Holiday Haute

‘Tis the season, after all, and I ran into a few people decked out for it in fine style. First up, William F. Chickering, known to his friends as “Chick,” was looking dapper at the Guilford Christmas Party in a tux by Joseph Abboud.

Knowing that I appreciate a well turned-out man, he and the host of the party, Sandy Cardin, wanted to make sure I saw their cufflinks.

Chick’s were little gold knots, and Sandy’s were sapphire-like balls surrounding a diamond cross.

At the opening of R House, the great new food hall in Remington, I spotted a gal after my own heart – Elizabeth Moorhouse, who was clad head to toe in what I immediately recognized were clothes by one of my favorite online shops: Pin Up Girl Clothing, or PUG for short. “That’s the Jenny Skirt,” I cried, “in the Italian Landscape Print!” Yes, indeed, along with the Bardot Top in blue and white stripes, a cinched black patent belt, and black-and-white ‘40s-style oxford pumps. I do love a retro look.

Lisa Dina was positively resplendent in a bright orange maxi dress with sequins on the bodice…

…a dress she bought in her native Cameroon. She lit up the restaurant, Grano Emporio in Hampden.

Finally, I spent a glorious couple of hours in the bowels of the Maryland Historical Society, oohing and aahing over just a few of the thousands of articles of clothing in its vast Costume Collection. (Lemme tell ya, FIT and the Costume Institute at the Met have nothin’ on us!) Showing me around was Registrar Allison Tolman, who is lucky enough to handle these precious items, which date from the 18th century to the 1960s and include famous outfits that belonged to the Duchess of Windsor and garments made by Maryland’s own Claire McCardell. Allie herself was wearing more contemporary garb, a green dress by Maeve. That yellow ensemble behind her is one of the Duchess’s custom-made Diors. (More pix from that afternoon coming in a future column.)
Some of the extraordinary pieces in the museum’s collection will be on display at the MDHS’s big bash in March at the Lord Baltimore Hotel. Called “Heirloom to Haute,” the formal, black-tie gala will feature dinner, dancing, auctions, and a chance to win fashions created especially for the event by some of Baltimore’s most talented designers. I’ll be telling you more about it in the coming months. In the meantime, put it on your calendars: Saturday, March 25, 2017.