Charleston Fashion Week Blog

Thank Goodness It’s (ELD) Friday!

“No time to talk! No time to talk!” said Foster Fox as he rushed passed news camera crews and into the main CFW tent. I hadn’t asked him anything yet, neither had the news anchors, but I wasn’t surprised. Foster, along with five other local talented designers, would be debuting their Spring 2008 collections on the runway within an hour. Needless to say, tensions were high in Marion Square last night, and I was loving every minute of it.

Charleston magazine staffers Lindsay Williams, Christy Ruthsatz, Lauren Shoffner, and Haley Crow hang out in the Red Bull VIP lounge before the ELD shows. Photo: Ellie Somerville While everyone backstage was in a frantic frenzy to get ready, I was hell bent on meeting and greeting our celebrity guest Jillian Lewis from Project Runway before the show. I knew she was going to be sitting on the front row, and if you’ve been under the tents this week, you know that the front row is NOT an easy place to access. The beautiful, svelte brunette was mingling with CFW staffer Julie Montgomery outside the tent, so I considered it the perfect time to introduce myself. (Or actually, it was Ellie’s idea to walk over there… I just tagged along and tried to play it cool.) After ranking third on the hit TV show, you’d think Jillian would be a total diva, but actually, she was the complete opposite.

CFW staffer Julie Montgomery (left) meets Jillian Lewis (center) from this season of Project Runway before the Friday fashion shows begin. Photo: Ellie Somerville“Oh my gosh, we loved you on that show,” I said coyly. “I totally think you should’ve won.” (As I waited in trepid anticipation for her response to my stupid remark, I got a chance to really get a close look at her. Her porcelain skin, those crystal blue eyes, and her dark brown curls… she was the epitomy of style. Clad in a little pink dress and black fishnets, I swear she could pass for one of the models.) All of sudden, she responded. “Well, thank you. I think I did pretty well, though.” Nodding my head in agreement, I turned to face the girl taking our picture. Smiling–and starstruck–I couldn’t get over the fact that we were taking a picture with Jillian Lewis. How cool is that?

ELD designer Foster Fox, style editor Ayoka Lucas, and Project Runway’s Jillian Lewis hang out backstage between shows. Photo: Ellie SomervilleAfter my photo shoot with Jillian (oh yeah, I’m name dropping again because she’s a fashion rockstar) I heard the first “please take your seats” announcement and headed into the tent. I wanted to make sure I had a good standing spot because these shows were going to be the sensation of fashion week.

Charleston editor in chief Darcy Shankland, Charleston Home editor, Ellen McGauley, and Charleston Weddings editor Melissa Bigner hang out in the Red Bull VIP lounge between shows. However, others obviously felt the same way, as the masses of attendees crowded in tightly around the corners of the tent, leaving little room to move–let alone see the runway. Squishing my way to the semi-front of the crowd, I grabbed my notepad just as the lights dimmed and the huge CFW screens illuminated. Taking a deep breath, I prepared myself for the event of the week. The emerging local designer’s show was finally here!

The tents were packed for the ELD shows. Photo: Ellie SomervilleAshley Reid’s “Ballet Tribe” collection was first, which she explained was inspired by a building that she saw in North Charleston. I didn’t get the name of the building, but I remember wishing they’d shown a picture of it before the show so we could see the relationship between the clothes and the inspiration. Regardless, the show rocked. Slender models donning flowy tops, racer back tanks, and graphic prints filed down the runway to the upbeat, remixed tribal music.

A model cascades down the runway donning a beautiful dress and elaborate make up during the Ashley Reid show. Photo: Ellie SomervilleI found myself transfixed with the models’ Africa-inspired make up, which reminded me of “The Lion King” on Broadway. Each face was a visonary work of art; a sleek silver strip was painted across one model’s eyes, another appeared to have whiskers, while one other wore leopard spots. It truly accented the urban jungle vibe of the show, eliciting loud hollers from the pleased audience.

Three models from Ashley Reid’s show wore Africa-inspired make up to accent the tribal-themed clothes in the collection. Photo: Ellie SomervilleTo my right, I heard two ladies discussing the collection. “I would totally wear that,” one said. “Oh, I know right. And that make up, oh my gosh. It’s incredible. It should have it’s own show!” Overall, Reid’s show demonstrated the importance of paying attention to every detail when it comes to fashion. From the clothes to the artful make up, I knew her show would be a hard act to follow.Next up was Rachel Gordon’s lovely collection, which featured an array of flowy, dream-like dresses perfect for a flirty night on the town. Though the first low cut dress in the show caused one on-looker to say, “Does it come with two-sided tape?”, the sassy model wearing the ensemble seemed to read our minds, and lifted up her arms turning side to side at the base of the runway to prove that everything would stay in place. Another model in the show walked out wearing a large professional camera around her neck as a prop. In those towering heels, I was scared that she may go bounding off the runway at any minute, but the red-dress clad vixen made it all the way down and back, strutting her stuff and even taking a few shots of the crowd. I met up with her later backstage, and discovered that her name was Diana Deaver and she’d been in the media pit as a photographer all week long. No wonder she was able to keep her balance while toting a huge Nikon in platforms!

Model and photographer Diana Deaver works the runway during the Rachel Gordon show. Photo: Ellie SomervilleOther than the chick with the camera—who I hoped wouldn’t plunge into the crowd with that huge camera around her neck!—the Rachel Gordon show was definitely a crowd pleaser. I asked around later, and CFW staffer Molly Maguth told me how much she’d loved the show. “Everyone was saying how it was so on trend with the long dresses, reversible pieces, and differently patterned fabrics,” she said. “I would wear everything in that collection!”Between shows, Lacoste CEO Bob Siegel, who was also one of the judges for our emerging local designer competitions, came out on the runway to tell the crowds about their chance to win two tickets to New York Fashion Week 2009. He told audience members to register at the back of the tents, or go online to familycirclecup.com/FashionWeek. The crowd went nuts and people swarmed around the back of the tent in excitement.

Lacoste CEO Bob Siegel announces that audience members are eligible to win tickets to next year’s New York Fashion Week in Bryant Park. Photo: Ellie SomervilleThen it was time for Foster Fox to show his Spring 2008 collection, and I must say, it was just as unique, fun, and fabulous as he is. His theme was “Baccarat chic” and said he wanted to demonstrate the elegance of “high-rollers in Las Vegas…dripping with diamonds.” To the surprise of the crowd, the models pranced down the catwalk to opera music at first, which later morphed into upbeat techno music resembling “We Will Rock You.”

Models from Foster Fox’s upbeat show get ready to take to the runways. Photo: Ellie Somerville But the music wasn’t the only shocking factor of the show. Most of the clothes, and I mean everything from tank tops, to red silk pants, to bathing suits, were emblazoned with images of Charleston magazine style editor Ayoka Lucas’ face. From her seat on the front row, Ayoka looked on in awe as the models sporting her face breezed by, often looking down at her with a wink and a smile. By the end of the show, the crowd was going nuts, and our humble style editor had tears in her eyes. So, as expected, Foster’s show really did rock the house, especially since it was the only show to include riding hats, horse crops, and images of our lovely style editor on most of the pieces.

Two pieces from Foster Fox’s show, both including pictures of Charleston magazine’s style editor, Ayoka Lucas. Photo: Ellie SomervilleRight when the first model stepped out onto the runway for Megan Waldrep’s show, I knew immediately that her style icon/inspiration had to be designer Betsey Johnson. With fun, bright colors, funky and spunky cocktail dresses, and outrageous hair styles—including one girl with bright pink hair, it soon became obvious that Miss Johnson may have a little competition. But other than the line up of amazing clothes in her collection, the models really made the show memorable as they often, skipped, danced, and even formed a conga line down the runway. It really added life to the already colorful show.

The fun models in Megan Waldrep’s show formed a conga line on the catwalk at one point. Photo: Ellie SomervilleMembers of the audience also liked the fact that not all the models in Waldrep’s show were a size 0. “You don’t have to be 5′10” and rail thin to wear these clothes,” said on-looker Whitney Parker. “I mean, these clothes are not only really fun, they’re really wearable and good for people with realistic bodies. I love that!”Though every ELD show was amazing, no other collection got as many “Oh, I’d want that dress” or “I wonder if I can order that online” or “Oh my gosh, that’s the cutest thing ever”-s as Krista Beth Huff’s. (Or at least that was the case from where I was standing.) The collection included a lot of bright colors, avant garde hair, flirty little dresses, and most of the pieces had bows. The show was feminine, wearable, and sexy, while still remaining incredibly innovative. Miss Huff even received a standing ovation at the end of her show. I was lucky enough to meet her backstage, and she was such a Southern delight.Ending up the night was Carol Hannah Whitfield, whose collection included ethereal pieces inspired by the mixed of the architecture and organic aspects of Charleston. Most of the models almost resembled pixies, as their hair and make up often included sparkles, flowers, or leaves.

Models from the Carol Hannah Whitfield show goofed around backstage before the show. Photo: Russell DouglasBut it was one dress in particular, a long, flowing teal frock, seemed to be the premiere piece in the show and a real hit with the audience. One girl was even overheard saying, “That is the most beautiful dress I’ve seen all night.”

A model in the Carol Hannah Whitfield show really impressed on-lookers in this flowy, teal gown. Photo: Ellie SomervilleAfter the final model disappeared off the runway and the lights under the tent came up, a loud uproar resounded backstage as the ELD designers toasted the success of their evening with flutes of champagne. To their surprise, they were asked back out on the runway by Ayoka, and all pranced out and waved to the screaming crowd, taking bows and waving. It was truly a wonderful sight from my perch backstage, as the ELDs locked arms and took great bows. A few were even crying as they toasted one another, causing many of the audience members to shoot up from their chairs and give them a standing ovation.

The ELDs take a bow at the conclusion of the evening. Photos: Ellie SomervilleAfter the show, everyone headed to the amazing after party at Trio, where DJ Akfool spun some awesome tunes downstairs and 60s party band Loose Chain rocked out in the upstairs bar. And even Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Tony Romo dropped by the party to celebrate the ELD success! Sadly, girlfriend Jessica Simpson wasn’t there, but hanging out with Mr. Romo the VIP was just incredible. (It may come close to meeting Jillian, but she still takes the CFW celebrity cake, of course.)

Tony Romo (right) parties with a fan at the CFW afterparty at Trio.Now it’s time to get ready to walk down the aisle at tomorrow’s Bridal Couture shows, finish up CFW with a few more amazing shows at night, including Mary Norton and Copper Penny, then I’ll be strutting my stuff to the Red Carpet Finale Gala. Hope to see you all there!Cheers,Russell H. Douglas

Bookmark to: