Brightest Young Things

I'm a strong believer that the redefining of the image of Washington as a fashion borehole is in the hands of its residents and innovative stores like the ones I am about to show you.  Today we went on a shopping tour around U Street  to give you a little glimpse at some stores that are very distinct in style,  yet share the same ideal of individualism and determination to forge a city's fashion identity. DC DJ Jackie O takes us to four of her favorite places to shop on U street and tells us a little about herself.

Pictures: Samantha Baron

(Courtesy of SarahBaker Photography)

After moving around the country and the world (Seattle, Korea, Richmond...), during the summer of 2007, Jackie attended shows such as Star F@$!er and Nouveau Riche Parties, and slowly came to notice the lack of females  DJs in the predominant male scene. After hearing some DJ's " train wrecking CD's",  she started to understand the flow of a set and began to develop a passion for mixing. Jackie now throws a popular monthly hip-hop dance party at  DC9 and has played at shows with awesome artists  like Amanda Blank. She is soon to go on tour along the East Coast and will be opening for Kid Sister this week (Thursday!).

We met at a small Chinese restaurant on U and had some refreshing bubble tea- very much needed on these hot summer days- before we went on our journey. Our first stop:  DEKKA Located at  1338 U St, 2nd Fl (between N 13th St & N 14th St).

This shop is a family run business that has a really unique style and possesses the coolest t-shirts (for both boys and girls), original jewelry and accessories (see ramen-noodle wallets). The shoe selection is also to go gaga for, and prices are reasonable if you are willing to throw some bucks towards high quality-one of kind items.

BYT: You have a really vivid style Jackie. Tells us a little bit about it.

Jackie: I get so sick of people that  wear ugly, boring clothes in order to be taken seriously. I love colors and uncommon cuts. Living in college park has exposed me to very limited looks. There are the kids that wear bulgy clothes, plain white tennis shoes, or the ugg-wearing girls. I feel like high school traumatized everyone because there is always this constant need to label people.

DEKKA features some pretty awesome showcases dozens of local and international artists and designers whose mediums include music, fashion, jewelry and a range of visual arts.

As we walked down the street to Treasury, Jackie received  so many compliments on her outfit and look from complete strangers that I felt like I was walking next to punk barbie. This store is  located at 1843 14th St NW (between N Swann St & N T St). Here  you will find hand-picked vintage pieces with character. Most things here are pricey but definitely worth it because many of them are treasures and no one will have them.

Treasury also sponsors events such as The Seersucker Social and,  as a bonus, they offer the services of a tailoring-just in case you one of those one of a kind finds need a little customizing.

BYT: What is one of your favorite accessories?

Jackie: I love belts and leggings. I gravitate towards buying things are sometimes very similar in a way. I wear  a lot of leggings because they are flattering.

BYT: Oh, you are one of those that were leggings as pants, huh?

Jackie: I guess some people put it that way. I have a pretty small a@% and leggings fit me me well. Everything is unacceptable until is accepted. I think that is what had happened with leggings.

Lastly, we stopped by Redeem, located at 1734 14th Street Northwest. They  carry designers  from the UK, Canada, Korea,  among other countries. The clothes here are fashion-forward yet wearable. Prices range $from 50ish-150, which, considering this recession, may be a bit too much for some. Then again you will leave very happy with whatever you get. I guarantee that. I fell in love with a one-of-a-kind pair of high-waisted shorts in the sales rack ($90). It was such a bummer that there was only one left and it happened to be two sizes shorter. No way could I have fit these Colombian curves into those size 4s. (Shakira got it right at last. Hips don't lie!). I would have totally  sacrificed a million happy hours for those babies...

Just like I did with those shorts (I swear they were the type that would have guaranteed that "where did you *find* those from!?" lines from many), Jackie found this awesome vintage necklace that was around $300 dollars...

I think someone might have found what they want for their  birthday. Dave Nada, hope you get the hint.

Thank you for showing us around Jackie. Looking forward to hearing more of your music and will make sure to check you out this Thursday at U Street Music Hall!

Previously in Neighborhood Guide:

• 7/14: Merrifield Records + NoVA
• 6/28: H Street Guide
• 6/22: Guide to the Suburbs: Silver Spring and Wheaton