If you love Project Runway and are an aspiring designer, follow in Carol Hannah’s footsteps and apply online for the Emerging Design Competition: Southeast (EDCS), which is open to residents of Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The October 23, 2009 deadline is approaching quickly.

Be sure to mark your calendars for Charleston Fashion Week—March 16-20, 2010—as Carol Hannah Whitfield will be among our special guest judges for the Emerging Design Competition. And don’t miss the Charleston debut of her new bridal line at CFW’s Bridal Couture Show.

The Emerging Designer Competition: Southeast (EDCS) seeks and supports a community of up-and-coming and undiscovered talent in the realm of fashion design. EDCS believes in the value of spotlighting a new generation of innovative fashion designers, offering a platform for aspiring designers living in the Southeast to showcase their talent on the runway at Charleston Fashion Week® and gain the attention of national press and regional buyers

The sixth season of Project Runway is one of the hottest topics on the Charleston fashion scene. Every Thursday, local fans are glued to the design-packed drama that still includes, among the remaining contestants, Charleston Fashion Week’s very own Gordana Gehlhausen (her boutique Goga showed on the CFW runway in 2008) and Carol Hannah Whitfield (who was an Emerging Designer during the contest’s first year). I am still pinching myself that we have not one but two local design talents on this Emmy-nominated show!

It’s been a celebratory two weeks as both of our beloved designers have won back-to-back runway challenges. In episode eight, my heart went out to Gordana as she struggled with missing her family but made the ultimate comeback, winning the “Wedding Dress” challenge. In episode nine, Carol Hannah stole the show with her gorgeous floor-length gown for the “Pop Star” challenge featuring Christina Aguilera, even after taking a verbal beating off camera by fellow contestant Irina Shabayeva. It won’t be long before we are down to the final three, but it’s safe to say there are two contestants that are already deemed winners in this city.

Celebrating back-to-back wins for our Charleston Fashion Week
alums on Project Runway

Written by ayoka lucas

Please go to www.WireImage.com or http://bit.ly/EGZDC enter Dana Davis and check out her party. As I hear part of the proceeds will go to charity so we hope business for you is way beyond your expectations Dana and we hope it was as much fun as it looks.  Enjoy-Shoes  www.designershoesblog.com   Bill Dowling

Our friend Dana Davis who makes wonderful footwear has opened a POP UP store in L.A. She had a Grand opening last night and we thought some of our favorite customers might like to see the pictures from the party.

Davis was inspired to create her line of ultra-comfortable shoes when she was having trouble standing for long periods of time due to foot pain caused by her diabetes.  She and  her family  have raised over $75 million for diabetes research, with the Carousel of Hope ball fund-raiser being founded in her honor. She developed a shoe with an orthotic sole that’s as cushion-y as any Easy Spirit, but far more fashionable.  In fact, Davis has figured out how to increase the heels on pumps to almost 6 inches, while still maintaining the comfort of the built-in orthotic.  Those heels will be offered for spring and are sure to be seen on any celebrity who cares about comfort while walking the red carpet.

The Dana Davis pop-up store is open now until Dec. 3 at 8459 Melrose Place, L.A.
Hours: 11am – 5pm. Closed Sundays and Thanksgiving, Nov. 25 – 29.

– Melissa Magsaysay

Stores may be closing all over town, but last night Melrose Place got a little love with the opening of Dana Davis’ pop-up store.  The store, which took over the old Lambertson Truex spot, right next to Frederic Fekkai’s new salon, will be open until Dec. 3, selling shoes from Davis’ fall-winter collection. 

Celebrities and socialites, including Anjelica Huston, Paris Hilton, Crystal Lourd, Jerry Bruckheimer, Liane Weintraub and Jamie Tisch, came to support their designer pal and fellow social fixture.  Davis’ mother Barbara was also in attendance before dashing out to attend a concert.

A salute to Mackenzie  Phillips  For her courage and the leadership she has taken to bring to awareness the Dark to light blight of sexual abuse of Children.   Three cheers For Machenzie and welcome to Charlesto

 It will be co-hosted by The Oak Steak house of Charleston with Brett The Chef extraordinaire.

Shoes and Food  6-8PM   Bob Ellis Shoes 332 King st

Charleston SC 29401 843-722-2515 

We will have an in store drawing for a coupon worth up to $500 value toward any pair of shoes in the house you like.  The Crew from 95 SX radio will be here.

About Charleston Fashion Week®

The fourth annual Charleston Fashion Week®, owned and produced by Charleston magazine, is a five-night celebration of the region’s retail and design community. Held March 16-20, 2010 in the historic city of Charleston, SC,  CFW will feature more than 30 runway shows, the Emerging Designer Competition, sponsored by the Art Institute of Charleston, and a number of chic after-parties. Named a Top 20 Event for March by the Southeast Tourism Society, this premiere event will also feature the Style Lounge, the Catwalk for Kids auction and luncheon, Rock The Runway Model Competition,  the Stiletto Stampede, and the Bridal Couture Show, featuring Project Runway finalist Carol Hannah Whitfield.  Charitable partners for 2010 include MUSC Children’s Hospital, The Center For Women, and the Lowcountry AIDS Services. For more information on Charleston Fashion Week®, to review the schedule of events or to apply for industry passes visit www.charlestonfashionweek.com.

 
TICKETS FOR THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED 2010 CHARLESTON FASHION WEEK® NOW AVAILABLE!

More than 30 Runway Shows, Live Entertainment, Celebrity Designers, & Rock The Runway Modeling Competition…

GLAM ROCKS for 2010 Charleston Fashion Week!

(January 20, 2010) Charleston, SC – After months of anticipation and planning, Charleston Fashion Week® proudly announces the schedule of events and runway show participants for the fourth annual event “Glam Rocks!” March 16-20, 2010.  Hailed by industry leaders as the next Bryant Park, Charleston magazine has confirmed that among the list of this year’s highlights, Project Runway’s finalist Carol Hannah Whitfield and Mychael Knight will both be debuting collections.  Other CFW alum, featured designers, and celebrity judges to return to the tents in Marion Square this spring include: designer Cynthia Rowley, ELLE magazine’s Fashion News Director, Anne Slowey, Project Runway’s Gordana Gehlhausen, and 2009 Emerging Designer Competition winner Marysia Reeves, whose Spring/Summer 2010 line has been picked up by Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie.

The premier fashion event tucked in historic Charleston, SC, will also include the 1st annual Rock the Runway competition in which the top models will strut their stuff to win a fashion spread, modeling contract, and the opportunity to appear before the top modeling scouts in the country.  With a cast of celebrity designers in attendance, live entertainment, chic after parties, on-site shopping in the Style Lounge, more than 30 retail runway shows, plus an afternoon of Bridal Couture, Charleston Fashion Week®  is ready to prove why “Glam Rocks!” for 2010.  Charitable partners for the week long fashion extravaganza proudly include: MUSC Children’s Hospital, The Center for Women, and Lowcountry AIDS Services. To catch all the action and drama of the Emerging Designer Competition LIVE, and check out the latest looks in stores for spring 2010, visit www.charlestonfashionweek.com and purchase your tickets soon.  Named a Top 20 Event for March by the Southeast Tourism Society, a guaranteed seat at this event could possibly be one of the hottest tickets of the year!

King Street Sip + Stroll
Time:
Friday, 3:00 – 6:00PM
Location:
Various Shops on Lower King Street
Dress:
Casual
Tickets:
$40 per person
Availability:
AvailableShopping doesn’t get any better in Charleston than when it’s paired with wine, gourmet food tastings by Whole Foods Market and boutiques on the famed King Street! Guests of the King Street Sip + Stroll will enjoy this unique pairing of culinary and shopping delights while having the exclusive opportunity to meet the Festival’s featured wine professionals in an intimate setting. Each store will host a wine professional who will be pouring a different upscale variety.  Ticket-holders will find exclusive offers or gifts with purchase at some of the participating retailers.

Join us for the BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival King Street Sip + Stroll on Friday, March 5th from 3-6pm.   Stroll along the finest shops on King Street, including Bob Ellis Shoes, while sipping wine paired with gourmet food tastings from Whole Foods Market.  Guests of the Sip + Stroll will not only enjoy wine and food parings, you will also get an exclusive opportunity to meet this year’s featured wine professionals of the Wine + Food Festival.   Shopping just doesn’t get any better than this.   Please visit charlestonwineandfood.com for ticket information.

Platforms and Hi Heels were all the rage. Pick your favorite get them before they are gone.  Thanks to Fab TV for your wonderful summery of this years hits!  Enjoy-shoes  www.designershoesblog.com   Bill Dowling

The latest looks from Oscar night are summarized by our friends At FAB TV. Thanks to Kat from popsugartvfab.  We like the capsuled approach to fashion must haves.

Shoes will be added if possible in special sizes to the spring and fall orders for all you hard to fit customers this is your chance.   Enjoy-Shoes   www.designershoesblog.com    Bill Dowling

We have just confirmed with Stuart Weitzman shoes that on April 2nd Friday. One of the company representatives will be in store for a spring trunk show and fall preview of the Weitzman line. We will do a virtual trunk show if possible for all who can’t be in town.

Be sure to mark your calendar for this Thursday night, Bob Ellis will be providing designer shoes for local featured designer, Mary Porter at 9:30pm. Mary’s Show is Paris Couture with Southern Style and will showcase impeccable styles finished with original hats, elegant gloves, and coiffure on this couture catwalk.  Learn more about Mary Porter through her Q & A session with Charleston Magazine’s Style Editor, Ayoka Lucas. 

See you at the show!

Fashion Week kicked off last night at Marion Square and will continue through Saturday March 20th.  Enjoy several runway shows featuring local designers, emerging designers, and national designers.  Check out the Runway Schedule for full event information.