Charleston Fashion Week Blog

Here Come the (Couture) Brides!

Array ( [blocks] => specificItem [show] => [itemId] => 290 [exactSize] => 150 [itemFrame] => None [albumFrame] => None ) Array ( [blocks] => specificItem [show] => [itemId] => 277 [exactSize] => 150 [itemFrame] => None [albumFrame] => None ) Array ( [blocks] => specificItem [show] => [itemId] => 355 [exactSize] => 150 [itemFrame] => None [albumFrame] => None ) Array ( [blocks] => specificItem [show] => [itemId] => 281 [exactSize] => 150 [itemFrame] => None [albumFrame] => None ) Array ( [blocks] => specificItem [show] => [itemId] => 284 [exactSize] => 150 [itemFrame] => None [albumFrame] => None ) Array ( [blocks] => specificItem [show] => [itemId] => 287 [exactSize] => 150 [itemFrame] => None [albumFrame] => None )

Under the tent on Saturday morning, I was immediately taken aback by the calmer, more pastel atmosphere.

Error (ERROR_PLATFORM_FAILURE)

in modules/core/classes/GalleryTemplate.class at line 251 (GalleryCoreApi::error)
in modules/core/classes/GalleryTemplate.class at line 180 (GalleryTemplate::_initCompiledTemplateDir)
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc at line 1296 (GalleryTemplate::fetch)
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc at line 777
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc(1139) : regexp code at line 1
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc at line 1139
in ??? at line 0
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-includes/plugin.php at line 163
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-includes/post-template.php at line 79
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-content/themes/bookish/single.php at line 19
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-includes/template-loader.php at line 31
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-blog-header.php at line 20
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/index.php at line 4

A lovely gown from Gown Boutique of Charleston appeared in the Bridal Couture show on Saturday morning. Photo: Ellie Somerville

Two beautiful ribbon chandeliers hung over the runway where the large disco balls once were; young children dressed in their Sunday best frolicked around in the former Red Bull VIP lounge; a delicious array of brunch delights from Carolina Catering were spread across linen-covered tables at the back of the tents; and ladies sipping mimosas chatted quietly in their seats. It was like a breath of fresh air, literally, as the beautiful breeze from outside seemed to whisp around the tents.
Error (ERROR_PLATFORM_FAILURE)

in modules/core/classes/GalleryTemplate.class at line 251 (GalleryCoreApi::error)
in modules/core/classes/GalleryTemplate.class at line 180 (GalleryTemplate::_initCompiledTemplateDir)
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc at line 1296 (GalleryTemplate::fetch)
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc at line 777
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc(1139) : regexp code at line 1
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc at line 1139
in ??? at line 0
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-includes/plugin.php at line 163
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-includes/post-template.php at line 79
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-content/themes/bookish/single.php at line 19
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-includes/template-loader.php at line 31
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-blog-header.php at line 20
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/index.php at line 4

Carolina Catering provided a selection of brunch favorites, including spinach casserole, shrimp & grits, hash browns, muffins, & scones. Photo: Ellie Somerville

Charleston Weddings editor Melissa Bigner hosted the four shows, which included Gown Boutique of Charleston, Copper Penny Bridal, Kate Nevin & Charleston Formal Wear at Berlin’s, and White. And the shows were just as lovely as the ambiance of the tent.

Error (ERROR_PLATFORM_FAILURE)

in modules/core/classes/GalleryTemplate.class at line 251 (GalleryCoreApi::error)
in modules/core/classes/GalleryTemplate.class at line 180 (GalleryTemplate::_initCompiledTemplateDir)
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc at line 1296 (GalleryTemplate::fetch)
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc at line 777
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc(1139) : regexp code at line 1
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc at line 1139
in ??? at line 0
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-includes/plugin.php at line 163
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-includes/post-template.php at line 79
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-content/themes/bookish/single.php at line 19
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-includes/template-loader.php at line 31
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-blog-header.php at line 20
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/index.php at line 4

The Bridal Couture models glide down the runway beneath the breezy ribbon-covered chandeliers. Photo: Brandy Gwyn

The Gown Boutique of Charleston show was first, and included several beautiful wedding dresses, a few bright bridesmaid dresses, and even a little blue flower girl dress. The little girl, Kyla, was the toast of the show, as she pranced down the runway carrying a little basket of flowers, her adorable little smile never dropping a bit.

Error (ERROR_PLATFORM_FAILURE)

in modules/core/classes/GalleryTemplate.class at line 251 (GalleryCoreApi::error)
in modules/core/classes/GalleryTemplate.class at line 180 (GalleryTemplate::_initCompiledTemplateDir)
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc at line 1296 (GalleryTemplate::fetch)
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc at line 777
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc(1139) : regexp code at line 1
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc at line 1139
in ??? at line 0
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-includes/plugin.php at line 163
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-includes/post-template.php at line 79
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-content/themes/bookish/single.php at line 19
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-includes/template-loader.php at line 31
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-blog-header.php at line 20
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/index.php at line 4

Little model Kyla with CFW staffer Ashley Brook Perryman enjoy some brunch after the show. Photo: Ellie Somerville

Later, author Shandon Fowler was introduced to the crowd and discussed his book, “The Groom’s Instruction Manual: How to Survive and Possibly Even Enjoy the Most Bewildering Ceremony Known to Man,” which was available for purchase at the front of the tent. It’s also available on amazon.com if you’d like to pick up a copy. “It’s just different these days,” he said. “In my dad’s time, the men weren’t expected to do anything. They’d just sit back and wait to say I do. But these days it’s different and men are expected to be involved, but no one tells them how to do that. That’s what my book is for!”

Error (ERROR_PLATFORM_FAILURE)

in modules/core/classes/GalleryTemplate.class at line 251 (GalleryCoreApi::error)
in modules/core/classes/GalleryTemplate.class at line 180 (GalleryTemplate::_initCompiledTemplateDir)
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc at line 1296 (GalleryTemplate::fetch)
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc at line 777
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc(1139) : regexp code at line 1
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc at line 1139
in ??? at line 0
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-includes/plugin.php at line 163
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-includes/post-template.php at line 79
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-content/themes/bookish/single.php at line 19
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-includes/template-loader.php at line 31
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-blog-header.php at line 20
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/index.php at line 4

Special guest Shandon Fowler autographed copies of his books during the Bridal Couture show. Photo: Ellie Somerville

And the show even included a few local designers, Jodi Moylan of White and Kate Nevin alongside tuxedos from Berlins. Both lovely ladies preseented their collections of one-of-a-kind bridal designs, which included everything from flowing, Grecian-inspired gowns to empire-waisted, bejeweled dresses.

Error (ERROR_PLATFORM_FAILURE)

in modules/core/classes/GalleryTemplate.class at line 251 (GalleryCoreApi::error)
in modules/core/classes/GalleryTemplate.class at line 180 (GalleryTemplate::_initCompiledTemplateDir)
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc at line 1296 (GalleryTemplate::fetch)
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc at line 777
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc(1139) : regexp code at line 1
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-content/plugins/wpg2/wpg2embed.inc at line 1139
in ??? at line 0
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-includes/plugin.php at line 163
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-includes/post-template.php at line 79
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-content/themes/bookish/single.php at line 19
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-includes/template-loader.php at line 31
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/wp-blog-header.php at line 20
in /home/charfw/public_html/threads/index.php at line 4

Jodi Moylan of White takes a walk down the runway after her beautiful, 20s-inspired show. Photo: Ellie Somerville

Now it’s time to go home and change for tonight’s final shows and the red carpet finale gala. I don’t know about you, but I think a few Red Bulls are going to come in mighty handy again tonight so we can have just as much energy as the rest of the crowd! It’s going to be a blast, so please meet me under the tents to toast the success of CFW 2008.

Cheers,

Russell H. Douglas

Bookmark to: