Our nation's capital has never been home to the most forward thinking of fashionistas. Power suits remain "en vogue" and it isn't atypical to see shoulder pads on otherwise rational well educated women.
Thus Washington fashion is a scene dominated by the two Annes: Anne Klein and Ann Taylor. American sportswear is apparently an "Ann" thing.
Thus today when Anne Klein announced Isabel Toledo as the new Creative Director of the Anne Klein Designer Collection it seems that Washington fashion might get shook up after all these years.
You see Ms Toledo is a classic designer but with a twist drawing inspiration from her husband Ruben's sculpture work. According to a retrospective at Kent State Ms Toledo is rather far from Anne Klein territory.
Strong shapes are a Toledo trademark. Ruben sculpts bizarre anthropomorphic figures. Isabel uses cloth to emulate a fantastic variety of creatures. Their search for plasticity and volume ranges over the entire natural world.
One of Toledo's signature pieces is the cocoon jacket
which will surely be an interesting piece to see on Washington women.
Can anyone imagine Condi Rice wearing structural pieces with volume that both hide and highlight the body? I guess a new kind of fashion armour is coming to town. Bravo Anne Klein for being so daring. The beltway may never be the same.