Butler & Claypool Is As Cool As Ice…

Be sure to check out all 26 of our photographs from this event HERE!

U STREET -- Since it first opened its doors in December 2010, the V Street retreat adjacent to the 9:30 Club known as American Ice Co. has seen a steady stream of U Street’s finest stream through its doors. And Saturday afternoon was no exception as the neighborhood bar/BBQ joint temporarily transformed into a pop-up vintage thrift store for a special preview party hosted by Butler & Claypool.

Originally founded by Washington Post columnist Holly Thomas and DOL analyst Krista Haywood, Butler & Claypool’s self-described mission is to “provide a highly curated shopping experience that merges fashion with art, music, food and creative instruction.”

The collective has since grown to include U.S. Royalty guitarist Paul Thornley, the Corcoran Gallery of Art’s Kristin Guiter and Rachel Cothran (also of Project Beltway blogging fame), and Fashion Is Spinach writer-cum-Ogilvy social media expert Betsy Lowther as fellow contributors.

(L-R) Rachel Cothran, Holly Thomas, Betsy Lowther, and Krista Haywood.
Saturday’s gathering was the group’s first formal event and a way of introducing themselves to the greater Washington community. Attendees were invited to browse a sea of well-stocked racks and tables chock full of vintage clothing and accessories for both men and women alike.

Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, the menswear section was the first to be picked clean by the District’s most fashionable bargain seekers – thanks in no small part to a well-timed Urban Daddy mention (D.C. editor Jeff Dufour is a B&C fan).

Stylish bargain seekers...
In between browsing and buying, guests were free to enjoy signature hot toddies (special B&C mix) while talking with the hosts and friends. And a relaxed soundtrack ensured that everyone was loathe to leave despite the Saturday night ahead.

Butler & Claypool, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship…

Hot toddies even Usher would want to sip!

Be sure to check out all 26 of our photographs from this event HERE!