Let You Be You

Crochet and Macrome

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 19:55:51 -0400

These two fabric finishes are a great match to beachwear.

Trend 2011: TASSELS

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 21:29:54 -0500

In Spring 2011 one of the most popular trimmings/details is tassels. Tassels are seen adorning everything from handbags to shoes to dresses to hats. They symbolize luxury, off shooting from the historical and military influences we’ve seen in past seasons.

TREND 2011: STRIPES

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 23:34:22 -0500

Stripes are a dominant part of any Spring/Summer season, however, year after year, there is always a different play on classic (usually nautical inspired) stripes. The key to this trend this year is that stripes be bold and dominate the outfit by drawing attention to the stripes beyond all else in the look.

TREND 2011: LACE

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 14:18:00 -0500

Although lace is not a new trend, like all trends that carry over to multiple seasons, it has evolved. It is more about how to wear the trend now in 2011, and how to set yourself apart from the masses. For Spring/Summer 11, lace is trending to the more classic side with antique-style fabrics and looks, with less of the allover stretch lace and more toward a unique look. What sets lace apart in this year from previous seasons is that lace is no longer just an added detail to a garment, it has become the garment, so we are seeing more and more lace skirts and dresses, which can be carried into autumn/fall 2011.

Hair Obesessed: 2011 trends

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 23:06:35 -0500

OBSESSED: Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 08:54:13 -0500

WHAT I WANT NOW: EMERALD GREEN!!!

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 19:06:19 -0500

WHAT I WANT NOW: EMERALD GREEN!!!

Smart Shopping and How to Make the Most of a Limited Wardrobe

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 23:31:00 -0500

Dressing fashionably does not necessarily mean spending a fortune. By learning a few fashion tips, you’ll be able to come up with a terrific wardrobe and still save money while doing it. By taking advantage of what you already have in your closet, knowing when clothing fits properly and when it doesn’t, and determining what pieces you need to enhance your current wardrobe, you can come up with incredible outfits without spending a lot of money.

CLOSET MAINTENANCE

Knowing what you have in your closet is extremely helpful when building a wardrobe. A nice thorough cleaning of your closet may produce items you didn’t know you already had. Here are a few steps for you to consider when checking out your closet inventory:

1- TRY EVERYTHING ON

Take everything out closet and try it on. Look at it in the mirror and give yourself an honest, unbiased opinion. Carefully analyze every piece, and if it doesn’t fit or you think it doesn’t look good, get rid of it.

2- IF YOU HAVEN’T WORN IT FOR A YEAR, GET RID OF IT!

If you come across a piece in your wardrobe that you haven’t worn in over a year, ask yourself “Do I see myself wearing this within the next few months?”….be honest….and if the answer is no, then donate it or give it to a friend that might get more use out of it.

3- MAKE A DETAILED LIST OF “REPLACEMENTS”

After you have completed going through everything, it is time to make a list of items you need. When making this list, the first pieces you need to think about are your basics/classic items: white blouse, black pants, black skirt, perfect fitting jeans, so on and so forth. You can find a detailed list of what classic items every woman should have in her wardrobe online. And if you already have a sustainable collection of basics and classic pieces, sometimes all you need are a few fashionable accessories like jewelry, scarves, handbags, and shoes to enhance a classic look, which you can find at all of the local discount retailers like TJMax and Marshalls.

SMART SHOPPING

Here are some helpful tips when shopping on a budget and going out to find those key items you need in your wardrobe:

1- SALES PEOPLE

Become friendly with sales associates at stores you like to shop, or would potentially like to shop. They can be a wonderful source of information. They can help you with figuring out what styles fit your shape and which ones you need to stay away from. They can also tell when sales will be held and when final markdowns will be taken on merchandise. You may even be able to get someone to hold a special item for you until the sale happens.

2- ONLNE

If you have the time and the resources, take advantage of online shopping. Consider online auction sites for all your clothing needs. Hundreds of bargains are available everyday and look for sellers with a solid record of positive feedback. Online is also a great source in comparison shopping for online bargains, finding out major sales that are happening, and you can even get online and in-store coupons for certain stores.

3- CONSIGNMENT SHOPS and DISCOUNT RETAILERS

Take advantage of the incredible finds at consignment shops. There has been such an increase in the amount and success of consignments shops in the past few years and these stores are full of nearly new items that women have turned over to the store to sell, giving the sellers a percentage of the profit. These stores are particularly good source for dressy clothes or investing in accessories to complete a look. And you might also want to consider bringing in some of your own clothing or accessories to be put up for consignment, in this case you might be given a discount or trade in for an item you would like to purchase.

4- BUY AT THE END OF THE SEASON

Look for sales, especially at larger retailers, where the season’s merchandise is hugely discounted. In addition to the huge percentage discount they usually offer, stores may also run coupons for additional savings so you can walk away with huge savings.

As we all know, there are a lot of other things to spend your money on other than clothes. By taking advantage of what you already have in your closet, learning what fits and what doesn’t fit for your body type and your personal style, and knowing what you need to update your current wardrobe, where to find these items and by utilizing the steps I have previously gone over, you too can be a smart shopper and make the most out of a limited wardrobe.

These are just a few pictures I took of some of the shopping...

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 19:14:33 -0500

v2v

v2v

heat up station from little black book

house of sage

shoppers at house of sage

hairstyling by elysium in cynthia rowley

These are just a few pictures I took of some of the shopping that was done during King Street Shop Walk 2010. I had the pleasure to conduct my internship this year with Shauna Heathman of Mackenzie Image Consulting in helping her with the marketing and organization of what has quickly become one of Charleston’s biggest holiday events of the season. During my internship, I was responsible for assisting Shauna with all the marketing efforts and organization of this event. The marketing responsibilities included: researching, calling and selling sponsorship packages for the event, assist as a main contact between event organizers and boutiques, organize donations, distribute marketing materials around Charleston, manage Facebook and Twitter campaign, and of course work on-site at the event. The event was such a success and I met a lot of great people in the process. Post-event Shauna and I are conducting a survey to send out to all the retailers to get their direct feedback of the event. Our hopes for next year are that every King Street retailer will want to participate. This event was such a great experience to work with in order to see how a local entrepreneur networks locally, stays organized in her business, and organizes and conducts an event like this. Working with Shauna and meeting some of the great women around town that have succeeded in their businesses has inspired me to continue on with my goals of one day starting my own business here in Charleston.

King Street Shop Walk 2010 Mackenzie Image Consulting presented...

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 18:45:23 -0500

King Street Shop Walk 2010

Mackenzie Image Consulting presented this year’s King Street Shop Walk along with the Shops at Charleston Place, and the Charleston Center for Women held on Friday, December 10, 2010. All of the proceeds from this event went to the Charleston Center for Women’s Micro Loan Program for women entrepreneurs. This year the event featured over 35 retailers and participants that offered a special night of discounted shopping, holiday celebration, and some special entertainment…we even had a visit from Santa Clause himself. Attendees received an exclusive Shop Walk passport that held all the information on which the stores were participating, their location, the special perks they were having in-store for the evening, and where they could find extra door-prize tickets. This year was such a success, not one person returned to the after party without at least one or two shopping bags! In the end, we received over 200 attendees and raised $1300 to be donated to the Center for Women loan program to help women entrepreneurs! Our hopes for next year are to have every King Street retailer participate!

Willow Salon-Grand Opening Party

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 18:29:59 -0500

Willow Salon is a new salon in Charleston, SC, formerly the location of Elysium Salon. The salon has a new, fresh look and a great new and relaxed vibe. Their grand opening party took place on Saturday, December 4^th featuring music by reggae band, Dub Island. The party had a spectacular turn out from friends, clients and local people I’ve seen out and about in the community. The party was such a success for the girls and was a great way to get their name out there as a new salon and accumulate more business.

Black Friday 2010

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 00:13:52 -0500

So at the last minute, some of my family and I decided we would participate, for the first time ever in any of our lives, in the Black Friday shopping experience. We decided to start the night off and go to Tanger Outlet at midnight, however, half of the stores opened there at 10p.m. which none of us knew. When we arrived shortly after 11p.m. to get a parking spot, the place was PACKED!! I have never seen anything so crazy in my life….for shopping. I honestly did not expect it to be as intense as it was. I thought that was only in the movies.

Old Navy was packed to capacity before midnight, Coach was wall to wall people and couldn’t even get in the door, Nike Outlet was packed with so many people we couldn’t even navigate our way through the store to the right sections or look at anything. I did have success at Banana Republic Outlet though. The place was packed and busy, but I found a dress…in my size…in the color I wanted…and even though the line originally looked really long, I did not wait more than 5 minutes to check out….and I got 50% off the dress…SUCCESS! Other than that, I really did not see any other sales worth sticking around in the stores for and actually buying something, the discounts were not worth the wait and there was nothing really worth getting.

After we decided to ditch Tanger, we refueled our bodies with McDonald’s, only place open nearby, and decided we would head to the mall to see if the lines had already started. Now I will say it was only 2:30 a.m. and when we got there, the lines for Target and Belk were already starting to wrap around the building. CRAZY! But of course we sat in our cars in the parking lot until these stores opened to see if there was anything worth buying or any gifts worth getting…and there wasn’t, well for me at least. My aunts found some great things and deals, but I was already over it and just wanted my bed at that point. So after about an hour at the mall, we decided to head home. Finally was in my bed by 5:30 a.m.

After participating in my first Black Friday shopping craziness and although it was fun at the time and more entertaining observing other people shop, I can confidently say that never again do I anticipate participating in anything like that again.

Charleston Fashion Week Presented by The Art Institute of Charleston Press Conference

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 17:37:26 -0500

The press event was held at Hampden Clothing located at 314 King Street in Charleston, SC. Hampden Clothing is a locally owned boutique with national recognition from Vogue and Marie Claire magazines as one of the top stores in the country. The conference featured speakers: Mayor Joseph P. Riley, The President of AiC Rick Jerue, Editor of Charleston Magazine Darcy Shankland, and Charleston Magazine’s style editor Ayoka Lucas. Each one discussed from different points of view of the collaboration of The Art Institute of Charleston with Charleston Fashion Week 2011. The multi-media event, going into its 5th year, has put Charleston on the fashion map and has helped bring widespread attention to the thriving fashion industry and young talent here in Charleston, SC. The school has programs in Fashion, Culinary, Web design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, and Filmaking; giving students the advantage of behind-the-scenes work opportunities.

Toward the end of the press conference, Darcy officially announced the launch of ticket sales for Charleston Fashion Week 2011. Ayoka also shared highlights of this year’s festivities including special returning guests: Celebrity Designer Mychael Knight and Fashion Director of ELLE Magazine Anne Slowey; as well as details about the Emerging Designer Competition and the Model Competition. The designer competition has been expanded to designers across the entire East Coast, rather than just the Southeast, and designers will be featured in the second half of every night throughout the entire week, rather then having only one or two nights devoted to the competition. The Model Competition will be featuring models not just from Charleston, but from Charleston, Charlotte and Atlanta.

Can’t wait for this year!! March 22nd-26th

Charleston Fashion Week 2011 www.charlestonfashionweek.com

Behind the Scenes of Cavortress Spring/Summer 2011...

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 17:07:53 -0500

Behind the Scenes of Cavortress Spring/Summer 2011 Photo-Shoot

This photo-shoot took place on one of Charleston, SC’s premiere ship, The Spirit of South Carolina, to preview local designer, Julie Wheat’s, Cavortress Spring/Summer ‘11 collection. The photo-shoot took inspiration from famous American tattoo artist, Sailor Jerry, and vintage pin-up artwork.

Ryan Kwanten, Lauren Bush, Donald Glover And More Star In Gap's 2010 Holiday Campaign

Sun, 14 Nov 2010 21:45:45 -0500

Ryan Kwanten, Lauren Bush, Donald Glover And More Star In Gap's 2010 Holiday Campaign:

Every time you “like” this ad on Gap’s Facebook page and Youtube Channel, a $1 donation will be made to the charity of the featured celebrity’s choice. Start liking!!

Bravo The Fashion Show: The Ultimate Collection

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:32:00 -0500

Bravo’s second season of ”The Fashion Show” premiered tonight and all I can say is that this show is going to be very interesting and entertaining to watch. Besides having many interesting characters, also known as contestants, they have come up with a new twist to set the show apart from it’s TV competition, Project Runway….the first ever fashion house duel, “The Ultimate Collection”.

The show has split the 12 contestants into two fashion houses that must work together to create a cohesive and creative collection each week, while also producing a live fashion show in every episode. They are responsible for making every decision from the set, to the lighting, to the music, while also focusing on meeting the collection challenge.

Hosts Iman and Isaac Mizrahi will be judging the contestants every week alongside Haper’s Bazaar’s Laura Brown and a weekly guest judge.

The first episode was really intertaining to say the least. It is apparent that the contestants have over-the-top personalities (sometimes I really don’t know where they find these people), but it is also without question that they do have some degree of talent, some way more than others. We’ll see how these personalities work together since they all have to work as a team in order to win.

I unexpectedly really like the new twist of this show, spliting the contestants up and making them work together as a team in a fashion house. I think this new twist is just what Bravo needs to reclaim their network fashion footprint. Look forward to see what will happen next week :)

2010 Color Trends- Fashionable Color Combos

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 17:38:46 -0500

2010 Color Trends- Fashionable Color Combos:

Love these color combinations. Great ways to subtly update your fall/winter wardrobe this season.

The Fashion Group International ® of Charleston, Inc Outreach Event

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 11:52:47 -0500

The Fashion Group International ® of Charleston, Inc Outreach Event:

Who would have thought? Fashion Group International is opening a chapter in Charleston, South Carolina come 2011. This group is a non-profit, professional organization that is globally recognized for its dedication to the fashion industry. It’s mission is to help its members become more effective in their careers.

With Charleston’s fashion industry growing and growing, with more local boutiques, designers, and an annual nationally recognized event, Charlesotn Fashion Week, this is the perfect time for them to make their presence here in Charleston. I look forward to seeing their activity in Charleston’s fashion community…stay tuned :)

NV Fall Fashion Event After doing the NV Fall photo shoot, I was...

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 19:01:36 -0400

NV Fall Fashion Event

After doing the NV Fall photo shoot, I was then asked by one of the models if I would like to participate in the NV Fall Fashion Event on behalf of Banana Republic. The event was a fashion show that showcased some local designers and a couple of retailers, Banana Republic included. We chose to do eight looks for the show, four guy looks and four girl looks showcasing a good range of Banana’s Fall collection. This show was the first fashion show where I have totally been in creative control. I chose every look and and every accessory for every model and made sure they were runway ready. It was a great show and the crowd enjoyed it. Even though photo shoots and fashion shows take a lot of time and a lot of work, I still find myself enjoying working on these more then anything else in the industry. Maybe its my calling?…. Stay tuned ;-)

NV Fall Fashion Shoot This photo shoot took place at NV Dance...

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 18:44:00 -0400

NV Fall Fashion Shoot

This photo shoot took place at NV Dance Lounge on Market Street in Charleston, SC. With being a fashion and retail management student, working as a visual merchandiser at Banana Republic, and having worked with Charleston Fashion Week, I was asked by a fellow photography student, Obed Danjoint, from the Art Institute of Charleston to style a photo shoot using models we’ve both worked with on previous occasions. I immediately jumped on the opportunity to be a part of it and offer my skills. For the men’s looks we decided to use Banana Republic clothing from the fall/transition line and for the women’s looks we used some clothing from Banana Republic and Butterfly Consignment. It was great having the opportunity to style my first of many photo shoots and we were all pleased with the way the photos turned out and all had fun working together.