Fashion Myths!

We all have thought these things at one time or another, but surprisingly many of these thoughts are not true or just assumptions. I have compiled a few of my favorites that I have heard over the years that I would like to put to rest.

1. Fashion is not just for the tall and thin. Fashion is for everyone.
Any age, height, weight, and city. Embrace it no matter where you live.

2. Retail prices are 90% of the time determined by the designer and not the store owner.

3. Not all sales associates are on commission, therefore not all of them are persuading you
to buy that dress just to increase their paycheck when they say they like that dress on you.

4. Don’t go shopping with your best girlfriend, they don’t want you to look better than them.

5. Fashion is about confidence Not about age.

6. Don’t follow all the trends. Dress for your body and your personal style.

7. In life there is balance as well as in fashion. You should balance a trend with a classic
wardrobe staple.

8. Invest in classics not trends. Splurge on what lasts.

9. Working in Fashion is not glamorous! Most of your time is spent steaming clothes and
organizing the sales floor instead of going to runway shows and schmoozing with the
designers.

10. Don't judge a dress on the hanger. Try it on - you might surprise yourself.

Charleston Fashion Week!!

What a great event was put together by all of the lovely ladies at Charleston Magazine, especially my pals, Julie Montgomery, Misty Lister, and of course Ayoka Lucas! It was an amazing event that focuses the attention of the ever mindful Charleston arts community onto the world of fashion. And, I think that it was proven last week that Fashion truly is art.

The week was a blur as I attended ALL of the shows, and often found myself partaking in the lovely cocktails they had to offer each night. I must say Congrats to all of the neglected store owners because everyone did a great job! I know how much time and energy goes into putting a fashion show together on top of running a business. My personal highlights certainly had to be getting to hang out with my dear friends Jeff Rhodes and Ayoka every night, hearing the ever honest critics from Karen, lisening to Finesse Mitchell's stand up on Saturday afternoon, and hearing such a supportive and overwhelming applause when I came out on stage. What a scary moment, but the crowd made it so GREAT! Thank you!

Austin Walker & Lisa Roney, store manager - Amazing Ayoka & Stacy

How could I not say my biggest highlight was meeting and buying the Jillian Lewis line for Hampden Clothing!?

Lewaa, Stacy, Jillian, and Sallie, my twin sister

Yes, you will be able to come purchase Jillian Lewis' collection in LA, NY, and Charleston, SC only at Hampden Clothing. I could not be more excited and honored that she chose this store as her only other store to sell to outside of NY and LA. It arrives in store September 2008.

Overall, it was an amazing week that despite whether you admit it or not everyone looks forward to from now on! It is fun, fashionable, and certainly there will always be some drama.

he he. Looking forward to next year!

VOGUE!

Happy 2008! What better way to ring in the New Year than with a mention in the venerable Vogue magazine?!? Hampden Clothing and owner Stacy Smallwood are touted in the March issue for bringing emerging designers to Charleston. " 'Transition is not easy for a historic city that prides itself on tradition,' explains Stacy Smallwood, the owner of Hampden Clothing on King Street, which carries cutting-edge designers like Alice Ritter and Vena Cava. 'However, I would not have opened my store if I didn't think that this city was willing to embrace it.' "

Town and Country TRAVEL

This just in! Town & Country Travel's website, www.townandcountrytravelmag.com, has featured Hampden Clothing as "Charleston's most fashion-forward boutique." What an honor!

Read more by clicking here!

Another Item Featured in Lucky Magazine...

Hampden's silk skirt from Vena Cava was featured in the December issue of Lucky magazine. Check out all of our pieces from Vena Cava online, or in the store!

More of....Behind the Scenes at Hampden's Photo Shoot!

We showed you some images from our photo shoot and the shots that didn't make it into our November ad campaign. Now, we are going to share the images from our December ads!

shot on location at McCrady's restaurant in Charleston, SC.

Fall's Favorites: Designers of Note at Hampden

Lutz and Patmos

Tina Lutz and Marcia Patmos met in 1995. They had more than 30 years of combined work experience when they started Lutz & Patmos in September 2000. Lutz & Patmos is a full collection of sweaters, knits and accessories made of cashmere and other luxury fibers and fabrics.

In an effort to address the growing environmental crises and to lessen our impact caused by mass production, Lutz & Patmos has sourced environmentally friendly yarns and production facilities. One of their projects is the ecological and fair made program in Uruguay where 100% environmentally friendly wool yarn from Uruguay is used, where they promote natural breeding. Items are handmade by a group of local artisans to support the local economy. Lutz & Patmos has also been dedicating at least one style per season to a certain charity, where the major part of the sale is donated.

Stacy elaborates, "you don’t find better quality in knitwear from any other designer. While their prices may not be small, they create styles that fit the body and can be worn with a simple pair of jeans, but still make you look put together. You can feel a difference in their fabric, and they create pieces that every woman should try and own at least one piece from the collection. Their pieces will certainly be in your closet for seasons to come…a true Hampden Clothing goal!"

pieces available online http://www.hampdenclothing.com/

Camilla and Marc

Sydney-based fashion label, "camilla and marc," has experienced a meteoric rise in Australian and international fashion since it's inception in 2003. Headed by brother and sister duo, Camilla Freeman-Topper and Marc Freeman, the designers have garnered a large celebrity following, including Australian and International identities including: Elle Macpherson, Jennifer Lopez, Miranda Otto, Abi Cornish and Kirsten Dunst.

Stacy, a big fan of the line, says, "I personally feel their pieces are so unique and have a classic elegance with a hip edge. I love the 'Tara Cardigan', as I call them “boyfriend” cardigans. The long, oversized piece looks great over a simple black sheath dress or even with a white tee and jeans. It can be worn so many different ways on so many different people. Definitely something you and your mom can enjoy together!"

pieces available online http://www.hampdenclothing.com/

Alice Ritter

Ritter's signature style in her own words would be "French Girl in New York". She's attracted to femininity with a masculine edge. She incorporates this sensibility in all of her tailored pieces - jackets and crisp white shirts are staples in her collection and combine romantic and soft lines with a bit of the tough Parisian girl finesse. Ritter is always trying to design what she terms as "the perfect uniform" — or the ideal outfit that will take her from day into night seamlessly and one the she would feel comfortable wearing endlessly.

And Stacy weighs in, "if there is one designer today that I would want to be their muse, it would be Alice Ritter! I was asked that very question by The Post at NY Fashion Week and that was my answer. With her French designs paired with a New York sensibility, she has the freshest take on what is happening in fashion today. She has her own point of view and each of her pieces are so perfect in their own right, not just put with the collection. While her clothes may not be great on the hanger, this is certainly one designer that will WOW you once you try her clothes on. I feel lucky to have her collection at Hampden Clothing!!"

pieces available online http://www.hampdenclothing.com/