“So much of my essence is in the streets, and so much of the streets’ essence is in me.” The streets Cita Sadeli is speaking of belong to the nation’s capital, the place she’s called home since age four and has a sometimes complicated, always loving relationship with. The artist knows D.C. the way only… Read more »
Read Our July 2021 Issue
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CURATORS OF STYLE. On a blistering hot Sunday afternoon in June, our editorial team gathered at Unity Health Care in Columbia Heights to meet photographer Jonathan Thorpe and cover subject Cita Sadeli, known to most in the District as MISS CHELOVE. Our goal was to capture the muralist, art director, designer and illustrator in front of her mural project “You Are Welcome,” a bright and hopeful reflection of inclusivity on the side of the clinic. Sadeli is the personification of who we want to feature in the magazine. She’s so deeply ingrained in the local scene in an authentic way that transcends fleeting hip factor and makes her an icon of never-fading cool in the District. Her story is one of resilience and love; her works are meant to support our community, and her focus is on carving out space for the up-and-comers making waves right now. Our July issue features 30+ local curators of style redefining D.C. Some are new to the scene and others are stalwarts like Sadeli. Regardless of where they’re at on their trajectory, we could not be more thrilled to share their stories this month.
July also marks a special milestone for our team. As of last month, we are joined by new managing editor Andrew J. Williams III and editorial assistant Nicole Schaller, two fantastic local journalists with a penchant for arts & culture in and around our city. Williams’ first print piece with the magazine is a deep dive into four local vintage shops and the creative minds behind them, and he took photos of Wolfgang Puck for Rina Rapuano’s feature on his recent visit to CUT DC and Colleen Kennedy’s piece on Chef Mykie Moll and new Capitol Hill spot Crazy Aunt Helen’s. Schaller patiently rounded up several dozen creators, makers and stylish locals to ask them about the District’s style and their own, and sat down with No Kings Collective Co-founders Brandon Hill and Peter Chang about their design work for brand-new coworking space Studio Outdoors.
Amanda Weisbrod spoke with local experts about shifts in D.C. fashion post-Covid, Eliza Tebo Berkon interviewed the guest curator and several artists featured in Arlington Arts Center’s latest exhibit, “We Can’t Predict Tomorrow,” and Michael Loria chatted with the founders of Metrobar and the dynamic duo behind Bad Candy Art Gallery. Plus, Haley McKey chatted with local DJs about the return of vinyl-only nights, Trent Johnson spoke with refreshingly candid model Alexandra Cunningham, Allison Hageman rounded up a beginner’s guide to biking, Casey Pazzalia took a deep dive into the world of local sports betting and E$ crafted another excellent illustration highlighting how we “Slay All Day” in the District.
A special thanks to the newest additions to our team for all of their hard work this month, and to the city’s creative community for letting us pick their brains on all things style.
Monica Alford
Editor-in-Chief
Featured
Redefining the Edges of D.C.’s Vintage Clothing Scene
Vintage shops, once regarded as the place where undesirable things go to die, are experiencing a renaissance. The burning question is: Why now? The answer might be found in the reemergence of classic styles and the meteoric rise in popularity of genres like streetwear. Flared pants, high-waisted jeans, white sneakers, corduroy, joggers, sweatsuits and band… Read more »
Alex Undone Talks About the Realities, Misconceptions + Joys of Modeling
Alexandra Cunningham currently has a lisp. For the 30-year-old, this is just the latest example of how annoying the modeling industry is. “I love what I do, but there are so many things about my industry that I hate,” Cunningham says. “Recently, my family and I did a Gap campaign, and I felt really good… Read more »
Eat
Behind the Scenes with Wolfgang Puck
Wolfgang Puck is so recognizable, it’s easy to feel like we know him. It could even be argued that he’s the most famous chef in the world. But while many are familiar with the highlights reel of his story — the groundbreaking cuisine served to celebrities at Spago, which originally opened in West Hollywood in… Read more »
Chef Mykie Moll Cooks with Love at Crazy Aunt Helen’s
Chef Mykie Moll can’t stop dancing — not during our interview, not while he’s giving a tour of new Capitol Hill restaurant Crazy Aunt Helen’s and especially not in the kitchen, where he’s prepping a few dishes soon to be on the menu. The shoulder shakes and bopping transforms into pure ballet: a graceful slide… Read more »
Drink
Metrobar Connects D.C. Residents + Artisans
After 15 months without going out, the crush of bargoers gathering outside old haunts and those opening for the first time has been a sight to see. But whether opening back up or inviting patrons for the first time, many are implementing progressive changes to better support their staff and the local community. One of… Read more »
Music
Vinyl-Only Nights Return to D.C.
Summer is finally here, and as Covid protocols begin to relax, venues are opening their doors again and new events are popping up around the D.C. area. It’s a welcome change for a city eager to socialize and experience live performances again. Vinyl-only DJ nights, an important part of the District’s nightlife, are beginning to… Read more »
Culture
Artist-Owned Gallery Bad Candy Arrives in Brookland
On a commercial strip of 12th Street Northeast in Brookland, a bright pink storefront opened up on Saturday, June 19. Above the door, it reads “Bad Candy,” but there are no sweets inside — at least not yet. The owners of the art gallery, Bruce Allen and Henry Dotson, leased the space a few months… Read more »
“We Can’t Predict Tomorrow” Examines the Pandemic Through a Lens of Resilience
When Amanda Jirón-Murphy agreed last fall to curate an exhibit for Arlington Arts Center, it didn’t take long to settle on a concept. “There was no way for it to be about anything other than Covid,” says Jirón-Murphy, who serves as guest curator and is the gallery’s interim exhibitions director. “We Can’t Predict Tomorrow,” a… Read more »
Life
No Kings Collective Talks Design for Studio Outdoors
In a desert of concrete buildings with the occasional construction partition lies what appears to be a mirage. Outside of International Square along 19th Street, vibrant green turf covers the once barren sidewalk with sprouting pale pink palm leaves and matching pink chairs. Black-and-white striped cabana umbrellas dot the landscape and a yellow cube at… Read more »
D.C. Designers React to Post-Pandemic Fashion Trends
At this point, everyone has a favorite pair of sweatpants — the tried-and-true ones that served as a sort of security blanket during a time of tumult and uncertainty. But as the world enters a post-pandemic era, fashion experts wonder whether these beloved sweatpants will walk into the future of fashion or be left behind… Read more »
Play
Cycling 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Biking in the DMV
Adventure and the ability to go anywhere are what three local biking experts say excites them about cycling. It’s a feeling created by two wheels rolling along the hot pavement of a D.C. street, wind in the hair and the freedom of moving yourself independently. Beyond just fun, biking can be practical and good for… Read more »
GambetDC Gives You the Power to Choose
A few weeks ago, I was at a restaurant downtown when I ran into a problem some of you may have also faced. My wife and I were sitting right in front of a television at the bar, and we had to watch what the folks next to us were watching. It was a random… Read more »
Fun
Slay All Day Illustration
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