Charleston Fashion Week emerges

Image by TheDigitel

Sunday evening gave preview to the week ahead for Charleston Fashion Week with the Emerging Designer cocktail reception on the rooftop of the Restoration on King Hotel

The night’s cooler weather left guests shivering and feeling wind-blown on the top of the luxe hotel. But the view made up for the chill and spirits were high amongst the crowd of Charleston Magazine personalities, models, media, friends and representatives from one of the charitable partners of this year’s event, Lowcountry AIDS Services.  

Most of the Emerging Designers were in attendance and excited for the week ahead, but thinking more about the finishing touches on their collections and final model fittings, than the Korbel champagne, tapas fare provided by Rice Market, or the approaching sunset over the Holy City.

Charleston Magazine’s style editor and local fashion maven Ayoka Lucas toasted the designers and noted how they truly had emerged ahead of the rest. Selected from a pool of 130 applicants from 21 states, these 16 semifinalists will show their Fall 2011 collections each night, Tuesday through Friday, with only four moving on to the finals on Saturday to compete for the title of Charleston Fashion Week Emerging Designer.

The buzz on the rooftop was how talented this group is and that the bar will be raised for future years because of this group of designers. While past years have showcased rising talent, this year the roster collectively is strong, talented and a fashion-forward group. Charleston will be the judge on the runway starting Tuesday night.