If there’s a gathering of fashionable people somewhere in Washington, Rachel Cothran is bound to be there taking notes and snapping pictures. Her blog, Project Beltway, chronicles the goings on in the sartorial scene in D.C.
By now, is it clich? to say that people in D.C. don’t care about fashion?
I guess I’m just mostly sick of hearing that phrase. If you want to find fashion and fashionable people here, it’s really not that hard. I think Washingtonians are pretty thoughtful and purposeful about their fashion choices, which sets us apart. We aren’t generally about fashion-for-fashion’s sake. I like that because at the end of the day, it’s just stuff to me, too.
What are some of the biggest trends on the horizon for 2010?
It’s hard to say until the all-knowing style gods pass down the orders, but I see bright lips emerging as a trend now and staying strong through 2010. I hope to see less huge bags and more delicate, ladylike versions like those popular in the ’20s through the ’40s.
The Obamas, the new Tommy Hilfiger “Washington” ad campaign — are these signs that D.C. is the cool kid right now?
Sure. Though D.C. was starting to hit its stride before the Obamas got here. The Obamas got there, though, and sort of gave everyone else permission to embrace and celebrate their own coolness. Speaking of that Hilfiger campaign, my friend Omar Popal [who owns Napoleon and Cafe Bonaparte] modeled for it. He’s not front and center in it, though. But that makes it even more Washingtonian!
I understand that you interviewed Micheale Salahi before she was the White House crasher. Did something seem off in the interview?
I already knew Michaele when we did that interview. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, but she’s got a pretty distinct personality. She’s kind of a character.
— Scott McCabe
