Second Night—A fashionable delight!
I’ve decided that Charleston Fashion Week is like a fine wine. As the days go on, it just gets better and better.
Karen Siegel, Charleston editor in chief Darcy Shankland, and Charleston Home editor Ellen McGauley enjoy the view from the front row. Photo: Russell Douglas
Once everyone arrived under the tent, guest host Ryan Nelson from ABC’s Lowcountry Live! welcomed the crowd in a cute little black dress from V2V.
Guest emcee Ryan Nelson (center) of ABC’s Lowcountry Live! hangs out backstage before the show starts. Photo: Ellie Somerville
On a side note, I love Lowcountry Live! and practically consider Ryan to be the Kelly Ripa of the Lowcountry, so I had to introduce myself to her backstage. And let me tell you this—her sweet persona on the local morning show is totally real. Everyone backstage commented on what a doll she was to work with and she even stayed until the end of the show to chit-chat with audience members. (Love her!)
Style editor Ayoka Lucas prepares to announce the next runway show. Photo: Kaitlyn Iserman
The crowd seemed more energized during the second night of CFW, probably because there was a bit more variety on the runway than on Tuesday. V2V’s show got a lot of praise from the audience, as their collection varied from cocktail dresses to swanky formal wear. Several attendees even commented that the collection seemed “feminine, delicate, and really flirty.”
Charleston magazine staffer Misty Lister takes a break in the Red Bull VIP lounge with two lovely waitresses from Raval. Photo: Ellie Somerville
During one of the breaks between shows, Ryan Nelson introduced Margaret Jefferson Johnson of the Charleston chapter of Dress for Success. A portion of the proceeds from CFW benefit the organization, which provides interview suits and career development advice to low-income women in our community. For more information or to find out how you can get involved with Dress for Success, visit www.dressforsuccess.org.
Ryan Nelson introduces Margaret Jefferson Johnson from Dress for Success, who takes a moment to explain the mission of her organization. Photo: Ellie Somerville
Hoops and hollers sprang from the crowd during the Biton show, and not just because of the hot models donning haute designer clothes. (We’re talking chic pieces by Roberto Cavalli, Zac Posen, and Catharine Malandrino making their way down the runway!) The awesome music, provided by DJ Arthur Brouthers, really pumped everyone up, or as Jeffrey Rhodes of the Margo Kaufman Gallery said, “A show that includes Banana Rama’s ‘Cruel Summer’… now THAT’S fashion!” I have to say, after hearing the same nameless, I’m-shopping-in-Hollister, techno songs blaring over and over, it was so great to hear some re-spun old favorites.
Model and C of C student Harrison Sapp struts down the runway during the Biton show. Photo: Kaitlyn Iserman
But it was even better to see models show off their personality (and perhaps, gasp!, even a smile) during a show. At one point, one of Biton’s male models moonwalked to Michael Jackson’s hit, “Billie Jean,” and later pulled some quick trademark MJ moves for the shutterbugs gathered at the base of the runway. The crowd loved it, and let the moonwalking model know it as they showered him with “Oww-Owws!” as he strode by. He even acknowledged them back with a smile and a wink. Now THAT’S fashion!
A model shows of his moonwalking skills in Biton’s amazing runway show Wednesday night. Photo: Russell Douglas
And everyone waited on pins and needles in anticipation of the Cose Belle show, which included the debut of Sucker, the first ever seersucker jeans. (Yes, you read that correctly.) The artful idea was actually conceptualized by Cary Weber and made by Emily Papugha, who I met later in the evening. “The key to making the pant universally flattering is in the board short waistband,” she said. ” We’re really excited about debuting them tonight; I think they’re going to be a big hit.”
Emily Papugha, maker of Sucker Jeans, and CFW guest Anna Kristen Dukes celebrate the success of the Cosa Belle show. Photo: Russell Douglas
Melissa Pope, a stylist at Elysium Salon (she’s my personal go-to girl for everything hair!) Becky Ness, visual stylist for Luna, and Billy Pope, a chef at Il Cortile Del Re restaurant, enjoy cocktails in the VIP lounge between shows. Photo: Ellie Somerville
After the final show, everyone headed over to the after party at Raval, where DJ Moo Moo rocked the house with awesome music. And though it was a little crowded (okay, it was packed… but still a blast!) the delicious Cava cocktails were the perfect way to toast a perfect evening.
Andy Rankin and Catherine Dority from the Charleston Visitors Bureau enjoy a glass of champagne with Charleston magazine staffer Lindsey Nowak in the VIP lounge. Photo: Russell Douglas
Now it’s time to gear up for tonight’s shows! The fabulous Jeffrey Rhodes (who is the brilliant marketer and Margo Kaufman Gallery owner behind the ubiquitous neon-colored buttons of Margo) said he was especially excited for the Hampden Clothing show tonight.
Stacy Smallwood, owner of Hampden Clothing, and Jeffrey Rhodes of Margo Kaufman Gallery, eagerly await Thursday night’s shows. Photo: Ellie Somerville
Stacy Smallwood, owner of the chic King Street boutique, put Charleston on the map in the March issue of VOGUE magazine when she was quoted as saying, “I just have a feeling that Charleston is going to be the next little fashion capital of the South.” And based on the success of CFW so far, it appears Smallwood is absolutely right.
CFW volunteer Meg Kelly, model Harrison Sapp, and CFW volunteer Carly Verhey celebrate a successful night outside the main tent. Photo: Russell Douglas
Cheers everyone! Hope to see you under the tents again tonight.
—Russell H. Douglas
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