| Success in Style in the Southeast
Marysia’s finale at CFW - Cynthia Rowley seated in front row
Photo: Jess James
Finding success. It’s like an elusive lover. You can imagine their features, the way they look when you smile, even their scent. Just when you come in contact as you reach out for the first touch, they’re gone. And, you feel just as far away as you ever were.
From the plight of a small business owner or entrepreneur, it can seem like a small miracle to reach the first step towards your goal. And for those in the fashion world who choose an idyllic oasis instead of the fashion capitals of the world, this sign of progress can feel that much more monumental. This is a moment that should be reflected on and celebrated before you breeze on through to the next pillar in your stage of great expectations.
I wanted to take the time to highlight and congratulate some of our regional designers and innovators in their journeys to their own private promised land:
Lindsey Carter, hometown darling and Charleston Fashion Week Emerging Designer Finalist, was recently featured in Women’s Wear Daily, the legendary fashion “Bible.”
Charleston Fashion Week Emerging Designer Winner Marysia Dobrzanska Reeves’ Marysia Swim will debut at Anthropologie in 2010. Rumor has it that some of her swimsuits will surface soon at Coastal Urge.
WATCH the Marysia Swim fashion show at Miami Fashion Week:
Raleigh Denim, a handcrafted, locally sourced denim line, made the cut in Elle Magazine’s October issue. Founders, designers and husband and wife duo Victor and Sarah Lytvinenko’s line was picked up by Barneys a little over a year ago in no small part to their local-centric focus and impeccable attention to detail.
Photo: New Raleigh
Raleigh Denim is unveiling their full clothing line tonight at fashionSPARK in Downtown Raleigh. To read more about Raleigh Denim in New Raleigh, click HERE.
Lucky for us, Edge of Urge has just picked up Raleigh Denim.
Moon and Lola reveals new collection at Henri Bendel during NY Fashion Week!
Apex, NC-based designer Kelly Sheppard Shatat of Moon and Lola revealed her new collection at Henri Bendel this week during New York Fashion Week. You can find Moon and Lola locally at Charlotte’s.
New Charleston boutique House of Sage, located at 51 George Street, recently picked up several cropped vests and skirts from Wilmington-based fashion designer Amanda deLeon.
Model Anna Lassiter, who I had the privilege to work with during a North Carolina Signature photo shoot, recently opened a boutique / design shop called Eden Boheme, located at 194 King Street, with designer and interior designer Lucinda. If you’re in search of Sass & Bide leggings - ruched and in jersey, leather or metallic - here’s the spot!
You may know Audra from under the white hot lights at City Stage, on the yoga mat next to you at Wilmington Yoga Center or behind the jewelry counter at Ivy Cottage. Audra Smith, who admits to having had an infatuation with jewelry for many years, has transformed her “expensive hobby” into a sustainable business as a jewelry designer. Check out her new Etsy shop and website (full disclosure: site created by John Hanusek, who also created the stylegirljessjames.com site)
WATCH - Cynthia Rowley gives designers advice
on “making it” -
interviewed by Jess James during Charleston Fashion Week
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HOLIDAY MAKEOVER CONTEST
aMuse For Shoes/Sierra Leone Fundraiser
 
Local Milliner Jan Wutkowski has a holiday wish to send her dear friend, Glen Leasure, to war-torn Sierra Leone. Not for an exile, I assure you. Glen, a skilled shoemaker, philosopher and mentor, who Jan descibes as being “one with the Earth” was asked by the non-governmental organization Child Help Sierra Leone to teach shoemaking in Sierra Leone, West Africa in January 2010.
The people of Sierra Leone are survivors of a war beyond imagination. Due to 11 years of chaos, they have become the most desperately poor people on earth and have lost the skills required to rebuild their country. They are now focused on recovery, but the problems are many and deep. Diseases are rampant and treatment is largely unavailable. Shoeing the shoeless will save lives by providing protection from disease.
Glen’s students will be in their late teens to early twenties, and priority will be given to women, who are the most disadvantaged, suffering from the scars of abuse and isolation. As the director of Child Help says, ‘empowered women make a nation.’
On Glen’s behalf, to raise funds for this sojourn (with feeds including airfare, shots, medications and food) Jan Wutkowski and I are asking our fashionista friends for help.
There is a widget on Jan’s blog, where you can make your contribution. The more you give, the better your chances to win.
To make a contribution, please CLICK HERE.
Please scroll to the bottom of Jan’s blog to make the contribution.
For every $5 contribution you make, your name will be entered to win the aMuse for Shoes Holiday Makeover, which includes:
On October 16, we will draw a winner!
PAY IT FORWARD TODAY.
To make a contribution, please CLICK HERE.
Thanks 
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JAMES + DUNNE STYLING
FALL FASHION PREVIEW
SAVE THE DATE:
James + Dunne will host an exclusive Fall Fashion Preview
featuring must-have looks for fall, style secrets, tips and tricks,
age-appropriate essentials & deals you won’t wanna miss!
Live models, light bites, original cocktails and
an evening of style in an intimate setting.
Stay tuned for more details.
www.jamesanddunne.com
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STYLE SWAP
CHARLESTON
Charleston’s second Style Swap, benefiting The Center for Women, brought out close to 300 Charleston stylistas to
Eye Level Art for a night of girls-just-wanna-have-fashion-lovin’ fun!
 
To see more photos from the night, please visit Diana Deaver’s website: http://www.DianaDeaver.com/styleswap
A Special Thanks from Style Swap + Circa PR to Presenting Sponsor Aestheti Spa for making the night a success - Thanks, Christy!
To watch Style Swap MC and Charleston Magazine Style Editor Ayoka Lucas’ video from the event, CLICK HERE.
Calling all STYLE SWAP Guests in Wilmington, Charleston and Raleigh:
Please email me a photo of yourself wearing your favorite score
from Style Swap!
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SEPTEMBER SAVINGS
@ LUMINA STATION
Come a little bit closer. I’ve got a secret for you. Actually, it’s more of a secret savings that six merchants at Lumina Station are offering just for us.
WATCH the VIDEO for access to September’s exclusive savings!
A beautiful piece of jewelry, a well-deserved massage, a new addition to your home or the personal trainer you’ve been denying yourself - make it happen this September at Lumina Station.
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR
TONIGHT
FashionSpark
8pm
DOWNTOWN RALEIGH
 Fayetteville Street will be blocked off to showcase the Triangle’s favorite up-and-coming fashion and accessory designers, stylists, and body artists on the runway in Wear What You Are. The show, in its third year, evokes and celebrates the true nature and joy of individual expression through fashion.You can take home some style from the shopSPARK, offering clothing and accessories from designers in this year’s show. Open 7-10pm the evening of the show, also in Moore Square. And don’t forget about the Official fashionSPARK After Party @ Mosquito
TONIGHT
Eric Rei Art Opening- A Healing Retrospective
6-8pm
Lula Balou
WILMINGTON
A Healing Retrospective consists of a series of paintings that were created during the recuperation of a serious injury. In the beginning, out of the need to engage the artists’ mind, a single canvas was purchased. The result was a 25 piece collection that evokes an appreciation for the beauty surrounding our beloved Wilmington and time spent with sand beneath the artists’ feet. Join us for wine, cheese, and gourmet treats from The Peppered Cupcake!
September 26
Fall Fashion With a Flair
Noon - 2pm
KIAWAH ISLAND
Held at The Jasmine Porch at The Sanctuary Hotel on Kiawah Island, the fall fashion show “with flair” benefiting the Center for Women will feature fashion from Cose Belle and Eden Boheme. Looks from Vintage and Love Shop from Cose Belle will be modeled as well as Sass and Bide from Eden Boheme. The Eden Boheme owners will also debut their own lines, Lucenda Eden and Anna Boheme. Jewelry designers, Felice Illian of Felice Designs and Kelly Wenner, will showcase their new fall pieces. Three-course lunch including Champagne for $45. Check out the spa specials, enjoy the beach and make it a girls’ getaway weekend!
To RSVP, click HERE.
October 3
Dockside Fashion Show
5pm
CHARLESTON
The first Dockside Fashion Show, held at Dockside Pier - 330 Concord Street, will feature collections from Charleston-based fashion designers Sarah Acker of SARAH MAXWELL, Lindsey Carter of TROUBADOUR and ONE LOVE by Rachel Gordon. A portion of this year’s proceeds will benefit Water Missions International. The official after party will be held at Shine, located on the corner of King and Line Street.
In addition to fashion, this year’s show will feature jewelry and handbags from Add Libb Designs, Theodosia Jewelry, Cavortress by Julie Wheat, Library: Archives of Fashion and Dee Ruel. Runway looks will be available for purchase at the Shine trunk show, Wed., Oct. 7, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Tickets: General admission - $20 / $25 at the door. VIP tickets - $40 (include end-of-the-pier seating with access to a private bar). Tickets can be purchased in advance at J.Paulz, Shine and Salon Capelli. A rain date is scheduled for Sunday, October 4th.
October 23
Couture for a Cause
8pm - 10pm
RALEIGH
Raleigh’s first Couture for a Cause to benefit M3 will be held at Marbles Kids Museum/IMAX Theatre in Downtown Raleigh.
TICKETS: $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Get your advance tickets online now at www.me-3.org/coutureforacause
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Never thought you were a hat person? It’s time to visit Wilmington’s very own Milliner Jan Wutkowski to see what you’ve been missing….
Style Girl Jess James
Style Girl Jess James, Focus on the Coast Fashion Editor and style columnist for the Star-News, has continued to seek opportunities intertwining her passion for fashion with her day job. First in Public Relations / Special Events for the nation's largest bridal retailer, where she coordinated bridal and prom fashion shows nationwide and selected wedding gowns for Modern Bride, In Style and, most memorably, the Oprah Winfrey Show. Before moving South, as Director of Fashion & Beauty at a NY marketing agency, she connected clients with trendsetters and brand ambassadors, coordinating media tours with indie artists, styling photo shoots and developing hot lists for industry insiders.