. So some are scaled up or scaled down patterns that we do for the hotel collection that you would never find in the home.

Q: You recently furnished Acqua Livingstone—a private residence building in Manila—and there are more projects like this is process. 

A: That development of decorating or organizing the interior decoration for buildings it’s a new possibility. And little by little as the world spreads out, we gather these contacts, which is nice. It’s a nice opportunity to develop the business and the work of using these fabrics.

Q: How have you enjoyed your time in our nation’s capital?

A: Last time I came to Washington was 20 years ago. Now I came with my wife and kids and we had a nice time looking at the city. We got in three days of museum visiting. The national galleries are spectacular. The sense of ease that you have going into these museums is amazing. It’s almost like it’s your own place. You just walk in, look around and walk out. And there’s a presence of quiet welcoming where everything is simple and available. You just go in, see what you want and walk out. There’s no barriers, no lines .. it’s amazing.

[See more of our interview with Luca Missoni in upcoming issues of Northern Virginia Magazine.]

 Can’t wait to see what they come up with next. I vote for Missoni nail appliqués!

-Hilary Adleberg

Every week the site features new brands. (Photo courtesy: 3floz.com)

The site is categorized by product, brand, gender and purpose so it’s easy to find exactly what you need.  Products are available for men, women and baby. Brands include Ahava, SpaRitual, Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, Fekkai, La Fresh, Tocca and so many more. There are even kits for sale for every necessity from shaving, to hair, to anti-aging and on!

Go Smile's portable Jet Set Travel Kit includes aromatherapy-enriched AM and PM Toothpastes and a travel toothbrush, packaged in a chic and functional zippered bag all for only $12. (Photo courtesy: 3floz.com)

3floz.com is obviously a great site to score the best travel supplies but it’s also a convenient way to test out unfamiliar brands without having to invest full price on an entire bottle that may or may not fulfill it’s intended purpose. So don’t be afraid to experiment a little!

Fekkai Salon Technician Color Care product kit includes shampoo, conditioner, anti-fade top coat, travel-size sheer hold hairspray and mini comb, all in a little travel bag for $43. (Photo courtesy: 3floz.com)

Happy travels!

-Hilary Adleberg

by Natalie Kaar

Sephora

This spring pesky dry patches and conditions like keratosis pilaris shouldn’t keep anyone from showing some skin. A solution is as close as the nearest Sephora.

DERMAdoctor KP duty ($44 for 16 oz.) is a body scrub that delivers medical-quality exfoliation by combining components of a mini-chemical peel and microdermabrasion into a simple-to-apply, single at-home treatment. Moisten skin, apply a dab, exfoliate with fingertips, rinse and pat dry. Voila! Smooth, supple skin.

I’ve been using KP duty for a few weeks, twice a week, and could tell a major difference after just one treatment. Back-of-arm bumps: gone.

May 2012

TOMS has added virtual try-on capabilities on its website; all you need to join the fun is your face and a webcam.

You can even move all around, and the glasses stay on your face.

A screenshot of my fun:

Happy shopping! Remember One for One; buy a pair of shades, a pair goes to a child in need.

–Natalie Kaar

New To You Inc. of Falls Church is celebrating 20 years of friends and fashion! In 1992, owner Christina Novak opened New To You, an “unconventional consignment shop,” that resells a fine selection of vintage and designer goods. It was Novak’s dream to cultivate a fashion boutique that sells high-quality, previously-owned designer items to women of all ages, styles, and cultures and for 20 years she has been doing just that!

“I love helping a woman or man to look their best. When you are well-dressed, you feel confident and self assured and know that you can do anything you set your mind to,” owner Christina Novak states. (Photo courtesy: newtoyou.net)

Thursday, May 31 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. New To You invites you to celebrate the store’s 20^th Anniversary. Peruse the exciting array of jewelry, designer clothing and men and women’s accessories while sipping champagne and snacking on hors d’oeuvres.

Annual Memorial Day Sale at Leesburg Premium Outlets

Leesburg Premium Outlets kicks off the summer with their annual Memorial Day Weekend Sale. Beginning Friday, May 25 to Monday, May 28 expect extra discounts on top of everyday savings of 25 to 65 percent off retail prices. With over 110 discount designer stores, the outlet center is home to the best name brands including Anne Taylor, Barneys New York, Burberry, Coach, Cole Hann, Crate and Barrel and J. Crew—among others.

Happy Shopping!

-Hilary Adleberg

If you regularly flatiron your hair, this could become your new best friend. (Photo courtesy of Natalie Kaar)

Overachievers can be annoying. That is if they’re your siblings or something. But you’ve got to respect them. And when it comes to overachievers in hair products, I’d argue they just about deserve salutes.

Exhibit A of the latter: Bumble & bumble’s Bb Styling Lotion ($25 for 8 fl oz), one of the beauty biz’s longstanding all stars.

The product is meant for hair of all types, but it’s especially well suited for frequently styled, chemically treated or otherwise fragile strands. Let’s face it, in the summer, doesn’t that just about sum up all of our majorly in-need-of-maintenance manes?

What it does: After having saturated towel-dried hair with it before blowdrying in sections, or having applied a few sprays of it to dry hair prior to heat styling (a frequent flatiron user, this is what I do, applying three sprays — one to each side, one to the back of hair), Bumble & bumble’s Bb Styling Lotion adds body, control and sleekness while leaving the hair feeling incredibly soft (has built-in moisturizers) with natural movement. Translation: no stickiness, no weighing down the ‘do, no fly-aways. Totally dreamy.

All that for $25? I’d pay far more — but don’t tell Bumble.

I know you may be thinking “A lotion that doesn’t weigh down the ‘do?” Trust me, I was very skeptical myself, but use it once before flatironing, and I’m betting you’ll quickly become a believer.

Happy shopping — and styling!

–Natalie Kaar 

Current/Elliott Polka Dot Stiletto Crops, were $218, now $99.95 during the Anthropologie Spring Clearance Sale! (Photo: anthropologie.com)

Rainy commutes can really get you down. Wouldn’t you know the retail world has just what ‘s needed to help you re-energize. Deal. After. Deal. It’s as if the stores are all in a race to outdo one another.

A few of the many sensational sales begging for attention today and for a long time coming:

First, four very sweet words: Anthropologie spring clearance sale.

Assuming you’re not caught up on all things Anthro all day, you may also want to explore some shoe sales, and ASOS (for a limited time, score 20 percent off summer styles) and Endless (nab 20 percent off select orders of $100 or more with code “FRIENDS2″ through May 17) are at your beckon call.

Spring beauty on the brain? Bargains abound in this fine category as well. For starters, you can claim a 20-percent discount on Stila cosmetics through the end of May with the code “20OFF.” Bath & Body Works is also offering 20 percent off, plus free shipping on orders of $50 or more, today only with the code “TWENTY50.” And a 15-percent discount is being offered at Skinstore through May 21 with the code “MAY15.”

Of course NoVA’s swimsuit season is just shy of a week away. Time to really whip that bod into shape. And Curves-Falls Church is answering the call. Ladies, if you’re a non-member of Curves score a free 30-day membership by visiting the fitness center this week in celebration of National Women’s Health Week.

And, remember, this weekend brings Boutiques Give Back, the Old Town Boutique District’s annual Charity Day, this Saturday, May 19, when over 30 local charities will be supported through shopping at the OTBD’s amazing boutiques. There are also opportunities to recycle and save. For instance, donate a gently used bra to Bloomers on Saturday and get 20 percent off on a new one, plus a free tank top while supplies last.

Also this weekend, the uber-popular DKNY PR Girl is coming to Bloomingdale’s Tysons Corner Saturday, May 19, from 1-3 p.m. Join DKNY Style Director Anthony Conti as he presents the season’s top trends and DKNY PR Girl’s favorite pieces from the collection. Shop the collection, and receive an exclusive DKNY PR Girl tote bag with your purchase of $300 or more; spend $500 or more, receive a Bauble Bar bracelet. Plus, score a special gift just for letting Bloomie’s know to expect you. See a sales associate, or call 703-556-4716 to RSVP.

Happy shopping — and saving!

–Natalie Kaar

Michael competed in the 2007 Miss America pageant as an advocate for the importance of literacy—in every sense of the word. (Photo courtesy: Tim Coburn)

Q: When and why did you move to DC?

A: I came to DC in 2004 to work on Capitol Hill. 

Q: You were awarded Miss District of Columbia in 2006. What motivated you to compete?

A: As a Hill staffer, I was surrounded by very impressive people with passionate ideas—and most of them had graduate degrees. I thought that I should pursue one as well, to stay competitive. But financing higher education is expensive! The Miss America Scholarship Program helped me to learn more about myself, serve my city and pay for some of those grad school loans! And to be honest, one of the best things that came out of the entire experience was the opportunity to learn more about DC as a place to live, not just work—and certainly not just politics. 

Q:  What prompted you to develop your own online magazine? What topics does it focus on and what clientele does it cater to?

A: At first, the site was a place for me to share my journey as Miss District of Columbia, an online diary of the year so to speak, featuring society parties, local openings and other news of interest. But at that time, there was a lack of lifestyle news availability specific to DC. So while I considered a halt to posting, the audience I had attracted was begging me to continue! In the almost six years since we’ve been publishing online, we’ve honed our hyperlocal content to include everything you’d expect from a lifestyle (aka “glossy”) magazine—food, fashion, events, local notables. We’re truly Livin’ La Vida Local!  

Q: Is fashion a big component in your life?

A: Fashion is huge in my life, [exclaims Michael, with added emphasis on ‘huge’] particularly because in addition to running K Street Kate I am a fashion (runway) model.   

Q: When did you develop your interest in fashion?

A: Working with some of the top names in fashion for the last 6 years or so, I’ve really learned about the industry—and not just the beautiful clothes but also the business behind the brands. I’d say I always loved shopping and showing my personal style, but it was this up close and personal contact that gave me a love for labels.

Q: Who are some of you favorite fashion icons—dead or alive?

A: No surprise, my ultimate icon is Audrey Hepburn, in fashion and life. I’m in awe of her style, her career, and her philanthropic pursuits throughout life. Currently, I like to follow the wardrobe choices of Blake Lively, Rose Byrne and oh so many others. My fashion favorites change all the time—kind of like my own personal style. My “signature” is to change it up!  

Q: What are some of your favorite clothing stores in the Washington DC metro area?

A: There are so many! I find great dresses for events and appearances at Saks, Cusp, Intermix, Urban Chic, Wink and so many other boutiques. And a lot of incredibly talented local designers offer to create custom pieces for me as well. K Street Kate also has partnered with Style Owner to curate our own online store of our favorite fashions called DC Style File which I shop from all the time! 

Georgia native assimilates to the district like a pro. (Photo courtesy: Joe Reblando)

Q: You’ve competed and won in pageants, appeared on the pages of Elle magazine and been awarded Verizon 2006-2007 Pollin Award for your service and dedication to the Washington DC community. What causes and interests motivate your community work?

A: While I am happy to devote a lot of time, attention and energy to a variety of worthy causes, I think each of us have to look into our souls to find that one—ok, maybe two—causes that really speak to us. I chose literacy, including reading skills of course, but also financial literacy, technical literacy and cultural literacy. I think these are essential tools to be the best you can be, as well as an integral member of society. Literacy was my platform at Miss America and I continue to work with organizations like the Junior League of Washington, the Heart of America Foundation, First Book, Reading is Fundamantal, the Washington Literacy Council and others that have literacy as their core mission.  

Lately, I’ve also been very active in breast cancer funding and research. Many of my young friends have been diagnosed—or perished—from this illness which touches too many. 

Q: What is your next step? Where do you want to be in 10 years? Do you see yourself staying in DC?

A: The world changes so quickly, it’s impossible to plan. In 10 years, five years, even two years from now I hope I’m still working to better this city that I love so much. I was/am Miss District of Columbia—how could I ever dream to leave?   

It seems that for Kate Michael, as long as she can dream it, she can do it.

-Hilary Adleberg 

By Sherry Nicely

Maridav/Shutterstock

Over the years my clients have sometimes taken the summer off from their normal fitness routine because they say they are more active during the summer. When I’ve questioned them further about exactly what kind of activities they would take part in, sadly, they weren’t very active. I’d hear “cookouts”, “pool parties” or “the beach.” Too often, it seems we are really just more social in the summer, not necessarily more active.  

Here’s my take on the old saying. The summer is a chance to really take your fitness and nutrition up a notch or two.  Since we are more social, how about you grab a neighbor and go for a walk or a jog around the neighborhood? Do you have a yard or live near a park? Get a few friends together and play a game of Frisbee. Not only is it fun, it’s great exercise. With the extra hours of daylight I’m sure Fido would love to have an extra-long walk as well. Just keep on keeping on! 

I don’t want to leave out the nutrition factor. As of May 1, most of the local farmer markets have opened up. Put on a good pair of tennis shoes, grab a handful of reusable grocery bags and walk to the nearest farmers market to stock up on fresh fruits and veggies.   

Come on Northern Virginia, Let’s “Keep on keeping on!!!”

Sherry Nicely is a NASM-certified Personal Trainer & Owner of Fitness Together Fairfax. Find her and her local Fitness Together colleagues at www.ftcustomfitness.com and follow them on Facebook to get their health tips and fitness news www.facebook.com/FTCustomFitness

May 2012

Wishing you could emulate just a bit of the multitalented star’s iconic style? Now you can bring a little Timberlake into your abode. The star has teamed up with esteemed Hollywood stylist/interior designer Estee Stanley in designing and curating the luxury home collection HOMEMINT.

(Timberlake and Stanley welcome shoppers to  HOMEMINT. Video: YouTube)

The really cool thing about the HOMEMINT website is that it offers a free, quick style quiz that helps narrow down the amazing items to those that you should be most interested in — gotta love filtering — with new selections highlighted monthly. The site also offers memberships for $9.99 a month, the benefits of said membership being early access to new designs, discounted pricing. But you don’t have to be a member to buy from the collection. 

No surprise to me, my top match after taking the quiz was a pillow, and I do love it. Another hand-picked pick I prefer is the Moroccan basket.

And you thought Pinterest was addictive?!

Happy shopping! Bag up some beauties!

–Natalie Kaar