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When I started my blog in October, one of my goals was to showcase iconic and historically significant places around Baltimore. It was kismet that through the course of helping plan a national leadership conference for AIGA, the professional association for design, I was connected with the Lord Baltimore Hotel.
My journey with AIGA Baltimore, the organization’s local chapter, began as soon as I moved to the city five years ago. I’m passionate about meeting new people, and after attending my first AIGA event, I quickly became involved as a member of the chapter board. What followed was four years spent working with some of the most talented, visionary people I’ve ever met. I’ve had the honor of planning workshops with renowned designers like Ellen Lupton, training in design thinking techniques with IBM’s facilitation team in Austin, TX, and mentoring brilliant board members to achieve leadership potential they didn’t immediately recognize in themselves.
One of my big goals as president of the board before my term ended in June 2017 was to host the annual AIGA leadership conference here in Baltimore. It felt like such an achievement when, after some fierce competition from AIGA’s other 72 national chapters, our chapter was awarded the position! The conference brings in about 300 attendees – select board members and task force leaders from around the country, as well as the national board, partners, and sponsors. The conference starts tomorrow, and it’s so thrilling to know that that this week, so many of my favorite creatives will be right here in town this week, staying at the Lord Baltimore Hotel!
Without further ado, here’s more on the hotel and the looks – thank you to photographer Icy Li for collaborating with me on this shoot!
Built in 1928 by acclaimed architect William Lee Stoddart, the Lord Baltimore Hotel is one of the city’s grand historic hotels. Renovated in 2013, the hotel has been painstakingly restored with details that honor its storied past – from the engraved brass elevators, to the delicate molding on the lobby ceiling. The hotel has 23 floors including a grand ballroom and a delightful rooftop bar, The LB Skybar. However, the hotel’s crown jewel is The French Kitchen, the property’s restaurant done up in the Versailles style with high ceilings and windows, and a fun teal, blue, and gold color scheme.
For this Audrey Hepburn inspired shoot, I chose two looks that suggest a classic vintage style without being too derivative of any specific outfit. The over-sized white oxford from Everlane was just different enough from a classic white shirt that it added unexpected volume when layered over silk houndstooth cropped pants. I accessorized it with beautiful black stiletto pumps with mesh cutouts from M. Gemi. It felt like the right classic foil for the open French Kitchen space – classic with a twist.
Shirt | Everlane Japanese oxford square shirt Pants | J. Crew collection printed silk cigarette pants
Heels | M. Gemi Nube pumps in black – sold out, but their Esatto pumps are also lovely – use my referral link for $50 off your order!
Shop the Look
The second look featured a black dress in wool-silk twill that I had altered from a tea-length A-line midi-dress. While beautiful, the proportions of the original silhouette were too heavy to do anything for my petite frame. I had my tailor Anna take it in to a simple pencil skirt silhouette, which is much more flattering on me. I paired the new dress with a 1950s wide-brimmed vintage hat with a velvet ribbon from my favorite vintage store, Polly Sue’s in downtown Takoma Park. A double-strand pearl necklace rented from Rent the Runway was the finishing touch.
Hat | Vintage, from Polly Sue’s in Takoma Park, MD Necklace | Kenneth Jay Lane via Rent the Runway
Shop Similar Dresses
I hope these two looks demonstrate how vintage looks can get a modern update – after all, classic never goes out of style.
I’m also beyond excited that our year-long planning is coming to fruition this week and that the AIGA Lead by Design conference begins tomorrow. If you see crowds of energetic designers roaming around the city this week, stop us and say hi!
