Washington Life Magazine: Summer 2005: Summer Chic Fashions

Summer Chic Fashions
Fittinlgy set against the Lincoln Theatre in the heart of Washington's U street/Cardoza corridor, local performers turn heads in this simmer's urban chic inspired fashions.

First opened in 1922, the Lincoln Theatre was described in 1924 as “perhaps the largest and finest theater for colored people exclusively anywhere in the United States.” The Lincoln Theatre and the Colonnade prospered from the '20s to the '50s, hosting coming-out balls, Big Band dances and live acts, including Bessie Smith, Moms Mabley, Louise Beavers, Hattie McDaniel, Freddie Washington and W.C. Handy. Today, the theater hosts community education programs, benefit performances and galas, conventions, awards and special events and remains a landmark on the historic U Street corridor

DANA TAI SOON BURGESS is the founder, artistic director and choreographer of the D.C.-based Dana Tai Soon Burgess & Co. dance company. For more than 10 years, the award-winning Burgess has created dances that freshly synthesize Eastern and Western aesthetics. SHU-CHEN CUFF (on right) is in her fourth year with the company. She is also currently a member of the faculty of the Arlington Center for Dance. www.movingforwarddance.com

Shu Chen is wearing a Paul Carroll New York dress from Donna Lewis Clothier; Monte Carlo white gold diamond and quartz earrings from Boone & Sons Jewelers. Dana is wearing black pants by Versace and a Jagger B. shirt from Club Monaco.

Kenny Leon is a highly acclaimed director, producer and actor and whose experience includes television, stage and film. He is presently co-founder and Artistic Director of Atlanta- and D.C.-based True Colors Theatre Company, whose mission is to produce a diverse group of plays from various times, cultures, and perspectives, while preserving the African American classics. Matt Bauer serves on the board of the True Colors Theatre Company, as well as the board for the Lincoln Theatre. In addition, he is the founding board member of the Arena Stage Arena Voices young professionals group. www.truecolorstheatrecompany.com

Kenny is wearing a Finamore shirt from Donna Lewis Clothier and jeans from Club Monaco. Matt is wearing Belvest pants and a Finamore shirt, both available at Donna Lewis Clothier.

Sara Surrey makes her Arena Stage debut as the title character in “Anna Christie.” Dan Snook makes his Arena Stage debut as Mat Burke, the shipwrecked Irish sailor who falls in love with Anna. Both actors received their MFA degrees from the Graduate Acting Program at NYU's Tisch School for the Arts and have played romantic leads opposite one another in the past— in “Antony and Cleopatra” at the Old Globe Theater in California. www.arenastage.org

Sarah is wearing a Zola shirt; Rock and Republic jeans from Urban Chic; Vaneli shoes from Marmi; clutch from Your Private Closet; white gold diamond pave rose pendant necklace and multi-colored diamond stack rings in aqua, pink tourmaline and green tourmaline, all available at Boone & Sons. Dan is wearing Charlie pants and a Clooney shirt from Club Monaco.

Hair by Dean Adams
Makeup by Corina Elgart
Styling by Patricia Martinez
Photographed by Douglas Sonders
Makeup from Giorgio Armani’s summer collection, available at Saks Fifth Avenue