GoKateShoot for Washingtonian: Erika Sanchez

Erika Sanchez is the most laid back glamour girl you've ever met. Despite the 6" leopard heels (swoon!) and seriously va-va-voom hair, this media strategist doesn't let her style go to her head. I photographed her in her office at one of the adversity juggernauts of DC on Sunday afternoon, and we just had a ball bopping around, styling her outfits, and taking photos for my column in Washingtonian Magazine (HERE).  She has a really neat perspective on style and makes affordable pieces look high-end, which I love! 

These tights are killer. Adore.

Her color palette is so much fun! Coral, and turquoise, and chartreuse, oh my!

Jaguar ring? Meow.

As a fellow wearer of metallic pants, I definitely cosign this look.

There is SO MUCH YES with all of these graphic prints and neon! Whee!

Many thanks again to the lovely Erika Sanchez for her impeccable style and hospitality, and to Sarah Zlotnick of Washingtonian. 

Film: Miss Laura

This is the lovely Miss Laura, who I have the pleasure of working with.  On one of the first summer-warm days last week, she floated into my office in this sunny yellow little number and I took some snaps when we went for froyo (Yes, I can take photos and eat froyo at the same time. Priorities, man!). It wasn't so much that this showcases a really loud style, per se, but rather how one piece can so nicely express an ease and personal comfort. No matter what your style, I think we all have clothes that make us feel completely ourselves, stripping us of the need to play a role. Do you know what I mean? I'm talking about those clothes you wear wear you're not even playing dress-up anymore, the things that are just for you. 

It's different for everyone...mine is a flannel shirt. I have many layers of wonderful memories wearing flannel shirts, mostly wrapped up in great memories of winter Sunday afternoons in front of the fireplace at my parent's house in Vermont. Flannel shirts are a weekend uniform, reserved only for those social engagements with people I'm just being completely laid back with. 

This dress has that same ease, I think. One piece slipped over the head, breezy walking to work through the city. Perfect for froyo afternoons on the Dupont Circle fountains, and the color I think of when I think of the wearer. So nice! 

These are a few film photos I took of Laura with my vintage camera while we were taking a quick break from the office. Enjoy! 

Periwinkle Girl

I love nothing more than a leisurely Saturday morning/afternoon coffee camp out (Ooo hello, yes, coffee and writing some little poems or chatting with friends please!), so I was pleased as punch to spot this lovely lady at Chinatown Coffee recently.  Upon introducing myself, I came to find out (as I often do) that we have oodles of mutual friends, particularly the ladies of Trash Cat Collective, a local vintage pop-up. She is wearing some pieces she found from them, including this baby blue top. I'm so inspired by people who rock pieces that I would never think to pick up. Inspiring. Perhaps now I'll try my vintage lingerie under a leather jacket or one of the floral blazers for spring. Hm...

Geodes! Hurray!

My favorite detail is her neck tattoo; I love how the aesthetic of her ink adds a feminine edge to her baby doll top. 

Put a Bird On It!

Here's a sweet little bird candle we have at my house for dinner parties, which we hold at least once a week. Put a bird on it! Happy Saturday, all.

GoKateShoot for Washingtonian: Meredith Carter

Here are the digital outtakes from my shoot with Meredith Carter of The Shirt, for Washingtonian Magazine. You can see the full article HERE and some fully awesome film shots of here HERE. Enjoy these whimsical photos of her apartment, stylish pooch Henry, and work space. Adore! I'm particularly obsessed with her neon-soled brogues...helllllllo sexy fem take on menswear!

 

  

Riding Nerdy

So as my close friends know, I can be pretty nerdy. We're not talking pocket protectors and the like, but rather the ability to get really hyper excited and passionate about select topics (Post-processing techniques! The history of Barcelona! How maple syrup is made!). And while photo is fun, it's work as well, and there are times when I buckle down and get a little serious. For those times, I wear my glasses, which I've had since the second grade. Yup, I have glasses...I'm blind as a bat. No, I will not share middle school photos of myself at this point in the narrative...those style choices are in the past for a reason. 

I usually wear contacts, but when it came time to get my eyes checked, I decided to approach shopping for glasses as an opportunity to make a serious style statement. I picked these Dita's, and I love them. While remaining stylish, they make me feel smart on decidedly on point, if you  know what I mean. Some days, getting dressed is a way for me to feel more together, and this is one way. I can't wait to play around with how they change my look!

Film: Meredith Carter

Here are some film images I took during the shoot with the lovely Meredith Carter, Creative Director of The Shirt for Washingtonian Magazine (read the whole article HERE). There was a mild snafu with my old and beastly camera pulling the film off the spool, causing it to ruin the last several frames and add light spills (read: crazy colors) to several others. I love them! The lack of control leads to wonderful surprises; my favorite is this portrait.  

Meredith and I had a delightful shoot despite my own rocky start to the day (alarm clock fail, traffic, no cabs, double coffee spill), and hit it off right away. We have a few mutual friends, similar perspectives on life and hard work, and both have backgrounds in dance, so we had a LOT to talk about! 

I'll have all of the digital outtakes coming up soon too, so check back for photos of Meredith's space, inspiration boards, and more outfits. 

Cherry Blossoms

Here are a few lovely photos from my trip to see the famous cherry blossoms this past weekend. The weather was perfect and blossoms breathtaking! I walked all over the city, but ended up nestled beneath the flowers having chats with a friend. It's afternoons like that that make me so glad to be young and vibrant in DC!

Friend Time, and Seasonal Inappropriateness

Happy spring everyone! I had some lovely "quality friend time" with my business partner, Eliot Payne last night on H St. We got pie at Dangerously Delicious Pies (where our friendship originally began), and had lots of real talk. We are involved in several very LARGE and EXCITING projects coming up, so it was good to get down and hash out some details. I'm so grateful for being part of a creative team that's so rad!

I love Eliot's use of a handkerchief in place of a bow tie. Hilariously, he was asked about his lack of bow tie no fewer than 5 times when we were out and about last night. Ah well, at least people know what his style is all about! The above photo is hilarious for several reasons:

1. Eliot is dressed for spring and I'm wearing a fur. Typical.

2. Growls. Also typical.

The Style Behind Jack Spade DC

Last weekend while on a shopping excursion for the perfect white shirt (which I am not convinced does not exist for women, damn it!) with Eliot Payne, we chanced upon and then befriended the stylish team behind the DC outpost of menswear mecca Jack Spade. Antonio gave us a full tour of the store, and talked to us about the stories they are telling through their merchandising and approach. It was so DC-centered and personal, drawing upon boyhood memories and images, that it was touching to hear it all firsthand. 

 

He also introduced us to his Girl Friday of the shop, the lovely Miss Jane. She's rocking incredible red vintage boots and Ralph Lauren blouse that purrs of classic feminine chic with an edge.