However, I have been aching to post pictures of Charleston Fashion Week and tell you how flipping amazing it was to be present at the Southeast’s fashion event of the season.

Backstage Bridal Fashion

Being the fashion PR girl that I am–the networking at CFW was impeccable, but the fashion shows.. now those were the real reason to go.

And why shouldn’t they be? It’s fashion week, after all! The level of execution at this event was impressive, provocative and breathtakingly cool. Even more resounding was the enthusiasm and high-energy of everyone who attended. Everything seemed to just come together perfectly.

The fashion that was going down the runway was certainly a blast to talk and tweet about as well. Talk about fashionistas–you want to see a true fashionista? Go to CFW. Color-blocking, lace, neon, high-buns, geek-chic glasses, peplums, seersucker suits, bow ties and funky accessories were everywhere–both on the runway and in the audience (see the photos below for the visuals on this).

Now you know I can’t post this blog without giving a major, major fashion nod to the ultimate style savant, Ayoka Lucas, creator and style director of Charleston Fashion Week.

Miss Ayoka Lucas has an entire fashion legion working behind the scenes to make what is quite literally a million-dollar fashion event the most talked about fashion week in the Southeast–however, it is because of Ayoka’s authenticity, industry connections and fashion savvy, that CFW is the event that it is today! So please–everybody go check out Ayoka Lucas. Start by Googling her name, then check out CFW’s website, followed by the style section of Charleston Magazine (courtesy of Ayoka). She quite literally is the woman responsible for changing the fashion landscape in the Southeast, and you simply MUST follow her journey. What an inspiration.

Now—on to the networking and learning opportunity that was CFW.

Ayoka Lucas announces Hannah Goff as the 2012 Emerging Designer Winner.

Number one on the list–I had the most amazing pleasure of meeting the creator and founder of New York Fashion Week, Fern Mallis. Slightly daunting to have introduced myself to her—by hey, in this industry you have to be ballsy, but more importantly you have to know when it’s okay to talk to someone prestigious. Thankfully, fate worked in my favor. I ended up conversing with Fern three times that night. She graciously took the time to chat with me about my own fashion endeavors, the reason why NYFW is what it is, and we also chatted about why she was in favor of and voted for Designer Hannah Goff, the winner of CFW’s Emerging Designer Competition.

I also met the delightfully kind (tall & beautiful!) Cynthia Bailey from The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Fashion Designer Mychael Knight was

Cynthia Bailey on the red carpet.

at CFW for the debut of his Bridal Collection, and he actually complimented my Material Girl by Madonna dress (eek!). I networked with the folks from Blogger’s Night Out, True Fashion Now, TwitPic, and a slew of amazing Southeastern fashion industry professionals like stylist Josh Ratliff, designer Faith Thornburg, Art Mag Publisher Olivia Pool, Lineage Bridal Boutique Owner Natasha Duff (high-end vintage bridal gowns in Charlotte), Charlotte Style Mag, Make Me Over Eb, Mikelle Street, Style Girl JJ, Designer Emily Bargeron (former HATCH Fashion buddy), and so many more truly amazing fashion conspirators.

See the photos I posted in the blog below this one for the visual documentation of everything that was Charleston Fashion Week 2012. Cannot wait for next year’s show!

XOXO,

Sonia

2012 Emerging Designer, Hannah Goff's collection

Emerging Designer Finalist, Vartika Vikram's collection

Charleston Designer Rachel Gordon with her finale bridal gown. CFW served as the jumping point for her debut bridal collection.

Fashion Wire Press photographer and founder, Ed Kavishe, working a spontaneous photo shoot with models from CFW's modeling competition.

Style Savant, Ayoka Lucas and me standing outside of the tents.

Fashion pal, Stylist and Runway Coordinator Josh Ratliff and me lushing out at CFW's cocktail hour.

Rachel Gordon's finale gown and me in my Material Girl dress (hello--affordable!)

Fashion Designer Chris Benz's fashion presentation at Hampden Clothing

Bridal Designer Faith Thornburg (pictured left).

Style Girl Jess James outside of the Chris Benz & Blogger's Night Out party at Hampden Clothing.

An adorably color-blocked fashion photographer snapping away outside of the Style Lounge.

2011 Emerging Designer Charlotte Hess was a featured designer this year. Her collection features a broad variation of clothes designed with lamb's wool and knitted designs. Stunning.

Models taking one last walk down the runway before judges chose the 2012 Emerging Model winner.

Emerging Designer Hazel Bae's version of a white mini dress.

The Fashion Tent

Most adorable Spring fashionista at Hampden Clothing

Final walk of Emerging Designer Finalist Tsvetelina McAuliffe's collection.

Emerging Designer Finalist Angela Sum's collection.

Fashion pal TFNOW--all eyes on the runway.

Ayoka Lucas effortlessly amping up with the audience at CFW.

Charleston socialites, media and PR folk--enjoying brunch after an amazing week of fashion.

Stylish CFW ladies.

Designer Amber Baxley, me and Lush Life Productions Kelly Denson on the red carpet.

CFW's Official Afterparty, RAIN, at the Charleston Aquarium. Now THAT was a party to remember.

Shopping also depends on personal style, and I simply MUST give a shoutout to the boutiques who do sell men’s clothing. If you’re looking for vintage, alternative or 70s-inspired patterns, Honeypot , on Lexington  Ave., should be a must on your checklist. Or if you want that trendy L.A. look, What To Wear has a small men’s selection to browse. Union His & Hers Boutique dedicates half its store to men’s fashion. Part-owner Orlando Hernandez described the fashion as being modern, colorful and metropolitan.

The question I am now going to pose is this—where else should men shop to find the sharp, classy clothes he needsfor work or evening events?

Enter Bonobos, a stylish, colorful men’s apparel company that exists only online. I first caught wind of them last year while I was watching the 140 Character Conference streaming live from New York City. Guest speaker Andy Dunn, CEO of Bonobos, was on the schedule and set to talk, so I tuned in and learned all about the role social media and technology plays at Bonobos. I also learned about its customer service team, “Ninjas” (that’s what they’re called), who were apparently being lauded for their legendary customer service members’ ability to give personable experiences to nearly all of its customers. After more than a year of following the Bonobos brand I have only two words to say. Social Media. And that Bonobos is all over it. If you start following their work you’ll also notice the e-commerce side of the company has a flare for the techie world and love of sports, which I love.

That being said, I was also struck by Dunn’s great public speaking skills, persuasive ability to communicate the platform from which his business operates, and most importantly that the pants Bonobos produces are tailored to make sure the guy trying them on has a better-looking backside when he’s finished. That’s right. You heard me. These pants are specially tailored to make a man’s butt look great–and not saggy.

I would compare the experience of shopping with Bonobos to the satisfaction women get from shopping at high-end women’s boutiques. It’s about being pampered and feeling taken care of. Bonobos gets that, but in a format that men relate to: hilarious advertising, accommodating services, and an unbeatable return/exchange policy.

The fashionistos who I know expect only the best from an apparel company–and Bonobos gives them just that. Premium denim, washed chinos, stretched cotton, oxford shorts, seersucker suits, corduroy–you name it and Bonobos has got it.

In fact, my fascination with the Bonobos culture led me to venture over to its headquarters in Manhattan to do some research. True to Bonobos’ reputation for excellent customer service, once I reached out to for a meeting with a member of the PR team, somebody got back to me almost instantly. I ended up having the most incredible and insightful hour-long meeting with the company’s PR Manager Kaitlyn Axelrod (what a pro!). The stylish atmosphere of Bonobos’ office positively dripped with the essence of fashion that I believe every man should have a taste of: cool, comfortable and affluent fashion.

I’ll finish my blog with this: Men–I hope you shop at Bonobos. You’ll be a better man for it because you’ll be shopping with a brand that was founded to make clothes for guys like you, by guys who are like you, and who do it extremely well. And in the meantime–keep shopping locally when you can. But don’t be afraid to seek out more than one option when you’re shopping. Mix it up!

To see what all the fuss about, check out the Bonobos blog here and its website here. And be sure to check out more of my pics from the trip to Bonobos below!

Click here for extended audio to Sarah’s keynote

"Shoe Designer" On The Runway: Photo by Ruslan Tumash

Sarah Mettler spoke at HATCH Fashion to an audience of aspiring, interested, and just plain curious spectators about a lifetime of shoe design. She was also selected to represent one of five HATCH Fashion Groundbreakers for her innovative iPhone application, “Shoe Designer.” Sarah presented her iPhone app and line of shoes at the HATCH Fashion show held April 17 at The Grove Arcade in downtown Asheville, NC.

Learn more about HATCH Asheville at: http://hatchexperience.com/

Sarah Mettler’s Bio:

Perhaps it was the fact her corrective shoes didn’t match her party dresses growing up in Palm Beach, that inspired Sarah Mettler to become a shoe designer, but regardless, the girl was focused!

She was further convinced after classes at Parsons in Paris and New York, and working in master cobbler Roger Vivier’s Madison Avenue store. On Mr Vivier’s advice she applied to shoe pattern making school, and simultaneously was offered a prestigious position designing for the Ferragamo family in Florence Italy. She gladly accepted knowing their famous fit would be a complement to her skills, after recently having graduated from ARS Sutoria, in Milan Italy. Four plus years into her Italian experience she left Ferragamo and Italy, grateful for the knowledge learned, to return to New York and to launch her own line Sarah Mettler, and to design Perry Ellis’s line. Ironically, the pinnacle of her career happened when Roger Vivier came back into her life, asking her to be the only person to ever apprentice under him, for his new line Roger Vivier for Delman.

Flash forward, happily married with four sons, she was content being “the lady in the shoe, teaching the neighborhood kids about the craft she loves, until technology afforded her the opportunity to “Globally inspire next season’s shoe designer.”

Video by Paul Anderson & Ian Vigstedt

Fashion Surprise Produced by Sonia Hendrix

Hair by Ananda Hair Studio, Makeup by Pi Biltmore Salon & Spa

Designers: Seth Musngi, Ship to Shore, Royal Peasantry, M.L. Marsh, and MODA Boutique

Have you ever wanted to build a career in the fashion industry?
Then come to HATCH Fashion.

Do you follow fashion trends? –Or- set your own?
Then come to HATCH Fashion.

Are you curious about fashion outside of the U.S.?
Then come to HATCH Fashion.
___________________________________________________________

About the Mentors//Guest Speakers

A luxury couture fashion designer in Oslo, Norway, Ms. Aranguren’s works have been published in over 200 hundred European publications including Elle, Cosmopolitan, and Henne Magazine. Her dresses have been worn by Norweigen Oscar Winners and in 2008 she presented at Le Showroom in Paris.

Speaking About:

• The Global Fashion Market
• Fashion Forecasting

Style Director, Visionary of Charleston Fashion Week, owned and produced by Charleston Magazine/Gulfstream Communications. Ms. Lucas is also the Style Director at Charleston Magazine, the sister publication to Asheville-based WNC Magazine. Lucas authors two style blogs and serves as a fashion correspondent on local television in Charleston.

Speaking About:

• Producing Fashion Shows
• Introduction to Styling

Saturday night’s Hatch Asheville kick-off party featured a fabulous fashion surprise led by 17 local models. The beauties swarmed Hotel Indigo shortly before 11pm. Following their grand entrance, models spent time talking to guests about fashion, modeling, & details about the local designer or boutique each represented. #AVL #Fashion #Forward

Featured Designers In Order of Appearance:
MODA Boutique
ORB Clothing by Seth Musngi
Royal Peasantry by Danielle Miller
Ship to Shore by Brooke Priddy
Spiritex by ML Marsh

Asheville, NC (January 10, 2011)

Every year, HATCH—whose mission is to mentor, inspire and connect the next generation of creative
minds—invites established professionals across seven disciplines (architecture, design & technology,
fashion, film, journalism, music, and photography) to serve as mentors to a selected group of
groundbreaking young talents as well as everyone in our creative community. This year, HATCH is
proud to announce this year’s Fashion Mentors:

Keyna Aranguren, Couture Designer from Oslo, Norway (www.keyna.no)

Dr. Alycia Fogle, Assistant Professor of Marketing at UNCA, Ph.D. International Retail

Ayoka Lucas, Creator/Producer/Visionary of Charleston Fashion Week

Born in Venezuela, Ms. Aranguren has been working with her own brand since 2004, mixing the
sensuality of South America with the Scandinavian style. Loved by fashion magazines and stylists
across Europe, Aranguren is an international designer who has incorporated a fashion house into the
international distribution and retail community.

Dr. Fogle has consulted for fashion houses across the country and is an active member in the Asheville
business community. Her research interests include consumer behavior, international marketing,
branding, and consumer perceptions.

Ms. Lucas not only created Charleston Fashion Week, she’s also the Style Editor for Charleston
Magazine, Charleston Home, and Charleston Weddings Magazine. She authors two style blogs and
serves as a fashion correspondent on local television. She has secured a national spotlight on the local
fashion community as a premiere shopping destination.

HATCH Fashion committee chair Sonia Hendrix said, “This year, I wanted to build on the previous two
editions of HATCH Fashion, which focused on Fashion as an Art Form and Sustainable Fashion, [by]
moving into the concept Beyond Apparel: A Career In Fashion.” HATCH Fashion 2011 will venture
beyond the clothes we wear and into the career side of fashion to generate excitement in aspiring
industry professionals. Mentors will delve past surface information, into tips and advice that will directly
impact future runway producers, fashion designers, fashion merchandisers, stylists, and businesses
expanding into the global market.

Coming to Asheville April 14-17, 2011

HATCH BASH Kick-off Party

Asheville, NC (January 10, 2011)—HATCH Asheville breaks out of its shell with a public kick-off party and fundraiser this month. On Saturday, January 22, the HATCH team will flex its embryonic creativity

at the Indigo Hotel, starting at 8:00 pm. The HATCHbash 2011 Kick-Off party will include interactive
creative experiences, DJ & dancing, a special live performance, and other fun surprises. Beer, wine,
and nibbles are also included in the ticket price, with cocktails available at a cash bar.

Tickets for this event are currently on sale at HATCHbash2011.eventbrite.com for $20. Tickets may
also be available at the door for $25 if not sold out. All proceeds go to support HATCH 2011, Asheville’s premiere innovation incubator and mentoring event.

What is HATCH Asheville?

HATCH is a four-day innovation incubator for creative professional who are serious about
transforming their ideas and talents into bold action. This year’s HATCH Experiences will take
place in Asheville, North Carolina, on April 14–17, and in Bozeman, Montana, on October 5–9. The
HATCH Experiences bring together international luminaries in multiple fields to serve as mentors to
groundbreaking new creative talent. These immersive weekends include panels, workshops, keynotes,
exhibits, creative networking, and mentoring sessions over four days in the heart of downtown Asheville
and Bozeman. Learn more about HATCH at www.hatchexperience.com.

Buy Tickets Here