As many of you know, my birthday was a couple weeks ago, and I did a two city, double birthday trouble tour. I had a wild and fantastic weekend in NYC, where I hung out with my friends who are incredible photographers and their assistants who shoot for Vogue, Vanity Fair, and other drool-worthy publications. We went for drinks and then went to an insane warehouse party in BK, and the only cameras present were film. So purist! I love talking to them about the artistic nuances of photography...would you believe me if I told you that one well-known gentleman and I discussed how photography is painting light FOR AN HOUR? It was great! I was in heaven! I always learn so much from these interactions, and am truly blessed to have friends in my life who challenge me artistically.
For my DC birthday, I wanted to keep it classic GoKateShoot, so I partnered with
It's Vintage Darling for a curated cocktail party in the shop with some of my favorite DC fashionistas before we all headed down to
Blackbyrd Warehouse to meet up with a larger crowd. The night was filled with rainbow presents, laughs galore, some REAL TALK (ooo and I'm so glad to have friends who can dish it and take it!), and of course, photos of some fabulously dressed DC fashion icons.
Art history ace Cat Diesel
This is the night I debuted my fox, pairing it with a bronze wrap top, slim and trim black cigarette pants, and an array of layered arm candy. Of course, the octopus had to be worn; as one of my favorite pieces, it truly makes me feel dressed! Since I do feel like it's an essential part of my look, I'll mention that my haircut is thanks to incredible rockstar stylish Tyler Lee Larish. My incredible necklace is handmade by actress Mundy Spears. There was some serious partner in crime action after we rolled in to Blackbyrd and met up with more friends. It was great timing too; it was our party and a big banger for a member of local DC rock favorites US Royalty, who are also an impossibly stylish crew. Jackpot! We snacked on oysters, sipped cocktails, and danced our dapper booties off.
Now, let's talk about the gentlemen. Per my request (
and frankly, they would all do it anyway), everyone who came out was dressed to the nines. I have to give it to the guys though; their dapper spins and attention to detail were impeccable! Artist Trey Smith paired a double-sided cameo and traditional Brooks Brothers bow tie with perfectly layered scarf and vintage puffer vest. Josh Wu just returned from a trip to Africa, so he is mixing up his [perfectly tailored] traditional pinstripe suit with African accents. Of course, no party of mine would be complete without the dandy dream team of Eric Channing Brewer and Eliot Payne. Eric is dressed above and beyond fantastic, per usual. Eliot is wearing one of his own bow ties for
Accoutre, a little number called The Casual Friday (
find it here) that is double sided hot pink corduroy and dark denim (
isn't that just the wittiest thing you've ever heard?! It kills me. I love it).
These gentlemen had never met, but were oh-so-dapper in their bow ties as they became fast friends. There are very few things I love more than introducing my friends so they become friends!
And who was the most dapper lady of them all? Cat Diesel, of course.
Look at all this stylish glee! I couldn't ask for more.
Classic E.C.B.
The dandy lineup was KILLER.
And then, my friends, we danced. Because true style means doing what you love, and damn, we all sure love to boogie!
I'd like to pause. These next photos of
9 To Fly blogger Sade (pictured
here as well) and Eric Channing Brewer dancing are classic. This is what style is about; you look at these two perfectly modern, individualistic people and their outfits would fit in 1940. Or 1960. Or 1970. But it is 2012, and damn, isn't it just inspiring that these two can at once reference the great looks of the last 70 years and still manage to look perfectly now? Plus they put the rest of us to shame dancing, I'll have you know. These photos are my favorite of all of my birthday shots and could not be more spontaneous and lovely.
I’d also like to give a special thanks and shout out to the
fine gentlemen from Dr. K’s Vintage who came out to help me celebrate. It was
such a special treat and was fantastic to kick it with you, as always.
So thank you, my dear friends and followers, for an incredible birthday and year. I'm not one for nostalgia, but I do love to give credit where credit is due. You all rock, and I love that you continue to inspire me day in and day out.
Photos taken by me, and several others at the party. I love a communal shoot!
