Washington, DC is quickly becoming a booming fashion town with many designers ready and willing to make appearances at boutiques, department stores and events. Still we have a long way to go before Karl Lagerfeld or Donna Karan sets foot here to do a resort presentation. We might not have a widely celebrated fashion week but we do have the caliber of talent up to par with younger designers in New York City, London and Paris. One designer has taken center stage in Washington, DC and is currently holding the torch for Washington, DC in the fashion Olympics. Tashia Senn, a Washingtonian returned to her hometown last year to launch her eponymous collection high end day and evening wear. Her spring 2010 collection received raving reviews from local media, fashion industry professionals and Washington socialites.
On Saturday, Fashion Institute of Technology grad Tashia Senn returned with her sophomore collection for Fall 2010 at Ted Gibson Salon/Hela Spa in Chevy Chase, Maryland. The collection of 1960s inspired dresses and jumpsuits was befitting of what the quintessential Washingtonian woman would be seen in at high profile events. Tashia Senn channeled Jackie O, Lena Horne, Twiggy and other ’60s style icons whose style was celebrated widely back then. Twiggy’s leggy mini was modernized with sequins and sheer detailing. Tashia celebrated the woman’s feminine curves with beautiful draping on an a high collar orange dress and a one shoulder black and gray gradient dress.
The Tashia Senn collection was made for the Washingtonian woman because the designer created a collection of cocktail and evening dresses that women in this town would want to wear. We’ve never been a long gown kind of town, most black tie events for Washingtonian women means a super dressy short frock (such a shame considering the glamour and glitz of long gowns). Every piece in the collection, minus the jumpsuits and assymetrical orange feathered one shoulder mini dress, would look gorgeous on Michell Obama. The colors are not too ostentatious; they are just the right tones to compliment women of all colors. The Tashia Senn collection is strong yet delicate with Chantilly Lace gowns, Silk Crepe de Sheen and Silk Charmeuse dresses, Silk Chiffon draped dresses and Wool Cashmere coats and jumpsuits with portrait collars.
Tashia Senn can customize each piece to fit each client, the designer told me during a brief conversation at the presentation. Her craftsmanship is evident in the detailing of the coat with portrait collars, jumpsuits, orange feather dress and ruffle collar jumpsuits. Her collection is currently available for sale on her website and she is available for private consultations. She hopes to be picked up by boutiques nationwide as well as big department stores like Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. Tashia’s just getting started and I’m looking forward to seeing her rise to the caliber of Jason Wu, Alexander Wang and other young designers who are being celebrated and supported by the CFDA and the First Lady. For more information about Tashia Senn, go to http://www.tashiasenn.com.
Thanks to Randall Phillips of PDB Venture Group for the YouTube video of Tashia Senn’s collection.
Tashia Senn (middle) has a big support system in the ladies of the Greater Washington Fashion Chamber of Commerce. She is flanked by Fancy Francois and Christine Brooks-Cropper.
Me with Diabolique designer Deidre Jeffries and American’s Next Top Model Cycle 13 contestant Bianca Chardei.
