Frat Parties at FASHION WEEK? What the HELL? Back stage perspectives and parties galore!

Friday afternoon started off with a cocktail party honoring the opening of K. Cooper Ray's Social Primer pop up shop downtown at Billy Reid.

Ok, so as I pulled up, there was a line around the block to get in. Everyone was wearing bow ties in true Cooper fashion. As I got closer though, the guys in line looked more like a bus group from the Carolina Cup. I mean 19 years old at best and straight out of the frat houses.

I ran into Leah Jerden (Cooper's PR Rep) and I asked what was with the really young demo and she told me that Cooper had partnered with 2 College of Charleston frat boys who also acted as hosts and invited the boys from the frat houses apparently.

You could totally tell that the owners of Billy Reid were less than pleased to have all the kids in their store. However, in my opinion if it equates out to sales for Social Primer then all is good with the world. So just to hammer my point: the only 2 options to drink were Heineken and Bourbon. Again, so frat-tastic it wasn't funny.

 HUSK had catered the food and it was a combination of smoked sausages, domestic local cheeses, and artisanal breads. It was legit so packed in there, you could not move. I left and headed over to HUSK where I would not be one of the oldest people in the room.

As I walked in ordering my favorite Rose Cava, I looked at the bar staff and they asked if I had been to Billy Reid. I said you mean the Frat Party? they laughed and said they had heard the same thing.

I headed down to the tents with excitement to see Noula and the Sucker Jeans show.

 It was due to be the opening line Friday night. I popped back stage and dropped a cocktail off for Noula, and ended up staying and styling several Ascots for the models.  It was so much fun. It was at that point that a whole new perspective of what happens for any fashion week is realized. The machine that runs the front of the house is met by an even bigger machine that runs the over 100+ models each night backstage. This is not mentioning the hair and make up artists.

I had some great conversations with the models and then promptly went to take my seat to watch the Sucker show. It did not disappoint at all. AMAZING to be exact. Just the right amount of social elegance with modern flair!

At the end of that show, I went backstage again and that is where I stayed for the remainder of the show up until intermission. I ran into veteran vocalist Quiana Parler and it was so nice to catch up with her. She had been out on tour with Clay Aiken in support of his new album. Ironically, I had no idea that he had even been in the studio. She said the schedule, because of the weather, was brutal!

On the break, I ran into Bubba Bryant from Army Wives and discussed what he had been up to. I even got the inside scoop on tonight's episode. I clearly can't tell you who dies. However, it will be a shocker and tear jerker for sure!

The 2 after parties that evening were to be at Halls and Barsa.

I was a bit confused as to why anyone would have scheduled an after party at Halls on a normally busy Friday night. It seems to me that the night to do Halls would have been early in the week. I told Billy  Hall to expect a shit show and sure enough it came. You couldn't move in there. Great night for them. Not user friendly at all. I found Jessica Reid my partner in crime and ended up going across the street to O-KU. They were packed but still could manage it. That turned into Dudleys and somehow heading to Pantheon. I gave Jessica a unique perspective of the show from backstage. That's always a unique experience who doesn't know how all of "that" works.

The evening ended well with a champagne toast to the last day of CFW coming up tomorrow. Almost done almost done almost done!!!!! Stay tuned. We'll take you behind the scenes of the finale party tomorrow.

Remember to keep with us on all things entertaining style. the website is http://www.lawsonroberts.com/. Friend me on facebook @lawsonroberts or follow me on twitter as well. www.twitter.com/lawsonroberts

Thanks for reading!

Cheers,

L.

Charleston Fashion Week: Fabulous Fashionista Fun WED/THURS

Well here I sit with a romping headache. You may ask why. Well those of you that know me do not need to ask why. I was up till the wee hours of 1:30am Thursday night dancing to 80's music at a kick ass after party at O-KU. So it's time to recap the last couple of days on and off the runway.

Photo by Andrew Cebulka

I have partnered up with Charleston Bliss' Jessica Reid

Jessica Reid

to allow 2 perspectives of Fashion Week. So we grabbed lunch at Monza downtown  yesterday to chat about just how we were going to cover the shows and the after parties. I have to tell you their pizza is hands down the best that you can find in Charleston. Having been up in the city so much lately with work, I have kind of become a pizza snob.  Monza does it right every time.

Jessica and I put our plans together for the afternoon and off we went. A quick stop over to the press lounge lent itself to running into a really great photographer Matthew Accetta.

Matthew Accetta

Check his work out on his website. www.matthewaccetta.com  I may be a bit partial as he not only shoots well. . but he absolutely could be in front of the camera as well. Great looking guy and the women know it. I have decided not only can he take an incredible picture, he sure knows how to shake it on the dance floor. I t was fun watching him dance with his camera on his person and girls at the same time!!!

 Well officially,the evening started at a benefit for Run Buddies a new project from Louie's Kids.

 It was at the Old South  Barber Spa. I must admit that I am quite guilty of never  darkening their doors prior. It is a beautiful space.

Old South Barber Salon

 Mccrady's had done the catering and while I did not eat the standard fun fare was being offered including truffled deviled eggs, charcuterie etc. Master Mixologist Matt Anderson came into town to lend support from his award winning EG Vodka.  As expected the signature cocktail was delicious. I left there and headed right to the tents.

Upon arrival, I was  met with a flurry of excited people waiting to get in their seats. The was an amazing energy under the tents. I came to my seat to find the dapper dressed Austin Walker from Dunes  Properties sitting in  my seat next to Jessica Reid.  Austin  quickly joined K. Cooper Ray of Social Primer fame,

K. Cooper Ray

 and Ayoka Lucas on the front row across from us and  before you knew it the show had begun.

In the first show done by V2V, there was this sort of underlying Wonder Woman theme with the head bands they had the women models wearing. I'll let you judge for yourselves.

The next wonder woman

We left a bit early Thursday night to do some cocktailing. That turned into a bit of a crazy night. We started at O-KU Sushi where the place was hopping! Danny Seltzer was spinning amazing 80s beats and the crowd looked beautiful. The other after party took place at the Music Farm.  Conveniently Dudley's is right in the middle. As you might deduct, that sort of created a very dangerous triangle. We literally went back and forth all night.

Dancing progressed as did the cocktail consumption and before you knew it, it was 1:30 in the morning and I headed home after a very festive and fun night. Coming up on the next installment, K. Cooper Ray's "frat Party", backstage coverage, model styling and more. This next one will be quite fun!!!

Until then, for all things entertaining style, check out the website at www.lawsonroberts.com. I would love to have you as a friend on face book. You can friend me @lawson roberts, or follow me on twitter. Those tweets get interesting. I'm @lawsonroberts.

Behind the Cat Walk Charleston Fashion Week: oh the glama!!!!

When I was approached to cover Charleston Fashion Week by our producers, my initial thought was I love going to the shows so why not. Then I had this horrible fear roll over my entire body. Just what the hell do I know about female fashion? How am I to report accurately and give you my readers the inside scoop. Then it me. I will totally take it from a different perspective. I will totally take you behind the catwalk and let you see just how these kind of shows are produced and take place. I will give you the details from fabulous to fanatical.

I started getting my press credentials and ran into Vail Duggan who is in charge of wrangling all of us media types. Her first comment was do I need any help with interviews. I quickly thanked her and said. . I think we've got this.

I went downstairs and ran right into CFW founder Ayoka Lucas and had a delightful conversation with her for the radio show. I really MUST say: this is a woman who has got it going on! Her creative dream 6 years ago on how to make Charleston come alive with fashion is now celebrating its 5th year. It is entirely a tribute to her. It is well beyond my scope as to why she is still in Charleston. She belongs in a huge market doing huge things. However, from the vantage point of all fashion people in Charleston, I know they are thrilled that she remains at the helm of the fashion world in SC.

Ayoka Lucas founder of CFW

My Tuesday continued interviewing 3 female models for the radio show. Robin Lee was kind enough to arrange the sit down at last moment for me. Unexpectedly, there was a documentary being shot of me conducting my interview. . .kind of odd. . but fun none the less.

Okay enough with that. .let's get down to the fun stuff! it's show time baby. The style lounge this year was again designed by Gathering. I will go on record stating that it was VERY understated. A red and white color scheme that transpired throughout the tent. Red is the appropriate color as it had to have been 80 degrees in the style lounge. Charleston is known for its crazy weather this time of year. Either freezing or scorching. . ever heard of spring?

One of the first people I run into in the style lounge is Andrew Peterson from the Cos Bar. He was holding a microphone and interviewing a CBS affiliate reporter Nicole Johnson. I found it odd. However, after seeing the produced product online today, it was kind of fun! Andrew always wears fun clothing and you bet your ass his makeup looks good all the time.

Andrew chatting and getting set for another fun interview. Look out Bill Sharpe!

So as sweat was pouring off the forehead, my cohort in crime from Charleston Bliss;Jessica Reid and I grabbed a cocktail and proceeded to stand around in front of the tents chatting it up with all kinds of fun people. We ran into Bubba Bryant from Army Wives just at the most perfect time.

Bubba Bryant

 A lovely real life army wife came up to him thanking for what the show does and how they portray real life AW. It was really sweet. As it turned out, Bubba and I sat across the run way from each other and a fun texting session proceeded to happen during the show. I was asking him, what is the proper look that you have on your face during the shows, especially if you don't really like an outfit. He commented back to just look intrigued and that would get us out of the dog house!

Quiana Parler opened the show in her alto fabulousness! She is always a show stopper and last night was no exception.

Quiana Parler wearing She She NY

Designers included: rapport, Copper Penny, 4 emerging designers and a crowd that was dressed impeccably.

I will totally admit that the hot flashes and sweat from the tents got to me and I ended up heading to HUSK for some rose cava before heading to Social for the first of 2 after parties with my other partner in crime Justin Edgar. 3 glasses later, we were ready to hit up Social Wine Bar and they had one hell of a party in store. It was absolutely everything bubbles. Owner, Brad Ball's infatuation with bubbles is right up my alley.

Justin and I stayed for one before heading over to Torch.

Brad Ball

We walked into to Torch having been met by Dr. Matt who was dressed up as the mad hatter. the theme of the event was somewhat Alice in Wonderland and a crazy hat theme. Sadly, besides some employees, no one took that theme anywhere. It was Tuesday night after all. They did have the back opened up with tent and lounge furnishings from Boris over at Event Dr's. It was quite the chic look. Their entertainment onstage inside the bar was very cool. DJ meets keyboard meets vocalist and percussion.  After midnight it got even  crazier.

Justin and I headed to The Belmont for a night cap and that was evening number 1.

As we continue this week, look out for our tragically dressed list plus insider scoop on hair and make up design. Did you know these models arrive at 3:00 PM for a 7:00 show and go through hours of hair and make up daily? We'll chat with some models through out the week as well. We will also keep you in the loop on all after parties. Thanks for reading and enjoying Behind the Catwalk.

Remember for all things entertaining style: check out my website: http://www.lawsonroberts.com/  also friend me on face book @lawsonroberts or follow me on twitter www.twitter.com/lawsonroberts

L.

Fashion abounds in Charleston SC for Charleston Magazine's Fashion Week

It is often said, leave it to fashion and it can turn into a party. I am happy to be your entertaining style correspondant for this Years Charleston Fashion Week. It is truly an exciting time to down in Charleston SC. WE will be offering you exclusive access behind the catwalk to see just how a huge week long fashionista dream is produced. We will take you a step further into the exclusive VIP after parties. our first big over view will drop tomorrow morning. We will give you the recap from both opening night and tonight! Oh the excitement of it all. . what to wear what to wear!???!!!



Stay tuned for all things fashion, frivolity and mostly fabulousness baby!

Remember keep up with everything on the website at http://www.lawsonroberts.com/. friend me on facebook  @lawsonroberts and follow me on twitter www.twitter.com/lawsonroberts.


L.

copper penny 2011 show

Nat King Cole+ Cast Party+ Bohemian Rhapsody on Avenue B= NEW YORK LIFE

NEW YORK, AT NIGHT!

Well it was one of those famous New York City nights last night. It started with me running uptown to check out this Nat King Cole cabaret debut. It wasn't the best thing I have ever seen. I will tell you the places here in the city are so smart. They get ticket prices from you and always a 2 drink minimum. So more about this show. It was an interesting attempt at Cole. Even one of his daughters was in the audience. No. . .sadly not Natalie. So it was the actor (Lee) and his pianist. The show started off slow and got weirder! He did this take on Embraceable You that was Disco and then went into Gospel? It was at that point that I was like why am I even here. Well my buddy Adam and I went back down to the restaurant row area and caught up with our good friend Jim Caruso.

You may remember Jim.

He is the weekly host of  Cast Party. It's sort of like an open mic evening, except on steroids. One never knows who will be coming in to sing.  It can be as simple as the star of Billy Elliott or as amazing as Tony Bennett stopping in to croon a hit. Last night we enjoyed  an amazing jazz vocalist at first, then the brilliant Tenor William Blake took the stage. If you have not heard him sing, you are missing out.

                              

                          F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S!

William Blake. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U51hXfIaWA0

So we stayed until about 11 and then headed downtown. This turned out to be the absolute highlight of my evening and probably year thus far!!!  We arrived at  this huge 2500 square foot loft that reminded me something out of the Broadway show RENT. So Bohemian. As it turns out HBO shoots there regularly among many other publications.

 We proceeded in and there was this great really old upright piano. Of course, I jumped on it and the party continued with guests singing everything from the Temptations, to Sinatra and Les Mis to Cabaret. It was so much fun.

However, what then took me by a complete surprise was as I has stepped into the other room to have a cigarette, I heard this brilliant jazz music  coming from the piano room. It was this 22 year old prodigy who had never taken any sort of lesson in his life. He was visiting the city for one more night, and was then headed back to Germany. He had the licks of some of the best jazz players down pat. I'm talking Herbie Hancock, Miles, Thelonius, you name it all the way to Jamie Cullum. You know it's funny. I had enjoyed a glass and a half of wine last night and I could have stayed up all night listening to this player! It was the type of moment that I liken to seeing my first Broadway show, and had those chills running down your spine! It was so honest and so damn good! By the end of the night we were dueting with blues riffs together. I looked up and it was 2:30 in the morning. Time had flown by and my experience was priceless.


 More stories from the city coming soon. There is always something to do and we seem to find the fun ones. Thanks for reading! Keep up with everything entertaining style and fun events. Join me on twitter @lawsonroberts. You may also follow me on Facebook. Friend me @Lawson Roberts. Check out the new additions to the website http://www.lawsonroberts.com/.

Wine+Food continues, The Soulful Servers make a huge debut

I wanted to offer a little clarity from my last blog on Wine+Food. After hearing directly from the horse's mouth, Bill Murray himself was actually invited to the HUSK after party. However, the 8 friends he tried to get in with him were not. I always try to be accurate for you, my readers. A special thanks to the PR guru Melany Mullens for making that appropriate distinction for me.

Now on with other really cool news: I got a call from a client about a month ago asking me to do what I adore doing. She asked me to specifically write a show just for her husband's business meeting. I was thrilled and of course agreed. I am just getting in from the actual performance this evening. I am proud to introduce you to the "Soulful Servers."

This is a play on the concept of the 3 waiters except instead of being 3 classically trainer opera singers, they are 2 male vocalists and 1 female vocalist singing all of the hits of Motown and R&B. It literally had people out of their seats tonight. For more details and all of the booking opportunities, please give me a call at 843-709-5050. I would love to share them with you.

I'm off to New York for the next few weeks and will absolutely keep you in the loop as we continue our journey.

Friend me on Facebook: I'm under lawson roberts.

You can also follow us on twitter now too: @lawsonroberts

as always join us on the website for all things entertaining style : http://www.lawsonroberts.com/

2011 Wine+Food Festival Wrap up, HUSK AFTER PARTY, ABC TV, and 3 weeks in the city

Well, another Wine+Food has come and gone. It was interesting to be covering it this year, instead of working it.

The same cast of Characters  was around always making things happen. Of course I featured the entire Sunday Morning Mimosa around this year's BB&T Wine+Food Festival.

I got every department covered. We featured  Erika with the marketing  department, Holly Herrick from the to the food critic/cook book author take,Denise Barto chatted about design and thankfully even got a few moments with Executive Director Angel Postell.  It was a really fun show to do this morning.

From this reporter's perspective, the event went off again without a hitch. I mean having been producing or being around events for as long as I have, there are always little details that catch one's eyes. However, once the lights went up, everything was seem less and by all accounts everyone had a delightful time.

I will say one of the biggest complaints that I heard is that the festival is getting too pricey. It certainly is not designed with the layman in mind. I heard this spoken about the culinary village and of course some of the special events around town. Clearly in my opinion, you pay for what you get and it is certainly something that is absolutely worth saving up for.

I was one of the lucky few to have been invited to the after party being thrown at HUSK on Friday Night. Now this was no ordinary event. They had learned from several years in the past.

Charleston Grill used to host this same event and it always got out of hand with the regard of with people being left off the guest list etc and or  people getting upset.

So, this year,  HUSK was kind enough to host the party. They meant business and the first impression you got was just that. As you walked up to check in you were greeted by  2 very large security guys helping out. Word on the street was even Bill Murray got turned down to come in!!!

However once running into Melany Mullens and the team at the door, getting wrist bands,  getting checked in and finally getting in, the vibe was incredible.

They had tented the entire court yard and had whole lambs roasting for the last 12 hours!

So many cool people joined at the party. We had a great conversation with Chef Marvin Woods, Marion Sullivan gave me her take on the BEST options to enjoy for the weekend.

Event Planner and festival designer Mitchell Crosby rolled in on his one night off not willing to chat on mic about anything. I will say he deserved a good night off. The list of foodies, chefs and more goes on and on. It's a true testament to Executive Chef Sean Brock on how incredible his dream has evolved into a reality.

I'll be back on ABC this Tuesday March 8th showcasing some really fun Irish Cocktails and ideas for entertaining this St. Patrick's Day. As you may or may not know, I am a regular corespondent on Low Country LIVE offering entertaining style tips. Tune in. In the Charleston SC Market 10am-11am.

I'm headed back to the New York offices for a couple of weeks to prep for some of our Spring events and to meet new clients. Looking forward to being there for more than just a couple of days. Look for more updates and even more insider information here on the BLOG as well on the facebook.