Pink Fashion ROCKS!

February 24: At the Long View Gallery in Washington D.C., Pink Fashion ROCKED! In partnership with the Greater Washington Fashion Chamber of Commerce, Pink Jams! presented Betsey Johnson and 14 hot Washington DC designers in a unique fashion show that sported the color pink. It's for a great cause as the proceeds from the show benefits Pink Jams!, the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, and the DC Fashion Foundation.

Each of the fashion designers involved with this show specifically created a garment to be shown in the Pink Fashion Rocks! runway. During the runway show iTunes' 2009 Rewind Best New Rock Band, Charm City Devils performed. The pink garments were available for silent auction following the runway show. It was a packed venue, yet it was good to see so many people come to the event to support the featured causes.

Designers: Betsey Johnson, Belafigura, Bill Johnson Studio, Ceci G Originals, Chaude Custom Clothes, Chez Kevito, Diahna Lynn, Ibhana, KAS Collections, Kustom Looks Clothier, Michael Kaye, Plastic Heaven, Tashia Senn, Tsyndyma Designs, Walish Gooshe, and West Potomac Fashion Design.

The Host Committee: Fernando Batista, Deidree Bennett, Christine Brooks-Cropper, Maggy Francois, Michael Dumlao, Christa Floresca, Kelly Collis Fredrick, Angie Goff, Wendy Gordon, Kate Marie Grinold, Maimah Karmo, Kate Michael, Janelle Morris, Ora Nwabueze, Pergrin Pervez, Jane Roser, Kiki Ryan, Barbara Saylor, Lisa Shapiro, Bryan Thomas, Krystal Ugo, and Jenny Zinn.

Here are a selection of photos of the event: http://vithaya.zenfolio.com/pinkfashionrocks2010

Black Eyed Peas in D.C.

February 23: The phenomenon that is The Black Eyed Peas started in 1995 and they've been on an incredible journey to where they are now. Last year they became one of eleven artists who have held the number one and two spots on the Billboard 100 with their songs "Boom Boom Pow" and I Gotta Feeling." Their song "Imma Be" recently became their third number one song on the Hot 100. All of these songs plus the singles "Meet Me Halfway" and "Rock That Body" are from their latest album called "The E.N.D." which means "The Energy Never Dies." The group's frontman will.i.am describes it by saying to Billboard: "It's a diary...of music that at any given time, depending on the inspiration, you can add to it." He further went on to say to Billboard that "I'm trying to break away from the concept of an album. What is an album when you put 12 songs on iTunes and people can pick at it like scabs? That's not an album. There is no album anymore." The music is described as "a lot of dance stuff, real melodic, electronic, soulful. We call it, like, electric static funk, something like that." Well, I like that music and apparently so does many people worldwide.

I was glad to be able to go to the Black Eyed Peas concert at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. LMFAO and Ludacris opened the show and producer David Guetta laid down some wicked cool tracks. The Black Eyed Peas rocked the venue. They had an elaborate set and costumes. Very hip and cool, and futuristic too. I didn't make it to the after-party at the 9:30 club, but I'm sure it was hoppin'. Here are a few pictures from the concert, but my group was in the 400 level, so we weren't very close. But I can dance wherever I am. :)

John Mayer: Battle Studies at The Verizon Center

February 20: It was an exciting night for many in DC with the John Mayer concert, with Michael Franti & Spearhead opening. The restaurants were packed, the fans were pumped up, and the Verizon Center seemed like it was at full capacity.

The concert went well, the vocals were clear and the music was at the right volume. Michael Franti & Spearhead dished out an energetic and fun mix of songs, and many will recognize their hit Say Hey (I Love You).

When John Mayer came on, the house roused with cheer and a frenzy of flash bulbs went off as he started off his set with Heartbreak Warfare. The show wasn't extravagant as far as effects, but his presence and songs were enthralling. He's been in the music biz for 10 years and he's thankful. I think he loves DC fans just as he loves fans everywhere else, but we'll see if he makes a hell-a-boat to cruise the Potomac.

Fall 2010 Collections - DC Fashion Week

In the midst of DC Fashion Week, three International Designers showcased their Fall 2010 collections on Feb 17 at the Mexican Cultural Institute in Washington D.C.

* Tatjana Tatalovic: Award-winning Serbian Fashion designer, ELLE Magazine most significant fashion collection of the 2009 Belgrade Fashion Week.

* Artemiza Cruz: Award-winning Mexican Fashion designer, 2009 Golden Palm“Revelation for design in Fashion Clothing' at Mexico Fashion Week.

* Ruben Gonzales: Argentinian designer showcased his Fall 2010 Haute Couture Collection

* Hair and Make up by Hela Spa and Ted Gibson salon
* Jewelry by artist designer Stella Basiluk

* SPONSORS/PARTNERS:

* PHYTO Hair care
* LIERAC Paris Skin care
* SOFITEL Hotel Washington DC Lafayette Square
* Alliance Francaise de Washington DC
* COACHRIDER Earth Friendly Private driving service

* Reception sponsored by Peacock Cafe
* Lighting production - JBV production
* Fashion show production - Planete Chic

The District Dish - First Anniversary

February 15: The District Dish celebrated it's first year and it's first Live Taping! Attendees had the opportunity to witness the LIVE taping of three future episodes of The District Dish. Complimentary hor d'oeuvres, a cash bar, and mingling with fans and past show guests were also in the mix. I took some pictures of the live taping and then later on snapped a picture of Sonya Gavankar McKay, Matt Paxton (of Clutter Cleaners, as seen as A & E's "Hoarders," and Kate Michael of The District Dish.

Cupcakes and more at Bakeshop!

February 14: I like cupcakes. When I read an article about the newly opened Bakeshop in Clarendon, I was intrigued. What really captured my admiration was in reading the about section on Justin's Stegall's Bakeshop website, where Justin describes his journey in opening the store. I emailed him and he invited me to visit the store, so I got to do that on Valentines Day. I had red velvet cupcakes on my mind. When I walked in, I saw a familiar face of the friend who posted the article about Bakeshop. What a surprise. It was good to meet the master confectionery architect Justin. I was allowed to go behind the counter and take some pictures of sweets in the making. It was an exciting experience to watch and capture part of the caking process. I'm sure I'll visit the Bakeshop again soon, as there's much more to try. I ended up buying four red velvet cupcakes and giving one to my mom this day was part of the plan. She enjoyed it with dad. I displayed the rest of the cupcakes at a party that night, and of course I had to have one more for myself. :)

Jen Corey for Miss America!

January 13: After schmoozing with people at The Park at Fourteenth, I headed over to The Institute of World Politics which was the venue for Miss DC 2009 Jen Corey's send-off celebration for Miss America. I had met Jen when I photographed the Miss DC pageant last year and it was great to be able to celebrate her winning the Miss DC 2009 title.

There were many fans of Jen at the celebration and we got to see Jen model various dresses and hear her talk about her competing for the Miss America title. Jen is an amazing woman, as are all the women who compete in these pageants. They are so talented and do so much for the community. I was able to take a few pictures of Miss DC 2009 that night and although I couldn't attend the Miss America pageant, I was certainly cheering for her from back here in DC. We're very proud of her as she placed in the top ten at the Miss America 2010 pageant. Congratulations to Jen!

Bisnow Schmoozarama!

January 13: Bisnow is a media company that publishes free newsletters about local businesses in different cities such as Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, New York and Washington, D.C. The newsletters are concise but packed with information and some pictures and they're fun too. It's like they say: "Bisnow (almost) Never Boring."

Bisnow had their first Bisnow Schmoozarama bringing together people who suscribe to their newsletters. It was held at the beautiful and classy venue called The Park at Fourteenth. The place was packed with people and there was quite a bit of schmoozing. I got to meet several new people including seeing others that I already know such as Kelly Collis Fredrick (City Shop Girl) and Maurisa Turner Potts. The Bisnow Schmoozarama is coming again to The Park at Fourteenth and it seems like it'll keep going, as there's many more people to meet and network with in DC and beyond.

Day Two of Imaging USA

January 11: I enjoyed a full of day of Imaging USA and felt inspired and equipped to take my photography to a new level. Being surrounded by like-minded people encourages me to be a better photographer and it reminds me that it's about much more than pictures. It's about the story behind the picture and the relationships that are a part of the experience. I was able to see more admired photographers such as Yervant, James Schmelzer, Jules Bianchi, and Bob Davis. It was a bummer that I had to leave in the afternoon to go back to DC. I wish I could have stayed longer, but there's always another photography convention and expo to go to.