1. Washington, DC:
Fashion - Foreword
Becoming a Fashion Destination
A Capital City from its inception, Washington, DC has taught the world how to dress for
success, one power suit at a time. Yet, the city’s conservative fashion identity is hardly
representative of the District that can be found nestled deep within its neighborhoods.
Case in Point - meet fifth generation Washingtonian, Tim Gunn.
“Mayor Adrian Fenty and his wife,
First Lady Michelle Fenty,
have great style.”
- Tim Gunn
Washington DC’s First Lady Michelle and Mayor Adrian Fenty
T im Gunn grew up in Georgetown, is a gradu- steps to develop its own fashion culture. In Novem- sacrificing local independent boutiques. The Mayor
ate of the Corcoran School of Art, celebrity ber 2006, DC Fashion Attorney, Mariessa Terrell also hosted a District Summit to explore how the
mentor on the Bravo television reality series, Project White drafted The Commission on Fashion Arts and city can leverage its creative economy (an economy
Runway and Chief Creative Officer at Liz Claiborne, Events Establishment Act also known as the Wash- fueled by the power of innovative thought and ideas)
Inc. Prior to joining Liz Claiborne, Inc., Gunn served ington, DC Fashion Bill 17-173. The Fashion Bill will to improve the city’s overall economic vibrancy.
as a member of the administration and faculty at create a Fashion Commission in Washington, DC As the District’s creative “fashion” industry con-
Parsons The New School for Design for close to 24 tasked with promoting the District as a fashion des- tinues to grow, efforts to develop educational oppor-
years. In 1990, he became Associate Dean. tination, developing community initiatives to benefit tunities related to the fashion industry have become
When asked who sets the pace for fashion in school aged children, assisting in the development a priority. In 2008, Stephany Greene, University of
Washington, DC, he replied, “I think the real baro- of a retail corridor within the District of Columbia D.C. fashion educator and former Tommie Hilfiger
metric gauge of fashion in Washington comes from and promoting the District’s unique retailers and fashion designer successfully convinced city gov-
the top.” fashion talent. ernment officials to help resurrect the University of
“Mayor Adrian Fenty and his wife, First Lady Mi- On April 3, 2007, the Fashion Bill (17-173) was the District of Columbia’s (UDC) Fashion Merchan-
chelle Fenty, have great style.” But, he cautioned, “it introduced before the full DC City Council. Fashion dising Program that was terminated over 10 years
is up to them to send a profound enough message Bill supporters included, Washington, DC City ago. The UDC Fashion Merchandising Program will
that can alter how others view the Nation’s Capital.” Council Chair Vincent Gray and DC City Council enable District students to earn a Bachelor or an
Is Washington, DC becoming a fashion destina- Members Marion Barry, Kwame Brown, Carol Associate Degree in Fashion Merchandising or an
tion? “Possibly,” Gunn explained during a 2006 Schwartz, Harry Thomas, Jr. and Tommy Wells. Associate Degree in Marketing with a concentration
interview aired at the Capital Catwalk Fashion Event After a favorable vote in the City Council, the in Fashion Merchandising.
held at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium. “It starts with Fashion Bill was forwarded to the Committee on By encouraging the flourishing of small busi-
education in the high school at the very least and Economic Development for review. In April 2008, nesses and the development of creative artful ele-
ideally in colleges with solid curricula. It helps to Mayor Adrian Fenty signed the “Fashion” Bill into ments in education, Mayor Adrian Fenty, like New
have support for young designers through some- law. York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Chicago Mayor
thing like a fashion incubator. And it helps to have In addition to supporting the creation of the Richard Daley has taken steps to create and grow a
a retail environment that is welcoming to young Fashion Commission, Mayor Adrian Fenty launched new economy in the city; a fashion economy.
entrepreneurial designers.” a retail action strategy to identify best practices
Several months later, Washington, DC has taken on how to grow the city’s retail offerings without www.BravoTV.com/Tim_Gunn
1 Best of DC Best of DC 185
Tim Gunn, Fashion Consultant and Television Personality