Charleston magazine style blog

Shopping With Friends Time!

It is a tradition in this fashionable city to kick off December with a day of Shopping With Friends!  This year they have pulled out all of the stops with additional giveaways and surprises! Let’s not forget it is totally guilt free shopping as 10% of sales at each of  the 100 plus Red Ribbon Retailers will go to the Lowcountry Aids Services!  So here’s how it works.  Everything kicks off on Friday, December 5th with a celebratory Cocktail Kick Off hosted by Saks Fifth Avenue and Lexus of Charleston. From 6pm -8pm at Saks Fifth Avenue everyone will be welcome to shop, sip cocktails and enjoy hors d’oeuvres prepared by Tristan’s acclaimed chef, Aaron Deal. Get there early as their will be exclusive Jo Malone giveaways and more! Saturday, December 6th, start your shopping day off at the Shopping With Friends Brunch. New location and great new additions! From 10 -12, at the Riviera at Charleston Place, the pre-shopping brunch will be packed with good drink, eats, and prizes! Ok, so let me give you an idea to wet your palette.  Your ticket alone can win you a $500 beauty basket from Saks, $500 gift certificate to White House/Black Market, 7 hour spa package from Stella Nova  and so much more. There will even be a secret giveaway of tickets for Charleston Fashion Week. Yes you read it here first! Also, yours truly will be hosting a denim clinic with great labels on hand and tips for you to get rid of your hunt for the right jean blues. I’ve got you covered but you have to be there to win the prizes and to see my shining smiling pre-shopping coma face! Elle Magazine will be giving away one of the best filled to the brim with goodie bags (which will include discount coupons to shop afterwards at the participating Red Ribbon Retailers) to all brunch guests.

Brooke Ryan and I Model our SWF Edun T-shirts at 95sx for Fashion Friday!

One of my favorite things that you will want to not miss is that you can be the first to sport the stylish SWF t-shirt made by EDUN LIVE, created by Rockstar Bono! This luxe 100% cotton t-shirt is apart of Edun’s eco-sustainable and ultra chic new fashion line. Choose black or white, women’s size S, M, or L. Yes, a collectors item and soooo superstar chic!

Tickets for the SWF Brunch are only $45 and again it’s all for a fabulous cause. Click HERE to purchase!  It’s so very glamorous to give! See you there!

Cynthia Rowley And I Post Interview

Last Wednesday  was a fashion dream otherwise known as Cynthia Rowley’s Grand Opening on King Street!

Host Jeff Rhodes modeling his Cynthia Rowley Threads

This lovely and stylista clad affair was hosted by local fashion aficionados Katie Long Stevenson, Anne Pope, Jane Pope, and Jeffery Rhodes. Trust me…It was a style smorgasbord! Early in the evening I ran into the shop just in time to spot Rowley with hammer and nail in hand putting on the final touches! She graciously granted me an interview for the Style Blog in the midst of all the excitement. Enjoy!

CM: The number one question I’m sure you will be asked tonight is why Charleston? It’s an honor to be the location for your 5th boutique!

CR: I always wanted to have a good excuse to come here! For example, when I opened a store in Chicago, which is my hometown, I just wanted to be able to go back and see everyone and have a good excuse. I realize that having a store somewhere is a good excuse to keep coming up back. Charleston was high on the list. It’s so beautiful!

CM: With all of the multi-tasking you do (fashion, housewares, author) what motivates you to keep going and to remain innovative with new creative concepts?

CR: Ha! People were teasing me because I was drawing on the plane at 7 am on the way here! I can’t sit still but I do no how to relax. I think it’s due to the fact that I grew up in a creative household so it just seems normal. I started out with nothing so I would be so thankful if someone ever asked me to make something. Now that I have all of these amazing opportunities to create things I can’t say no. I just want to keep doing it. To me it seems normal that you should be able to do everything.

CM: Do you sleep at night?

CR: People always ask that. When I finally do lay my head down I’m out!

CM: I had the pleasure of attending your Spring ‘09 collection presentation at NY Fashion Week. What was the design philosophy behind such a fashion forward collection?

CR: I just felt like I wanted to really push it to the limit. I felt like something was changing in the world and in fashion so I just wanted it to be bare down to  the most clean, graphic elements that would be in clothes. I also added a little hint of athleticism.

CM: With our very own Charleston Fashion Week coming up what advice would you give to our aspiring designers entering the Emerging Design competition who may not have a clue about the industry?

CR: Yes, I have heard about this event! I can relate to them because that’s how I started! I would be cutting fabric on the floor in my apartment  and sewing everything myself and people would say there are factories that can sew that for you. I thought “oh cool, that will save me so much  time.”  I think number one you have to have complete don’t take no for an answer, total conviction for what you do. It’s so much work. So I would say be totally and completely committed. I also think you have to learn how to do everything. Even if you don’t do it all yourself you should still know how to do it. Know every aspect of the business and be optimistic about everything. If you can’t go in the door go in the window. You have to be super resourceful and don’t stop until you get what you want!

CM: As a top designer what would be one thing you would change about the fashion industry?

CR: The sort of minor thing I would change is that the shows ruin my summer. Like in August when everyone else is in the Mediterranean, and on their yachts, I’m working in my studio. Same with Christmas and New Years. So I would change the show times. It’s not really philosophical but would definitely make my life easier. Otherwise I think there are so many opportunities that you really could carve your own path. You don’t have to follow the rules. The industry is the industry but I don’t think there is anything you can’t do. You can create a way. Instead of changing the industry I would say forge your own path.

CM: How would you describe your own personal wardrobe/style? I know as a Style Editor I feel under a lot of pressure to always look fashionable.

CR: I feel the same pressure. It’s really hard. One of the many benefits is that I have a lot of things at my disposal and if it doesn’t exist I can try to whip it up. I’m looking to design lingerie and then I won’t ever have to shop!

CM: Is that next for the Cynthia Rowley Brand?
CR: Maybe! There are a few surprises coming up but I don’t think my publicist will let me tell you just yet!

LOVE these Cynthia Rowley Accessories!

Time to pick out an outfit and get ready for the 3rd Annual Thursday made in italy runway presentation and party! Yes, time to get a little runway action and wet your palette for Charleston Fashion Week only 4 months away! It all takes place this Thursday at the Hibernian Hall with doors opening at 7:30 and a portion of proceeds to benefit the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of the Trident Area. You know I love fashion with a conscience! The hottest designers will be shown by Hampden Clothing, V2V, Cose Belle and Luxe Boutique.

Ashlee Simpson and L.A. Designer Mehera Blum

Guest L.A. designer Mehera Blum for Blumera will also a special addition to the fashion festivities. One last thing! Yours truly will be the Emcee for the evening so I want to look out and see Charleston Glamouratti in the house! Make me proud! Now run don’t walk to the computer and order your tickets at U-topiaevents.com!

Speaking of fashion, Kulture Klash III packed in over 1500 of the coolest kids in town. You know it’s a blast when people are dancing on rails and while hanging on ladders meanwhile live screen-print art clad Vintage T’s are being sold and the crowd has clearly been touched by the fashion god! Seriously the street style at this party was on another level! Can’t wait for KK IV! I’m planning my outfit already!

Kulture Klash Style! Don’t try this at home!

I love the Moschino belt and the three finger rings!

No Caption Necessary

The B’zar-Suite Sole Crew. Fresh!

Kulture Klash photos by Walter Pinkney.

Truly, I can hardly wait for Saturday! It’s going to be marathon but so worth it!

Charleston Fashion Week Models

After a morning of scouting a few photo shoot possibilities, I will head over to the Art Institute of Charleston for the Charleston Fashion Week Model Casting Call. From 2 - 5pm I will watch countless aspiring models show off their runway walk for a chance to be a CFW model. If that’s you please check out CharlestonFashionWeek.com for all details! The model casting call is one of my favorite parts of the planning process. Think American Idol but for fashion and in Charleston! Love it!

After I wrap up the casting, I will head over to the newest gallery hotspot, Eye Level Art on Heriot Street (same location as the Vintage Queen party). They are hosting a contemporary show featuring the works of Tyler Blanton and Ishmael (whose name many of you may recognize). The concept of this show is so cool. The two artist will collaborate to present a show with new works, interactive murals and my favorite part — an Art Shop where you can buy products inspired by their work. I love any event that includes shopping!

Kulture Klash Style

And then I will close the night at one of my favorite Street Style winning locations, Kulture Klash III. With out fail, I can expect again this year to see the cool kids with the freshest attire in attendance! It blows my mind every year! I find myself wondering where have all of these fashion visions been hiding themselves year round! The event is much more than my own style haven but it also manages to pack in over 40 different artist displays, multiple DJ’s and live music, performance art and a packed dance floor! They even offer a shuttle to the location at 10 Storehouse Row in the Navy yard at Noisette. This time around I’m looking forward to the vintage t-shirt option they are offering. Artists Kevin Taylor, Julio Cotto, Nathan Durfee, Johnny Pundt, Scott Debus, and Wolfkid will create drawings using black markers to be printed on vintage style t-shirts. Attendees will be able to pick the artist they love and the shirt size, and their wearable works of art will be printed by Vapor Apparel on the spot! Don’t forget to stop by the live photo booth shot by Walter Pinkney! He promised to send me the best street style shots for the blog! Purchase tickets at etix.com!

Stylista Heather At Suite Sole

Last night the Design Walk was a hit! It may have been the largest crowd that I have experienced yet. Upper King was the place to be and everywhere I passed was packed from retail stores to restaurants! I love seeing the growth of this area.

Walter Pinkney Fashion Photo Exhibit At B’zar

One of the highlights of my evening was checking out the new fashion photography exhibit by Walter Pinkney on display in B’zar! I am a sucker for a stunning fashion pictorials and these did not disappoint! I ran into one of the models on hand and quickly sized her up for Charleston Fashion Week! By the way, is it just me or is that tu tu in the window of Wonderland the cutest thing you’ve ever seen! Ah…such good times in Charleston’s fashion world! It really is a good month for the style scene!

Model wearing Hunter Dixon

I love it when designers come to town because it makes the city feel so much like a fashion destination. Wait, we are! Ah…beautiful words! Last Thursday I had the pleasure of attending the Hunter Dixon trunk show presented (and being sold) by Hampden Clothing at Pierre Deux on King Street. Why Pierre Deux you say? Well cleverly they had just received their hot item for fall, the Voyager trunks, inspired by Louis Vuitton and Goyard vintage steamer trunks and of course it was a trunk show after all…so to speak.

Brooke and Ashley

Naomi, Stacy, and Jen

Even though I spent a great deal of the night in the stunning back courtyard of Pierre Deux with other notable fashionistas such as Brooke Ryan (95sx), Ashley Perryman (celebrity Hair and Makeup Artist), and Stacy Smallwood (owner of Hampden Clothing), I did manage to chat with the best dressed lady of the night Naomi Cooper, (Director of Marketing & Public Relations for Pierre Deux) who was wearing none other than Hunter Dixon. Before the night ended I snuck a moment with designer Jen Dixon who was excited about the launch in Charleston and had lots of enthusiasm about the upcoming Charleston Fashion Week!

Speaking of Hampden Clothing, it has been a long time coming but the Jillian Lewis (of Project Runway) collection has arrived in store! Hot!

Mike Elder, owner of Eye Level Art, and Lori Wyatt, Vintage Broker

Over the weekend, I was in a total vintage fashion coma as I attended the Vintage Queen Sale at Eye Level Art featuring a vast variety from the collection of vintage broker Lori Wyatt! I had the fortune of styling her house for a shoot for Charleston Home over a year ago in which I spent quite a bit of time in going through her racks. You can imagine my excitement when I heard that I she was releasing so many collectibles!

What people often don’t understand about this type of thing is how hard it is to do this when you have been a collector of vintage for years. She wins the award for fashion bravery as I would need therapy in order to do such a thing. I’m so thankful she did because what a glamorous selection! If you missed out don’t worry! The sale will continue at Eye Level Art for another week! Vintage lovers, you won’t want to miss this!

Hats

Vintage Men’s Section

Vintage Accessories

Vintage Handbags

Love Vintage!

Guess who’s coming to King Street now!

Juicy Couture Coming Soon

Passionately Pink For The Cure

Are you passionately pink ladies? Of course you are! After all it’s October and that means it’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Ok if you haven’t gone pink yet here is your chance! On Thursday, October 16th, II Brunettes will host their “Passionately Pink for the Cure” Silent Auction Soiree benefiting “Susan G. Komen for the Cure”. I’m talking $3,000 worth of donations provided by such sponsors as Bon Affaires, Buy the Bunch, Chantilly , Cookies by Design , Crushed, Cupcake, Facial Fusion, Fitness Now, Girly Girls, Little Gym, Luxe Boutique, Miss Priss Jewelry, Pupcakery, Salon Capelli, Shoe La La, Susan Michelle Shoes, Station 41 Tanning, Stella Nova Spa and Salon, Wagers Jewelers, Wonder Works, and Zinnia. I’m loving this list!

rlee Collection - Oct 08

Ok, ok so here is another chance! rlee Collection Studio & Boutique’s “Pink 4 A Purpose” promotion will donate 25% of all pink bag purchases to the National Breast Cancer Foundation! Now you are really going to love this! When you do buy a rlee Collection pink purse, local Certified Personal Trainer, Bo Taylor, will include a free 1-hour personal training session! Sweet deal!

Pink it out!

So many things are a buzz in the retail world so fasten your seat belt as I give you the crash course of what’s happening!

Suite Sole Boutique

If you love kicks then you will not want to miss this! You may have read in the October issue of Charleston Mag in the Style File Buzz that the husband and wife duo and owners of B’zar Andrea and Gustavo Serrano have just opened up a second shop called Suite Sole. This premier (Charleston’s first) sneaker boutique looks like something right off of the streets of SoHo. They will be carrying a selection of style featuring Adidas, Nike, Creative Recreations, Keep, Alife, Clae, Schmoove and more hard to find sneaker labels. To add to this killer ensemble of brands they will also sell street wear style t-shirts and accessories.

Suite Sole Logo

Don’t miss the official grand opening party this Saturday October 4th at 47 1/2 Spring Street downtown Charleston from 6 until 10pm. P.S. Love the logo!!!

Stella Nova

Alas, what is fashion without the beauty! Stella Nova will present their 4th Annual Makeover For A Difference beauty event on October 10 & 11 in both the Downtown Esthetique & Make-Up Studio & Mt. Pleasant’s Towne Center Spa Salon & Beauty Boutique from 10 - 6pm. I’m talking complimentary makeovers by guest and expert make up artists. The most glamourous thing about this event is that it’s a benefit to Skirt! Magazine’s College Scholarship Fund and The Eagle Harbor Boys Ranch, two local initiatives dedicated to advancing the well-being of women and children. Get your beauty on and at the same time do some good in the world. Can’t beat it!

Ok…get ready because I have a major SALE alert! Miostile is shutting down shop and going totally “.com”. Yes, this staple Charleston boutique will still be in business but solely online! So you know what that means! Up to 75% off on your most beloved brands such as Alice & Olivia, C&C, Dolce Vita, and the list goes on. Don’t forget the adorable clothes for the little munchkins too!

Ah so much great retail so little time!

Tulah Ray Clutch

On one of my scouting days last week I stumbled across this great clutch by Tulah Ray at Max Jerome. LOVE! I am a huge clutch fanatic and I’m so happy it’s so on trend right now and everyone is designing them! Tulah Ray’s design cleverly features another fall trend, the asymmetrical zipper embellishment! Fashion rocks!!! Seriously this has rock star written all over it! Also the plum color is a must have for this season’s wardrobe so this is a win-win situation! This fab bag also comes in chic classic black. Definitely worthy of adding to my clutch collection. You can never have enough!

Harajuku Lovers Hi Top

I just love fashion for the babies! I am so thrilled that celebrities are reproducing because that means mini-fashionista and tiny super style stars are popping up everywhere! That includes right here in Charleston! The wonderfully chic baby boutique, Wonderland in the Design District is carrying these adorable Harajuku Lovers Hi Top kicks! Thank you Gwen Stefani! Honestly, these sneaks are just too cute for words! They are available in sizes 11 -3 which fits ages ranging from 4-9 yrs. old. All I can say is LOVE LOVE LOVE! Really, it makes me want to babble in baby talk! Style should always start from birth!