Crystal Couture is always free to attend and shop amazing designer discounts, but bargain-savvy shoppers can upgrade to the Crystal Couture VIP ticket for an enhanced show and sale experience.
Ticket holders receive an exclusive VIP gift bag, $20 of Couture Cash to spend at any retailer at Crystal Couture, and access to an open bar serving beer and wine (valid during VIP hours on Saturday from 2-6 p.m. only).
The Crystal Couture VIP ticket is $20 online and $25 at the door (if available), but through today’s ARLnow Deal of the Day, you can get a ticket for your shopping buddy, spouse, or partner for FREE with the purchase of your own ticket.
Be sure to purchase your tickets now — this deal is only available through Friday evening!
Note: VIP status is only valid during VIP hours on Saturday, February 4 from 2-6 p.m. VIP status is not required to attend and shop during VIP hours.
Athleisure retailer Lululemon has quietly opened a “seasonal” store in the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City mall.
The Canadian yoga pants purveyor’s new, apparently temporary location is on the second level of the mall, above the food court. The store will be holding a grand opening celebration this weekend.
“The window wraps are down and we are thrilled to be joining the Pentagon City community for the holidays,” says a Facebook page for the grand opening. “Whether you need advice on the best wear to support your winter adventures and sweaty pursuits, or simply need to take a few deep breathes during your holiday shopping, our doors are O P E N.”
Lululemon has an existing, permanent location in Clarendon.
Hat tip to @AlexWestEndRes
Lubber Run Community Center Redevelopment — With voter approval of a “community infrastructure” bond that funds it, work is set to proceed on the redevelopment of the Lubber Run Community Center. Design work on the new four-story, $47 million facility will wrap up next year. Construction is expected to take place in 2018. [InsideNova]
Arlington to Keep One of the Last Kenneth Cole Stores — Kenneth Cole is closing 63 stores in the U.S. to concentrate on online and international operations. One of the fashion house’s two U.S. locations to remain open indefinitely: the store in the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City mall. [Bloomberg]
TransitScreen Expands to Coworking Spaces — TransitScreen, which was founded in Arlington in 2013, is expanding its presence from apartment buildings to coworking offices. The creator of screens that show the schedules of various transit options — including buses, trains and Uber vehicles — has announced that it has struck a deal with another Arlington-founded company: MakeOffices. [Bisnow]
AED to Host ‘Arlington Premiere’ — Arlington Economic Development is continuing its outreach to startup businesses. Next month AED will be hosting an event called “Arlington Premiere,” which is billed as “an exclusive reception welcoming new businesses to Arlington County.” The event will take place in Crystal City and will include networking opportunities for business owners. [Arlington Economic Development]
Cat Stuck in Tree — The Arlington County Fire Department was called last night for a cat that was stuck in a tree. Yes, that does actually happen. [Twitter]
A pair of long-time local stores are either closing or have already closed at the Lee Heights Shops on Lee Highway.
Bradshaw’s Children’s Shoes (4532 Lee Highway) is holding a going-out-of-business sale, offering 20-50 percent off remaining merchandise.
The owners, who are in their 70s, said that they’re closing the store because they’re retiring, but also cited rising rents and competition from online retailers and big box stores like Target.
According to the store’s website, Bradshaw’s is “one of the nation’s oldest shoe stores” and has been “serving Northern Virginia continuously since 1834.”
The store was the source of an unusual police dispatch earlier this year, after a drunk woman reportedly walked into the store holding an open bottle of wine, demanding adult shoes and refusing to leave.
Another Lee Heights store, meanwhile, has already closed.
Lemon Twist (4517 Lee Highway), which sold women’s clothing and accessories from brands like Lilly Pulitzer and Vineyard Vines, has closed but, according to a sign, will be reopening under new ownership.
“Lemon Twist Arlington will be reopening soon with a new name, ownership and look,” says a sign posted on the door. “Stay tuned for more information and an opening date for Lemoncello Boutique, Women & Children’s Apparel and Gifts!”
The store, part of a small retail fashion chain, opened on Lee Highway in the late 1980s, according to Arlington Magazine.
A pair of stores are coming to a couple of once-vacant storefronts on Pentagon Row.
Express Jewelers is moving from the under-construction Ballston Common Mall to the former Pacers space at 1101 S. Joyce Street.
The store offers “fine jewelry, watches, jewelry repair, watch repair, battery and band replacement, custom-designed jewelry, restringing, appraisals and eyeglass frame repair.” It is “getting close” to opening, according to a Facebook post.
Next door, a menswear and tuxedo rental store is coming to the former Denim Bar space, according to a tipster who chatted up the owner over the weekend. That store may open as soon as mid-month, we’re told.
The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City has a new fashion retailer.
Altar’d State, a faith-based retailer of boho-chic women’s clothing, opened this week on the first level of the mall, not far from its main S. Hayes Street entrance.
In a press release, below, the store is described as “a place of respite for the modern-day woman and offers a distinctive shopping experience with the latest fashion finds, the most sought after accessories and delightful home décor.” As a company, Altar’d State emphasizes its giving to charitable causes with the slogan “Stand Out. For Good.”
Altar’d State, an inspiring women’s boutique, is opening at Fashion Centre at Pentagon City at the end of July. This site will mark the 73rd store and the first location in the Arlington community for the growing retail chain.
Altar’d State is a place of respite for the modern-day woman and offers a distinctive shopping experience with the latest fashion finds, the most sought after accessories and delightful home décor. Altar’d State’s breath-taking interiors seek to inspire guests as they shop and provide them with a place of rejuvenation from their daily stressors.
Altar’d State’s popularity is growing not only for its trend setting apparel and inspiring retail design, but also for its emphasis on giving back to charitable organizations locally and globally. Every Monday is Mission Monday, where 10% of Monday’s net proceeds are donated to a local nonprofit charity selected by the store associates. During the months of July and August, Altar’d State at Fashion Centre at Pentagon City will be supporting a charity that focuses on “Pet Pals”. The company encourages associates to get involved in charitable missions through paid volunteer hours and also sponsors children in impoverished areas around the world. The sponsorship provides children with clothing, nutritious meals, education, shelter, healthcare and counseling support to help them rise up and out of poverty. Altar’d State focuses on giving back by seeking out vendor partners who share their giving philosophy.
Arlington shoppers can feel good about their purchases by knowing they are helping those in need in their home town and on a global scale.
“The give-back mission isn’t just what we do, it’s who we are,” comments Aaron Walters, Chairman and CEO. “From the very beginning, our mission has been to help the less fortunate. For Altar’d State, a new store means a new community in which we can have a positive impact.”
Altar’d State also offers an online retail store found at www.altardstate.com.
For employment opportunities, please visit www.altardstate.com/careers.
Photo via Facebook
If there’s an article of footwear more ubiquitous than the famous brown flip flop in Arlington, it’s the boat shoe.
Come summertime, boat shoes abound, on the feet of both men and women.
But given this week’s warm weather, we were wondering when the appropriate time is to dust off one’s boat shoes and begin wearing them around town.
What’s your boat shoe rule?
The 2016 Crystal Couture fashion show and boutique sale is underway in Crystal City.
This year, the show is taking place at the Crystal City Shops at 1750 Crystal Drive. It features models walking the runway, sporting cutting edge fashions from local designers. There’s also music from DJ Neekola, a bar with beer and wine, and pop-up shops from designers and retailers.
Above are some photos from Thursday night’s event.
Crystal Couture will be taking place Friday from 6-10 p.m., with television’s Paul Wharton hosting, and Saturday from 2-10 p.m., with 94.7 Fresh FM’s Tommy McFly hosting. Local media personality Sarah Fraser hosted on Thursday.
(Fraser will also be hosting ARLnow.com’s conversation with new County Board members Katie Cristol and Christian Dorsey next week.)
Saturday’s event includes the option for indulging in a VIP experience.
Disclosure: Crystal Couture host Crystal City BID is an ARLnow.com advertiser.
The annual Crystal Couture fashion show and sale is scheduled to return the first weekend of February for its eighth consecutive event.
This year’s show will be held from Feb. 4-6, taking place from 6-10 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and from 2-10 p.m. on Saturday.
The “360 degree immersive shopping experience” will be held at the Crystal City shops at 1750 Crystal City Drive.
The event is a combined fashion show and fashion pop-up sale, bringing together upwards of 50 boutiques, designers and retailers from throughout the metro area. Shoppers will be able to purchase discounted merchandise from these vendors both off the rack and off the runway.
Attendees can also enjoy drinks from the bar, music, complimentary 5-minute makeovers — makeup and hair — and the opportunity to meet local fashion consultants.
While admission is free all three days of the show and sale, shoppers can upgrade to the “VIP Experience” for $20 per person. The experience will last from 2-6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6 and will include gift bags, access to three hours of VIP shopping, an open bar and $20 of “Couture Cash” to spend at any retailer.
Applications for interested retailers, models and beauty team members are now being accepted in preparation for the event.
File photo
Arlington Ranks High for Income Mobility — According to a new study, Arlington County is a very good place to grow up in terms of income mobility for children in poor families. Arlington ranks better than 81 percent of all counties in ensuring that poor children grow up to make more income than their peers in other parts of the country. On average, poor kids from Arlington will make $2,930 more per year at age 26 than poor kids from an average U.S. county. The story is different for girls from wealthy families in Arlington, who typically will earn less than their peers in other counties. By contrast, boys from rich families are in the national top 1 percent in terms of earning more than their born-wealthy peers. [New York Times]
Yorktown Soccer Rolls Stuart — The Yorktown girls’ soccer team beat Stuart on Monday 3-1 to improve their unbeaten record to 9-0-3. The Patriots’ opponents have scored only 5 goals over the past 9 games. [Washington Post]
Photos: Marymount Fashion Show — Fashion design students from Marymount University held their annual Portfolio in Motion show last week. [InsideNova]
Flickr pool photo by @TheBeltWalk
A new sunglasses store is getting ready to open in the Pentagon Row shopping district in Pentagon City.
Specs New York, which sells designer sunglasses and has locations in New York City, Montgomery Mall and Springfield, Va., is occupying a small, standalone space along S. Joyce Street. The shop carries brands like Ray Ban, Luxottica and Oliver Peoples.
The store appears just about ready to open, but it’s unclear when an opening date will be. A call placed to Specs New York’s corporate number in New York was not answered, and the voicemail system “is not set up,” according to the recording.
The boutique’s website lists the Arlington store as “coming soon,” but says it’s opening up in the nearby Fashion Centre at Pentagon City mall.
