Haute on the Hill: February 2015

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Best Dressed from the 2015 Oscar's

Rosamund Pike in Givenchy

People, this woman gave birth only a few months ago! Look at that tiny waist! Rosamund looks incredible here. The fit, the structure, the matching red satin shoes - this look is pure perfection for me. Hands down she is my best dressed of the evening.

Lupita Nyong'o in custom Calvin Klein

Let me start with saying there are 6,000 pearls in this gown. This piece by Calvin Klein is truly a work of art. The craftsmanship and beauty of detail is exquisite. Lupita knocks it out of the park once again.

Reese Witherspoon in Tom Ford

Reese has pretty much owned the red carpet this season, I have loved every single thing she has worn at the awards shows and she did not dissapoint at the Oscars. I do wish there was something more going on with her hair, it seems a bit too casual for the Academy Awards but otherwise, stunning.

Dakota Johnson in Yves Saint Laurent

This is an example of dressing to the occasion but still being yourself. Dakota looks so elegant in this YSL number but keeps her youthful edge with a matching red lip and pony tail.

Anna Kendrick in Thakoon

Anna almost always wears black so I found this blush/coral number to be a refreshing look on her. The jeweled neck and center cutout saves it from being too dull.

Julianne Moore in custom Chanel

To be honest, I was worried for Julianne. She can be a real hit or miss on the red carpet but thank god Karl Lagerfeld called her and said 'Let me make you a custom gown." This sequined structure is a piece of art, just stunning.

Emma Stone in Elie Saab

Let's start with the color, I am loving this citrine green on Emma. The color contrast against her red locks and coral lip is spectacular. The overall vibe is very Old Hollywood to me but still elegant and modern.

The Washington Ballet's 'Sleepy Hollow': A Review

Last night my husband and I braved the snow and ice (thanks to a very kind Uber driver) and made it to The Kennedy Center for The Washington Ballet's World Premiere of 'Sleepy Hollow'.

What is it about Washington Irving's classic tale that always draws us in? I fondly remember watching the Disney cartoon version every fall, as narrated by Bing Crosby. Later on I was completely frightened by the Tim Burton film starring Johnny Depp. The present day TV series is, well, awful; but somehow it keeps getting renewed for another season. Let's just say the love triangle of Katrina, Brom, and Ichabod and the terrifying Headless Horseman who haunts them, will always keep us coming back for more.

Let's begin with a review of the most important part of this production, the dancers. For me, the real star of this show was Brooklyn Mack who dances the part of the Hessian turned Headless Horseman. Mack's performance was flawless. He showed such power and force on stage, his pure talent made the most technically difficult parts of the choreography look completely effortless. Mack's speed and precision in his fouette turn series coupled with the shear weightlessness of his grand jetes simply left the audience in awe. I would have loved to have seen Mack take the final bow in this production, he certainly earned it.

Brooklyn Mack plays the Headless Horseman in Washington Ballet’s “Sleepy Hollow.”
(Design Army and Dean Alexander)

The second star in my opinion was Miguel Anaya, who danced the part of the the town lunatic. His wide eyed, dynamic facial expressions brought this unfamiliar character to life. When he later performs his solo amongst the haunted forest, Anaya's talent for grace and technical perfection truly shines.

As for the overall production, I would say it was fantastic. I loved the use of large scale digital images projected on the scrim which helped set the scene and move the story line along. One of the most impactful projections, which occurs throughout the production, is the movement along a spooky tree line. This image gives the audience a sense of riding in a carriage, rolling their way along a bumpy country road down into the village of Sleepy Hollow.

Matthew Pierce's original score gave the production a balance of mystery, fear, and quirk. The costumes for the three witches and ghosts of the revolutionary war were particularly haunting and beautiful. Lastly, I loved the horses ridden in the chase scenes by both Icahbod and the Headless Horseman. The way the shell was designed and how the dancers moved beneath it, rearing the horses's heads and tails, was spectacularly cool.

There were a few parts of the production I found odd or boring. One was the telling of 'Rip Van Winkle' (a secondary story within the Sleepy Hollow tale). It just felt like a way to fill time and that it did not actually contribute to the overall story. Also, the choreography that occurred on the benches in the school house and church scenes left me feeling quite underwhelmed. This odd choreography was more second-rate off-broadway than innovative and engaging, which is what I have come to expect from The Washington Ballet.

With those few criticisms said, overall, I am so glad we braved the weather to make it for this production. The Washington Ballet continually delights it's audiences with creative, fresh takes on familiar, classic stories. Bravo!

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

New York Fashion Week ReCap: Marchesa

Be still my heart, Marchesa's creations have walked the runway at NYFW! Marchesa is one of my favorite fashion houses, I always anxiously await whatever exquisite, ethereal creations Georgiana and Keren produce season to season. Here are some of my favorite looks from today's show.

Marchesa

Photo: Stefano Masse / Indigitalimages.com

Sunday, February 15, 2015

New York Fashion Week ReCap

Fall 2015 Ready to Wear Collections

Victoria Beckham

Photo: Gianni Pucci / Indigitalimages.com

Christian Siriano

Photo: Marcus Tondo / Indigitalimages.com

Monique Lhuillier

Photo: Marcus Tondo / Indigitalimages.com

Herve Leger by Max Azaria

Photo: Marcus Tondo / Indigitalimages.com

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Your Valentine's Day Cheat Sheet 2.0

The hill is full of great restaurants, and especially great sweets! If you're in need of a sugar rush this Valentine's Day, keep your business local on the hill. Here are some of my neighborhood favorites.

The Sweet Lobby

Located at 404 8th St SE

Because the macaron is the most sophisticated sweet treat

Photo Credit: Droolius.com

District Doughnut

Located at 749 8th St SE

Because their doughnuts are so awesome they reach far beyond breakfast

Photo Credit: The Pursuit of Style

Ted's Bulletin

Located at 505 8th St SE

Because their 'to go' sweets counter at the front gets you the pop tart without the wait

Photo Credit: Eater DC

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Your Valentine's Day Cheat Sheet

With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, is your heart going pitter-patter because you still don't have any plans? Might I suggest an evening a la Humphrey Bogart?

E Street Cinema will be showing Casablanca at midnight on Saturday, this is an all time classic movie that's cool enough for him and romantic enough for her. Carry the theme throughout the evening with drinks and dinner leading up to the opening scene.

Drinks

Hit up a swanky bar like Denson and start the night with the movie's signature Champagne Cocktail

Dinner

Enjoy some authentic Moroccan cuisine with a dash of belly dancing at Marrakesh

Entertainment

The main event! Who doesn't love a theater with a bar? Buy your tickets early, E Street is sure to sell out.

Spread some love this Valentine's Day,