Cheer For Charleston Fashion Week 2015

Cheer For Charleston Fashion Week 2015

By: Hope Wilkos, Writer

In just over two months from now, the most stylish fashion week of the South will be giving a big warm welcome to visitors seeking to attend Baker Motor Company Charleston Fashion Week. This exciting event has been named a Top 20 event for the month of March by the Southeast Tourism Society, a draw to the southern hospitality of Charleston.

Quickly gaining widespread acclaim each year, Baker Motor Company Charleston Fashion Week is one of the most unique and diversified fashion events in not only the Southeast, but the entire nation. Concentrating on every facet of the fashion industry, this fashion week focuses on discovering new talent in modeling and fashion design in addition to showcasing the creativity of established and reputable masters in the design industry today. Not only are seasonal fashion collections brought to life, but one full day is devoted to the most magnificent bridal collections presented by top name designers. High-end runway shows, interactive entertainment, shopping for jewelry, accessories and clothing, chic after-parties and many press events are all part of the glamour and the adventure of attending.

As is traditional, soon the makeshift white tents will be rising in Marion Square, by far, one of the most beautiful areas in Charleston. Baker Motor Company Charleston Fashion Week takes place from March 17th through March 21st,2015.

The 2015 fashion panel, judges for the competitions that take place, is comprised of true experts in fashion who are keenly adept at recognizing ambitious and rising stars. Fern Mallis, creator of New York Fashion Week, contributes her massive experience to the success of this event as she serves on this panel. The international design consultant has played an active role in Charleston Fashion Week for quite sometime now. Other famous names playing a part on the panel are Hunter Bell (fashion designer), Lindsey Carter (weekly panel judge), Charles Harbison (fashion designer), David Hart (fashion designer), Katherine McDonald (weekly panel judge), Andrea Serrano (stylist and fashion blogger) and Todd Snyder (fashion designer).

In 2014, the statistics revealed that 7500 guests attended the event. On the social media platform, over 180+ million media impressions were shown on TV, radio, online and in print. Once the week came to a close, preparation already started for 2015. In August of 2014, the Emerging Designer Competition : EAST got underway in an effort to choose the semi-finalists for this year’s fashion week. This year will mark 8 years that this particular competition has taken place. Ayoka Lucas, Style Director for CFW, states “The ED competition serves as a platform for undiscovered talent and connects them with fashion industry insiders who are looking for the next top designer. We have seen EDs go from the CFW runway to being featured on CNN, VOGUE, Marie Claire, ELLE, WWD and other major media outlets. Plus many have had their collections picked up by stores such as Anthropologie, BARNEY’s New York and Neiman Marcus.”  Semifinalists will show their collections on the runway, March 17^th– March 21^st,to an average of 1,000 attendees per night including industry experts such as fashion icon Fern Mallis. “”CFW provides a unique platform for emerging designers from the east coast: I especially love that it fosters new talent and gives aspiring designers an opportunity to present their collections and ideas on a professional runway,” stated Fern Mallis- Creator of New York Fashion Week, host of 92Y Fashion Icons series & SiriusXM Fashion Insiders w/Fern Mallis. Benefitfocus is presenting the competition. When the final winner is announced during Charleston Fashion Week , they will be lucky enough to receive a prize package worth $30,000. Past winners have been known to go on to show in Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week  as well as having their designs pop up on fashion publications around the globe.

The 2015 Emerging Designers Competition: EAST semifinalists chosen to debut their collections at CFW 2015 are:

Christian Caldwell, Tennessee

Sarah Hazel Cannon & Rachel Cole Cannon, North Carolina

Sara Ellis Clark, North Carolina

Casey Crespo, North Carolina

Amanda Dreesen, North Carolina

Andie Enomoto & Taylor Kaclik, New York

Gloria Forehand, New York

Johanna Hickey & Orea Guthrie, Georgia

Caroline Hulsey, Georgia

Bernadette Jeudy & Roxanne Walton, New York & Pennsylvania

Annina King, Pennsylvania

Julie Le & Sean Mueller, North Carolina

Dinah Lightsey, South Carolina

Gabrielle Mandel, Pennsylvania

Christopher John Rogers, Georgia

Roy Blake Smith, New Jersey

Sydney Smith, North Carolina

Richelle Valenzuela, New York

Daniel Velasco & Ryan Workman, Georgia

Elyssa Wingard, South Carolina

 One of the signature events of Charleston Fashion Week is the modeling competition known as ‘Rock The Runway‘.  Aspiring models can have their dreams come true as they take part in this unique opportunity that supports and showcases a community of up-and-coming and undiscovered talent in the realm of runway modeling.

Each year, Charleston Fashion Week^® continues to see a rise in application numbers and former CFW models have gone on to land contracts with:

·      IMG, Elite, IKON, RED NYC, and Ford

·      Secured highly prestigious jobs with Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week, Mercedes-Benz Miami Fashion Week, London Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week, Seventeen, GQ, ELLE, Rolling Stone, America’s Next Top Model, Gossip Girl, Oscar de la Renta, and Gilt Groupe, Marc by Marc Jacobs SS13, among others.

 “Charleston Fashion Week gave me the boost of confidence and exposure that I needed to really start my career. I am truly blessed to have participated in CFW and I’ve met some amazing friends along the way,” stated CFW’s 2012 Rock the Runway Competitionâ„¢ winner Samuel Roberts who recently appeared in the print ad campaign for Marc by Marc Jacobs SS13.

All models that are cast for Charleston Fashion Week^® 2015 will train with renowned model coach Michelle Wood, receive payment, be profiled on the CFW website, and receive a gift bag valued at $500. Additionally, each model will automatically be entered into the Rock the Runway Model Competition™.  “Rock the Runway is a great way to be seen and get discovered by top NY, Miami, Atlanta, LA and local agents,” stated head CFW model judge Karen Lee Grybowski of the KAREN LEE GROUP.

  

The Belk Tent provides plenty of great shopping between shows and there is also a stylish tent which serves cocktails as you wander around looking at the accessories, clothing and much more.

This year will also mark the 3rd year that Charleston Fashion Week is venturing even further into the creative realm with their Fashion and Film Contest. The contest is open to and invites seasonal film veterans, aspiring filmmakers, or a filmmaking team to enter the 2015 competition.  The mission of the competition is to provide a platform for aspiring filmmakers to gain the attention of media and film professionals, both locally and from around the country, by submitting a 2-7 minute film short that ties in fashion in a creative and tasteful manner.

It isn’t too late as the deadline for film submissions is February 21, 2015.  To submit a film to the Fashion and Film Contest please visit charlestonfashionweek.com/backstage/filmcontest, which includes submission procedures and eligibility information. Entries will be judged and selected by a panel of leading film professionals. Prizes include:

• Grand Prize Winner to receive $500 cash prize
• Semifinalists (up to 3 or more) will receive a $200 cash prize
• Each winner will receive two (2) tickets to the CFW event on Wednesday, March 18, 2015
• Winning film(s) and/or a portion of the film(s) may be shown during CFW*
• Winning film(s) and/or a portion of the film(s) may be shown on CFW’s YouTube channel.*

Winning film(s) may also be shown at a specific Fashion + Film event on Sunday, March 22, 2015.

 As if this flurry of exciting activities is not enough to keep you busy, there are some outstanding designers that will showing off their collections at this fashion week for 2015.  Todd Snyder and Charles Harbison will be the featured designers during CFW 2015. The addition of Snyder and Harbison continues the CFW tradition of attracting top-notch designers to judge and mentor the event’s nationally recognized Emerging Designer Competition.

Todd Snyder, one of GQ’s Best New Menswear Designers, is well known for his collection sold at Bergdorf Goodman, Ron Herman, Neiman Marcus, Barney’s New York, and select Nordstrom stores.  Former menswear directgor for The Gap and one-time senior vice president of menswear for J.Crew, Snyder’s own work is inspired by Savile Row craftsmanship, military tailoring, and imparts a distinct New York sensibility.  In 2012, Snyder was selected as one of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalists and also nominated for the CFDA Swarovski Award for Menswear. During that chapter he launched his Todd Snyder + Champion collaboration and opened his first New York boutique in Nolita called City Gym.  Most recently, he was nominated as an International Woolmark Prize finalist for Menswear.

Charles Elliott Harbison is the founder and creative director of his namesake womenswear label, HARBISON, which launched in 2013 and is based in Brooklyn, N.Y. Harbison, a native of sister state, North Carolina, began his professional career with stints at Michael Kors, Luca Luca, and Billy Reid, producing both womenswear and accessories. In 2014, his own work began to earn regular praise internationally with attention from Vogue, Vogue Italia, ELLE, InStyle, and Refinery29.

 “We are excited to have both Todd and Charles as part of our exclusive Featured Designer lineup,” said Jed Drew, publisher of Charleston Magazine and organizer of CFW. “CFW 2015 is shaping up to be bigger and better in every aspect–we expect ticket sales to soar when they go on sale next month.”

 

Both Snyder and Harbison will serve as mentors to the finalists in the Emerging Designer Competition:East, as well as judges during the March 17–21, 2015 event.

Bringing Charleston Fashion Week to a very stylish and quite romantic end in 2015, an entire day will be devoted to the ‘soon to be’ brides and even for those women looking to have the perfect dream wedding when their time comes.

Baker Motor Company Charleston Fashion Week^® 2015 (CFW), announces acclaimed designer Amsale Aberra as the 2015 Bridal Featured Bridal Designer.  Amsale, who will show bridal gowns from her 2015 collections, including Amsale, Christos, Kenneth Pool, Nouvelle Amsale, and Amsale Bridesmaids, will headline the Charleston Weddings’ Spring Bridal Show portion of CFW, held Saturday, March 21, under the tents in Marion Square. “I’m really looking forward to spending time in Charleston. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the country. I will also be looking forward to working with the team at Charleston Weddings whose work I truly admire. And I cannot wait to taste again some of the amazing food that I’ve had in Charleston,” stated Amsale.

 

Amsale’s journey to A-list designer is an inspiring story of talent and determination. Growing up in Ethiopia, little did she dream that one day she’d be a celebrated fashion designer whose clothes would be sold in luxury stores around the world, including her own flagship stores on New York’s Madison Avenue and in Seoul, Korea. That her dresses would grace the red carpet on Oscar winners like Viola Davis, Julia Roberts and Halle Berry, and many others, and be featured in major motion pictures and television shows such as The Hangover, 27 Dresses, Grey’s Anatomy, and Private Practice. Or that she’d be featured in top fashion publications, and profiled in Time, The Wall Street Journal, and WWD, as well as appear on major television shows, including The View, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Entertainment Tonight, and Project Runway, and moreover, star in her own TV show, Amsale Girls.

Amsale Aberra (known professionally by her first name) is co-founder, co-CEO, and creative director of the Amsale Design Group, which houses the Amsale, Christos, and Kenneth Pool collections of wedding and evening wear.

Amsale came to the U.S. from her native Ethiopia to study commercial art in New England. Political unrest in her homeland initially interrupted her studies and kept her stateside. Nevertheless she put herself through school, earning a degree in Political Science at UMASS-Boston. Long held passion, combined with frugality, led her to design and sew her own clothes. At the urging of admiring friends, she moved to Manhattan to attend and graduate from New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology (for which she now serves as a member of its Board of Trustees). Amsale has an immense following in Charleston, where brides find her gowns at White on Daniel Island (Amsale), Maddison Row (Christos), Bella Bridesmaid, and coming soon Gown Boutique (Amsale / Nouvelle.)  “We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Amsale herself to Charleston,” says Melissa Bigner, Editorial Director of Charleston Weddings. “Her gowns are immensely popular with our brides, we know they’ll delight in seeing them on our runway.”

 There is so much to look forward to at  Baker Motor Company Charleston Fashion Week^® 2015 and the best news of all is that it is right around the corner as January and February fly by.  We look forward to seeing you there this year as the city of Charleston is hoping for a record-breaking crowd.