A Passion for Fashion

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Lindsay Kin wearing a vintage Bob Mackie © Tony Powell

Sunday’s fashion shoot at Meridian Hill Park and later – 35th & Reservoir in Georgetown –  was like a dream come true. I never really thought I’d be able to assemble a first-rate group of hair and makeup artists, or work with models and designers that I admire without having deep pockets or Leibovitz as a last name. But with lots of honest hard work and plenty of gentle begging I was able to do just that.

Andrew Paterini wearing Andrew Nowell and Stefanie Ball in a gown by Carmen Marc Valvo © Tony Powell

Stefanie Ball and Andrew Paterini © Tony Powell

With my website launching on my birthday – November 14th – I needed one more photo shoot to complete my fashion gallery (for the time being) in time for the launch. My good friends Susanna Quinn and Lily Mazahery were gracious enough to lend me current and vintage couture dresses from their personal collections just for this photo shoot. With dresses by Vera Wang, Nicole Miller, Bob Mackie, and Carmen Marc Valvo, I was entrusted with clothing worth tens of thousands of dollars.

Lindsay Kin, Brooke Monahan, and Courtney Caldwell © Tony Powell

The hair and makeup team for this shoot were all new to me but it felt like we’ve been together from the start.

Lindsay Kin wearing Nicole Miller, Andrew Paterini, and Brooke Monahan in vintage Vera Wang © Tony Powell

I saw Shana Janelle Swain‘s makeup before I ever met her, at a fashion show I photographed at K Street Lounge over the summer. Eduardo Bravo is a very popular hairstylist in Georgetown, and hair & makeup artist Myken Garcia was introduced to me by styling wunderkind James Cornwell backstage after the Fashion Fights Poverty (FFP) runway show last Friday night! One of the most talented and kind people I know, clothing stylist Anais de Viel Castel, agreed to help me bring the clothes to life. We started at Washington Life at the exact same time 3 years ago and have been friends ever since!

Crystal Hannon wearing a dress by Studio D Maxsi © Tony Powell

Two other meaningful things happened that night, at FFP. When I saw through my lens, model Lindsay Kin, walk down that runway in the  Chinese Ballroom of the Mayflower Hotel, I knew right away I had to work with her. She was wearing clothes by Studio D Maxsi, and as soon as that set was over I left my camera (something I never do) to race back to meet both model and designer before being swallowed up by the next wave of outfits and models to go out on the runway. I had been waiting to meet the right model to wear the red Bob Mackie dress that leads this posting. When I met Lindsay I knew she was the one. She was kind enough to oblige and I can say that never has an idea in my mind been so easily transferred to the real World. I almost didn’t go the runway show that night…the organizers were very busy and I didn’t know if I had place from which to shoot. That’s the beauty of staying open, of moving towards fear, not running away from it. I went that night despite the fear I wouldn’t have a place to get a good shot. It turns out that FFP founders Sylvie Luanghy and Kadrieka Maiden not only had a place for me, it was the best center spot in the house…and I almost stayed at home.

Courtney Caldwell © Tony Powell

Andrew Paterini © Tony Powell

Juilliard, Hapmudo, and The Dinner Party

Sophomore year at Juilliard - I'm bottom right between Stacy Aswad and Maggie Pihl Pelton photo from the collection of Scott Warren Sharff

I was reminded of my college years last night when I managed to make it to 3 events in a row. As a student at Juilliard, in New York City, going to multiple performances was an almost nightly occurrence. I remember darting out from the Joyce Theater, having just seen Nikolais/Louis to make it up to NY State Theater in time to catch the last half of a City Ballet performance. Or hearing a percussion ensemble work by Steve Reich at Manhattan School of Music and trying to then make the curtain of Alvin Ailey at City Center. The only difference is we didn’t have cars then…it was the 1, 2, 3, A, C, B, D, 4, 5, or 6.

Amy Rydell

It wasn’t until Amy Rydell, my best friend at the time and daughter of  ”On Golden Pond” director, Mark Rydell, came along in my senior year, that I learned to take cabs and the bus. Very civilized modes of transportation indeed.

Anne Meara

Barbara Barrie

We used to see Ben Stiller’s comedienne mama Anne Meara on the bus as well as actress Barbara Barrie. I miss those days when there seemed to be more time for public transportation, but it would have taken over an hour and a half last night and 3 different buses to get to The Palisades area of DC from where I live in Maryland, to Key Elementary School, at the invitation of Kevin Roots, to learn more about Hapmudo, a system of self-defense based on fundamental offensive and defensive techniques taught there by Grand Master Yong Sung Lee. Originally from Seoul, South Korea, Grandmaster Lee came with his family to the United States in the 1970’s. After many years of teaching in Korea and the United States, Grandmaster Lee opened his own Studio on September 15, 1983. I didn’t know what to expect, but as I walked in I recognized a familiar face, Global Village publisher Matt Davis, and a few minutes later, another, Lily Mazahery. I’d studied some forms of kung-fu growing up but this was something wholly different in it’s approach.

Hapmudo is based on the theory of circular defense as opposed to direct defense. Direct defense may cause injury and may be unsuccessful against greater power whereas Hapmudo’s circular defense requires little power but much knowledge and skill. These delicate techniques will overcome brute force almost always.

The meaning of the word Hapmudo is “the way to combine mind and body power for World Peace”

Hapmudo is a complete Martial Art where you receive a full and well-rounded Martial Arts education. You will learn the Mental and Spiritual benefits of the Martial Arts as well as training in the Physical aspects. It is also includes training in 72 weapons starting with the nunchaku, staff, sword, fan, cane, rope, knife, etc.

For more information about Hapmudo instruction visit the studio’s website here.

HAP To combine, harmony mind and body • MU All Martial Arts • DO The way of, method of study

Grand Master Yong Sung Lee throwing two opponents © Tony Powell

Grand Master Yong Sung Lee teaching Matt Davis and Kevin Roots how to use "empty hands against empty hands" © Tony Powell

The drive from the Palisades over to the DC Arts Center in Adam’s Morgan wasn’t bad at all. I couldn’t help but think of the destruction caused by the fire that gutted the home of Peggy Cooper Cafritz as I passed Chain Bridge Road where Loughboro Rd. turns into Nebraska Ave. I drove by there the other day and couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

I’d never been to the DCAC but I promised dancer and long-time friend Sylvana Sandoz that I would come watch her solo – one of five – that was being presented there as part of Field Work for Mixed Disciplines: Works in Progress. The literal definition of a black box theater, the DCAC is one of the most intimate venues for live performance I’ve ever seen. The Field/DC  and the Dinner Party, the monthly performance series of experimental dance, music, and performance art, is organized by Ilana Silverstein, who also contributed a solo.

5 Soloists © Tony Powell

All of the photos from this performance can be seen at: www.tonypowell.smugmug.com

Since I’m photographing the work of the brilliant modern dancer and choreographer Molissa Fenley at the Judson Church in New York City very soon, I seized the opportunity that this performance provided to get in some practice shooting in extremely low light. Some of my favorite people in the DC dance community were there: dance critics Carmel Morgan and George Jackson (one of my first champions), choreographer Nancy Havlik (I’m on her board), dancer/choreographers Boris Willis and Laura Schandelmeier, and arts blogger Ellen Chenoweth.

Delphina Parenti © Tony Powell

Tie One On for MenzFit!

Check out all the photos at: www.tonypowell.smugmug.com

Ebong Eka and Rhonda Willingham © Tony Powell

Whenever Erika Gutierrez and Paul Wharton get behind a cause the crowds will appear. Such was the case last night at Donovan House, where a melange of DC life came together to raise money for one of my favorite non-profits, MenzFit. Founded by Rhonda Willingham in 2001, the organization was started with a relatively simple idea: Give a suit and a start to low income men. Over 3,000 clients – laid off workers, ex offenders, homeless, recovering substance abusers, the disabled, public assistance recipients and veterans – have benefited from Willingham’s efforts in Washington, DC and now a second office in Philadelphia. The concept has expanded from simply providing professional interview clothing to offering career development and financial literacy services. The eclectic crowd around the rooftop pool last night included Host Committee members LaVar and Trish Arrington, Ebong Eka, Carlos Gutierrez Jr., Nicole Siobal, Fletcher Gill, Wright Sigmund, and Anna VanMeter. Also spotted in the crowd: Mary Barth, Anna Kimsey, Omar Popal, Will Thomas, Andrew Noyes, Seyhan Duru, Lily Mazahery, Matt Landsberg, Christina Martin, Erwin Gomez, and Mary Amons.

Mary Amons, Paul Wharton, Will Thomas © Tony Powell

Erika Gutierrez and Fletcher Gill © Tony Powell

© Tony Powell

Nicole Siobal and Christina Chan © Tony Powell

© Tony Powell

© Tony Powell

Nicole Siobal and friend © tony Powell

© Tony Powell

Ebong Eka and Rhonda Willingham © Tony Powell

Mary Amons, Paul Wharton, Will Thomas © Tony Powell

Erika Gutierrez and Fletcher Gill © Tony Powell