Sep 13, 20234 min read

Look Live Stylish 'In The City' Recap

Updated: Sep 27, 2023

It came to me in a dream that 2023 would be my year to do something impactful to make a difference in my life. I am a natural visionary with big dreams and passions beyond fashion.

I noticed throughout years of styling and wardrobing appointments that my clients would ask for my opinion about hair stylists, restaurants, beauty regimens, home decor, ect. I found that people spend several hours researching online and shifting through reviews but still needing to ask someone they trust for their personal recommendations. I’ve come to realize it’s not just about fashion - it’s lifestyle.

How you look reflects how you live and vice versa.

So in 2019, with the help of my late husband, Col. John H. McPhaul Jr., we created Look Live Stylish LLC to fulfill my goal of becoming a Lifestyle Concierge in addition to a Personal Stylist.

On August 27, 2023 I held my brand launch event at Fathom Gallery in Georgetown.

‘Look Live Stylish “In the City”: An evening to Sip, Shop, and Showcase all things stylish.

When planning my brand launch event, I wanted it to reflect my style and be one I would personally love to attend. I wanted to create a memorable experience in terms of music, healthy food, signature drinks, fabulous designers, and good vibes.

I reached out to the owners of Fathom Gallery, Meg and Emily, and scheduled an official walk through - three things that stood out that I loved about the venue:

white modern aesthetics
high ceilings
clean bathrooms

I took a leap of faith by signing the contract so early in the planning process. I wanted to use the name of my business as part of the event title. I thought it would be fun to add “In the City” (to spin off of “Sex and the City” - one of my favorite shows!) since it was in Georgetown.

I envisioned window shopping and recreating a street with my curated list of small businesses that I personally use, love, and trust.

My brand color is tangerine orange, and I decided to add fuchsia, black and white to the color palette to compliment it. I knew I wanted a wall backdrop done and I trusted that Garrette (owner/designer of @brightlyeverafter) would be able to execute my vision since I’ve used her at two of my previous events and love her work! My idea was to have a mirror wall with my business name on it. So often, people walk past their reflection when walking through the city and stop to take a picture. I thought recreating that aesthetic would encourage guests to take pictures and that it would be a creative way to get my brand’s name out.

Garrette collaborated with another one of my favorite interior designers, Janice Harvey, owner of Janice Harvey Designs (@janiceharveydesigns). They knew my style and worked fabulously together!

I created 5 signature drinks for the event - Fashionista French 75, LLS Spritz, Express yourself Martini, In the City Cosmo, and Glam Rita - and booked Chanel, (@Trapcellist) R&B instrumentalist, for music during the event.

At the same time, I was being vetted to become an independent stylist affiliate with Veronica Beard, Alice+Olivia, and Vince. I was so excited when I got approved! I would be able to use this event to showcase my new partnerships in addition to already being an independent Stylist with Nordstrom.

I started creating my list of who I would love to participate in the showcase. Again I

wanted to tie together lifestyle: clothing, makeup, hair, skin care, fitness, art. The first person I reached out to was Kelly Lottahall (@kellylottahall). I am absolutely obsessed with pieces and own several of them personally. I was excited to have her art showcased on the gallery walls. Next, I confirmed my makeup artist Letitia (@letbeauty) and hairstylist, Ty (@tymichele). Germaine (@beautybygermiane), owner of The Red Bloom, was perfect to check off the skin and spa category. Dr. Nicole Singletary, was available to showcase her business, VIM Chiro & Wellness Center (@vimchiro). I definitely wanted fitness to be represented, so I invited Roger Mack, owner of Optimum Sport and Fitness (@optimumsportsandfitness) gym, where I have been training at for the past few months.

Using my new partnerships, I wanted to hold an informal fashion show with the fall collections from Alice + Olivia and Vince as well. I was glad to be able to include my Nordstrom Fam, Ginger and Roberto, Ambassadors for Tom Ford and Brunello Cucinelli, who also agreed to showcase their Fall collections. The event was perfect timing, at the end of the summer and right before Fashion Week.

Alice + Olivia has amazing faux and real leather pieces with feminine touches and I love their modern and edgy styles. They gifted me the dress I wore to the event - Love!

Vince has been my go-to for decades for luxurious layering pieces, outerwear, and essentials for men and women. I especially love their shearling and satin slip dresses!

Brunello Cucinello is timeless and elegant. I love their textiles and neutral palette - Especially their accessories!

Tom Ford is stunning! I love his shoes and his clean, sexy silhouettes.

My style has always been modern, chic, and edgy with a little sex appeal. I was so glad to have my style represented through these designers.

Memorable moments:

Exclusive offers only at the event from Alice + Olivia & Vince
Raffle for gift cards from Great American Restaurants, Veronica Beard, Fairfax Brows, and Vince Sweater
Award given to guests with the “Best City Glam”, “Glamorous in the City”, and “Sir City Chic”