Charleston Fashion Week 2010 Overview

From March 16-20, 2010, Charleston's Marion Square was transformed from a park into a place of high fashion. Magnificent white tents were erected to house Charleston Fashion Week, which brought in designers, boutiques and fashion lovers from all over the Southeast.

With fashions and front row clientele to rival those of the tents in New York's Bryant Park, Charleston's 4th year of Fashion Week has definitely established it as a fashion force to be reckoned with. The energy inside the main tent on Friday was palpable as DJ Sonar pumped out the grooves, The Hat Ladies of Charleston were photographed like celebrities, and screens surrounding the runway streamed live tweets of anyone and everyone talking about Charleston Fashion Week. Purple lights fluttered around the locale, giving a rock star glow to all in their path.

Wednesday's Featured Designer, Mychael Knight, was milling around the runway while anyone within his vicinity was trying to get his autograph and picture. Though Ashley Reid was the featured designer of the evening, Mychael was clearly the most popular person under the tent before the show.

Friday's show opened with a great mash up of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" and Joan Jett's "I Love Rock N' Roll," which really set the mood for the fun-filled production. Local boutiques showed off their discerning eyes for fashion as well as their styling skills when sending models down the runway in their best and brightest. Overall, most of the boutiques had very strong shows that really displayed each of their individual aesthetics. The ones showing more youthful collections definitely had the most crowd approval though. Featured Designer Ashley Reid took to the runway with her collection, Clewis Reid, at the end of the night to much applause and acclaim.

The next morning was the Bridal Couture show, which was a completely different atmosphere for a completely different crowd. The venue was more intimate, with flowers adorning the runway backdrop and thoughtfully placed around the tent, and crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Whites, soft pinks and nudes were the order of the day, as everything from the lounge seating in the corners to the mimosas at the bar reflected the romantic theme. Various local vendors and wedding/accessory boutiques were stationed around the outer perimeter of the tent, offering items for sale and hopeful of catching a bride's eye with their wedding wares. With attendants dressed like they were going to a summer wedding, it was definitely a crowd who was eager to see the latest in wedding fashion. Featured designer (and South Carolina native) Carol Hannah Whitfield really brought the tent down, as hers was a collection that did not disappoint.

A few hours later, it was time for the Finale, and Fashion Week would be coming to a close. That didn't stop those in attendance from making it a memorable night, however. It was definitely an evening to party, and there was no shortage of that anywhere around Marion Square. Fashionable guests were photographed at the Charelston Fashion Week backdrops, a mini lounge was set up outside for those who needed a breath of fresh air, and the inside of the tent was truly transformed from the previous night. Soft, crisp décor gave way to a hip red and black color scheme, and the rows of chairs gave way to a dance floor, leather seating and bar tables in their place. The only runway seating was reserved for celebrities and special guests, like designers Mychael Knight and Carol Hannah Whitfield, Elle magazine Fashion News Director Anne Slowey, and Project Runway Alum Logan Neitzel.

The fashion shows that evening highlighted the three finalists for the Emerging Designer Competition: Southeast, who were asked to create a final look as an homage to the late Alexander McQueen. The parameters were to use white button downs, and each designer truly came up with a unique look. Of the three finalists, Barbara Beach, Jamie Lin Snider and Larika Page, Barbara Beach was given the honor of the People's Choice award, with Larika Page winning the competition this year. Barbara received a Bernina sewing machine as her prize, and Larika was given $1,000, a $15,000 website makeover and a show at next year's Charleston Fashion Week, among other prizes.

After the runway show of last year's Emerging Designer Competition: Southeast winner, Marysia Dobrzanska Reeves, it was time to party. Hip-hop violinist Daniel D performed to cheers and hollers, and the Glam Rock Soul dancers brought the house down. Not only the areas flanking the runway but the runway itself was turned into a dance floor as DJ Sonar took over the tunes and everyone clicked their stilettos and loafers to the retro remixed beats.

With the amount of talent and creativity in the room, it was any fashion lover's dream. It's tough to imagine how Charleston Fashion Week 2011 can top this year's.