Tuesday: Emerging Designers

By Caroline Millard

If tonight set the tone of what to expect for the rest of the week, then Charleston Fashion Week 2009 is about to be phenomenal. The first night featured the collections of semi-finalists in the Southeast Emerging Designer competition. And while the competition ends here for the six semi-finalists, their collections marked a triumphant kick-off to Charleston Fashion Week.

The premiere night began with Wilmington, North Carolina designer Amanda deLeon and her avant-garde collection. Inspired by a background in architecture and Thrice’s “Digital Sea” (the first single off Alchemy Vols. I & II, for you music fiends), the pieces were edgy and captivating—with pops of intense blue and experimental variations on the big trends of high waistlines and pockets.

With expectations set high by the first collection, Charleston designer Caroline Baker took it to another level with her Maude Couture label. Creating a collection around the theme of fair trade and organic materials, Baker proved that eco-couture not only exists but it’s just as glamorous as it is Earth friendly. The highlights of the collection were sexy plunging backlines, a rich jewel toned color palate, delicate use of beading and feathers, all combined to create a luxuriously natural look.

After a twenty-minute break and a trip to the Style Lounge (a new feature of this years Fashion Week), the third designer of the night—Emily Bargeron and her line Mamie Ruth Designs took the runway with a whimsical 1970s inspired collection. Bargeron, whose label is named after her grandmother, updated the retro look with pops of bright yellow, purple, green and turquoise plus a fabulous attitude to match. Models stomped the runway carrying signs with slogans like “I Recycle Boys” and “Make Love Not War” adding to the overall cohesiveness of her spring collection.

Savannah College of Art and Design graduate, Jonathan Nigel Moore and his label J.N.H brought bold geometric patterns and color palette that mixed neons and neutrals. The line was youthful and bright, inspired by paintings by artist Paul Gauguin, the look was effortlessly laid-back.

Moore was followed by Atlanta designer Shan Keith, who created an urban sophisticated style working maxi dresses, sheer floral fabrics, well-designed bubble dresses, and two men’s wear pieces. As the only designer of the night to show men’s wear, Keith paired well-structured pants in denim and herringbone with hip cardigans, mastering a modern masculine look.

Opening night ended with the Indian/electro fusion designer Swapnali Ahire. A South Carolina native with Indian roots, Ahire brought an edge to the runway not yet seen in the Holy City. Her spring collection, Death Disco Denim Daze, was dark and deconstructed. The look was amazingly harsh yet pulled together, we would have never known Ahire was working on her collection until the last moment had a little fashion bird not told us.

Charleston Fashion Week continues under the tents of Marion Square tomorrow night at 7:05 with the first night of the retail runway collections.