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This week, Charleston will become even more fashionable

Hope you like Red Bull.

But even if you don't, I guarantee that by the end of the second annual Charleston magazine Charleston Fashion Week, you'll be a fixture at the Red Bull VIP Lounge.

The high-energy, high-fashion, high-profile event kicks off Tuesday under the tents at Marion Square with five nights of stellar designs, sexy models and serious socializing.

And if you plan on making it through the nearly 30 runway shows, five after-parties and nonstop music and mingling, you're going to need that extra jolt.

"It's all about keeping the intensity high in the tents," said Ayoka Lucas, style editor for magazines Charleston, Charleston Home and Charleston Weddings, and the brainchild behind Charleston Fashion Week.

In order to do so, the fashionistas in charge mixed things up a bit from last year. The runway is U-shaped instead of straight, Lucas said, and there will be a lot more video projections.

"We're going to be covering everything from every angle, so you can view what's coming down the runway no matter where you are," said Lucas. "There won't be one bad seat in the house."

The Stella Nova Hair and Makeup tent and the aforementioned Red Bull VIP Lounge also are new to the scene.

Modeled after New York Fashion Week in Bryant Park, this year's stylish affair promises to deliver spring lines from 22 of the area's hottest retailers, including veterans Anne's and Berlin's for Women and new kids on the block K. Morgan and II Brunettes.

"The local retailers are really embracing this opportunity to spotlight our fashion community," said Lucas.

"By the time Fashion Week rolls around, everyone is ready for spring and excited to see what the retail collections have to offer."

This year isn't just about ready-to-wear wares, though.

Piggybacking off the success of Bravo's hit reality series "Project Runway," Lucas and her team asked local designers to submit their sketches, finished pieces and descriptions of their collection concepts to compete for free runway shows at Charleston Fashion Week.

"Project Runway's" Laura Bennett, Lacoste Chief Executive Officer Bob Siegel, renowned fashion photographer Squire Fox, Milliner Leigh Magar and Lucas all judged the work of 16 designers, ultimately choosing six to present their lines during the Emerging Local Designers runway show on March 28, which has been the fastest selling night, said Lucas.

Also, new this year is the Bridal Couture Show on March 29, which will feature gowns and attire from premier Charleston bridal boutiques such as Copper Penny Bridal and Gown Boutique of Charleston, as well as original bridal designs by locals Jodi Moylan of White and Kate Nevin.

Gowns by renowned designers such as Vera Wang, Badgley Mischka and Monique Lhuillier also will make their way down the aisle. As with any event of this caliber, two things are guaranteed: famous faces and fierce after-parties.

Designer Jillian Lewis, who placed third in season four of "Project Runway," will make appearances March 28 and March 29, and Finesse Mitchell, who joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 2003, will be a guest master of ceremonies March 29.

Also keep a lookout in the VIP section for Laura Bennett, the "Project Runway" alumna who presented her gown collection at last year's event.

Rounding out the celebrity lineup (though don't put it past Lucas to have a few star surprises up her gathered cap sleeve), Charleston native Joyce Gillard, the hairstylist on set for the first three seasons of the MTV reality series "Run's House," will work in collaboration with Stella Nova to get the models ready for the runway.

And finally, the after-parties.

At 10:30 p.m. every night, a different bar will play host: Chai's on Tuesday, Raval on Wednesday, Torch on March 27 and TrioClub on March 28.

The Charleston magazine Finale Gala will be held on the last night of the event in the Gathering Lounge, a separate tent at Marion Square.

"The whole concept of the after-party is part-fashion, part-celebrity and part-party," said Lucas.

"Everyone grabs a Red Bull after the show, and you spend the night listening to music, dancing and mingling with designers, retail owners, celebrities and models."

A portion of Charleston Fashion Week proceeds will benefit Dress For Success Charleston County, a nonprofit organization that provides women in need with professional attire for interviews and career counseling to help put them on the road to economic independence.

Local designers competition

The six up-and-coming fashion designers who won the Emerging Local Designers competition will present their lines during a runway show on March 28. A total of 16 designers submitted sketches, finished pieces and descriptions of their respective collection concepts, but only these stylish six made the cut.

Rachel Gordon: At just 24, Gordon, a graduate of the College of Charleston, has been featured in Charleston magazine, participated in the first Charleston Fashion Week and opened her own store, Gordon Hall, in November of last year. The Rachel Gordon Spring 2008 collection "shows a progression of looks designed to carry a woman with an active lifestyle throughout a busy day," said Gordon.

Carol Hannah Whitfield: A College of Charleston graduate, Whitfield's collection is ladylike and sensual yet sassy, featuring contrasts of structure and flow. "Using traditional techniques and the highest level of finishing possible, I design and create each piece on an individual client basis," said Whitfield.

Ashley Reid: "My collection is soft and pretty, but a little rough around the edges," said Reid of her Clewis Reid 2008 Balletribe collection, which features a palette of light apricot, powdery ivory, smoky grey and soft black shades. Reid graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill and earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from Savannah College of Art and Design.

Megan Waldrep: While a fashion merchandising student at the University of South Carolina, Waldrep founded the fashion line MEW Design. "Fashion should be fun, so I'm bringing to the runway retro silhouettes with a good ol' Americana twist that make women want to show off," said Waldrep, whose spring collection is inspired by the 1950s and '60s.

Krista Beth Huff: Huff graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design and interned for fashion designer Jill Stuart in New York City. Combining vibrant colors and fine silks, Huff said her "garments are lustrous and dramatic but wearable and never pretentious."

Foster Fox: Fox created his company AgressiveCouture at the age of 15, before heading to Tampa, Fla., to attend the International Academy of Design and Technology. "My spring line is best described as casino chic — not the sequined baseball cap and lame fanny pack casino style, but the $30,000-a-hand Baccarat, high-roller chic. Think of a gambler dripping with diamonds," said Fox.

Schedule

Tuesday

Host: Brooke Ryan, 95SX

Anne's: 7:15 p.m.

K. Morgan: 7:45 p.m.

Saks Fifth Avenue: 8:15 p.m.

Putumayo: 8:45 p.m.

The Spot: 9:15 p.m.

Stylexchange: 9:40 p.m.

After-party: Chai's, 462 King St.: 10:30 p.m.

Wednesday

Host: Ryan Nelson, Lowcountry Live

Teal: 7:15 p.m.

V2V: 7:45 p.m.

Tommy Bahama: 8:15 p.m.

Biton: 8:45 p.m.

Cose Belle: 9:15 p.m.

After-party: Raval, 453 King St.: 10:30 p.m.

March 27

Hosts: Debi Chard and Tracey Amick, WCSC

Goga: 7:15 p.m.

II Brunettes: 7:45 p.m.

LulaKate: 8:15 p.m.

Hampden: 8:45 p.m.

Berlin's for Women: 9:15 p.m.

Brooks Brothers: 9:40 p.m.

After-party: Torch, 545 King St.: 10:30 p.m.

March 28

Emerging Local Designers Runway Show

Hosts: Baby J and Tessa, Z93

Ashley Reid: 7:15 p.m.

Rachel Gordon: 7:45 p.m.

Foster Fox: 8:15 p.m.

Megan Waldrep: 8:45 p.m.

Krista Beth Huff: 9:15 p.m.

Carol Hannah Whitfield: 9:40 p.m.

After-party: Trio Club, 139 Calhoun St.: 10:30 p.m.

March 29

Host: Special Surprise Guest

Mary Mojo: 4:10 p.m.

Finicky Filly: 4:40 p.m.

Gwynn's: 5:10 p.m.

Copper Penny: 6:10 p.m.

Mary Norton: 6:40 p.m.

CFW Finale Gala: 8 p.m.

Bridal Runway Shows presented by Charleston Weddings magazine

March 29

Gown Boutique of Charleston: 10:30 a.m.

Copper Penny Bridal: 10:50 a.m.

Kate Nevin and Charleston Formal Wear at Berlin's: 11:10 a.m.

White: 11:30 a.m.

Doors Open

Tuesday-Friday: 6 p.m.

Saturday Bridal Couture: 9 a.m.

Saturday Ready-to-Wear: 3 p.m.

Special Guest DJ Arthur Brouthers.

Tickets and Pricing

Gold Level: $268

Weekly VIP ticket, which includes priority seating for all five nights of fashion shows, access to the VIP lounge and a ticket to the Finale Gala (does not include Bridal Couture Show).

Silver Level: $52 daily

Daily VIP ticket, which includes priority seating for the fashion show, open bar and hors d'oeuvres.

Bronze Level: $30 daily

Daily general admission ticket with access to cash bar and concessions.

Bridal Couture Show: $30 per ticket

Includes champagne, light food and special door-prize giveaways.

Finale Gala: $70 per ticket

Go Red! Carpet Finale celebration with open bar, heavy hors d'oeuvres and live entertainment.

To purchase tickets, visit www.charlestonfashionweek.com or call E-tix at 1-800-514-3849.

Reach Abi Nicholas at 937-5524 or anicholas@postandcourier.com.

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