CHARLESTON FASHION WEEK 2013 SELECTS TOP 20 EMERGING DESIGNERS TO COMPETE

Charleston Fashion Week® (CFW) has selected the Top Design 20 semifinalists to compete in its sixth annual Emerging Designer Competition: East (EDC:E), to be held March 19-23, 2013, in conjunction with CFW. CFW has also selected a winner for its Emerging Bridal Design Competition. The EDC:E has been instrumental in helping aspiring fashion designers break into the industry by providing the tools of the trade and unprecedented exposure to fashion’s biggest names.

Chosen from hundreds of applicants throughout 21 states, the Top Design 20 Emerging Designer semifinalists will each create a full Fall 2013 collection to be debuted on CFW’s runway this March before judges select one Grand Prize winner. In addition, CFW has selected Brooke Ray as the 2013 Emerging Bridal Design winner, and will debut her collection at CFW's Charleston Weddings magazine Spring Bridal Show on March 23, 2013. The producers of CFW, the renowned launch pad for careers in fashion, will assist the semifinalists again this year with model casting, hair and makeup, and overall production for their Charleston Fashion Week shows.

The 2013 Top Design 20 Emerging Designer Competition: East semifinalists are: Afriyie Poku, Callie Nichol, Cassidy Brown, Clarissa Arocena and Bryan Datinguinoo, Hope Wallace, Hyemin Cho, Jazsalyn McNeil, Karen Hulse, Katherine Barron, Kendra Duplantier, Kita Nolley, Lulu Long, Mary Katherine Schweitzer, Megan Huntz, Monisha Pillai, Roz Morris, Sabrina Spanta, Serena da Conceição, Stephanie Waldrip, and Victoria Cid. The 2013 Emerging Bridal Design winner is Brooke Ray.

On the panel of fashion experts that selected the Top Design 20 were fashion designers and CFW veterans, Sarah Parrott and Nikki Poulos, both of whom have gone onto great success including NBC’s Fashion Star, and Cator Sparks, editor in chief of TheManual.com. Mr. Sparks, an acclaimed fashion industry journalist, has written for a variety of publications including T Magazine, The Huffington Post, ELLE Décor, Vanity Fair, and Style.com. Modern Trousseau's Callie Tein and Charleston Weddings' Melissa Bigner were additional panelists for the Bridal Design Competition.

Sparks said of the experience, “I am very excited to see the finalists get the time and space they deserve in such a professional atmosphere as Charleston Fashion Week®. Bloggers and editors take note!”

Charleston Fashion Week® 2013 takes place March 19-23, 2013. For more info on CFW, alumni success stories, bios on the 2013 Top Design 20 and Emerging Bridal Design Winner, and to purchase tickets before it sells out, visit charlestonfashionweek.com.

About Charleston Fashion Week®
Showcasing fashion designers, retailers, and models, Charleston Fashion Week® is one of the premier fashion weeks in North America. Named a Top 20 Event for March by the Southeast Tourism Society, this multimedia event presents high-end runway shows, interactive entertainment, chic after-parties, and press events. The 2013 event will be held under the tents in Marion Square in Charleston, SC, featuring more than 45 runway shows, the Spring Bridal Show, Emerging Designer Competition: East, and Rock the Runway Model Competition™. Charleston Fashion Week® 2013 is scheduled for March 19-23. For more information, visit charlestonfashionweek.com.

Josh Kelley in fodada 2012

Josh Kelley was spotted in Studio City wearing fodada this weekend alongside wife, Katherine Heigl. The country music star made his way to the tattoo shop for new ink in honor of his recently adopted baby girl, Adelaide, all while rocking his Charcoal fodada Baba Hoodie ($76; www.fodadawear.com).

Travel In Style with Comfy Chic Clothes

Whether your holiday destination involves a lengthy flight to stunning Paris or a couple hour drive to a family-filled gathering at grandma's house, make the trek in style and comfort! From bright, cozy sweaters to adorable booties that slip on and off with ease, shop Wallis in for all your holiday travel style essentials!

Bundle up in a bright tunic featuring subtle button shoulder detailing or throw on a poncho as an easy and adorable alternative to your standard sweater or jacket. Tote the carry-on that turns heads and channel holiday travel perfection with an ultra-chic gunmetal button and epaulette detailed military coat!

From left to right: Blue Pocket Button Tunic ($58.00), Neutral Curved Ankle Boot ($70.00), Stone Fringe Rib Poncho ($48.00), Stripe Cardigan ($44.00), Taupe Juno Shoulder Bag ($100.00), Grey Military Coat ($100.00).

About Wallis:

Wallis has officially launched in the US with their online fashion portal, www.wallisfasion.com. Established in 1932 and now with over 100 stores in the UK and a thriving online presence, Wallis is known for stylish, quality fashion at a great value, The brand understands real women and strives to make them look and feel the best they can. The Wallis woman is everyone from the business executive to the full time mother of three, who may not have time to spend at the mall but still cares that she keeps up with the latest styles. They appeal to a broad range of body types and budgets. Apparel is available in US sizes 4-16 with dedicated petite clothing for women 5’3” and under. Prices range from $35 to $215. Wallis also carry an impressive selection of shoes, handbags, jewelry and other accessories that compliment the latest fashions. Visit www.wallisfashion.com for additional information.

TaylorSays A New and Unique Line of Heels

We wanted to let you know that TaylorSays, a new and unique line of heels, has officially arrived on heels.com. Designer and artist, Taylor Reeve is showcasing her signature art and designs that are imprinted on the soles of the exclusively crafted heels with styles that highlight her playful and edgy eye-catching prints.

About Taylor Reeve

Originally for Southern California, Taylor has etched her vibrant style and twist with the creation of her new collection Taylorsays. Drawing on just about everything in her path, her inspiration comes from a wide array of influences like street and pop art to graffiti, tattoo and kustom culture, Taylor has developed a unique style that solely marks her work as an individual artist.

Currently, Taylor works with several companies within the action sports community, such as Quiksilver, Dragon, Bell Helmets and SkullCandy to name a few. She has been able to design and create one-of-a-kind artist series with each of these companies. Her signature Taylor Reeve men’s outerwear debuted last winter with Quiksilver. Taylor has also worked with custom bike builder Jesse Rooke for 6 years, adding her signature flair to some of his famous choppers.

Heels : Heels.com launched in October 2007 based on a foundation of love for the most fashionable women’s shoes and the ease of shopping online. By combining their owners Linda and Eric McCoy’s individual talents in each of these areas, Heels.com was born. Breaking into the online shoe industry was no easy task; however, once their manufacturers saw their website and understood their forward thinking attitude, they realized that Heels.com was really onto something. With their unique navigation system that allows users to quickly narrow down all the shoes to the exact pair they need and their free shipping, free returns, and price protection that make shopping online risk-free, they have always been about making shopping online easy and fun.

Katy Perry Wears Sorelina Jewels at the Celebration of Dreams Gala

Katy Perry is Glamorous in Sorelina Jewels at the Dream Foundations's 11th Annual Celebration of Dreams Gala Katy Perry was a showstopper in Sorelina Jewels at the Dream Foundation's 11th Annual Celebration of Dreams Gala in Santa Barbara, CA on November 16th, 2012. Katy wore Sorelina Jewels' Nualah Earrings. Sorelina Jewels is the Los Angeles based line found in 2011 by Priscilla Franco-Asturias and Andrea Franco -Asturias. Each piece is hand-made with natural elements and offers a unique vintage rock edge. Sorelina Jewels has already attracted the attention of celebrities such as Kelly Clarkson and Mena Suvari and is available for purchase at www.sorelinajewels.com.

Sorelina Jewels Nualah Earrings $6,500.00 18K Gold, Rhodium Sterling SIlver, Diamonds and Green Onyx

Read more about Katy Perry on the fashion blogger website.

Sarah Jessica Parker Wearing Level 99 Skinny Jeans

Sarah Jessica Parker was spotted wearing Level 99 Janice Ultra Skinny Jeans in Pearl earlier today, the same pair Jessica Alba wore yesterday! Rumor has it that Level 99 is designing a jean named after SJP, as the fashion icon has worn their denim five times out and about in NYC ($150; www.anthropologie.com).

 

Anne Sylvain GTS Weekender - Fit for The Elite Executive

Anne Slyvain's new collection of genuine exotic skin and fine leather accessories, handmade in the USA.

Luxury leather goods for women must possess a tote-all silhouette with striking features – transforming their bag of choice from a business carryall (executives on the go) to a weekender bag (for the intrepid traveler).

Anne Sylvain's "GTS" weekender features genuine ostrich and alligator trim – available in neutral hues: anthracite, black, burgundy and caramel. The sack-like structure features multiple compartments – making it easy to store apparel, travel toiletries and electronics.

 

 

"GTS" debuted in the "Le Mans Collection," inspired by the sleek silhouettes of premier sports cars, features matte and glazed genuine exotics combined with sumptuous deer or lamb on each bag, a uniquely luxurious juxtaposition of textures, colors and tones. Refined luxury continues into bag interiors, which feature brightly colored, supple suede lining and genuine ostrich trim.

Bags may be personalized with a client's initials, stamped in gold or silver. Custom color and leather choice also available upon request.

From $50 to $2350. Available for purchase at specialty retailers including David Lawrence in Bellevue, WA along with www.annesylvain.com.