For the People, By the People

Big news: we opened our very first store in Washington, D.C. We couldn’t be happier to have a real live store in the city we call home. One of the defining features of the new space is an epic gallery wall with pieces that will be rotated throughout the year. For the first version, we asked for the community’s help to contribute items that would reflect the singularity of the city, past and present.

The people showed up! We received dozens and dozens of submissions with everything from vintage photographs to White House party invitations. It was difficult to narrow down, but we think we (all!) created something special that everyone can feel a part of. We thought we’d share some highlights from a wall for the people, by the people.

 

 

 

 

“They wanted to be part of the movement.” Ginger Noce and her family joined the celebration on June 27, 2015, the day after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage. Love won.

  

  

 

“It can be such a serious town that it’s fun to laugh across the aisle.” Alexa Turner sent in illustrated coasters from Off the Record, the cocktail bar at The Hay-Adams hotel, where people from all political leanings can find something in common—hilarious caricatures underneath their drinks.

  

  

 

“I don’t really have any connection to the Pope. I mean, I dated a lot of Catholic guys?” Ellen Mitchell recalls when Pope Francis came to D.C. and they printed his picture on SmarTrip metro cards.

  

  

 

“At one point Mrs. Obama was dancing with Chewbacca. But no one else was dancing.” Jeremy Stillman attended the Obama administration’s first Halloween party at the White House in 2009. They packed a lot into a one-hour party—Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland, Chewbacca, and the President (in jeans and a sweater).

  

  

 

“There’s a new electricity around the team.” Tessa Muggeridge is a reporter at the Washington Post and a Capitals hockey fan. The day after the team won the Stanley Cup in 2018, she requested the printing plate from the press to commemorate the moment.

  

  

 

“You’d get mocked ruthlessly if you ever tried to show up with a pre-tied bow tie.” The uniforms at The Tombs, a Georgetown University haunt, consist of a pastel button down shirt and a bow tie (self tied). As a former “Top Gun” server, Celeste Scott trained employees on how to properly wear the most important part of the look.