Charleston Fashion Week : Part 2

Last nights festivities were very exciting! Despite my efforts trying working backstage, I still was able to experience the full effect of the night in a very cozy VIP section. Sitting there, I was hit with very bright colors and patterns from upscale local boutiques (Seeking Indigo, K. Morgan, Palm Avenue, Pearl, and Hampden Clothing) and one upscale national department store (Saks Fifth Avenue with Mary Norton).

The evening started off with my favorite show of the night. Seeking Indigo (originally Putamaya) is an new store hitting the King Street shopping district. It focuses on global designs that are very ethnic and colorful. The owner's travels to exotic places directly influence the stores merchandise. They carry established designers from around the world creating a different environment than most Charleston boutiques. Their opening model had her arms painted with Indian inspired patterns. Also, I was a fan of the hair, long and teased, with simple braids crowning the back of the models' heads. The colors and prints beautifully represented their spring merchadise. I am excited to rummage through this store!

I am a big fan of the K. Morgan store, and I am also very intimidated to walk into it. They carry very high-end lines like Abete and Richard Rulz which aren't very friendly to my financial status. Their show embodied the classic pieces that this small store has, but it was lacking the glamour and high-end status that K. Morgan truly has. The styling was very Hollywood, and I guess I was looking forward to what their runway vision was going to be like and was a little disappointed.

I wanted to highlight some great details in the Palm Avenue collection. I was not expecting the casual faux bob hair-do, but I totally digged it. It was unexpected, fun and playful for this line. In regards to Lily Pultizer's Spring Resort, the back zipper detail is a subtle modern addition the classic prepster brand.

Charleston's own Mary Norton, who is known for her Hollywood Red Carpet clutches, collaborated with Saks Fifth Avenue to present current spring fashions. Her shoe details are very intricate and ornate. Paired with a simple dress, her pumps would make an outfit stand out.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Hampden Clothing! They carry the most delicate jewelry from local artists and pieces from rising fashion designers. This show was the closest to New York Fashion Week. The model selection was lean and very tall, the walks were confident and top-model-ish, and the poses were very couture-like. Over all it was not something I was expecting from such a high end trendy store. Yes they accomplished that they know the current trends like neon, laser cut booties and jumpsuit harem pants, but the execution was vulgar and very L.A. I did appreciate the models being inspired by their looks and acting them out. But for Charleston, it isn't absolutely necessary to flick off the crowd. Or it could be? Just think, proceeds of Charleston Fashion Week go to the Medical University of South Carolina's Children's Hospital. Do the children enjoy seeing a model representing their cause, flicking off potential sponsors? Ehh it's a bit rude, but it surely does not ween me from visiting the store.

My favorite outfit of the night, this gorgeous floor-length dress available at Pearl (a new store opening in near by Mount Pleasant). Their runway was chic and elegant. A very graceful and enjoyable show.

Some celeb sightings...

Mr. Mychael Knight from Project Runway and yes... Mr. Wayne Newton.

Can I mention Mr. Newton gave me a mean squeeze and a kiss on the cheek.

(I can't get this damn formatting right, so its a right squeeze for the celebs)

So far these past two days have been fabulous and exhausting. I leave straight from work to home to take my puppy out, then rush into glam mode trying to find a chic all-black outfit to volunteer in, then find a parking spot downtown only to realize there are none so I drive back home to bike there (hoping it doesn't rain), stand for the majority of the time during the fashion shows, and lastly bike home to get ready for bed. I am hoping to make it to this evening's shows, but it's up in the air. I am ready for the weekend!