Photo by Mark Staff Photography. www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | FB & Instagram @CharlestonWomen FOOD & FASHION A City Built on Influence FALL 2026 CHARLESTON WOMEN WWW.CHARLESTONWOMENMAGAZINE.COM FOOD & FASHION EDITION | FALL 2026 MORE THAN A PRETTY FEED How influencers are shaping the Holy City’s style and culinary scene WOMEN BEHIND THE BEER A conversation with the women in the Charleston beer industry MY FAVORITE ROOM with Claire O’Bryan
1 WWW.CHARLESTONWOMENPODCAST.COM | WWW.READCW.COM | WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CHARLESTONWOMEN Restaurant Bar & Music Hall Henry’s is centrally located in historic downtown Charleston at 54 North Market Street, across from the Charleston city market. Established in 1932, Henry’s is the oldest continuous restaurant in Charleston and the state of South Carolina. OPEN EVERY DAY 11:00 AM - 2:00 AM | HENRYSONTHEMARKET.COM | 843.723.4363
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5 WWW.CHARLESTONWOMENPODCAST.COM | WWW.READCW.COM | WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CHARLESTONWOMEN CHARLESTON WOMEN • VOL. 13, ISSUE 3 A South Carolina Press Association Award-Winning Publication ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER STACEY MCLOUGHLIN ART DIRECTOR BETHANY LONG COPY EDITORS LAURA FOGARTY COLIN MCCANDLESS WRITERS ANGIE COLYER DUPREE • BROOKE WATSON CARI LAWSON • ELLA DUANE • ELLEN KERR KATIE FINCH • SARAH ROSE PHOTOGRAPHER MARK STAFF MARKSTAFFPHOTOGRAPHER.COM INDEPENDENT MEDIA CONSULTANTS MARNIE BONN MARNIE@CHARLESTONWOMEN.COM ELLEN KERR ELLEN@CHARLESTONWOMEN.COM BRAND ASSISTANTS REAGAN BRAWLEY CHLOE HILFIGER SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER ELLEN KERR DIGITAL MANAGER ALLYAH HARRAR ADMINISTRATION & BOOKKEEPING GINGER SOTTILE DISTRIBUTION U.S. POST OFFICE • HARRIS TEETER CVS • FOOD LION • ALL SC WELCOME CENTERS • ASHEVILLE/HENDERSONVILLE AIRPORTS Charleston Women Magazine is published locally by a team of independent contractors. Charleston Women Magazine is published four times per year by Media Services, Inc. 1013 Chuck Dawley Blvd., Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 Copyright © Media Services 2025. All rights reserved. Reproduction electronically or in print format without the expressed written consent of the publisher is strictly prohibited and a violation of U.S. copyright laws. Inquiries to: Charleston Women Magazine P.O. Box 22617, Charleston, SC 29413 917-208-5633 TABLE OF CONTENTS 29 9 42 53 Fall 2026 6 Contributors 6 From the Team 7 About the Cover Features 9 2026 Food & Fashion 16 More Than a Pretty Feed 20 Connecting Charleston’s Culinary Landscape to its Roots Fashion & Style 24 Fashion with a Second Story 27 The Bra Company Built on a Problem No One Says Out Loud Arts & Entertainment 29 The Story Behind a Costume 30 Fall Book Nook 31 Charleston Literary Festival 34 Fall Event Round-up Food & Beverage 35 Favorite Recipe 36 Character Over Trends 38 Rethinking Our Food Sources 40 A Generational Love of Baking 42 Women in Beer 45 Serving Something Bigger with Chef Maya Morrill 46 Where Gathering Begins Home & Lifestyle 48 My Favorite Room: Claire O’Bryan Wellness & Beauty 50 The Art of Elevating Others 51 Sourdough Craze 53 Hope Behind Hospitality Charleston Women 55 Women in the Making 56 We Are Charleston Women Photo by Mark Staff Photography
6 WWW.CHARLESTONWOMENPODCAST.COM | WWW.READCW.COM | WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CHARLESTONWOMEN As summer fades, I find myself looking forward to the arrival of fall in Charleston. Cooler mornings, football weekends, cozy meals and refreshing my wardrobe with richer colors and textures always make the season feel special. Living in the Lowcountry, we wait a little longer for the weather to catch up, but our mindset shifts much earlier. Once school is back in session and our schedules settle into a rhythm, there's an excitement that comes with embracing a new season. Food and fashion have a natural connection. Whether you're gathering around the table with friends or heading out to one of Charleston's incredible restaurants, the question often becomes, "What should I wear?" In our fall issue, we celebrate that connection through inspiring stories, beautiful photography and a photo journal featuring some of our favorite local food and fashion influencers. You'll also discover the early history of women's roles in Charleston restaurants, meet a talented local seamstress creating costumes for area theaters and explore ways to embrace sustainable fashion. Thank you to our Charleston Women marketing partners, the remarkable women who shared their stories, our talented contributing writers and, most importantly, you – our readers. We invite you to follow us @CharlestonWomen and explore even more stories at ReadCW.com. With gratitude, Stacey McLoughlin, Associate Publisher ANGIE COLYER DUPREE bridges service and soul as a Charleston hospitality professional, artist and writer. BROOKE WATSON is a Mount Pleasant native who studied creative writing and classics at College of Charleston. CARI LAWSON counsels students by day, crafts stories by night. ELLA DUANE is drawn to the people, culture and communities that shape a place. She writes character-driven features with a focus on authentic storytelling, uncovering the details, voices and connections that often go unnoticed. KATIE FINCH is an Alabama native (War Eagle, anyone?) and a serial entrepreneur. SARAH ROSE brings a global perspective to her journalism, shaped by years traveling and living worldwide. Photo by Mark Staff Photography FROM THE TEAM ANGIE COLYER DUPREE KATIE FINCH BROOKE WATSON CARI LAWSON ELLA DUANE SARAH ROSE
7 WWW.CHARLESTONWOMENPODCAST.COM | WWW.READCW.COM | WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CHARLESTONWOMEN both her boutique and Henry’s, adding another layer to a family legacy that continues to evolve. Long before social media, restaurants were Charleston’s original influencers. Henry’s has spent generations bringing people together, making it the perfect place for the Holy City’s next story to unfold. Charleston Women cover featuring social influencers Emma Waugh @GirlEatsEverything and Rachel Miranda @RachelMirandaBlog. Waugh has become one of Charleston’s most trusted food voices, introducing readers to the restaurants, hidden gems and local businesses that make the Lowcountry unique. Miranda has built a loyal following by providing petite-friendly fashion finds and relatable styling tips for women. Behind the lens, photographer Mark Staff captured the morning, allowing Henry’s timeless character to become as much a part of the cover as the women themselves. The cover was styled by Jennifer Limehouse, owner of Louise of Summerville and Leo Chiagkouris’ niece. Her carefully curated wardrobe reflects the effortless blend of classic and current that defines Every city has a place where memories are collected. In Charleston, Henry’s is one of those places. If you’ve spent any time there, chances are you’ve gotten a little lost. That’s part of the charm. Winding rooms, exposed brick walls, towering gold mirrors, deep red leather sofas and layers of artwork have made Henry’s an iconic gathering place for generations. Under restaurateur Leo Chiagkouris’ leadership, it has continued to grow with the city while holding onto the character that keeps people coming back. It was the perfect backdrop for the • Our iconic Mobile Bus Salon • The West Ashley Studio And now, our BRAND NEW GORGEOUS MOUNT PLEASANT SALON! BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY! MONACO-GLOW.COM | 833-TAN-TIME WE’VE EXPANDED! NOW GLOWING ACROSS THREE LUXE LOCATIONS! We are your destination to the best version of you. Now offering exclusive beauty + aesthetic services and of course our guaranteed zero orange tone spray tan made custom to you body type and skin tone! WEST ASHLEY 4 CARRIAGE LANE SUITE 400C MOUNT PLEASANT 311 JOHNNIE DODDS SUITE 131 843-801-7534 | cleaningservicesmoon.com @mooncleaningservices YOUR SPACES DESERVE THE BEST FEEL CONFIDENT YOUR HOME OR OFFICE. RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL | HOME VACATION MOVEOUT | CONSTRUCTION CLEANING Experience top-tier cleaning solutions designed to keep your residential community spotless and inviting. Our professional team ensures every corner of your complex SHINES. ABOUT THE COVER ABOUT THE Cover BY ANGIE COLYER DUPREE
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Charleston has always known how to make an entrance. Maybe it’s the cobblestone streets that seem made for a fashion shoot, the centuries-old buildings housing some of our newest restaurants, or simply that Carolina golden-hour light. There’s a certain magic to the beauty here—historic and modern, polished and wonderfully imperfect, all at once. This is a city shaped by people willing to put their ideas out into the world. Chefs, designers, restaurateurs, shop owners, artists and creators have long taken what Charleston gave them and added something of their own. Trendsetters and traditionalists live side by side here, holding tight to what matters while making room for reinvention. It is a curated blend of elegance and ease and it is our signature style. Perhaps that’s why food and fashion make so much sense together here. Both tell us something about who we are. A chef puts herself on the plate. A designer, boutique owner or stylist gives us another way to express ourselves. Restaurants create rooms we want to be in. And increasingly, influencers give us a fresh lens through which to see a city we may already know by heart. For this Food + Fashion issue, Charleston Women brought local creators into the mix, including a spirited shoot at iconic Henry’s on the Market. With their own FOOD & FASHION A City Built on Influence BY ANGIE COLYER DUPREE 9 WWW.CHARLESTONWOMENPODCAST.COM | WWW.READCW.COM | WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CHARLESTONWOMEN audiences, styles and perspectives, they’re a natural part of the story— women influencing how Charleston eats, dresses, gathers and discovers what’s next. And they’re only part of it. This issue celebrates the women cooking, designing, styling, creating, serving and dressing the city, each making her own mark on Charleston. Because Charleston’s style has never belonged to one person, one look or one table. It’s the mix that makes it interesting. In the culinary world, we call that umami: different flavors coming together to create something greater than any one could be alone. Around here, we simply call it Charleston. FOOD & FASHION
HENRY’S ON THE MARKET Henry’s has never been just one thing. Established in 1932, the Charleston landmark has grown and shifted through the decades, its winding rooms holding traces of the stories, personalities and celebrations that have passed through it’s walls. Today, owner Leo Chiagkouris carries it forward with family at the heart, timeless Charleston swagger and a knack for keeping Henry’s synonymous with a good time. From left to right: Catherine Mann @StuffCatLikes brings petite style and a big personality to fashion, home finds and the occasional splurge. Elise Conley @CookinWithBooze ("Booze" was a childhood nickname), a food writer who takes followers beyond the plate to restaurants shaping Charleston's food scene. Virginia Jacques @ TheCharlestonGuide is the friend you want in your phone when you're wondering where to go next, sharing the places and experiences that make you want to explore Charleston. Styled by: Modern Manor, Mount Pleasant and Louise of Summerville 10 WWW.CHARLESTONWOMENPODCAST.COM | WWW.READCW.COM | WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CHARLESTONWOMEN Henry’s owner Leo Chiagkouris with his sister, Christina, and her daughter, Jennifer Limehouse of Louise of Summerville, who styled the cover shoot. Above them, a portrait of the family matriarch, painted by a former Henry’s employee, brings three generations of Henry’s history into one frame. FOOD & FASHION Photos by Mark Staff Photography
Kourtney Bedoe, fashion and coastal lifestyle influencer’s page @BowsAndBedoes, shares her favorite fashion picks and her everyday life as a mom in the Lowcountry. Styled by Modern Manor, Mount Pleasant MODERN MANOR Where fashion meets refined living, Modern Manor brings everyday elegance to North Mount Pleasant. Located on Highway 17 across from Boone Hall, Karen Massarotti’s beautifully layered marketplace brings clothing, jewelry, art, furnishings and home décor together under one roof—an ever-changing collection of boutiques where personal style extends from what you wear to how you live. 11 WWW.CHARLESTONWOMENPODCAST.COM | WWW.READCW.COM | WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CHARLESTONWOMEN FOOD & FASHION Photos by Mark Staff Photography
12 WWW.CHARLESTONWOMENPODCAST.COM | WWW.READCW.COM | WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CHARLESTONWOMEN salthousecommissary.com BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE CREATORS OF SALTHOUSE CATERING Salthouse Commissary Kitchen is a collaborative creative space made up of like-minded food and beverage professionals passionate about their craft. POWERED BY WOMEN JOIN US IN THE KITCHEN AND WATCH YOUR FOOD BUSINESS GROW! Your Exceptional Catering Experience Awaits! Let’s chat about your next event! (843) 345-3914 TeaToGreens.com Simple Delicious Distinctive ToffeeSmyth.com Our delicious, naturally dairy free, coconut milkbased ice cream is crafted with organic ingredients coconutglens.com Glow up Any Event! Small-Batch and Handmade with Love and Butter on James Island. SWEET & SAVORY PIES GOURMET COOKIES & CAKES 1740 Signal Point Road, Unit 250 ButterandCrumbPies.com Our menus highlight Gullah-Geechee Cuisine and the flavors of the Lowcountry with a variety of traditional southern favorites and modern classical dining. Catering Services | Cooking Classes Private Dining Services | And More! THECAROLINACOOKERY.COM
From left to right: Katie Irwin - Seventy Two Lounge, Thieny Hendrix - Nollie Bites, Eleanor Smythe - ToffeeSmyth, Tanya Gurrieri - Salthouse Commissary, Robyn Guisto - Tea to Greens, Rashunda Grant - Carolina Cookery, Kelly Moreau - Butter and Crumb and Lauren Caserta - Coconut Glen’s (not shown) Styled by: Local Love CHS (aprons, cloth napkins, Katie’s tie dye shawl, and serving pieces) Local Love CHS is a Charleston gift shop located on James Island which supports local artisans by offering a curated selection of hand-made local products. SALTHOUSE COMMISSARY Salthouse Commissary Kitchen is a collaborative creative space made up of like-minded food and beverage professionals passionate about their craft. 13 WWW.CHARLESTONWOMENPODCAST.COM | WWW.READCW.COM | WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CHARLESTONWOMEN FOOD & FASHION Photos by Mark Staff Photography
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Sarah Louise Rhodes | @TheSpritzEffect — Sarah serves up Charleston life to 90k+ followers with a splash of style and plenty of effervescence, mixing cocktails, crave-worthy bites, fashion and coastal living into the colorful world of @TheSpritzEffect. Styled by Collaboration, Summerville. Necklace by Holst + Lee benefiting Make-A-Wish. CATRINA’S TACOS & TEQUILA At Catrina’s Tacos & Tequila, more is more—in the best possible way. Tucked just off Clements Ferry Road, bold murals, fresh flavors, house-made tortillas and 100% agave tequila set the mood. Come hungry, wear something colorful and settle in—because here, dinner should be every bit as fun as what you’re wearing. 15 WWW.CHARLESTONWOMENPODCAST.COM | WWW.READCW.COM | WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CHARLESTONWOMEN FOOD & FASHION Photos by Mark Staff Photography
16 WWW.CHARLESTONWOMENPODCAST.COM | WWW.READCW.COM | WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CHARLESTONWOMEN Scroll through Instagram for just a few minutes and chances are you’ll find yourself making dinner reservations, bookmarking a hidden coffee shop or convincing yourself that yes, you absolutely need that linen dress you’ve been eyeing. In Charleston, where exceptional food and effortless style are woven into everyday life, social media influencers have become far more than content creators. They’re storytellers, tastemakers and trusted guides helping locals and visitors alike discover the people and places that make the Holy City so special. Long before algorithms entered the conversation, Charleston thrived on word-of-mouth recommendations. Today’s influencers have simply brought that tradition online, creating digital communities where a Reel or Instagram Story can inspire thousands of people to explore a new restaurant, support a local boutique or venture into a neighborhood they’ve never visited. Among those leading the way are fashion creator Rachel Miranda and food influencer Emma Waugh, two Charleston women whose careers began not with business plans, but with passion projects. From Hobby to Business Rachel Miranda, known online as @honeysweetpetite and @rachelmirandablog, never imagined that sharing petite fashion inspiration would become a fulltime career. Armed with a business marketing degree and working in dental offices while traveling with her husband, she launched her blog and Instagram in 2019 simply because she noticed a gap in the fashion space. “I remember seeing women around my age sharing their outfits on Instagram and thinking, ‘I can do that!’” she said. Standing just 5 feet tall, Miranda saw an opportunity to create content specifically for petite women looking for stylish, relatable outfit inspiration. What began as a creative outlet quickly evolved into a thriving business built on brand partnerships, affiliate marketing and an engaged community. The turning point came when she realized she was earning more through content creation than at her full-time job. “That moment made me re-evaluate everything,” she recalled. “I realized this could be a legitimate business and career.” Food creator Emma Waugh followed a remarkably similar path. After moving to Charleston in 2018, she invariably found herself photographing the city’s extraordinary food scene. “I was constantly filling my camera roll with photos of all the incredible food I was eating,” she said. Instead of overwhelming family and friends with MORE THAN A PRETTY FEED How Charleston’s food and fashion influencers are shaping the Holy City’s style and culinary scene BY ELLEN KERR FOOD & FASHION Photo Provided
17 WWW.CHARLESTONWOMENPODCAST.COM | WWW.READCW.COM | WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CHARLESTONWOMEN thing I would genuinely use, visit or recommend to a friend.” That philosophy has become the foundation of her brand. “I say no to a lot of brands because they don’t align with my core values or the needs of my audience,” she explained. Waugh takes a similarly thoughtful approach, particularly when reviewing restaurants. “Oftentimes when I post about a restaurant, coffee shop or local business, I’ve visited and paid for everything on my own,” she said. “I want to have the same experience as any other customer so I can give an accurate review.” Her approach reflects an understanding that influencers hold real sway over where people spend their time and money. “If I don’t love the food I had at a restaurant, I simply don’t post about it,” Waugh said. “I might provide feedback privately because everyone has an off day sometimes.” Rather than chasing controversy or negative reviews for engagement, both creators have built loyal communities through trust. Charleston: The Perfect Backdrop Few cities lend themselves to content creation quite like Charleston. Historic streets, colorful facades, waterfront sunsets, award-winning restaurants and locally owned boutiques create endless opportunities for storytelling. “Sometimes simply taking a walk downtown sparks new ideas,” Miranda said. “There’s always something happening – a new restaurant, a local event or a hidden gem to discover.” For Waugh, Charleston’s nationally recognized food scene became both her inspiration and her creative playground. “Dining out is a five-senses experience,” she said. “Social media can show the vibes, sounds, décor and food presentation all from the point of view of the customer.” That immersive experience has transformed Instagram and TikTok into modern travel guides. Instead of beginning with search engines, many travelers now build itineraries through creator recommendations before ever setting foot in the city. Miranda admitted she does the same thing. “Whether I’m looking for a local coffee shop in Charleston or planning an overseas trip, Instagram and TikTok are usually the first places I go.” endless restaurant photos, she created a separate Instagram account devoted entirely to Charleston’s culinary offerings. That account eventually evolved into @ girleatseverything, one of the city’s most recognizable food platforms. Neither woman anticipated becoming an entrepreneur. Instead, their audiences and the influencer marketing industry grew alongside them. Authenticity is the Real Currency In an era when social media can sometimes blur the line between recommendation and advertisement, authenticity has become an influencer’s greatest asset. Miranda said that every partnership begins with one simple question. “I ask myself whether it’s someFOOD & FASHION Photo Provided
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Influence Beyond the Screen The impact of Charleston’s influencers extends well beyond likes and comments. When creators feature a locally owned coffee shop, boutique or restaurant, they’re introducing those businesses to audiences actively looking for their next favorite place. Miranda said one of the most rewarding aspects of her work is hearing from followers who visited a business because of one of her recommendations. “People tell me they tried a restaurant, coffee shop, boutique or local experience after seeing it in my content,” she recounted. “That never gets old.” For many Charleston entrepreneurs, influencers have become modern-day ambassadors, helping tell the stories behind their businesses in ways that feel personal rather than promotional. Creating With Purpose While influencing may look effortless from the outside, both women emphasized that building a community requires consistency, adaptability and patience. Miranda embraces those changes as opportunities to grow rather than obstacles. “One of the keys to longevity is being willing to adapt, learn and grow,” she said. Waugh offers similarly practical advice for aspiring creators. “Do it because you enjoy it, and have patience,” she said. “Building a community the right way takes time.” Miranda’s advice is even simpler. “Grab your phone, press record and start creating.” The Future of Influence Charleston has always celebrated creativity through its chefs, designers, artists and entrepreneurs. Today’s influencers simply provide another avenue for those stories to reach audiences both near and far. Their feeds may feature beautiful outfits, expertly plated dinners and perfectly poured lattes, but behind every post is careful consideration, relationship building and a genuine desire to connect people with businesses worth discovering. In a city that values authenticity as much as aesthetics, that’s precisely why their influence continues to grow. After all, in Charleston, the next unforgettable meal, favorite boutique or hidden gem often isn’t discovered through a billboard or commercial. It’s found with the swipe of a finger and the trusted recommendation of someone who loves this city enough to share it. 19 WWW.CHARLESTONWOMENPODCAST.COM | WWW.READCW.COM | WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CHARLESTONWOMEN FOOD & FASHION Photos Provided
20 WWW.CHARLESTONWOMENPODCAST.COM | WWW.READCW.COM | WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CHARLESTONWOMEN The acclaimed Junior League of Charleston’s “Charleston Receipts” cookbook, originally published in 1950, is a collection of recipes, stories and traditions that have defined Lowcountry cuisine for 75 years. In its earlier editions, many of the generations-old recipes were attributed to affluent white women rather than the enslaved people who worked in their kitchens. To honor those who planted, harvested, marketed and cooked for the city’s wealthy residents and to give credit where it was due, local author and historian Margaret Seidler contacted the Junior League’s Executive Director, Amy Jenkins, about rewriting the cookbook’s introduction. Amy, who seconded Seidler’s intention to connect Charleston’s present food culture with its roots, said, “We now hold a deeper understanding of the many contributors to this culinary heritage, and it is in this spirit that we offer a more complete background and context for the heritage represented in ‘Charleston Receipts.’” When the Junior League green-lit the project in 2023, Seidler, along with Dr. Bernard Powers, professor emeritus of history at the College of Charleston and chef instructor Kevin Mitchell, author and co-host of “The Savors of Flavor” on SCETV/PBS, began the revision process. The updated version became available for purchase at local bookstores in summer 2026. In the introduction, the authors wrote, “Africans and their Gullah Geechee descendants had a profound impact on Lowcountry foodways through their knowledge, creativity and labor. It is through their skill and artistry that so many of Charleston’s defining dishes came to be. With this perspective, we now recognize that ‘Charleston Receipts’ is largely a compilation of Gullah Geechee recipes originally produced by African-descended cooks.” The preface continues, “Today, the Junior League of Charleston formally recognizes and honors those cooks – enslaved and free – whose contributions are essential to this legacy. We understand that many of the members credited within these pages learned directly from the Black Carolinians working in their homes and kitchens.” Despite their extensive research, the authors of the new introduction were unable to locate any records that identified the cooks from whom the book’s recipes originated. As Rhonda Mitchell, founder of the Drizzled Pear Catering Co. pointed out, this lack of documentation was largely because most enslaved people were forbidden from learning to read and write. “We didn’t have written recipes because food was a form of oral storytelling and cooking was an innate, inherent nature,” she explained. That these multi-generational recipes and inConnecting Charleston’s culinary landscape BY SARAH ROSE to its roots Step into the kitchens of Charleston and savor the stories that shaped them. Charleston Receipts is a beloved classic, celebrating 75 years of Lowcountry flavor. From She-Crab Soup to Huguenot Torte, these treasured recipes reflect generations of shared tradition, creativity, and community. It celebrates the African-descended Gullah-Geechee cooks, whose creativity and care brought Charleston’s signature dishes to life. Every page invites you to cook, connect, and celebrate the rich heritage that makes Southern food and this cookbook so unforgettable. “Even by today’s standards, Charleston Receipts is a powerhouse. Another reason for [its] remarkable staying power is that it has recipes that people still want to make—because they’re absolutely delicious. No other community cookbook in America has the same breadth and depth.” Southern Living, 2025 “The recipes in [this] 350-page cookbook owe much of their provenance to the Gullah-Geechee cooks. The [Junior] League members . . . used their strong relationships with local cooks to publish many previously unwritten recipes. It’s one of the few historical books of any sort from Charleston that give some slight reverence to the importance of Gullah-Geechee culture to this city’s culture.” Post & Courier, 2025 Serving The Lowcountry For Over 75 Years FOOD & FASHION Chef Kevin Mitchell and his wife Rhonda Mitchell, owner of the Drizzled Pear Catering Co. Photo by MCG Photography
21 WWW.CHARLESTONWOMENPODCAST.COM | WWW.READCW.COM | WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CHARLESTONWOMEN We’re a Hardscape business, locally owned in Charleston, SC. /MoralesOutdoorCreations @MoralesOutdoorCreations Call Today for a Complimentary On-Site Consultation! (843) 614-0209 | MORALESPAVERSCHS.COM Installing Fire Pits, Patios, Building Outdoor Kitchens & more! gredients are foundational to Charleston’s culinary scene is often lost on residents, tourists and even many local chefs, according to award-winning chef, food writer and native Charlestonian, Amethyst Ganaway. “People assume the Gullah ingredients and cooking techniques started with enslavement, but our foodways were developed thousands of years before that,” she said. “Africans were brought to these shores specifically because of their astrological, engineering and agricultural knowledge. Enslavers recognized that certain people from certain regions had intelligence that could be applied to growing crops such as rice, indigo, tobacco and cotton in our similar climate and landscape.” Ganaway added that while each plantation and household was run by a different playbook, the task system, which often required enslaved people to work from sun-up to sun down, sometimes allowed laborers to have “free” time after completing the day’s work during which they could pursue their interests, which would include hunting, fishing and growing produce such as okra and beans in provision gardens. According to chef Kevin, oral tradition says that those plants may have originated from seeds and grains that Africans sewed into their hair before they were transported from their homeland to America during the Middle Passage. Another interpretation of how those ingredients likely arrived in the colonies, Ganaway said, was that ship captains and their crews brought seeds and grains back from the continent when they realized that laborers refused to eat the gruel they were being fed. FOOD & FASHION Shrimp and Okra Perloo Photo by Rhonda Mitchell
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Over the decades that followed, a new chapter of Charleston’s culinary story was written, when, according to David Shields, co-host of “The Savors of Flavor” and Carolina distinguished professor emeritus, University of South Carolina, an enslaved woman, Sally Seymour, who oversaw the house and kitchen of Thomas Martin, had the opportunity to study under the tutelage of Adam Prior, one of only two Frenchtrained chefs in the city. Seymour, who was manumitted by Martin in 1795, then established a bakery at 80 Tradd St., where she taught many enslaved and free people of color how to become high-level pastry chefs. Rhonda noted, “Sally Seymour built an institution in Charleston that rivaled European-trained chefs and raised an entire generation in the French and Gullah Geechee style.” Chef Kevin added that as Seymour expanded her business into cooking and catering for Charleston society, she had to use enslaved laborers such as Camilla Johnson, Eliza Dwight, Martha Gilchrist, Cato McCloud and the Holton sisters, who later became her competitors. When Seymour passed away in 1824, her daughter Eliza Seymour Lee took over the business and continued training cooks and chefs, some free and some enslaved. From the family tree of students rooted in Seymour and Lee’s instruction, Charleston became the culinary envy of all the colonies. Throughout the ages, Gullah Geechee women have upheld the standard that Seymour, Lee and their proteges set in their kitchens over two centuries ago. As a granddaughter of enslaved people, the late Edna Lewis, who worked as the chef at Middleton Place and lived on the premises, authored “The Taste of Country Cooking,” which the New York Times deemed as “the most influential American cookbook of the past 100 years.” Local treasure and renowned queen of Southern cuisine, 83-year-old chef Charlotte Jenkins grew up in Awendaw learning the Gullah traditions from her grandmother, trained at Johnson & Wales culinary institute in Charleston, owned the landmark Gullah Cuisine restaurant in Mount Pleasant and wrote the celebrated cookbook “Gullah Cuisine: By Land and By Sea.” Now her daughter Kesha Jenkins, founder of Gullah Tings, has her own farm where she grows herbs and dries them in the same technique that chef Charlotte used to create seasonings in her restaurant. As a sixth-generation Daufuskie Island native, celebrity chef and cookbook author, Sallie Ann Robinson has spent her life rooted in the rich traditions of the Gullah people. In June, she was inducted into the James Beard Book Awards Hall of Fame for “Sallie Ann Robinson’s Kitchen.” For Ganaway, the takeaway here is that full-stop there would be no culinary scene in the Holy City without the Black community who built and fed it. “Out of so much trauma, a deep, beautiful, rich history has evolved and from that, Charleston’s food should be understood as the cornerstone of cuisine in America,” she said. Ganaway added, “We all have a responsibility to carry that legacy forward by supporting local farmers, shrimpers and fishermen. And good chefs should know how to work with agriculture rather than ordering all of their ingredients from Sysco.” She emphasized, “Do your due diligence to understand what you’re working with and sharing with the world.” While the tradition of African and Gullah Geechee cooking is very much alive and well, Ganaway said that for a major culinary destination woven together by ancestral threads, it’s curious how few Black-owned-and-operated restaurants there are in Charleston. “To have true Gullah food here, you have to make a friend and go to someone’s house,” she advised. “Feeding people shows we care, love and accept you.” 23 WWW.CHARLESTONWOMENPODCAST.COM | WWW.READCW.COM | WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CHARLESTONWOMEN FOOD & FASHION Chef Kevin Mitchell and his wife Rhonda Mitchell Catfish and Crab Stew Photo provided by Breea Kelly from Chefworks Photo by Rhonda Mitchell
Fashion has always been about self-expression, but lately, it’s also become a way to express our values. In Charleston, where timeless style is practically part of the city’s architecture, sustainable fashion feels less like a trend and more like a natural extension of the way many of us already live. It’s about buying thoughtfully, loving what we own and finding joy in giving beautiful pieces a second life. For me sustainable fashion isn’t about having a perfectly curated capsule wardrobe or never buying anything new. It’s about making choices that feel intentional while still embracing the fun of getting dressed. Some of my favorite outfits have come from clothing rentals, consignment treasures, borrowed pieces from friends or meaningful accessories that make older staples feel brand new. One of my favorite discoveries has been Nuuly, the clothing rental subscription that has completely changed the way I shop for special occasions, vacations and seasonal trends. Instead of buying a statement dress that might only get worn once, I rent six pieces each month and return them when I’m ready for something different. It has become my favorite way to experiment with styles I wouldn’t normally purchase outright, and it’s saved my closet from becoming overcrowded with impulse buys. The best part? There’s no guilt attached to trying something bold. That bright printed maxi dress for a weekend in Palm Beach? Rented. The trendy denim jumpsuit that was fun for one season? Rented. I still invest in classic pieces I’ll wear for years, but rentals let me enjoy fashion without constantly contributing to the cycle of fast fashion. When I do want to own something, one of my favorite places to browse is Ensemble Consignment on King Street. Shopping there feels more like a treasure hunt than a shopping trip. A friend and I can spend an entire afternoon combing through racks, laughing over vintage finds, trying on designer pieces we’d never buy at full price and celebrating when one of us discovers the perfect jacket or handbag. There’s something incredibly satisfying about knowing the item you’re buying already has a story and now it gets to become part of yours. Charleston’s appreciation for classic style makes consignment shopping especially rewarding because you’ll often find beautifully made pieces that have stood the test of time. Instead of chasing every passing trend, consignment encourages you to build a wardrobe filled with quality garments that can be worn season after season. Of course, sustainable fashion doesn’t always require spending money. One of my favorite traditions among friends has become hosting clothing swaps. Someone cleans out her closet, someone else brings shoes she’s no longer wearing, another friend arrives with handbags or jewelry she hasn’t reached for in years. By the end of the afternoon, everyone leaves with something “new” without anyone opening their wallet. The swaps themselves become just as memorable as the clothes. They’re part styling session, part girls’ day and part reminder that fashion is meant to be shared and enjoyed. Charleston has embraced this idea beyond our living rooms, too. More local bars, coffee shops and FASHION WITH A SECOND STORY Charleston’s stylish take on sustainable living BY ELLEN KERR 24 WWW.CHARLESTONWOMENPODCAST.COM | WWW.READCW.COM | WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CHARLESTONWOMEN FASHION & STYLE
apps make extending the life of clothing remarkably convenient. For those who love browsing online, ThredUp offers another approachable option. It feels like scrolling through an endless online consignment store, where everything from everyday basics to premium brands gets a second chance. These platforms have made secondhand shopping accessible even when you don’t have time to spend an afternoon browsing in person. The beauty of sustainable fashion is that it isn’t all-or-nothing. You don’t have to swear off shopping forever or only wear thrifted clothing to make a difference. Maybe it’s renting your vacation wardrobe instead of buying one. Maybe it’s finding your next blazer at Ensemble instead of the mall. Maybe it’s trading dresses with your best friends before wedding season begins or adding a meaningful charm necklace to reinvent outfits you already own. Charleston has always appreciated craftsmanship, quality and timeless style. Those values happen to align perfectly with sustainable fashion. Choosing well-made clothing, supporting local businesses, embracing consignment, investing in meaningful accessories and giving garments a longer life all contribute to a slower, more thoughtful approach to getting dressed. Perhaps the most rewarding part of sustainable fashion is that it reminds us that style isn’t measured by how much we buy. It’s measured by how creatively we wear what we have, how confidently we make it our own and how many stories each piece carries along the way. After all, the best outfits aren’t just fashionable, they’re memorable. Sometimes the most beautiful thing you can wear is a piece that’s already lived a little life before finding its way to you. 25 WWW.CHARLESTONWOMENPODCAST.COM | WWW.READCW.COM | WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CHARLESTONWOMEN gathering spaces have started hosting community clothing swaps, turning sustainability into a social event. Instead of shopping alone under fluorescent lights, you’re connecting with neighbors, supporting local businesses and giving perfectly wearable clothing another chance to be loved. Not every item in your wardrobe needs to be secondhand, though. Sometimes the most sustainable purchase is one you’ll wear for decades. Jewelry is one of those investments. As the owner of Bonded Birds, a permanent jewelry company, I’ve seen firsthand how meaningful everyday jewelry becomes. People choose pieces that commemorate friendships, milestones, travels or simply a season of life they never want to forget. Unlike trend-driven accessories that come and go, permanent jewelry becomes part of your daily story. That experience naturally connected me with Maggie Jewelry, whose custom charm necklaces embody that same philosophy. Rather than buying dozens of trendy accessories, a thoughtfully curated charm necklace becomes something deeply personal. Each charm can represent a memory, a loved one or an adventure, creating a piece that evolves alongside you instead of being replaced every season. The beauty of personalized jewelry is that it makes even the simplest white T-shirt and vintage jeans feel completely your own. Accessories have an incredible ability to refresh a wardrobe without requiring an entirely new closet. Technology has also made sustainable shopping easier than ever. Resale platforms like Depop have created an entire community of shoppers buying and selling pre-loved clothing. Whether you’re looking for vintage denim, designer handbags or that sold out dress you missed the first time around, resale FASHION & STYLE
26 WWW.CHARLESTONWOMENPODCAST.COM | WWW.READCW.COM | WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CHARLESTONWOMEN LET'S DISCOVER YOUR NEXT NEW BEGINNING TOGETHER. 843-270-0433 ANEWBEGINNINGREALESTATE.COM Life changes. Sometimes they’re exciting. Sometimes they’re unexpected. Sometimes they’re heartbreaking. But every new chapter deserves a trusted guide. For more than 21 years, I’ve had the privilege of helping Charleston families navigate life’s biggest transitions—from first-time homebuyers and growing families to empty nesters, retirees, relocations, and those facing one of life’s most difficult chapters: divorce. Real Estate for Every Chapter of Life Helping Charleston Families Navigate Every Chapter of Life Since 2005 As a Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert® (CDRE®), I provide specialized guidance when real estate becomes part of the divorce process, while continuing to serve buyers and sellers through every stage of life with the same care, professionalism, and commitment they've come to expect. Women’s Clothing & Accessories Located in Downtown Summerville 113 W. 2nd S. Street Summerville SC 29483 843.202.5209 Hours: Monday-By Appt Only Tuesday-Friday 10am- 6pm Saturday 9am- 4pm Sunday 11am- 3pm
Gigi Bralette Elli Bralette authority on nipple concealment,” Connelly said. NDA also stocks petal-less versions for women who need unique fitting. When she launched Gigi, a full-coverage style fitting up to a G cup, her stepmother’s unilateral mastectomy inspired her to make it customizable for post-mastectomy needs: women choose petals or pockets for breast forms. Her ties to MUSC Hollings Cancer Center and after-care breast centers shaped it. Connelly customized a bralette for her stepmother: one cup with a petal, the other a pocket for her breast form. That work has expanded beyond NDA’s own bras. Customers mail in bras from other brands, swimwear included, marking their nipple location so Connelly can place a petal exactly there. “These women want nipple coverage without the bulk. That’s what I specialize in,” she said. That cross-brand work convinced Connelly the petal has wider application, and that this next chapter feels natural. “I always knew there was a next for NDA, just not if I’d be the one,” she said. “The petal is bigger than me. My purpose was bringing it into the world.” She made it public to customers this summer: her focus is a bridge to a partner who can take it further than she can alone. “I’ve proved the concept. The IP is documented and patented, ready for someone with the scale to carry it forward,” she said. Currently, Connelly said, “NDA is a boutique answer to a global problem, and whoever takes it from here will keep expanding the message: nipple coverage without bulk, backed by more products and a marketing engine to reach the women looking for it.” Learn more at ndapparel.com. THE BRA COMPANY BUILT ON A PROBLEM NO ONE SAYS OUT LOUD BY BECKY CONNELLY For some women, the word nipple itself feels off-limits, too personal to talk about. Yet self-consciousness about concealing nipples through clothing is universal, and women privately type some version of “best way to hide nipples” into a search bar. That taboo is what Becky Connelly, founder of Charleston’s Non Disclosure Apparel, built her small business on. “I was a preteen when I became hyperaware of my nipples poking right through my T-shirt,” Connelly said. As an adult, she hunted for the perfect bra, but every one she found was either unlined or padded. Yet she settled on molded cupped bras for years, since the gap where the cup met her body never touched her skin, the lesser of two evils. “Even still, they distorted my shape, were rigid and scratchy,” she said. Fed up with limited options, she took six years to build the bra she wanted: a bralette made in the USA, with a thin concealing petal sealed into each cup. “No padding, no gaping, just concealing. And comfortable,” she added. “A bralette in a category all by itself.” NDA offers two styles: the Elli, a classic bralette silhouette, and Gigi, a full-coverage lounge bra. “Even with intimates retailers wall-towall with padded bras, women find us online looking for this solution, and search engines trust us as an 27 WWW.CHARLESTONWOMENPODCAST.COM | WWW.READCW.COM | WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CHARLESTONWOMEN Concealing Petal FASHION & STYLE Photo Provided Becky Connelly, founder of Charleston’s Non Disclosure Apparel
28 WWW.CHARLESTONWOMENPODCAST.COM | WWW.READCW.COM | WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CHARLESTONWOMEN join the pack. PACK Athletics is a family-oriented Charleston gym featuring the nationally-recognized WOLFPACK All-Star cheer program. With competitive and recreational classes, camps, birthday parties, and events, PACK Athletics leads the Southeast's athletic community. Building Strong Kids, Empowering Future Leaders. www.allaboutthepack.com 2026 ® In the heart of Mount Pleasant, Modern Manor is a lifestyle boutique offering a curated mix of home décor, furnishings, clothing, and accessories, where modern design meets effortless Southern living. B O U T I Q U E EXPERIENCE E L E VA T E D Modern-Manor.Shop 2521 N Hwy 17, Mt Pleasant | Mon-Sat 10-6pm & Sun 12-6pm Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor, Modern Manor is the perfect destination to discover exclusive pieces that reflect your taste and style.
do a mock-up fitting, which means we sew the costume out of muslin so that we can make adjustments. Once that is done, the staff draper corrects the patterns and then the costume is cut and sewn out of the real fabric material. During this time, I am also pulling and buying other costume pieces and accessories.” Q: What’s the most challenging, unusual or memorable costume you’ve ever made? A: “The most unusual costume I have ever designed was Fruma-Sarah in “Fiddler on the Roof.” She appears in this dream sequence during the show, and she is usually depicted as a ghost. However, in our production, we wanted to do something completely different. We ended up dressing her as a giant Russian nesting doll and she was put on a platform that wheeled out onstage.” Q: What’s one costume you’ve created that you’re especially proud of? A: “I think the costume I’m most proud of is probably the engagement dress for Elle Woods in “Legally Blonde.” I had a clear idea of what I wanted it to look like and to achieve that I had to dye the fabric myself. It took about two days of being outside dipping different yards of silk fabric into eight different dye pots in various shades of pinks, purples and yellows to create this unique “sunset” effect. To make it better, the costume is revealed in a quick change onstage, so it really had a kind of theatre magic moment for audience members.” Next time you have the privilege of attending a local theatre, be sure to take note of the various costumes and appreciate the creativity that made each outfit truly come to life. THE STORY Behind a Costume BY KATIE FINCH Long before the curtain opens, work begins to bring a production to life. The script, the set, the actors, the costumes; all working together like a creative puzzle to present the audience with a captivating show. Charleston Stage is the largest performing arts theatre in South Carolina, and we are pulling back the curtains to unveil the art of costume design. We interviewed Hayley O’Brien, associate costume designer and costume coordinator at Charleston Stage, to reveal the story behind the wardrobes. Q: What’s something most people would be surprised to learn about costume design for local theater? A: “I think most people would be surprised by how many costumes we build for each show. Most of the costumes for our shows, especially for main characters, are built from scratch. From the patterning to the sewing, to picking out all the fabric, trim and closures – that is done by the costume shop at Charleston Stage.” Q: Walk us through the journey of creating a costume. A: “Creating a costume for the stage is quite the process. When I am the costume designer for a show, I start by reading the script and taking basic notes. (Then) I do research for a character and select certain silhouettes and styles that I think are appropriate for that character. I draw preliminary sketches and present them to the team. I also search for fabrics and any decorations that I think are interesting. The design then moves into construction in the costume shop. During this period, I work directly with the staff draper, who drapes and patterns the costume. Then we 29 WWW.CHARLESTONWOMENPODCAST.COM | WWW.READCW.COM | WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CHARLESTONWOMEN Elle Woods, Legally Blonde 2 Fruma-Sarah in “Fiddler on the Roof" Elle Woods Legally Blonde Fabric Dyeing ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT Photos Provided
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