As I ordered my second bloody mary at Fuel on Sunday for Little Edie’s “Sunday Funday,”  I was already having withdrawal pains for
Charleston as I anticipated my four-hour drive home.

After 18 inspired retail presentations, a showdown among eight Emerging
Designer semifinalists, four highly-anticipated featured designer debuts and countless after-parties surrounded by hundreds of
runway-ready ticket holders, it’s no wonder we were in need of a “cure” (aka: three bloody marys) for a high-fashion hangover.

Photo: Lindsey Carter’s puppy Edie by Julie Montgomery

Ayoka hugs Emerging Designer Winner Larika Page / Photo: Cyle Suesz

After the lights had dimmed and the tents came down in Marion Square, I checked in with the queen of Charleston Fashion Week, Ayoka Lucas, CFW Creative Director and Charleston Magazine Style Editor, to get her last look at year four:

“Charleston Fashion Week is really Fashion Camp! It’s where all of the
designers, boutique owners, models, hair and make up artists,
photographers, and fashion mavens come to play! With the connections
made under the tents this year between the local, regional, and
national fashion community, I am prepared to see  a number of
success stories as CFW has grown to become a launching pad for careers.
It’s so hard to pick one highlight from the week, but If I had to
choose favorites it would be the debut of the Mychael Knight “Carte Blanch” collection; the photos taken by Ed Kavishe of Fashion Wire Press; sitting and chatting with Anne Slowey,
fashion news director of ELLE magazine, in the midst of our Emerging
Design Competition; Rock the Runway Model Competition; and retail
runway gems! By the end of the week, I was in a total fashion coma! I
love this fashion and design community and am so thankful for being
apart of this movement.”

Style Girl’s Top 10:

Twitter in the Tents:

To find out The Shop Tart’s favorite
runway look or who was heading where after the shows, all you had to do
was look up at the big screen to see the Twitter talk unfold: #chsfw.

Hip-hop violinist Daniel D:

Photo: Cyle Suesz

After bringing the audience to a high-pitched fever earlier in the week
with his electric rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean,” Daniel
D took his encore at Saturday’s Finale.

Hampden Finale:

The crowd got a thrill when Hampden owner Stacy Smallwood took the runway with Project Runway designer Logan Neitzel, who added several edgy, leather pieces to Hampden’s haute-ness. To watch Style Girl’s VIDEO, click HERE.

Ashley Reid’s collaboration with students from The Art Institute:

Beautiful monochromatic, easy, chic offerings from the Clewis Reid
collection. Loved those leopard print socks with heels. Turns out she
restyled them from leggings. Brilliant.

Can you spot Style Girl scoping out those leopard print socks?

(Hint: Next to Emerging Designer Chelsie Ravenell)

Mike Grady’s Head Candy:

You couldn’t help being captivated by the head-turning headpieces Mike
Grady created for stylemavens Karen Briggs and Shari Knight.

Rock the Runway:

CFW hosted its first Rock the Runway Model Competition. Winners
Caroline DeBruhl and Antwuan Whitney each had their stand-out moments:
Caroline in a floor-skimming fuschia gown from Pearl and Antwuan boldly dropping trou at the end of the runway!

Photos: Above – Jess James / Below: Cyle Suesz

Street Style:

People watching paradise.

To see Photographer Diana Deaver’s Style Style photos, click HERE.

Mychael Knight “Carte Blanch” collection:

Project Runway no longer defines this designer. The fit, the
painstaking detail, and the all-encompassing passion sent shivers up my
spine. We witnessed greatness. The standing ovation said it all. To
watch Style Girl’s VIDEO, click HERE.

Haute Hair & Makeup: From flower petal eyelashes to neon yellow lips and eyes, rockabilly pompadours and Rapunzel braids, Stella Nova – under the direction of Ashley Brook Perryman – pushed the beauty bar to new heights.

Fashion Friends:

Charleston Fashion Week unites not only a community, but a creative
community throughout the Southeast. As Elle Magazine’s Fashion Director
Anne Slowey remarked the night of the Finale, “Fashion is at the center
of a cultural storm here in Charleston.”

For more information, visit www.wilmingtonplasticsurgery.com

Local Fashion Designer Amanda deLeon had a sweet surprise when she checked her Etsy account and found that Hollywood tattoo artist Kat von d had purchased three of her designs: the “villain” legging, scaled high-waist legging, and the charcoal gauze top. (photos below) Now, that’s some fresh ink.

To see more one-of-a-kind pieces from Amanda’s collection on Etsy, click HERE.

Photos: Kevin deLeon

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!!

FIRST 50 GUESTS TO GET TICKETS ONLINE WILL RECEIVE

VIP SHOPPING STATUS

Makeup Artist Andrew Petersen

Cavortress

Candy Shop Vintage

March 26

8th Annual Dress for Success Fashion Show

WILMINGTON

WHAT:
This year’s fashion show’s theme “Outdress the Competition,” inspired
by CBS’s “Survivor,” will explore appropriate interview attire that
will set job candidates apart from the competition. Men’s Wearhouse
will sponsor the men’s clothing, along with Mayfaire’s White House |
Black Market and Belk at Independence Mall will co-sponsor the women’s
attire incorporating both business professional and business casual
clothing.

WHEN: March 26 / 12:15pm

WHERE: Warwick Center Ballroom UNCW campus

WHY:
Interviews have always been a stressful situation and with the current
economy, it is even more important that job candidates know how to
dress appropriately in order to differentiate from the competition.

For more info, click HERE.

March 27

Recycle Revival

Legion Stadium

WILMINGTON

WHO: Greater Good Productions
and Sponsors: WECT, encore, Green Coast Recycling, WHQR, Buena
Sustainable Communities, WilmingtonYardSales.com, Natural Awakenings
and Cape Fear Going Green Magazines, and Style Swap.

WHAT:
Greater Good Productions & WECT present Recycle Revival, “bringin’
some 2nd-hand salvation to our environment” with a community yard sale,
recycled creations from area artists, 2nd hand & vintage fashion,
Farmer’s Market, green living vendors, live entertainment, local food
& more!

WHERE: Legion Stadium

WHEN: March 27 / 11am – 5pm

WANNA GO?: Free Admission

WHY:
30% of proceeds will benefit the Cape Fear River Watch, PenderWatch, and the North
Carolina Coastal Federation and their efforts to keep Southeastern
North Carolina clean, healthy and beautiful.

HAVE “STUFF TO SELL?:

Booths
in all categories are still available (Yard Sale $20, Arts Fair $50,
Green Living Business $125, Green Living Nonprofit FREE). Download an
application or register online at www.greatergoodwilmington.com

March 28

Amanda deLeon’s “Rabbit’s Foot” Children’s Clothing Trunk Show

Odessa

WILMINGTON

WHAT:
Local Fashion Designer Amanda deLeon will premier her children’s
collection. Clothing for girls ranges from sizes 1 Toddler to size
Girls 8. Many pieces are either one-of-a- kind or limited edition. For
the boys, there will be clip-on bow ties made with several different
patterns and vintage fabrics. Enjoy sweet treats and punch.

WHEN: Sunday, March 28 / 2-5pm

WHERE: Odessa / 23 North Front Street 4th floor

WHY: Find something completely original for your little one or do some shopping for a friend. Support our local designers.

March 31

An Inspirational Evening with Carol Perkins

Saks Fifth Avenue

CHARLESTON

WHAT: Sponsored by Trish McEvoy Cosmetics, Carol Perkins, CEO of Harry Barker, former Ford model, fire eater, and brain
tumor survivor, will host an evening of inspiration sharing her success
story while everyone’s favorite makeup artist Andrew Petersen gives
beauty tips for busy women on-the-go. Enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres
and a special private shopping opportunity. Discounts for Center for
Women members!

WHEN: March 31 / 6pm

WHERE: Saks / 211 King Street

April 1

Towne & Reese Trunk Show

The Fisherman’s Wife

WILMINGTON

WHAT: Fisherman’s Wife is hosting a launch party for a new line of jewelry, Towne & Reese,
that has community roots. One of the designers, Jessica Stanfield, was
a bride registered at The Fisherman’s Wife and her mother-in-law is
local resulting in a number of pieces named after local friends &
family.

WHEN: Thursday, April 1 (during regular business hours)

WHERE: The Fisherman’s Wife / 1425 Airlie Road

April 7

Slane & Slane Trunk Show

REEDS Jewelers @ Mayfaire

WILMINGTON

WHAT: New styles from Slane & Slane will be brought in for one
night only at REEDS Mayfaire store.  Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres
will be served.

WHEN: Wednesday April 7 / 5-9pm

April 30

Domestic Violence 18th Annual Fashion Show

Hilton Riverside Hotel

WILMINGTON

WHAT: The Domestic Violence Shelter will host their 18th annual Fashion Show & Silent Auction titled “Singing a New Song.”

WHEN: April 30 – Luncheon: 11:30am / Dinner: 6pm

WHERE: Hilton Wilmington Riverside in the Cape Fear Ballroom

WANNA
GO?: Luncheon tickets are $40 per person or $320 table of eight
(8).  Dinner tickets are $50 per person or $400 table of eight
(8). Tickets and Sponsorships are available NOW by visiting www.domesticviolence-wilm.org/donate,
the Open Gate (2901 Market Street Mon-Fri 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.), or at
any Vintage Values location.  Call 910.343.9969 ext. 17 for more
details.