Chloe Thompson

Temporium is housing nearly 20 different designers from now until Aug. 15.

Temporium: Open through mid-August

Temporium, a D.C. pop-up store, has officially caught my eye, for more than one reason.

 First, the designers are fabulously talented (and friendly!). I escaped the heat at 1300 H St. NE chatting with five of the featured artists, whose goods range from rad belts to funky earrings and trendy-meets-traditional looks. Second, I love that the space is funded by a $20,000 city grant (and some of the artists’ expected revenues), thanks to the genius of founder of the Pink Line Project, Philippa Hughes.

 “That’s all the city needed, someone to make it happen,” Hughes, who pitched the idea to city planning boards, modestly says. Designers are housed in the temporary space until Aug. 15. The former library got a new look with second-hand furniture and other found items—but I especially liked the wall perks, such as a painted bright yellow rubber duck. Hughes explains, grinning, “We wanted to keep the raw vibe.” It’s edgy and indeed raw, but there’s something for anyone willing to toe the line between classic and cutting-edge. (Oh, and there’s Wi-Fi available there, too.)

 Here’s what I found out:

 Designer Billy Johnson is as laid-back as they come, but has a clear-cut idea for his line, Transient. Johnson says, “It’s a fusion of past silhouettes and materials with my take on what the future will be.” The sampling (below) includes patterned vests, trousers and a gorgeous soft-as-butter leather jacket. Johnson takes customer’s measurements to send to his tailors, ensuring a perfect fit from his pieces. The androgynous colors—lots of gray, black and brown—ensure a win for both sexes. ($300 and up for most pieces.)

 Jon Wye’s fun demeanor lies in this photo:

 If a guy is going to pose in a pirate chef hat (yep, that he designed, $25), you know you’ve got a winner. Wye’s line is vibrant and energetic, which matches the D.C.-native’s personality. I love the belts (right), which start at $65. Wye designs them all, down to the buckle, and insists that everything be made in a tiny 250-square foot warehouse in D.C. Fun T-shirts, too ($29 and up). “Anytime someone wants to push the arts in the city, I’m there,” he says, before donning his fashionable chapeau.

 Derringer Friday is the brainchild of college buddies Lukas Smith and Scott Permar. They’re new to the D.C.-fashion scene (the line of fun ties and pocket squares began five months ago), but have a slew of events lined up to promote their wares. The ties (below) are trademarked with angled ends and different colored tails than the blades. Smith explains the vibe of the brand: “A lot of people think of ties as a dressy conservative item, and we don’t think of it that way. We try to never be too serious.” Mission accomplished, boys. (Ties, $100; pocket squares, $30)

 de*nada is no stranger to success, having been featured on The Today Show for ready-to-wear knit pieces, but Virginia Arrisueno is happy to show off her merch at Temporium. Arrisueno chooses classic, timeless colors—explaining the onslaught of grays, ivories and blacks, but I like the splash of purple and army green that’s in there, too. She explains she’s excited for Temporium, “so I can get feedback on my work and grow and expand my collection.”  Arrisueno, modeling her favorite scarf is on the left, and some of her pieces on display ($26-$58).

 Artistic Aya (designer Dana Ayanna Greaves) wowed me with adorable purses—a new addition to the line. Along with those, she shows me fun necklaces with handcrafted paper (you read that right, paper) beads that, laughing, she says “will definitely hold up in bad weather.” Greaves, who travels often, touts her accessories and clothes as “multicultural, one-of-a-kind pieces for globetrotters.” Greaves shows us one of her purses (left) and a snapshot of the types of jewelry you’ll find. (purses, $196)

 Last, but not least, Dopeville, catering to the bad boy in all of us with graphic tees and sweatshirts that are bound to turn heads. You can’t miss Xtra Fresh Freddy, an ultra-hip and probably not that fluffy bunny rabbit (right), who adorns many of co-owner and creative director Deinde Dawodu’s line (other owner is Olmedo Mazati.) Dawodu shrugs off his sling (poor guy) to hold up one of his sweatshirts.

Hughes says artists will rotate week by week, with 20 designers in all. Note: Store only accepts credit cards or checks as payment. More info here.

[img credit: Chloe Thompson]