Cobblestone streets will transform into a runway come March of 2018 when the historic port city of Charleston hosts the most sought-after fashion event of the South, Charleston Fashion Week. The five-night fashion showcase features designers and models from both local and national platforms. The main goal: to serve as a “pathway to New York” for emerging talent in the industry.
Since its founding in 2007, Charleston Fashion Week has hosted an emerging designer and modeling competition. The Emerging Designer Competition provides a platform for a select group of designers to present their very own collection to an audience comprised of fashionistas and industry leaders. Another layer has also been added to this year’s competition: an accessory design category.
In previous years, winners of the design competition have received cash prizes, built relationships with industry professionals, and go on to show at major runways like New York Fashion Week. This comes as no surprise, considering the panel of judges for the competition is headed by none other than the fashion icon and founder of New York Fashion Week, Fern Mallis. Her panel selects a top Emerging Designer who receives an abundance of prizes and, not to mention, a chance to be a featured designer at the show the following year.
Viviane Caravalho, 2017 Emerging Design Winner, will return this year as a featured designer. When asked about her experience in the competition, she said, “[W]inning Charleston Fashion Week was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity…It was a dream come true and helped launch my career further by making valuable connections.”
The industry connections extend into the modeling competition as well. Charleston Fashion Week connects their models to agencies like Elite NYC, Wilhelmina International Inc. Factor|Chosen, Visions LA, RED, and Directions USA. Not to mention they are afforded the opportunity to work one-on-one with professionals in the industry to refine and perfect their skills before the show.
During Charleston Fashion Week, local meets nationally-renowned. The historical city is making waves in the industry by creating an accessible platform for designers and models to break into the exclusive business of fashion. For more questions about the show or how to apply to be a designer or model, click here and follow the event on social media here.
Written by Kat Sours
Images courtesy of Charleston Fashion Week