Charleston magazine, producers of the recent Charleston Fashion Week, have announced the winner of their 2009 Emerging Designer Competition: Southeast – Marysia Reeves. Reeves’ ballerina-meets-punk collection of swimwear, beach cover-ups and dresses earned endorsements from the judges and a standing ovation from the enthusiastic crowd.
Celebrity judges sat front row during the shows on Saturday, March 28th in Marion Square as three designers presented their spring collections before an
audience of more than 500. Judges included accessories designer Mary Norton, Emmy Award-wining costume designer Dana Campbell, Lacoste CEO Bob Siegel, Project Runway’s Mychael Knight, and Charleston magazine style editor Ayoka Lucas.
A former ballerina, the Polish-born designer attended school at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles and interned with Milly in New York. This is Marysia’s debut summer/resort 2008 collection.
Reeve’s takes home a $1,000 check courtesy of the Art Institute of Charleston, a booth at AmericasMart® Atlanta Apparel Market in August and a runway show at Charleston Fashion Week 2010. The prize was awarded by internationally-renowned designer Cynthia Rowley along with presenting sponsor, the Art Institute of Charleston.
The two other finalists were Alena Fede, who showed a strong and structured, yet feminine and romantic collection named Fede Grada, and Lindsey Carter, who debuted her Troubador line inspired by a fusion of New York City downtown punk and uptown elegance.
For more information on Charleston Fashion Week, listen to this recent Fashion PR Podcast with PR Couture and Creative Director Ayoka Lucas.
