Annual Made in Italy event showcases latest fashion, celebrated designers

Get haute tonight. Haute fashion, that is.

Charleston's best models will be heating up Hibernian Hall, 105 Meeting St., tonight at U-topia Events' third annual Thursday Made in Italy event. Presenting the evening's affair will be Ayoka Lucas, style editor for Charleston Magazine.

So don't be fooled by a dress code, stating simply "original and tasteful." Attendees can look forward to the hottest looks on and off the runway when doors open at 7:30 p.m., or whenever you decide to arrive fashionably late.

Once you make your entrance, the fashion show will feature this season's picks by local fashion hot spots Hampden Clothing, V2V, Cose Belle, Luxe Boutique and Susan Michelle Shoes. Making the collections sizzle will be models perfected by Stella Nova's premier hair and makeup crew.

Also special to this year's event is Los Angeles designer Mehera Blum for Blumera. Blumera's python skin and leather handbags have become very popular with an exclusive clientele, including celebrities Eva Mendes, Ashlee Simpson and Jessica Alba.

"She is not officially on the market, yet. She does a lot of trunk shows. So we're excited to have her," said Chelsea Blalock, of U-topia Events, about Myrtle Beach native Blum.

The current, yet-to-be-released Blumera collection will also be featured at Cose Belle this Friday through Sunday for those wanting to get a jump on fellow fashionistas.

Fashion won't be the only thing on display, though.

"The purpose is to have something different here in Charleston. I've worked at clubs in Europe and in New York and here, there is something missing," said U-topia Event's Stefano Di Paola.

Blalock agrees, "It's a different kind of night."

Music and dance will complement the fashion at this European style party. DJ Duwayne Motley, accompanied by live instruments, will keep the 400 plus crowd entertained.

"The DJ is good," Di Paola said. "He knows what I mean with what music I want. I want music that makes you want to dance when you hear it." And a performance by Charleston's dance company, DanceFX will surely look just as good as the clothes.

A portion of the night's proceeds will benefit the Boys' and Girls' Clubs of the Trident Area.

"Education has always been huge to me and I see what a great job the Boys and Girls Clubs do," Blalock said.