The CMD Blog
Sharing stories that excite. Follow along as we interview and discuss the trendsetters and tastemakers, one-of-a-kind events, and business developments that you should know about, from our unique perspective. Have we piqued your interest?
The Healing Power of Halotherapy with Woodhouse Spa - Gainesville
By: Connor Duszynski
“The more relaxed you can get, the better you’ll do.” - Isaac Mizrahi
I’ve had a lot on my plate lately. Some people I know might say that I’ve had too much on my plate, in fact. It’s not that life has become unmanageable by any means, but simply that, at times, life can be stressful. Whether it’s family matters on your mind, social obligations knocking at your door, work responsibilities piling up, or even just dealing with the overwhelming local DMV traffic (you know if you know), life has a way of coming at us from all angles. I have a feeling you can relate. What I’ve come to realize is that not only is it a nice treat to give yourself some much-needed R&R, but that it is essential. The best preventative measure for burnout at work and in your social circles might just be a relaxing spa day.
While there’s a number of good options in and around Northern Virginia, there’s no local establishment I would more quickly book an appointment at than Woodhouse Spa - Gainesville. Not only is the staff kind, courteous, and attentive, the facility pristine and calming, but the Spa’s services leave you feeling reborn. Treating yourself has truly never been easier. Among the many treatments I cherish from the Woodhouse Spa’s Gainesville team, I especially love the new Halotherapy Treatment. Pulling from concepts like ergonomics, human engineering, and kinesthesiology, Halotherapy is a holistic treatment with a wide range of benefits. From increasing respiration and oxygen flow, treating skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis to relieving stress and tension in your body, Halotherapy is not just another momentary trend. For guests in need of medical benefits and the healing properties of Halotherapy, I would recommend booking a session at Woodhouse Spa - Gainesville’s Active Salt Room.
In case you aren’t already aware, Halotherapy is salt therapy. If you frequent any number of spas, resorts, or fitness centers, you’ve likely seen the glowing salt beds, bricks, booths, tiles, and tables. They’re hard to miss. I find that whenever I’m near a salt panel, I’m instantly drawn to it. Something about the warm light of the panels always relaxes me. According to Woodhouse Spa - Gainesville Co-Owner Colleen Quintana, this isn’t surprising. “Halotherapy inherently promotes relaxation,” she says. “It’s considered to be a natural and safe alternative treatment for a number of health complications like lung problems, allergies, bronchitis, sinusitis, asthma, and COPD. We also have quite a few regular clients who come in for Halotherapy treatments to alleviate skin conditions and skin allergies in our Active Salt Room. It’s great for repairing skin cells and protecting your skin from signs of aging.” Had I known this information back when I was a teen, I’d have had a salt panel glued to my face for my acne.
While Halotherapy has become an increasingly popular treatment, what sets the treatment at Woodhouse Spa - Gainesville apart from the rest is a number of factors. Not only is the staff professional and attentive and the Spa itself immaculate, but the Gainesville team is passionate and dedicated to bringing life-changing treatments to our local community. “We are excited to offer our guests Dry Salt Therapy in our new Active Salt Room complete with our Halogenerator. Guests will be seated in one of our Zero-Gravity Lounge Chairs where they will sit back, relax, and breathe in the air infused with tiny salt particles for a forty-five minute session,” Colleen shares. That sounds like a heavenly forty-five minutes to me. The equipment of the Active Salt Room breaks down the salt into tiny particles which circulate throughout the air. Alternatively, Passive Salt Rooms do not utilize this machine to break down the salt, but rather are designed for relaxation and meditation as opposed to medical benefits. This is an important distinction for clients and guests of the Spa to consider depending on their unique needs and desired goals for treatment.
When asked about what they find to be the most fulfilling part of their work at Woodhouse Spa - Gainesville, Colleen and fellow Co-Owner and husband Walt Kuhn shared that they most cherish the ability to help and improve their clients’ lives. Throughout their travels both domestically and abroad, Walt and Colleen always ensure they’re within close proximity to a spa. As avid spa-goers, Walt and Colleen have come to learn their likes and dislikes from their own spa experiences, and aim to bring their expertise to Woodhouse Spa - Gainesville and the guests they serve.
The next time life’s stressors become overwhelming for you, I’d encourage you to consider making a trip to Woodhouse Spa - Gainesville. While it may seem like you’re ‘too busy’ to take some time off, that’s no excuse. Maintaining your wellbeing and health, particularly in this day and age we’re living in, has never been more important. With the help of the time-tested expertise of the Woodhouse Spa - Gainesville staff, optimized spa treatments, and healing benefits of their services, guests should expect to leave feeling renewed and empowered to tackle life’s obstacles. Unplugging, disconnecting, and being present with yourself for a moment might just be the key to changing the course of your day, your week, or even your life.
A special thanks to Walt, Colleen, and the Woodhouse Spa - Gainesville Team for having us! Photos and promotional assets courtesy of Woodhouse Spa - Gainesville.
Relishing in the Boutique Experience: Nancy Pearlstein Re-Introduces Menswear to the D.C. Scene
By: Connor Duszynski
Menswear is en vogue again. After the past few seasons having been heavily-dominated by womenswear, with notable collections from the likes of Daniel Roseberry’s Schiaparelli to Mugler, Dior, and just about every other well-established fashion house giving womenswear its time to shine, there is a shift occurring within the fashion landscape. Yet again, after the past three to four years of the fashion industry’s over-saturation of hyper-feminine silhouettes, women’s accessories, and traditionally-feminine ensembles, the shift is now favoring menswear and more androgynous looks. It’s no secret that it’s much more difficult to reinvent menswear, or at least make it more appealing and interesting to the eye, but that’s exactly what’s happening. The re-popularization of menswear is undoubtedly spearheaded by Demna Gvasalia, Thom Browne, Tom Ford, and few other fashion contemporaries who are making notable strides in men’s fashion. Exaggerated masculine silhouettes, the unforeseen return of bespoke suiting, and ever-present incorporation of repurposed materials are the contemporary trends propelling men’s fashion to the forefront of the industry’s discourse.
Taking note of this trend and the increasing market for menswear, D.C.’s acclaimed retailer and boutique owner, Nancy Pearlstein of relish boutique just re-introduced menswear to her space last week. On October 11th, Pearlstein hosted an exclusive launch of her boutique’s Menswear Collection, featuring the likes of Marni, Dries Van Noten, R13, Guidi, Sunspel, Mature Ha, Aspei, Chimala, Song For The Mute, ROA, Massimo Alba, Sacai, Undercover, LABO.ART, and Harris Wharf London. The launch signaled a return to the boutique’s roots, as Pearlstein has not featured menswear at relish for the past twenty-six years.
It was the most exciting push for menswear in D.C. this year, and perhaps within recent memory altogether. Pearlstein’s perfectly-curated collection showcased men’s basics and ready-to-wear items that would elevate any modern man’s wardrobe. A launch that was sorely-needed by the D.C. fashion scene, relish is providing a space for menswear to thrive. Decked out with bomber jackets, trendy dip-dyed shirts, stylish wool sweaters, and bold full-length coats, the relish space reestablished itself as the one-stop shop for men’s fashion in the city.
'In the two decades that have passed since we first did menswear at relish, a new generation of men have come of age with a hunger and appreciation for dressing with style and individuality,' says Nancy. 'Lately, men have been walking into the shop, begging us to carry clothes like we have for women, but I have resisted- gun shy to try again. Whether Covid got me thinking, or my love of menswear got the best of me, I finally relented.' I couldn’t be more glad that Nancy has made this move. This palpable hunger for individuality and stylish menswear had been simmering for far too long. It’s about time other boutiques in the city and the fashion world at-large follow suit and embrace the push for elevated men’s ensembles and styling.
Upon arriving at the relish space, guests were greeted with a full-service bar at the boutique’s entry, the perfect way to kick-off any launch. Prosecco in-hand, I made my way through the loft, admiring the womenswear on the main floor before making my way downstairs to the exclusive launch, only to be greeted in the stairwell by a fabulous array of meats, cheeses, and other charcuterie essentials on an expansive grazing table. Once downstairs, I was immediately drawn to the Marni pieces on-display. The fuzzy, vibrant crimson slippers and weathered mustard yellow biker jacket were must-have items for any fashionable man. These items, along with the other curated pieces of Pearlstein’s, are perfectly seasonal; as the cool air sets-in downtown, now is the perfect time to stop by relish.
Following the displays of ready-to-wear items, I was next drawn to the Dries Van Noten and Song For The Mute pieces, which I found to be the most exciting of the launch. The vibe of the night was energetic, vibrant, and welcoming. It was all the things that a fashion launch should be. It wasn’t uncomfortable or stuffy or trying to be what it wasn’t; the authenticity of the night, the company, and the space was invigorating. I was in great company, as the city’s most fashionable descended upon relish to celebrate a shared interest and genuine desire to see menswear find its footing once again in D.C. It was a moment. However, it was no surprise to me that the evening was such a successful launch, as the team behind the event was none other than TAA PR, the city’s premiere firm known for throwing the most fabulous and sought-after events in the city. I am grateful to their team, especially to owner Aba Bonney Kwawu for graciously having me. It was an honor and a pleasure to join them for a moment of celebrating elevated fashion and style.
It is Pearlstein’s hope that every client, fashion maven, and passerby has this same experience when shopping at relish. Through her influences of European elegance and effortless comfort, she conveys a feeling of sensibility and calm, all while providing shoppers with an elevated experience. 'Nancy put her experience and singular aesthetic sensibility to work and built relish women into a multi million-dollar business. Now she is putting that same energy, creativity and effort into relish menswear. With the philosophy of captivating the eye without overwhelming it, Nancy finds designers that are uniquely modern and relevant without sacrificing lasting quality and taste. In a 6000 square foot loft, housed in Cady’s Alley, relish has an inviting atmosphere and its knowledgeable staff is eager to introduce customers to a men’s collection that perfectly compliments its winning women’s aesthetic.' Simply put, the press release got it right. Not only was the event a quintessential relish experience, but the quality, artistry, and desirability of the new menswear perfectly compliments the brand’s well known women’s retailing, which Pearlstein has curated for the past several decades.
Moving forward, I’m excited to see which new labels will be featured in the relish loft, alongside the current sublime collection. It is my hope that more indie brands and overlooked designers are showcased that align with relish’s overall elevated brand. Pearlstein has already done a magnificent job of this, artfully incorporating small and well-established labels in her space. I am simply thrilled to see where it goes from here, and I would urge any man on the fence of embracing his individuality to dip his toe into the waters of self-expression and experimenting with fashion. That’s what it’s all about.
A special thanks to TAA PR and the Relish Team for having us! Promotional assets courtesy of Relish.
