Charleston Fashion Week 2010 Model Casting

Each year there are countless fashion weeks held around the world. We have all heard of the fashion capitals that host biannual fashion weeks, New York City, London, Paris, and Milan. There are also fashion weeks that are held annually; annual fashion weeks in the United States include Miami, Los Angeles, and now Charleston, South Carolina.

On December 12th, Charleston Fashion Week held their second model casting call, of which I attended to try my luck yet again at being a CFW model. I walked in the 2009 shows for emerging designer Shan Keith and high-end retailer Berlins. At this year's casting, I had no expectations of precedence simply because of my success at the previous year's shows. I only wanted a chance to do what I love--to project optimism and passion with honest energy through modeling.

I was soon granted another opportunity to be in fashion week when Style Editor and CFW Creative Director Ayoka Lucas along with the other judges told me I made the cut! I also discovered that I will have a more visible role in this year's shows; I am thrilled and grateful for this and will reveal more in the coming year!

My casting call time was 10am and after the interviews, photos taken, and chatting with fellow models, I was finished around 11:30am. For those unaware of how model castings and the fashion/entertainment industries as a whole work, punctuality is crucial. Had I not arrived early, I may have not received such an outcome.

Note: Being fashionably late to a casting, interview, or other event where you are seeking advancement certainly will hinder your cause in the fashion/entertainment industries. Just a caveat for those readers who think the opposite is accepted.

Charleston has long been an arts and entertainment mecca in the south with its blend of traditional southern American, English, French, and West African cultural influences. Now the term fashion has become synonymous with Charleston and industry insiders foresee continued advancement of this industry in the area. CFW 2010 will be held March 16th through the 20th under the tents downtown at Marion Square.

Above is a photo I snapped of myself on my phone before my casting. I will keep you posted via this blog and my twitter account(www.twitter.com/TomasGlenn) on my involvement with CFW, from fittings to the final runway shows. Until then, check out the official Charleston Fashion Week 2010 website for the most recent fashion week updates(www.charlestonfashionweek.com).

Retail 388 Fashion Show

On Wednesday, November 18th the Retail 388 class at University of South Carolina Columbia hosted their annual fashion show. This year's show, titled "A Work of Art," introduced several changes from pasts shows, most notably a change in location. Usually held at the Richland County Public Library, this show was moved to a more centralized location on USC's campus--the McCutcheon House on the Horseshoe.

For many, this location would seem as an unlikely choice considering the venue's layout is not readily favorable to a fashion show. Yet once the show began, many fashionistas in attendance came to see the cohesion in the venue, theme, and clothing featured. Models strutting from room to room showcasing the season's hottest trends while being surrounded by beautiful pieces of artwork, antique furniture/mirrors, and an all around elaborate decor.

Past shows featured clothing mainly from retailer Target. However, this year, in additon to Target, the Retail 388 class reached out to local retailers to highlight their fall fashion offerings. Some of these retailers included WISH, M Boutique, Mary, LaRoque, Pink Sorbet, Thrift Avenue, and Bill Owings Custom Clothing. Carmen! Carmen! Salon and Spa also generously gave of their time and talents, making sure each model's skin and hair were runway ready.

Also a change from previous shows was the overall message behind the glamour. The Retail 388 class partnered with the American Cancer Society to raise donations that according to the organization, will help move forward with "ultimately eliminating cancer as a major health concern."

For those unfamiliar with where donations to the Amercian Cancer Society go, these contributions will help fight cancer on four fronts: research, education, advocacy, and service.
To learn more about what you can do to help the fight agaisnt this debilitating disease, visit www.cancer.org.

Also check out my friend Reporter Angelica Diaz (centered above) from Carolina News as she covers this event: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkWm7DNerTA

Special thanks to friend/fashionista Nicole Jenson (also pictured above) for the above photo. Of course I love the fur!

WLTX News 19 Fall Fashion Trends Segment

While the weather here in Columbia, South Carolina may not be reflective of the fact that fall is here, well it is! On Friday, October 30th, I cohosted a fall fashion trends segment on WLTX News 19's the Friends at Five Show with Anchors Darci Strickland and Sharie Harvin where I highlighted 5 key trends you must try this season. These trends include Biker/Rocker Chic, Investment Basics, the 40s, the 80s, and Draping/Ruching. This season it's all about the confident woman who's ready to take on the world and have a little fun while doing so.

I featured clothing from 2 retailers in Five Points, a trendy shopping/dining hotspot in one of Columbia's downtown areas, and go-to discount retailer Target. I must say, all of these retailers have great pieces for this season; so many that at times I found myself saying, "this would be great for [insert name of friend]" and realized I have a live fashion segment I must coordinate!

The day of the show, everything went really smoothly. I invited Paul Mitchell The School to style all the hair and make-up and I contacted Rachel Nance, a freelance photographer in Columbia and the surrounding areas to document all behind-the-scenes happenings. There were also two models, Mandi Sordelet and Adrienne Kennedy from Fortress Fashion Shows that offered to model in the trends segment.

The greatest thing about the segment is everyone was such a pleasure to work with. All creative juices were flowing and while there were a few moments where ideas were clashing, everyone was afforded an opportunity to express their creative spirit in a way that was relatable and very well received by the audience watching. And at the end of the day, my goal is to have the work I put forth be well received by the confident working woman. If she is pleased, so am I!

Visit www.rachelnancephotography.com for images from this segment.

Or check me out on Facebook where you can not only see the fashion images, but where to buy each item featured.

Blog Revival-Coming Soon!

I have been away for sometime, however, I will begin updating my blog on a weekly basis in the coming weeks. There will be posts on great fashion finds & suggestions on how to wear them, health/beauty discoveries that I believe in, and updates on fashion events and other social gatherings. I look forward to keeping you in the know!