Sloan Boutique

Street Style: SouthPark II

ModelChelsea LewisPhotographerZach AlstonHair and Makeup: Chelsea Kimrey.
Alice + Olivia Luisa A-Line Midi Skirt at Neiman Marcus, Enza Costa Printed Cashmere Sweater from Denim House, Joie Paxton Laser-Cut Bootie, Ceri Hoover Pony Hair (also here) and Heather Benjamin Antique Tusk Ring from Sloan, Vintage Chanel Chain Necklace at Monkee's of Charlotte (also these earrings), Kristin Hayes Jewelry Vintage Brooch, Chain and Stone Necklace, Earrings from ChezElle, Blydesign Brass and Floral Cuff, Alexis Bittar Assorted Lucite Braclets from Denim House (also here and here), eb jewelry Studio Green Quartz Cleo Cuff

Street Style: SouthPark I

The third look for SouthPark Magazine's Street Style photo shoot was one of two we granted to the SouthPark, given the neighborhood is the magazine's namesake.  This was the first time I have worked with Paul Simon or Paul Simon Women on a project.  I haven't been in the store in years, and to be quite honest, I had the stereotype in my head that this was a place for only my Mom to shop.  Not so.  I look at Chelsea's chic modern look, and I don't think "my Mom's clothes" for one second.  I always tell my client that the fit is the very most important thing with your clothes.  Secondly, the styling is what personalizes an outfit.  The three pieces; the pants, sleeveless turtleneck sweater and cape, all from Paul Simon Women, are the base pieces to this outfit. It's no secret that fringe might be the fall season's single most popular trend, so the cape was my starter piece. The end result could have gone in a number of directions.  The hat, one of my most prized pieces from my personal collection, is a total statement maker. For whatever reason, Chelsea's makeup, hair and hat, (Kudos to HMU Artist Chelsea Kimrey) remind me of a Parisian Nancy Sinatra.  The Loeffler Randall Rider Bag is also my own. After hours and hours of souring boutiques all over Charlotte and coming back to the studio with an arsenal of options, I still found this one to be the best fit for the overall look.

ModelChelsea LewisPhotographerZach AlstonHair and Makeup: Chelsea Kimrey.
Rani Cashmere Fringe Cape, Autumn Cashmere Cotton Cable-Knit Sleeveless Sweater and Lisette Same Plaid Stretch Pants from Paul Simon Women Cole Haan Boots, Eugenia Kim Hat, Loeffler Randall Medium Rider Bag, Double Happiness Necklace at Sloan Boutique

Street Style: Ballantyne

Last week I shared outfit credits for the look that made the cover of SouthPark Magazine's Fall Fashion issue. The Dilworth outfit may have been my favorite, because it is very true to my own personal style. Today's neighborhood Street Style outfit comes to you from the south side, Ballantyne.  I was easily inspired by the neighborhood's many opulent surroundings for this outfit.  The golf course, the resort, shopping centers, the neighborhood built around a country club... for me, while I would now categorize Ballanytne as one of Charlotte's oldest new neighborhoods, everything in the area still has a very clean, new, rich and elegant feeling about it.  And so, Chelsea's outfit.  I think you could call Ballanytne Charlotte's 'New Beverly Hills'.

ModelChelsea LewisPhotographerZach AlstonHair and Makeup: Chelsea Kimrey.
Etro Coloblock Twisted Weave and Fur Vest from Neiman Marcus, Parker Ribbed Bodycon Dress, Joie Taupe Suede Boots, Heather Benjamin Ocean Jasper Stone Necklace at Sloan Boutique. JJ Winters Bree Clutch at KK Bloom, Jan Michaels Brass and Orange Stone Ring at ChezElle, Prada Sunglasses.

SouthPark Mag: How It Went Down & Get It

Model: Chelsea Lewis, Photographer: Zach Alston, Hair and Makeup: Chelsea Kimrey.
Adrienne Landau Fur from Denim House, MinkPink Crop Top from KK Bloom, Alice + Olivia Loran floral jacquard skirt from Neiman Marcus, Eugenia Kim hat, Joie taupe suede boots and Nima jeweled clutch from Sloan, Twine & Twig Cowrie Collar, Chakoor silver bracelet from ChezElle.

I shared this photo last week at the bottom of a previous post.  This project is one of my favorites to date, if not my favorite.  A big thank you to SouthPark Magazine for putting their trust in me and giving me so much creative freedom for this shoot.  When I met with the Editor to discuss ideas for their Fall Fashion editorial, she asked me for my ideas.  My first question was "Do you have any parameters?"  Her answer?  "Fall Fashion".  Okay. Well, let's play ball!  I had not given it any forethought, because I was just so excited for a second opportunity to express my love of fashion on the pages of this great magazine.  But goodness, the proverbial flood gates were wide open.  No trends. No boring catalog sales pictures. Just straight up art, created with an amazing team and the intent to showcase the fall fashions available at some of Charlotte's hottest boutiques.  

The cover shot, taken in Dilworth, is one of my favorites. Just about every single items the model, Chelsea, is wearing, comes from a different store.  If you are interested in how the outfits came together, the crew came to my house; my basement transformed into a studio.  I mixed up some Buffalo Trace and Coke, along with fresh muddled cherries. We turned up the music, and suddenly I was that little girl at my Grandmother's house. Mixing and matching her clothes with my Great-Grandmother's.  This skirt, that hat, these shoes, that shirt, no this one, these earrings, this necklace, another necklace, oh wait one more.  Oh hell, just put 'em all on.  And so the outfits were born.  Not too much time, not a great deal of thought, but certainly a fair amount of discretion. If you live in the Queen City, be sure to visit these stores, or you may shop the post straight from this page, below the above image. 

What To Wear: BOB's Pop-Up Pre-Party

Thank you SO much to everyone who voted.  I am humbled, flattered and honored to have received the Charlotte Magazine Best Of The Best award this year for Best Stylist/Personal Shopper.  I have so much fun doing this job that I so love, and I'm super excited that I have the opportunity to style it out with some of the QC's hottest boutiques and YOU!  Please bring a friend (or a few!) and join me this Wednesday night, May 13th, 5:30-7:30pm, at Mezzo1, for a fun night of shopping, styling, cock-tailing and fun!

Of course, this night of fun is in anticipation of the really BIG night of fun, the Big Bad BOB Awards official party. This year's party will be hosted at The Fillmore.  I've been to the party several years, and it really is quite fun (read between the lines... absolutely fantastic PEOPLE WATCHING for DAYS).  Get all the details below, or click here to register.  Hope to see you there, and if you do come, please find me and say hello!

Silverfly's School For Men

To all my savvy male followers and those who shop for them, I wanted to let you know about a fun event this weekend, School For Men. If you haven't shopped Silverfly, it's a fantastic men's store located at the Metropolitan offering "one stop shopping for denim, t-shirts, outerwear, work out clothes, grooming and accessories". Aside of the unique shopping experience Silverfly offers, owners Fidel Montoya and Keith Alyea are two of the nicest peole in the industry, and you know how I love local.  If you follow me on Instagram, you may recall seeing the below pic from a recent photo shoot of Mark Allen, AKA Mr. Tommy Bahama, styling Silverfly threads.  

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School for Men isn’t just for guys — girls will love it too!  Also at the event, my fellow stylist and Sloan Boutique store director and jewelry buyer, Linda Martinez, will be on hand to offer seasonal fashion advice. RE Salon an Med Spa associates will be on site offering grooming tips, while you shop up to 50 percent off select items. SILVERFLY, 1111 Metropolitan Ave., Suite 150, Charlotte. (980) 819-7216, silverflybrands.com

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I'm in Miami this weekend for a bachelorette party to celebrate this awesome, ridiculously hot, stylin' chic.  Happy Schooling!  Whitley