Sitting front row at Charleston Fashion Week with a Vogue editor to the right, a Red Bull-infused “Fierce” cocktail in hand in a sea of statement necklaces, I gripped my Flip video camera a tad tighter as I spotted designer Cynthia Rowley across the runway. Each night, as the oversized digital clocks approached the starting point, the posh British accent commanded the collective 5,000 fashionistas to prepare for the “Future of Fashion.”
The weeklong event kicked off Tuesday March 24th with local fashion designer and emerging designer semifinalist Amanda deLeon’s “Digital Sea” collection embodying a futuristic aesthetic with sculptural silhouettes, modern embellishments and meticulous boning set with the precision of an engineer.
VIDEO: Amanda backstage preparing for her show
From Amanda’s introductory video, she declared, “Art is all around us. I believe we should be able to wear it, not just look at it.”
This mantra was not taken lightly at the Marion Square tents dressed in a rainbow of lights, LCD screens and raised runway reminiscent of Bryant Park – only with some Southern style haute-ness where the “fashion capital of the South’s” stylish set turned out in bold colors, graphic prints, platforms and a showing of extravagant hats.
Backstage after Amanda’s show, CFW Creative Director and Charleston Magazine’s Style Editor Ayoka Lucas gave her seal of approval by chasing Amanda down and yelling after her, “Girl, I need to place some orders with you! I’m serious.”
A few seats down, a journalist from online magazine Charlie remarked, “Amanda’s show was one of my favorites. So many of the other collections were typical ready-to-wear whereas her work is truly an artistic expression. That’s what I came to see.”
Leading the campaign for “Green is the New Black,” semifinalist designer Emily Bargeron’s eco-chic collection featured clothing reworked from quirky, colorful vintage fabrics on models cheekily accessorized with signs in line with the times, such as “I (recycle) boys.”
Boys in black suits and high-top sneakers drew screams of delight from the crowd – particularly male model Chelsie Ravenell – as they strutted the runway carrying featured accessories on Lucite trays for collaboration between Saks Fifth Avenue and Charleston accessory designer Mary Norton, who watched the show front row next to Wayne Newton.
With the help of Stella Nova Salon, boutique II Brunettes showed enviable long locks with hippie headbands and loose braids paired with flowy tunics and maxi dresses channeling beautiful bohemians from 1960’s Topanga Canyon. Biton went for edgy glam rock while Hampden Clothing rocked Thursday night’s finale show with a flawlessly styled show by owner Stacy Smallwood showcasing shrunken leather jackets and vests, school girl looks, Vena Cava studded dresses, peep-toe booties, an Alexander Wang bondage dress and “Brenda” zip bags.
Exposed zippers were seen in abundance from Swapnali Ahire’s street inspired double-wrapped zipper belts, Amanda deLeon’s slashed zipper pockets on her electric blue leggings, Lindsey Carter’s ikat dresses and even Maria Dobrzanska Reeves’ hot pink twisted zipper bikini.
By the time the first emerging designer finalists took the runway at 6:45pm the final night of Fashion Week, the anticipation in the air was almost as thick as the humidity. After Russian designer Alena Fede’s showing of Victorian style collars, paisley brocades and S&M-inspired looks, all attention shifted to Wrightsville Beach native Lindsey Carter. Lindsey, who graduated from The Fashion Institute of Technology and worked for White + Warren, L.A.M.B. by Gwen Stefani and J.Crew before co-founding golf line Carter Humphrey, debuted her solo collection Troubadour at CFW and was selected as one of the three top finalists.
Lindsey describes Troubadour as “dichotomous pairings and the juxtaposition of hard and soft; always having attitude yet never compromising wearability.” Her collection featuring bold colors, customized ikat fabrics, plaids, satin blazers and skulls paired with rocker chic chains and leather gloves designed by Jane Pope of Balboa Jewelry – delivered an enchanting fusion of downtown punk and uptown elegance.
After Warsaw-born designer Maria Reeves showed her Marysia ethereal jumpsuits and avant garde swimwear line, judges – Ayoka Lucas, Emmy award-winning Costume Designer Dana Campbell, former Lacoste CEO Robert Siegel, Project Runway contestant Mychael Knight and Designers Mary Norton and Ashley Reid – tallied their scores and handed the winning envelope to featured guest and designer Cynthia Rowley.
VIDEO: Cynthia Rowley interview
At her store that afternoon during the “afternoon tea” event, Cynthia shared with me her advice for the emerging designers: “Stay sort of humble and be thankful. If you don’t, that’s when you lose sight of your creative process. A lot of times in fashion or artistic fields people think they can’t do the business side; that they need someone else to do it. It’s not always the best idea. You need to be fully aware since the business informs the creative side.”
Although the deafening applause from the crowd painted Lindsey as the crowd favorite, Marysia’s two-year-old swimsuit model may have clenched the cute factor in her favor. Cynthia took the stage at the post-show gala and announced the winner as her “fellow surfer girl” – Maria.
Our fellow designers may not have won the competition but they came away with something even more important – confidence in their collections.
As Lindsey says, “It’s not really about winning or losing. It’s about the response. I feel really good about what I’m putting out there, and I want to share my work. I really want to know what people think. I want to hear the buzz.”
After being interrupted multiple times by Amanda’s new-found admirers during an after-party at Music Farm, she gushed, “I can’t believe the overwhelming response from the people I’ve met in Charleston. Considering I don’t get as much support in Wilmington as I’d like, this experience gives me hope for what’s to come.”
DESIGNERS:
Amanda deLeon
Lindsey Carter
Maria Dobrzanska Reeves
SHOP – KING STREET:
Hampden Clothing
Cutting-edge designers like Alexander Wang and Vena Cava
357 King Street
www.hampdenclothing.com
Finicky Filly
Amazing handbags, fun accessories and the latest from Phillip Lim
303 King Street
843.534.0203
Berlin’s for Women
Designers like hard-to-find Rozae Nichols
116 King Street
www.berlinsclothing.com
Biton’s
D&G, Roberto Cavalli, Zac Posen, Paul Smith
275 King Street
www.shopbiton.com
Worthwhile
Check out the sunglasses and barrettes they found at the vintage flea market in Paris
268 King Street
www.shopworthwhile.com
EAT:
Cru Café
Be patient – this popular place is definitely worth the wait.
18 Pinckney St
www.crucafe.com
FIG
Stands for “Food Is Good.” The most amazing meal I’ve had all year. Period.
232 Meeting St
(843) 805-5900
www.eatatfig.com
La Fourchette
French owner Perig Goulet makes you feel like a local. This bistro is so cozy, you might as well be in Paris.
432 King Street
(843)722.6261
SLEEP:
aLoft
Innovative vision of W Hotel – offers VIP parking for hybrids!
4875 Tanger Outlet Boulevard
www.starwoodhotels.com
Embassy Suites
Only steps away from the tents at Marion Square….a necessity for heels
337 Meeting Street
(843) 723-6900
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