Back to Work: Dressing in Character

Shauné Hayes touches up Alex Cunningham’s eye makeup, while Jennifer Johnson perfects her nails to ensure Alex is camera-ready. /Photo by Nancy McKeon.

Zara Korutz styles Kelsey McGuire’s hair into a soft, Olivia Pope do. /Photo by Nancy McKeon.

Shauné Hayes and Alex share a laugh. No, Alex hasn’t injured her hand. That protective covering is to prevent a polish mishap. Editor Nancy McKeon works her phone. /Photo by Janet Kelly.

Fashion editor Janet Kelly and stylist Bonnie Kogod observe from the couch with Mari Rosenman, while FW production coordinator Leigh Nelson looks from the doorway as Alex gets into the role of Claire Underwood./Photo by Nancy McKeon.

Working women need functional and good-looking totes. Tom Ford’s gray portfolio and Annabel Ingall’s champagne satchel fill the bill.

Alex captures the look of Claire Underwood in a Victoria Beckham cap-sleeve sheath ($1,795, Neiman Marcus, Mazza Gallerie, 5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW; 202-966-9700), and for the exercise-obsessed Mrs. Underwood, a Tory Burch for Fitbit metal hinged bracelet ($195, pre-order from toryburch.com; note that Fitbit Flex® with tracker is sold separately.) / Photo by Marvin Joseph.

As ruthless Claire, Alex shows off her sculpted curves in a tailored Victoria Beckham double- knit ponte sheath with two-way zipper at the back ($1,895, Neiman Marcus, Mazza Gallerie) that can take her from tactical daytime meetings to after- six scheming cocktails and dinners. Stingray cuff ($345, Julia Farr, 5232 44th St. NW; 202-364-3277). Earrings (stylist’s own). Shoes (model’s own). / Photo by Marvin Joseph.

Kelsey channels fictional “fixer” Olivia Pope in a tailored Erdem top with a rich floral brocade and contrasting navy collar ($1,335) and a Jil Sander demure knee-length A-line skirt in midnight blue ($890), both at Neiman Marcus, Mazza Gallerie. / Photo by Marvin Joseph.

No one on TV has better coats than Olivia. Here, Kelsey wears a buttery cashmere wrap coat from Armani ($3,425) over stretch pants ($395) and a silk blouse with a ruffle at the neck ($775), both also from Armani. Tempering the softness are her suede Christian Louboutin ankle booties ($1,095). All at Neiman Marcus, Mazza Gallerie. By the way, actress Kerry Washington, who plays Olivia, and “Scandal”’s costume designer have partnered with The Limited for a collection mining Olivia’s style. It will hit stores in late September. / Photo by Marvin Joseph.

Alex wears Kalinda’s signature leather jacket, this one by Billy Reid ($1,595, 3211 M St. NW; 202-499-6765) over Torn by Ronny Kobo V-neck top ($238, Intermix, 3300 M St. NW; 202-298-8080) and Copley boucle skirt ($195, Julia Farr). / Photo by Marvin Joseph.

In the role of Kalinda, Alex morphs from sophisticated politico to downtown, edgy investigator in a Veronica Beard moto peplum jacket with stretch knit panels under the sleeves and in the bodice ($1295, Intermix) over Colette ribbed knit dress ($250) and Kerr boots with zip closure at back ($595), both at Rag & Bone, 3067 M St. NW; 202-295-9072. / Photo by Marvin Joseph.

FASHION KNOWS no weather boundaries, so despite the heat of a summer-in-the-city day, we found ourselves shooting what the industry calls pre-fall clothing for The Washington Post’s Fashion Washington.  However you prefer to label it, we focused on pieces stylish working women will want in their wardrobe. Our inspiration? TV’s well-dressed Claire Underwood (“House of Cards”), Olivia Pope (“Scandal”) and Kalinda Sharma (“The Good Wife”). The results are in the August issue of FW, but we captured some behind-the-scenes action, too.  Take a look.

 — Janet Kelly

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