All words and photos by Shauna Alexander

When I was fourteen and in the throws of a serious Jared Leto crush, I stumbled upon a little known website called WireImage.  At the time it was fashion week in New York, a place I yearned to be... befriending celebrities, lusting over clothing I could not afford (but would be given to me by designers who laughed at my oh so charming and young wit of course), the frenzied bustle of behind-the-scenes mayhem swirling around me in a storm of flashbulbs and teased hair... It was in essence a very beautiful, technicolor daydream that I have secretly wanted to experience ever since I clicked on that Ralph Lauren runway show photo collection so many years ago.  As such, fashion photography, whether it be runway or editorial, will always be an inspiration to me.  So when the opportunity to photograph ReadySetDC's Fashion:district, my first fashion show was offered to me, I took it without a second's hesitation.

When I arrived just after 7pm the line was out the door of View 14, an apartment complex at the intersection of Florida and 14th Street.  After wielding my press credentials (otherwise known as waving to my dear friend Tori Milko, who was handling the check-in) I was ushered to a gorgeous ground-floor courtyard already brimming with some of DC's best dressed enjoying complimentary Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka and PBR.  But it didn't stop there! The second tier of the party was focused on pop-up shops hosted in the main levels of the building's three penthouse suites. (akin to the late and great Styleistics parties BYT used to throw back in the day).

The smattering of shops that included the likes of  Bored of Trade, Derringer Friday, DURKL, Redeem, Treasury, Universal Gear and Worn Magazine , not to mention the photography of DC-based photographers Joshua Yospyn, Nicole Aguirre (of Worn Magazine) and Jodi King there was a taste of art, fashion, design and inspiration for everyone.

The show itself was held on the roof of View14, an expertly designed (if a little overcrowded) space that sprawled from north to south giving everyone an incredible view of the city.  Truth be told, the setting and evening couldn't have been more miraculous.  The likes of Washington Post writer Holly Thomas, the brothers John and Paul Thornley, Betsy Lowther of Fashion is Spinach/FW magazine fame, Adrian Parsons (who was walking for Durkl), Tyler Larish (walking for Redeem), Eric Brewer and and so many more(!!) all gathered for what proved to be a killer showing of the District's fashion sensibilities. With collections from Commonwealth, Derringer Friday, DURKL, Redeem, Treasury and Universal Gear DC's fashionable people enjoyed as great clothes and beautiful people strutted the runway (one note-it probably would have been helpful if the runway itself was elevated for the sake of those not lucky enough to be front row, but then, nothing and no one is perfect).

Words can't do the hard work and dedication to this event justice, so enjoy the photos.  I highly recommend clicking on them to get the full-size view.

DURKL

Treasury vintage with pieces from reVamp (styling by The President Wears Prada), Universal Gear and Commonwealth

Redeem

Derringer Friday

As with planning any event, innovation and preparation are the keys to a knock-out night. And while the event wasn't without it's hiccups (the runway show started close to 45 minutes late due to a continuous demand for entry for example) ReadySetDC went above and beyond the expectations this photographer may have dreamed up.  It's certainly not just fashion shows that inspire me anymore, but rather the collective endeavors of DC's creative community.