DC Fashion. Hot take.
At first, I thought this was a scam. Yes, you heard it here first — I bought my ticket to DC Fashion Week (well, weekend) just to see if it was the real deal. As a post-grad 22-year-old trying to carve out a space in fashion, I had to check it out. I put on my best fit, a cute black little number that was safe enough if I needed to get a cocktail “party of one”. I hopped on the Metro to the capital and hoped I’d find a little creative haven tucked between the monuments and the politics.
Turns out — it was not a scam.
I stepped into a space buzzing with energy. Creatives everywhere, personal style on display for every guest, cameras flashing, laughter bouncing off the walls, designers and dreamers discussing their craft. I got my picture taken on the step-and-repeat, got interviewed by a few content creators on DC fashion (as if I would know), and laughed at how wrong I’d been. I didn’t think a city this buttoned-up could host something so alive, so expressive. But there I was, in the middle of it all, watching DC prove me wrong.
Still two years in, I thought the city’s “style” was limited to blazers, badges, and business cards. People here are usually more interested in who you work for than what you’re wearing. But that weekend changed everything I thought I knew about the capital.
With my press pass in hand, sitting in the front row for the Emerging Designers Show, I got to see what real local talent looks like up close. Fifteen designers from across the DMV, ranging from lingerie to streetwear to couture, all tell stories through their collections. There was this energy of “we’re here, and we’re doing this our way.” After making friends with the people sitting next to me, I started to learn more about the clothes that way about DC, and what they said about DC itself. My new friends explained to me that DC fashion is couture, but the essence of personal style is very true to this city.
DC Fashion Week actually started back in the early 2000s, founded by Ean Williams, a local designer who wanted to give the city’s creatives a platform of their own. It’s grown into a mix of international and homegrown talent, all sharing the same goal: to make DC known for more than politics. It’s not about exclusivity, it’s about opportunity, community, and visibility.
Watching the runway, I started noticing trends not just in the clothes but in the crowd. Layers were everywhere. Bold jewel tones, playful polka dots, and color — so much color. Accent belts made statements, and a few local brands (still pulling those names from my stack of business cards) were offering handmade pieces crafted from upcycled denim and repurposed ties — wearable art that made sustainability look personal and intentional.
The biggest takeaway? DC needs more of this. More spaces for fashion. More spaces to be seen. The hunger in that room, the kind of energy that comes from people who love what they do but rarely get the stage, was electric.
What I saw was a mix of streetwear and culture, handcrafted prints and statement graphics, individuality stitched into every hemline. The crowd mirrored that same energy — bold patterns, recycled materials, and fearless combinations of black and color. Everyone looked like they had something to say, and for once, fashion was the language.
Some of the designers that caught my eye this year: The Ballentine Collective, Fatima, Farzana, InceptualSara, iNava5, LAS Fashion, Monae Amour Designs, Sajo Label
To me, this wondrous city, or more so a glorified museum, is filled with historic memories of our nation's history. often feels like a glorified museum, full of structure, politics, and history. I expected the unexpected, a melting pot of culture, or like I said, a sea of suits, and meant for the governmental eye of fashion. maybe a melting pot of culture or, honestly, just another sea of suits. I was met with a mix of colors, patterns, creativity, and, more so, a community in attendance that enjoyed what they saw, and the fashion reflected the clientele. I may be a newcomer to the great city of DC, but it made me feel my spark back and feel the possibilities of DC. It made me feel that spark again and see the possibilities of DC in a new way.
