22 www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | www.ReadCW.com | www.Instagram.com/CharlestonWomen traveling and living all over the world as a supermodel representing brands like Chanel, Armani, Vivienne Westwood and Oscar de la Renta, also joined the crew as a volunteer modeling mentor. Wood admitted that back then, she secretly wondered how the words ‘Charleston’ and ‘fashion’ could be found in the same sentence. That same year, in 2008 when the dream team came together, the emerging designer competition was also launched as a platform to give local designers (who at the time were hand-sewing their creations at home) the opportunity to showcase their work and for models to get noticed. Russell recalled that one year during the emerging designer contest, the finalists weren’t announced until 10 p.m. By the time she and Lawrence returned to their hotel room, they found themselves falling asleep as they climbed over rolling racks crammed with dresses designed by Christian Siriano of Project Runway, stored there presumably to avoid being stolen from inside the tents. Alas, with production and backstage crew arriving for the Bridal Show starting the next morning at 4 a.m., rest was not a luxury Russell or Lawerence could afford. Meanwhile, as Perryman was working with the salon during those first couple of years, she fantasized about assembling her own backstage team of diverse artists who had the talent to make every skin tone and hair type look beautiful, just like at New York Fashion Week. As the event grew, Perryman’s needs did as well, so she pitched the idea and was ecstatic when it was approved in 2010. After her first year working with CFW, in 2011, Wood was brought on as a paid consultant and amassed a team of interns to help her with the casting process of 250+ models auditioning over a two-day period. She was also spearheading rehearsals that helped models walk with confidence, thereby helping control any chaos that might present itself backstage. By this time, Russell and Lawrence were juggling the whole production side of the event, including tents, lighting, stage setup, run-of-show logistics and creative meetings with production, DJs, hair & makeup and the model teams. Because Russell and the team had developed such clear and open communication, she trusted that everyone knew what they were doing, which she said, “freed up my Charleston Women in Style Fashion week’s dream team from 2016 HANDMADE FROM OUR STORE IN CHARLESTON! We make fun, colorful, Fashion Jewelry. HOLSTANDLEE.COM @holstandlee Fashion Jewelry and Accessories designed by Natalie Holst ALSO, VISIT US IN CHARLOTTE! 1930 CAMDEN RD, SUITE 135 17 STATE STREET, CHARLESTON, SC CHECK OUT OUR CHARM BAR! SHOP ONLINE AT
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