Charlotte area designer Hannalei Taylor was recently selected to compete in the Emerging Designer Competition at Charleston Fashion Week this March.  Join her weekly as she chronicles her Countdown to the Catwalk at Charleston Fashion Week. 

 The lastest excitement started with the email I recieved in around October. It was time to “Start our engines (sewing machines)”. It was time again for Charleston Fashion Week. I started sketching right away.

Fashion design began for me as soon as I fell in love with art. I studied every kind. I just didn’t know where to focus in. The fashion department at Radford University in Radford, Virginia opened my eyes. I had my new obsession. After interning for Araks in Manhattan … it clicked.

A fresh piece of muslin is a blank canvas. Draping fabric over the mannequin is molding clay. Finalizing and loving a design is writing that perfect song. I found the art I was looking for.

The day now begins with a necessary cup of coffee and a visit to my inspiration board. At this point in the game, I’m trying to stay consistant with the deadline. Charleston Fashion Week is only 7 weeks away!!!! That really means 5! Okay…breathe. The patterns have been done (that’s the most labor intensive part). The patterns are the blueprints for the design. I’ve begun sewing the pieces of silk, chiffon and lace. It’s coming together.

There are a few episodes of anxiety here and there but that just goes along with it. There’s a bit of blood, sweat and tears with this kind of thing too. We are our own worst critics…enough said about that.

With CFW 2010 only weeks away, I will continue to focus on the workspace with patterns and fabrics that decorate the surface. I cannot express how excited I am about this production that will take place in the streets of Charleston, SC. They have done a beautiful job in the past few years and I am so thankful to be a part of it. That runway will belong to me for a moment … it gives me goosebumps.

Until next week … back to the sewing room.