Washington DC Finding Fashion Inspiration From the Bottom Up

by Kamran Abdi
If you haven’t been in Georgetown or Mazza Gallerie for a while, I suggest you make the trip this weekend. I am glad I was dragged into the two areas by a friend last weekend after eight month. Ton of new stores have opened.  DC is certainly showing signs of a cutting-edge fashion leap where the kitten heel meets the pavement.

The independent boutiques are strutting in with hot, sassy footwear that truly seems revolutionary. It’s all the more impressive because it’s happening in fashion-challenged Washington, D.C., not New York or Italy.

You need to check out Hu’s Shoes in Georgetown and take a gander at newcomer Raphael Young’s apple red patent and black stiletto heels. The 1 1/2-inch platform and 4 1/2-inch heel scream red, the vamp is black and the upper part of the shoe is boot like with laces threaded through silver grommets.

Hu’s is carrying a stunningly studded open-toed mid-calf boot by Brian Atwood in beige buttery leather. It’s got high heels, platforms — the works.

It seems like anything goes in footwear fashion right now, though wedges and boots seem to have a fresh spin.

A short hop from Georgetown into Friendship Heights’ upscale Mazza Gallerie is a Brazilian boutique called Lua Cheia that is the sole retailer in the United States for the Luz da Lua brand. The other four shops are in South America..

A sexy snaky pair of stacked wood heels sells for $340. Shoppers will also find an iridescent gray-blue T-strap stiletto with gold studs, and cowboy-inspired brown leather boots with gold-colored toes in the same price range.

Lua Cheia, which opened in this spot less than a year ago, also designs handbags and small accessories. Hu’s has a clothing boutique across the street from the shoe shop that has handbags, jewelry and belts complementing footwear. Relish carries dresses, outerwear, accessories and has just added bedding, with lingerie on its way.

Indeed, these boutiques might well provide a glimpse into what you’ll be seeing in department stores.

But for Washingtonians languishing for chic and hip embellishments to those dark suits, there’s no need to wait.