Ugly sweaters will be in fashion in Washington
‘Tis the weekend for … ugly sweaters in Washington.
City resident Jessica Anikienko has partnered with three Main Street businesses to create Ugly Sweater Fest from 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday. She calls it “an ode to ugly sweaters bash,” which will take place at Presidents Pub, Market Place at Emerald Valley and Hepinger’s Legacy Tavern.
This is an adults-only soiree, for those age 21 and older, and attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite ugly sweater. Registration will be at Presidents Pub. Tickets are $29.95 and $44.95, which will include live music, drink specials, light snacks and a cash prize. The latter is a VIP ticket that will include a food buffet at Presidents Pub.
Anikienko, who lives on East Beau Street with her husband, Ivan, will be selling her sweater brand The Ugly Holidays. The brand celebrates only Christmas and Hanukkah, but she selected that name “in preparation to market it for other holidays.”
She designs the sweaters at home, and they are manufactured at a facility in New York City. And, even if they are ugly, they are useful. Anikienko said “they open bottles, keep drinks cold, light up and are even sexy.”
Her four-year-old business is now strictly online (TheUglyHolidays.com), although she will have a popup store Saturday at Presidents Pub. She will have new and clearance items ($25 to $65) and holiday leggings ($10).
Anikienko was inspired to start The Ugly Holidays after attending an ugly sweater party in the Orlando area, where she resided at the time.
Beauty, it has been said zillions of times, is in the eye of the beholder. And The Ugly Holidays will do something beautiful Saturday: provide one meal at City Mission for every ticket sold.