Charleston Fashion Week recently announced the eight semi-finalists for the 2010 Emerging Designer Competition: Southeast. Five of the finalists are from the Charleston area, two of them recognizable from the city’s various fashion events — Chelsie Ravenel and Anna Lassiter are models as well as designers. The other Charlestonians include Barbara Beach, Jamie Lin Snider, and Julia Faye Davison. Rounding out the competition are Larika Page of Lithia Springs, Ga., Hannalei Taylor of Monroe, N.C., and Uriel Zamora of Hialeah, Fla. Uriel’s the youngest at 23, and the oldest is Larika, at 31. For the first time in CFW history (well, besides Marysia’s occasional kid’s swimsuits), Barbara Beach presents a children’s line.
All eight designers will debut their spring collections opening night of Charleston Fashion Week in March. Three finalists will advance to the design challenge of the competition (a la Project Runway) which culminates under the tents in Marion Square on March 20. The grand prize winner will receive a free runway show at CFW 2011, a booth at the AmericasMart® Atlanta Apparel Market, a $15,000 website from F22 Design, and $1,000 cash prize. Learn more about the semi-finalists at charlestonfashionweek.com.
In other CFW news, Project Runway finalist Carol Hannah Whitfield will debut her collection during the Bridal Couture Show.
Though trained as architects, Katie Johnston and Lauren Sanchez have recently branched out into a new kind of design world: architecturally-inspired accessories. Both women attended the Auburn University School of Architecture, and they incorporate their skills into their jewelry and handbags. Blue Bicycle Books will host a “Book-cessories” event featuring their pieces on Thurs. Dec. 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. Sanchez is the part owner with her husband, Jonathan, of the popular used book store.
Sanchez, co-owner of the bookstore with her husband Jonathan, came up with the idea for L_Design handbags from the piles of fabric her architectural firm planned to throw out. She realized these throwaways could be put to good use as clutches, wallets, and shoulder bags. The purses are offered in eclectic modern, retro, and classic upholstery fabrics.
Johnston’s necklaces, earrings, and bracelets are made from a variety of materials including sterling silver, gold fill, and reused materials like CMYK newspaper aluminum printing plates, aluminum building flashing, HVAC grills, beads, and pearls. The pieces exhibit architectural principles of form, texture, structure and light in a wearable form and can be previewed on her website.
Enjoy a glass of champagne and a quick snack as you support these local designers at this one-night-only event.
The new Hope and Union Coffee Co. on St. Philip Street hosts a collaborative holiday shopping event between Candy Shop Vintage and Proud Mary this weekend.
Deirdre Zahl, of Candy Shop, collects unique vintage jewelry collected from antique markets all over the country, while the sustainable designs of Proud Mary include purses, pillows, and more inspired by the founders’ travels. Harper Poe, one of the designers behind Proud Mary, owns Hope and Union with her husband John Vergel de Dios.
The sale will be on Sat. Dec. 12 from 1-5 p.m. and Sun. Dec. 13 from 12-4 p.m. and will include light holiday beverages and snacks, including sweets from Sugar and eggnog. Zahl’s husband, DJ Jaz, will be providing music. More information can be found here.
