DC Fashionistas Flock to District Sample Sale

On Tuesday, March 29, Washington, DC's most fashionable ladies stepped out for this spring's District Sample Sale - "the season's most fashionable charitable event." Shoppers sipped on champagne, dined on heavy hors d'oeuvres from Kababji and cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcake, all while shopping deeply discounted high-end and designer frocks from some of the city's most beloved boutiques.

Since 2006, the District Sample Sale has held a twice-annual event occurring in the spring and fall each year, with sizeable proceeds going to charity. The host committee, which includes Real Housewife of DC, Mary Amons, Liberty Jones, Neiman Marcus, Shannon Haley, KPMG, Barbara Martin, BrandlinkDC, and Jayne Sandman, BrandlinkDC, has found that Washington women will flock to deep designer discounts and are even willing to pay $40 a ticket just to get into this elite shopping event. Proceeds over the years from tickets sales have amounted in over $200,000 being donated to various charities. This year's benefactor was the E.L. Haynes Public Charter school - which if anyone saw Waiting for Superman in theaters this past fall, then you know how worthy charter schools are of our attention and resources.

Though the Spring 2011 District Sample Sale left its mainstay home in Georgetown for unrenovated Class A commercial office space (ironically in the very building I used to work in!), the over 20 boutiques, finger-popping tunes from the DJ, bars overflowing with champagne, and of course the 700 frenzied shoppers made the deconstructed walls magically disappear. I guess who needs frills when you're getting Diane von Furstenberg for 40% off, right?!

In addition to the socialite "Haute Committee," some of DC's trendiest and most in the know gals also came out to shop, including Kelly Collis from City Shop Girl, Maurisa Turner Potts from Spotted MP Marketing, Kate Michael of K Street Kate, Rachel Cothran from Project Beltway and the Corcoran, and fellow RHODC housewife and owner of THE Artist Agency, Lynda Erkiletian.

But more than who was there, the event is always about what was there! So without further ado, I bring you the fashion of the Spring 2011 District Sample Sale!

Right out the gate, the clear favorite boutique of the evening was Fornash, a jewelry boutique located in the Shops at Georgetown. Though they were civil, women were climbing over one another to get a look at the gold and brightly colored jewelry Fornash had to offer. If you like nautical, Grecian themed or anything by Trina Turk, then you'll LOVE Fornash. Be sure to check out my photo gallery to see what I purchased from Fornash!

My next favorite boutique was the "Shoe Illustrator." Yanique Moore is a designer shoe artist who says drawing expensive shoes is "how I cope with my shoe addiction." If you love to decorate with fashion prints and designs, you'll love Yanique. She's releasing a book of her illustrations next month entitled "B is for Balenciaga."

Whether you're a self-described "fashionista" or not, there is one thing ALL women have in common, and that's a love of shoes. From Sassanova, to the Shoe Hive, and even all the way from Baltimore, Poppy & Stella, shoes were all the rage at the District Sample Sale.

Last but not least, clothing boutiques, Wink, Lettie Gouch and Urban Chic all had a great selection, in all different sizes and incredible price points. Wink's owner Paige even spared a little time to chat with me and was there greeting shoppers and assisting them with their purchases.

Did you go to the Spring 2011 District Sample Sale? If so, drop me comment below and tell me what your favorite part was? Send me a photo wearing your purchases and I'll post it to my blog!

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