Neve Inspired

words: Erin Connal

photos: Sully Sullivan

Husband and wife team Bob and Kris Galmarini are the creative duo behind the children’s wear line, Neve Inspired. They relocated to the Charleston area seven years ago from the fast pace of Los Angeles, and haven’t looked back. After the birth of their first child, the couple decided to create a line of handmade children’s wear that they could not find in stores. Kris tells me that Neve Inspired was “born right after our daughter was born.” The combination of Kris’ passion for fashion, Bob’s design sense and the overall emphasis on handmade products using sustainable materials, make one cute little toddler even cuter!

The funky kid’s clothing line consists of hand screen-printed t-shirts as well as custom designed and sewn girl’s wear. Every single cotton t-shirt is printed by hand using hand-mixed dyes. If the shirt has more than one color on the print, they wait until the first color dries and apply the second color the next day. “Doing the screen printing by hand makes each t-shirt unique,” says Kris. The result is a handmade graphic, and while it may not be perfect, that’s exactly the way they like it. Kris calls them “perfectly imperfect” and “are as precise as the human hand can execute.” The designs are inspired by simple moments in life and the everyday joys children experience. Some popular t-shirt designs are a single red cardinal, a bicycle, a line of surfboards, or a word or two. The custom made dresses and skirts are one of a kind pieces that can be made to order.

Neve Inspired is currently a very small company with all kinds of expansion goals over the next year or so. Kris commented on how much time and energy it takes to run and grow a business in which everything is done locally and by hand (not to mention, taking care of two kids while doing that!). The couple hope to enhance their production quantities while maintaining their hand made techniques. Neve Inspired clothing can be found at Poe Studio in West Ashley and online at their website, www.neveinspired.com.

Treats for Tresses

words: Jessica Dennis

photos: Karson Photography

If you’re looking for an attention-grabbing, eye-catching conversation starter, look no further than Tamsyn Rickards’ fabulous collection of hairpieces, Treats for Tresses. Her feathered headbands, fascinators, and jeweled barrettes have caught the attention of many a fashionista, from the streets of Charleston to the Eastern Market in Washington, D.C.

Rickards and her mother, Marilyn, began Treats for Tresses about three years ago. Between her creative sensabilities as a hair stylist at the trendy Article 5 Salon, downtown, and her mother’s talents as a great seamstress and pattern-maker, inspiration for Treats for Tresses came naturally to the mother-daughter duo. “My mother traveled to Ireland and England a few years ago and similar hairpieces were a major fashion trend over there, so we decided to bring their style back to the States,” Rickards says.

What makes the Rickard’s Treats for Tresses line so unique and timeless are the materials and thought that go into each piece. No two hairpieces are alike, and by looking through her collection, it is obvious that a lot of consideration is put into each and every item. More than 90% of the materials in each piece are recyclable. Most items are taken from vintage hats and other clothing items from the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s, and even prom dresses from the 80’s. “People always ask where we acquire the netted bases for our hairpieces, but it’s a family secret, and we’ll never tell,” says Rickards.

When asked about the hairpiece she was currently wearing, she said it was put together with vintage lace and ribbons placed and sewn together into the shape of small roses. Of the items I saw in the collection she had at the time, her hairpieces were perfect for spring. They ranged in color from soft pinks and baby blues to neon green and electric orange, from feathers and lace to jewels in material, and from flowers to curly-cues in form.

The Rickard’s sell their Treats for Tresses accessories at Article 5 Salon, 320 ½ King Street, as well as at various events and art shows around town. Possibly the best part of the whole line is the price tag. These one-of-a-kind fashion must-haves range from $15 to $60, so you can look absolutely fabulous without breaking the bank!

Eco Fashion Show

words: Jessica Dennis

April 22, 2011

Calling all stylish, eco-minded citizens to the first Charleston Eco Fashion Event! There will be a runway show will feature designs from Rachel Gordon’s One Love, Caroline Baker’s Maude Couture, and Natasha Madan’s Taashki and vendor booths with eco-friendly merchandise for sale.

A portion of all ticket sales will go to Fields to Families, a local non-profit organization that collects fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms and distributes them to community-outreach centers and food-rescue programs like soup kitchens, churches, and shelters. Enjoy a chic runway show with up-to-the-minute fashions for a great cause.
 

Center For Women Purse Auction

words: Jessica Dennis

May 13, 2011

Lowcountry ladies (and their gents) look forward to the Center for Women’s purse auction every spring. For 10 years and counting, local artists, designers, and celebrities all create one-of-a-kind handbags to be auctioned off with all proceeds going directly to the Center for Women’s programs.

The Center for Women is a nationally recognized, non-profit development center whose aim is to guide women toward reaching their greatest potential. Come indulge your inner fashionista for a great cause. We’ll see you there!
 
City Gallery at Waterfront Park, 34 Prioleau Street, $20 advance, $30 at the door.
www.c4women.org 

Wearable Artist Profile:  Chelsie Ravenell

words:  Amy Stockwell Mercer

Chelsie Ravenell’s designs combine the classic and edgy, hard and soft lines of fashion. This unique style is inspired by memories of growing up skateboarding in the “hood” and a preppy best friend from the “burbs.” Chelsie loved both worlds and blends preppy and street style in his clothing line, Kenneth Beatrice (KB). KB was named for his Uncle Kenneth and Grandmother Beatrice, who both died too soon (one from senseless violence, and the other from cancer). After finding an old sewing machine among their possessions, Chelsie made a decision to teach himself to sew. “When you really want to do something, you find a way to get the job done,” he says.

Working as a model for many years, he was privy to first glimpses at the latest fashions, and being part of that world taught him how to put looks together. As a matter of fact, he was one of the Emerging Designers showcased at last year’s Charleston Fashion Week. (He did some modeling for that as well.)

Previously living and working in LA, he relocated to the Lowcountry not too long ago, and now designs from his home in Charleston, using himself as a model. “I only make clothes that I would want to wear.” His style includes dapper one-buckle blazers, gentlemanly vests, and textured bow-ties, but worn with ripped blue jeans. An old photograph of a group of kids playing outside wearing dress clothes inspires this designer. “It’s timeless,” he says of the interesting combination of traditional old-world charm and comfortability.

2011 is full of goals and aspirations for the young designer. He will be launching his “Endangered” collection this January at the SC Style Workshop and is also planning a women’s collection due out this year as well. “Endangered” will include re-created, one-of-a-kind vintage pieces that have been taken apart and put back together in his signature style. Like Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein did for New York City, this versatile designer wants to put Charleston on the map. With a catch phrase “Inspired by Life” this designer has transformed a tragedy into a collection of beauty.

Wearable Artist Profile:  Audella Studios

words:  Amy Stockwell Mercer

Audella Studios is making its home in the up-and-coming section of Spring Street that has earned the nickname “Wedding Row.” With a handful of bridal related business cropping up in the neighborhood, the women behind Audella feel right at home. The gallery/showroom includes handbags by Libby Ganong, handcrafted jewelry by Currie Boyd, and framing and design by Stacy Scull. “Our different lines compliment each other,” Libby says.

Libby officially started Add Libb Designs three years ago, but says she’d been making bags as a hobby for years. She decided that if she got into the Farmer’s Market, she would quit her day job and design full time. That was two years ago and she hasn’t looked back. Vintage pieces accent her fabric and leather clutches, totes, satchels, and hobo bags in an array of colors and designs.

Currie Kilpatrick Boyd was studying wedding cake design in New York City when she decided to start making handcrafted jewelry that would cater to the same demographic of women looking for just the right final touch for their outfit. Designing bracelets, earrings and necklaces in her spare time, Currie launched Nicholas Lane when she moved to Charleston. Using natural colors and hand selected semi-precious stones, Currie says her pieces are versatile and can be worn with jeans, cocktail attire, or even a wedding dress.
‘Rua’ means ‘red’ in Irish and is a fitting name for Stacy Scull with her long auburn hair. Stacy believes in quality frames with affordable pricing and offers a range of designs from basic black and whites to elaborate hand-guilded frames. She says her mission is to “take cherished pieces of work and ensure both their preservation and enhancement through the finishing touches offered by the framing process.” She is also thinking about adding pillows and fabric covered headboards to her line of products in the future.

Audella Studios is alive with colors, fabrics, stones (sometimes the sound of hammering) and a friendly cat. The enthusiasm of these talented women is catching—they agree that they feed off each other and the proof is in the quality of their products.

Charleston Fashion Week

words:  Amy Stockwell Mercer

March 22 - 26, 2011
www.charlestonmag.com/fashionweek

When most people think of fashion hot spots in the United States, they think of New York City, Miami and LA. But thanks to Charleston Fashion Week, fashionistas across the country are learning about a new kid in town. “Some people may question whether Charleston is a fashion capital, but in our fifth year, we’re proving there is something major going on here,” says Vail Duggan, PR & Sponsorship, on behalf of Charleston Fashion Week. With a week full of fun such as the Emerging Designer Competition and Rock the Runway, this year’s event is solidifying Charleston as a fashion destination. “We put on a show that is equal to some of the top shows in the country,” Vail adds.
  

Due to its continued success, Charleston Fashion Week is expanding for 2011. With over 30 runway shows, a bridal show and model competition, three top modeling agencies will also be on hand to scout Lowcountry hotties. The Emerging Designer Competition will showcase fall collections of 16 aspiring designers from across the country.
  

Thanks to reality shows like Project Runway, the struggles of designers (such as time, money and competition) are public knowledge. That’s why Fashion Week prides itself on offering local talent a multi-media event to get their designs in front of a wide audience. The mission for Fashion Week is to support economic development and cultivate local talent, and past success stories from designers and retailers prove they are headed in the right direction.
  

As this year’s presenting sponsor of the five-night fashion celebration, The Art Institute of Charleston sees the event as an important collaboration, both good for the city and Ai students from many different programs of study. President Jerue says, “What better ‘classroom’ for our digital photography, filmmaking, fashion and retail management students than behind-the-scenes or in the photo pit at the end of the runway at an internationally recognized fashion celebration?”
  

Get your tickets and get your glam on for an entire week of beautiful people, original designs, and excited designers!

SC Style Workshop

words:  Stacy Huggins

January 29, 2011
3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
The American Theatre
Tickets range from $55 - $70
www.scstyleworkshop.com

The South Carolina Style Workshop was created for women looking to define their own style and to understand their inner and outer beauty. The topics discussed at SCSW cover from head to toe and inside out. The entertaining, educational semi-annual event combines expert lectures with live demonstrations and design centric fashion shows featuring South Carolina based fashion designers.

The topics being presented this January are:

• Taking control of your finances by Kristin Bostic.
• Creating a memorable first impression and image byShauna Heathman.
• Using makeup as a self-nurturing ritual by Andrew Petersen.
• Creating a healthy body image by Elli Bolland.
• Learning about our interconnected body systems, especially our skin by Angela McKee.
• Reminding yourself of your inner beauty and honoring your self by Jessica Anderson.
• Creating stylish outfits by Charleston Magazine’s fashion editor Ayoka Lucas.
• Revamping your closet and dressing for your body type by Anna Lassiter.

The overall mission of the Style Workshop is to offer guidance within the everyday aspects of women’s lives. The SCSW was created by Diana Deaver of Diana Deaver Photography in collaboration with Lamar Bonaparte of 26 Industries.

The Fashion Group International of Charleston, Inc.

words:  Stacy Huggins

Over the last decade, Charleston has been a rising star in the fashion world. The Lowcountry’s charm has seduced many talented designers and boutique owners alike. The Art Institute of Charleston’s fashion program forges starry-eyed students into the next generation of designers. The creation of Charleston Fashion Week affirms the reality of Charleston as a true destination for fashion. And with each passing year it all grows.

Fashion Group International, one of the most respected global fashion non-profit organizations, has taken note, and they are coming to stay. The FGI’s mission is to be the authority on the business of fashion and bolstering the careers of its members through networking support and information on industry trends and their effect on business.

The board of directors is made up of national and local leaders, accomplished in fashion and design. Their efforts are sure to keep Charleston in the national spotlight. For more information on membership and events, visit www.charleston.fgi.org.