DC goes to Bridgerton pop-up in full period dress
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Nick and Nikki Tomlin attend a Bridgerton-themed ball in D.C. Photo: Chelsea Cirruzzo/Axios
Inside a warehouse just off of Brentwood Road NE, the regency period reigns.
Driving the news: A Bridgerton “experience” pop-up is in D.C. through May, and local fans of the Netflix show turned out for Wednesday's opening night dressed for the set — literally — in flowing floral gowns, puffy sleeves, and white gloves.
“People understand it’s about taking photos,” Maryland resident Jasmine Williams says.
This is what they wore:
Tara Bloch and Katie Pettigrew
A D.C. preschool teacher, Bloch designed gowns for herself and her sister, Pettigrew, who came from Pittsburgh for the event. Bloch says she loves making costumes with her sewing machine. "They're fun and different."
Shi-Queeta-Lee
During the pandemic, when this D.C.-based drag queen couldn't perform, she started flipping old houses, making outfits out of old curtains and upholstery, and selling the houses in drag. Her dress was one of her own creations.
Capri Bloomingdale
Bloomingdale, a D.C. performer who works for Shi-Queeta-Lee, designed her own gown, starting it on Monday and finishing it ahead of the ball. She was later named the "Diamond of the Evening" at the ball and showered with silver confetti.
Lakayla Bonaparte
Bonaparte traveled from Richmond for the event, saying she found the fantastical element of a glitzy ball meaningful during the pandemic. Her dress is from Selkie.
Monique Burke
The Baltimore-based pediatrician designed and made her own gown. "I like to craft to relax," she says. "It's good mindfulness."
Brittany Rae Reese and Joslyn Reese
The sisters were there to celebrate Brittany Rae's 35th birthday. While Brittany Rae, wearing a custom gown, lives in Maryland, her sister Joslyn flew in from Colorado to be with her.
Frances Maher and Alex Rodríguez
Local resident Maher called her dress that she got from Shein a "modern take on the regal look."
Nikki Tomlin and Nick Tomlin
The pair, waiting to take a posed portrait together, said they got their fits from Amazon.
Jasmine Williams, Danesha Langley, and Eraline Sabino
Williams, Langley, and Sabino came from northern Virginia and Maryland to dress up in floral dresses (from a combination of Shein, Amazon, and Marshall's) together.