by VICTORIA HENLEY
CTFashionMag.com
Columbia Fashion Week, one of South Carolina’s largest, and most prestigious fashion events, combines an eclectic, diverse, and thoughtfully curated line-up of designers and models each season for a haute couture extravaganza like no other.
Formerly known as Columbia Style Week (which was founded in 2011), this event rapidly evolved into the well-attended, widely-acclaimed, exquisitely-executed production it is today, drawing emerging and established designers and retailers alike who flock to the capitol of South Carolina to showcase their apparel and accessories .
The hardworking, dynamic, and innovative Columbia Fashion Week team produces well over 12 events per year, including, but not limited to:
Premier designer runway showcases
Local shopping events
Charity events
Business networking mixers
Award ceremonies
In additional to providing a viable and beneficial platform for models and designers, Columbia Fashion Week also welcomes photographers, bloggers, fashion and hair and make-up stylists, media professionals other types of industry professionals to their impressive events, providing an array of fashion entrepreneurs invaluable opportunities to expand upon their platforms and enhance their resumes.
Ardently committed to assisting fashion professionals in establishing and growing their personal brands, the Columbia Fashion Week Alliance offers a large assortment of “off the runway” opportunities and resources, including but not limited to:
Working opportunities in career-related fields for fashion and art creatives
Creative and business development workshops,
Strategic marketing packages to increase visibility of brands and businesses,
Collaborative and creative networking projects for ALL creatives,
Mentorships, internships and volunteering programs,
Access to a directory of Industry professionals
Social networking events
The Columbia Fashion Week finale event, hosted June 24 at the Columbia S.C. fairgrounds, featured a dazzling line up of models: beautifully comprised of all shapes, sizes, genders, and races, and designers, presenting a striking array of pieces differing in genre, structural style, and cultural influence. Upon our arrival to the venue, we quickly began fitting models for the Magnifique Collection (created and curated by yours truly ), which is comprised of pieces from my own design , as well as collaboration with ateliers, retailers and manufacturers including the women-owned brands Sake Clothing and Holland’s Pageantry and Formals.
The Magnifique collection featured a cornucopia of colors including rainbow sequin frocks, royal blue gowns with shimmering crystal encrusted bodices and structured men’s blazers.
Following the conclusion of my presentation, I enjoyed plenty of networking and photo opportunities before heading over to my next walk of the evening for the ultra-talented Brazilian designer and entrepreneur, New Time Clothing, for whom I donned a metallic, sequin one sleeve formal romper.
My next walk was for the brilliant fashion entrepreneur, Shannon Thomason of the label Glamour Pose, during which I wore a skintight, black mini-dress adorned with stripes of rainbow colors across the front. Glamour Pose also features an exhilarating line up of house produced events and networking opportunities including a brunch and fashion presentation on Aug. 5 in Columbia S.C. (follow her on Instagram @glam.pose for additional details and information.)
Be sure to follow Columbia Fashion Week on all major social media platforms to stay informed regarding exclusive behind the scenes content, events and opportunities unlike anything you’ll find elsewhere!
Special thanks to Juliette and the entire Columbia Fashion Week team for having us on board, as well as the students from Paul Mitchell School of Columbia for their hard work and professionalism throughout the duration of the event.)
WEBSITE: www.columbiafashionweek.com
INSTAGRAM: @columbiafashionweek
