The District Chronicles

Issue date: 7/1/07 Section: Arts and Entertainment

Media Credit: Heidi Riviere/Contributing Writer

When Rosemary Reed Miller opened Toast and Strawberries clothing boutique in 1966, she awakened a refreshing taste for fashion in the District.

"D.C. was moving away from being a small southern town to a more urban environment in terms of its energy and this translated to fashion," Miller said.

Miller pioneered this movement, offering a showroom shop with trendy and different looks at Toast and Strawberries.

Miller, author of "The Threads of Time, The Fabric of History: Profiles of African-American Dressmakers and Designers, 1850 to the Present" remembers how uniform looks dominated the D.C. fashion scene back then. "People liked trendy clothes," Miller said. "But there was nothing around so they had no choice. The same mini dresses, baby doll dresses, heavy makeup, and solid colors were everywhere. "

But unlike the fashion trends of the 20's and 40's, Miller said that the designs of the 60's have withstood the test of time. Some styles are even making a comeback. "The baby doll dress is back but with an au pair v-neck [coupled] with a seam under the bust - an almost pregnant look," Miller said. "There are extremes of the mini that are shorter and longer. [And] Indian and ethnic prints are back."

A. Renee Cooper, president and creative director of the Josephine Dorsey, collection said that the trend in D.C. away from conservative fashion ensembles is not surprising.

"Ten or 20 years ago women worked at positions where they were told what to do," Cooper said. "Now more women are leaders in their industries. So now they have the ability to show more of their feminity."

Cooper noticed that young professionals in D.C. will wear pumps with beading or straps and higher heels with their suits. According to Cooper, today women purchase more signature accessory pieces than in the past, choosing unconventional locales like at home or in store jewelry parties over big retailers.

"These ornate necklace or earring purchases become a center piece for a dress," Cooper said.

Visitors to the historic U Street corridor are rewarded with a patchwork of offerings that cater to the budget fashionistas. There is a popular weekend flea market, consignment stores, vintage shops, independent designers and jewelers.

Erin Monet Cooper, an employee at a local non-profit, said that the vendors at the flea market at 9th and U street NW are great at filling custom orders. "I personally know the vendors and if I am looking for a particular accessory or dress or special jewelry they get it for me," Cooper said.

Continued...

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