A Night on the Town

Fun and fashion rocked Washington D.C. last Saturday night at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, given in honor of the journalists who cover political events in the nation’s capitol. The dinner traditionally involves the President making a stand-up routine followed by a professional comedian. Celebrities, journalists, and politicians mingle, creating what has got to be one of the best parties of the year. Some of you might remember when, two years ago, Stephen Colbert bravely railed against President Bush’s and the press corps’s failures at this event. Fortunately, thanks to some new faces in town, the party definitely had the sparkle that has been so desperately lacking these past few years.(Ah, you thought I’d illustrate this story with a picture of our First Lady, didn’t you? Well, since I’m going to be editor next year, I’m going to post as many pictures of my boyfriend as possible and there’s nothing you can do about it, so hahaha.) (P.S. He’s going to speak at Sarah Lawrence’s graduation ceremony next week. I’m tempted to crash.)

Bold faced names at the event included TomKat; Donatella Versace; Ed Westwick and Chase Crawford; Alicia Keys; designers Kenneth Cole, Jason Wu, and Narciso Rodriguez; my darling Rahm Emanuel (I couldn’t come because of finals, you see, but thanks for the invite, sweetie!); and of course First Lady Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama.

For the curious, Women’s Wear Daily has a great slideshow and, as always, Jezebel has a largish gallery.

Michelle Obama looked modern and chic, as always, in a pink Michael Kors shift. Most of the guests went in the opposite direction, sporting classical evening gowns with long trains. Demi Moore wore an absolutely gorgeous smoky Grecian frock. Andrea Mitchell sported my favorite, Oscar de la Renta. But I have to say, there was an interesting little trend at this event. Senior advisor Valerie Jarrett and White House Social Secretary Desirée Rogers, current D.C. fashion icons, both showed up in long, columnar gowns with an empire waist. Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Barbara Walters both wore black lace. Could this be the beginning, as I’ve hoped since Chanel’s Spring 2009 RTW collection, of an Edwardian revival? Please say yes!

To help you with your studies, here’s a video of President Obama’s performance (about 20 minutes long) and Wanda Sykes’s performance (about 15 minutes long). Enjoy!
-Ceci Cholst

Hell Yeah, I'm Chuck Bass

“Hell yeah these pants are red. Look how red my pants are! Nate could never wear pants this red. Nate doesn’t have enough personality for pants this exuberant, this delightfully whimsical. Though maybe I shouldn’t have gone with the green socks. Wait - what am I thinking? I’m Chuck Bass. Of course I should have.”

There is an entire blog dedicated to What Chuck Wore on Gossip Girl. Each ridiculous outfit is accompanied by a ridiculous fictional quotes by Chuck Bass on his outfit, like the one above. I secretly (well not anymore) watch Gossip Girl, and this season I have developed a certain fondness for Chuck. Emotionally complex and a snappy dresser? I'm down.

[Fashionista]

Anna Sui to collaborate with Target!

The designer will follow in the steps of Alexander McQueen as the second designer in the Designer Collaboration series at Target. "I have always been a fan of designer partnerships with mass retailers. I think it is a great way to bring fashion to everyone," Sui, tells WWD. "It is an exciting challenge to try and interpret my aesthetic into a mass-produced product with a specific international source as the focus." Sui says that the looks are inspired by characters from the CW's Gossip Girl. Target claims that this line will be edgier and more fashion forward than any other collaboration they have previously participated in.

The line will debut September 13th, 2009 both online and in select stores. I can't wait!

Who Wore it Better?

So I saw this image of Leighton Meister on Go Fug Yourself, while I do think she looks cute that is A LOT of peach on one girl. But her shoes are amazing, I can't decide if this saves her colorless outfit. Then I saw this image of Ciara only moments later on Yahoo.

This is clearly a more casual look but there are issues with this one too. Those Jeans. That sweatshirt. She is lucky she is so pretty.

So here I ask with two pretty girls and two problematic outfits, who deserves to keep their shoes?