The last decade of fleeting fashion

Image from NyMag.com

New York magazine is finishing up 2009 with a look back at the good, the bad and the ugly trends of the past decade. Some of them I'm glad to say good-bye to, like saggy jeans and the whale-tail (remember thongs?), but others like the skinny jeans and the neon revival I'm hoping to carry through to the next decade. Click here for a complete look.

Toucan Boutique to Participate in Crystal City Couture

Photo taken from crystalcity.org

We are excited to announce that Toucan Boutique will be part of next year's Crystal City Couture. This will be an exciting event where you can come explore lots of local boutiques, enjoy nightly runway shows and come see what Toucan Boutique has to offer now and in the future.

"Fun Fashion Comes to Crystal City
Jungle, Jeans, Tats and Tees Featured at “Crystal Couture”
Bianca Richardson, Finalist from America’s Next Top Model to Appear
T-Shirt and Design Competition, Winner Selected by Audience

February 1 – 6, 2010

CRYSTAL CITY, VA — Crystal City is poised to join the ranks of top fashion destinations along with Milan, Paris and New York City. For one week in February, Crystal City will be the center of fun and fashion during the second annual Crystal Couture. Building on the success of last year’s similar event, The Crystal City Business Improvement District will turn available retail space into an exotic runway, boutique and night club – featuring trunk shows, live theater, DJs, specialty drinks, food, comedians, dancing and more.

Dubbed “Jungle, Jeans, Tats and Tees,” (a.k.a. festive animal/island prints, denim, body art and t-shirts), the event is designed to bring great retail and runway straight into the hands of attendees - whether seasoned fashionista or eager newbie.

The creativity does not end on the runway – fashion designers of all skill levels may submit proposals for custom T-shirt and/or jean designs. All submissions will be presented on the Crystal City BID Web site and through digital projection at the event. Audience members will vote on a winner – on Tuesday night, voting for the T-shirt design will take place and on Wednesday, voting for the jean design will occur. Prizes will be awarded.

Local non-profit groups will also be on site to collect donations of new or gently used clothing and footwear. Go Red for Women will also have a presence at the event.

Move over New York City, here comes Crystal City!

What:	Crystal Couture – a week of fabulous fashion, fun and festivities Runway shows, local DJs, body painting, dancing, open bar, free snacks, free makeovers from makeup artists and hair stylists, prizes for best themed- and more! T-shirt and Jeans Design Competition. Entry form and more information can be found here.
Who:	Bianca Richardson, finalist on America’s Next Top Model and dozens of other local models and fashionistas. Signature Designs by LaNorma, Boutique Mix, Stella & Dot, The Jeans Whisperer, Ibhana Creations, Luciana Macchi Poulet, Brand of the Free, Denim Bar, Bernos, Holland Cox, Aidah Collection, Thembe Fashions, JZ Bags, CG Originals Jewelry, ADMK Jewelry, Brand of the Free, Blind Addiktion, The Station, Nido Boutique, Fuzzy Ink, Toucan Boutique, LUCCO, Scarabello, Artistic Sole, Threads Davida Clai, Natalia Sanz Collection, Ro Red for Women, Human Rights Campaign, Craze Chameleon Studio, West Potomac Academy, Shake Your Booty, Celine de Paris, Tanta's Treasures, TranguiliT, Lilian, Alberto Parada, Maggie Lu, NickyB's, Kelly Catherine, Na'Zeem, and Anna Bloom Designs
Where:	A storefront will be turned into a fashion hotspot at 23rd Street and S. Crystal Drive (across from Jaleo); Arlington, VA
When:	February 1 – 6, 2010, 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. every night
Tickets:	No ticket is necessary - the event is free and open to the public.
R.S.VP.:	Members of the media who would like to attend should contact Laura Gross at lgross@scottcircle.com or at 202-265-5383, c: 202-255-2054."

Toucan Boutique in the News

Rachel Fus for The Gazette

Toucan Boutique was featured in this weeks Executive Snapshot feature of the local Gazette. The article gives a nice inside look into the story of Toucan Boutique, its creators and what will be doing next. Click here to read the article and learn more about Toucan Boutique.

Sand will stay

One of my sand creations

ThisIsSand.com was lauched in may of 2008 and has been a creative and therapeutic way to kill some time and make art online for anyone looking for something a little more interesting than Facebook or Twitter. The site was on the verge on disappearing, but it has just been saved by Finnish online retailer FinnishDesignShop. I love the site because it offers a nice escape and also loved the idea that lifestyle store My o My, in Helsinki, had of exhibiting some of the pieces in the Thisissand gallery. Be sure to check it out.

Sure, why not?

Photo from Daily Mail.

So it seems that Real Madrid has come up with a new way to afford all the stars on its roster like Kaká and Cristiano Ronaldo. Starting in March of 2010, the much loved Spanish team, will launch a line of intimate apparel for women and men. Cheering will be a lot sexier now.