A Bubbling Fashion Scene In Charlotte?

As Charlotte continues to grow, it's only natural that the cultural amenities we enjoy would expand as well. Our restaurant scene is starting to rival other major cities. Our nightlife offerings have come a long way in the last couple of years. And now it appears that fashion is the next to rise.

A sign that a fashion scene is developing in Charlotte is the number of fashion shows we're starting to have here. I sort of stumbled upon one last summer that I really enjoyed. And since then there have been several well-produced, well-attended fashion shows around the city.

Next up is "Got Beauty? Got Fashion? Rock It!" presented by KMB Marketing. The event takes place this Thursday, 7 p.m.-midnight, at The Grape at Northlake Mall (my end of town, yes!). You can expect a mini fashion show featuring local models wearing pieces by T-Simone Designs, which is a line by local designer Tenisha Campbell. The fashion show is just part of the fashion and beauty inspired event. And in addition to the free gift bags and free hors d'oeuvres, admission to the event is free also. I don't know about you, but I like to be in a roomful of models. Man Law. And these types of events usually attract beautiful onlookers.

There was, from what I've been told, a pretty good fashion show held last month at the Levine Museum of the New South. I missed it because I was out of town.

Charlotte is also a part of the Urban Fashion Week network, with a week of events being held here in the fall. The inaugural Charlotte Urban Fashion Week was held in October. CUFW also holds several fashion events and casting calls throughout the year, and there was one earlier this month. Then there's Charlotte North Carolina Fashion Week, which I've only recently learned of and believe is completely unrelated to Charlotte Urban Fashion Week. CNCFW is scheduled for September 18-20 at the Blake Hotel, and according to its website it will feature runway shows, industry workshops, vendors, and entertainment. It will also be hosting an Industry Night mixer June 4, 6-10 p.m., at Woods on South.

And lastly, a couple of local fashion magazines have recently popped up: Charlotte Style Magazine and Blu Magazine. I'm very critical of magazines so I'll reserve judgement and give these new pubs time to develop.

You may read all of this and say that what we're experiencing in Charlotte pales in comparison to other cities. You're probably right. But I say it's progress. Plus, good fashion is something we can all benefit from. As Deion Sanders says, "If you look good, you feel good. If you feel good, you play good. And if you play good, they pay good."