Hot & Sultry, Cavortress

By Laura Medina

Julie Wheat, an up-and-coming fashion designer is going launch her very "un-granola" ecologically-conscious contemporary wear tomorrow night. The show will last for 3 hours.

Hot Pink Ruched Bustier & Black Sequin Tube Skirt

Even though she now calls Charleston, South Carolina home, this native New Yorker has infused her New York sophisication/Las Vegas Glamour/Southern Ease into a fast-forward stylish line...

Vintage Hawaiian Crepe Ruffle Halter Top with White Hot Trousers

that is equally wearable as it is sexy.

Julie is the new adopted Southerner busting the Seersucker/Poplin Southern Belle stereotype to pieces.

Her new line reflects the New South's fast-pace ambitions, open progressive and acceptance, while unleashing a hot, sultry, and sexy sensuality that was always lurking underneath.

She yet has to set foot in Los Angeles, but she uncanningly has her finger on the pulse on what is happening right now as we speak.

Recent LA Fashion Month shows and celebrations were awashed in black sequins, splattered with bold primary colors, just like her Cavortress line debuting tomorrow night.

White Satin China Silk Cocktail Dress with hand stenciled fluorescent pink spray paint

in rivet and rhinestone stencil.

Ms. Wheat is one of the current line of Charleston designers who are emerging on the larger world stage, following in the foot steps of current Project Runway contestants, Gordana Gelhausen of Goga and Carol Hannah White, who won last week's challenge.

Julie Wheat's "Cavortress" is something to look out for on two grounds.

She proves you can still be glamourous and sexy without looking like an unwashed hippie.

"Cavortress" proves that the New South that is just as hip and hot as anything in Hollywood due to the constant sunlight and the heat.

Keep your eyes out for Julie.

Twentieth-First Century Girl

By Laura Medina

Buckled Double Breasted Satin Jacket

KarAni by Ani Karapetian removed the garish glitz of over-embellished and over-bedazzled glitter and bling from Los Angeleno "Rocker" Look then replaced with a more elegant palette of moody but mature earth tones in black, brown, and beige.

Backless Brown Cowl Neck Hoodie

After studying in London and interning with designer, Michael Azu, Ms. Karapetian returned to her hometown of Los Angeles to work with Rock and Republic then as a design assistant at Jenny Han.

As a native LA woman, she knows what a real woman wants. Something edgy not masculine. Something seductive not slutty. Something cool but not cold.

She took her rock n' roll styling from Rock and Republic then injected European elegance into her own line, KarAni.

MadBaggage's futuristic but ecologically-minded totes and clutches pair well with Ani's intellecutally alluring edgy but feminine tops and minis.

Reverse Deep-V Neck Long Sleeve Tee

Ani mixes the hardware of buckles and straps with sensous, soft fabrics that drapes around a woman's features without exploiting them.Ani's Reverse Deep-V Neck Tee is a good early Fall/early Spring top for an intriguing day time look, paired with Fabric Shopper, adding a little spark for day.

Chain Strap Tank with Front Bibbed Mini

For evening, she incorporates jewelry as shoulder straps, making evening wear effortlessly and easy.

Handcrafted tailoring of leather and buttons makes for a sleeker form of feminine.

Ani Karapetian takes the hard-edge rock n' roll look away from the boys, makes it sensual, and launches into the twentieth-first century.

Madison and Lisa Kline just picked her up. She can be reached at http://www.karanila.com/ while you can pick Madbaggage's futuristic, eco-friendly totes and cluthes at http://www.madbaggage.com/.