It hardly seems that four years have passed since Mikasa La’Charles burst onto the scene by winning Virginia Fashion Week’s emerging designer competition.
Soon afterward, the young lady with the big, bright eyes and a smile to match took off for New York to further learn the tricks of the trade.
Her blend of street-chic style since has energized runways up and down the East Coast, including some at New York Fashion Week.
In 2010, she was named the Best Upcoming Ready-to-Wear Designer at the Virginia Fashion Awards. Last year, she was honored as one of the Top 20 emerging designers at Charleston (S.C.) Fashion Week.
As one of Hampton Roads’ most visible style setters, the 29-year-old Chesapeake mother has become a perennial favorite at Virginia Fashion Week. Her bouncy stride down the runway as she holds her son adds to the charm.
La’Charles will be back at the extravaganza in a big way this week, showcasing what she describes as the “funkier route” she has taken to success.
The show will be a homecoming of sorts for La’Charles: most of the activities will take place in Williamsburg on the campus of William & Mary, her alma mater.
La’Charles will be among more than two dozen spotlighted designers, including Angela Bacskocky, who appeared earlier this season on Bravo’s “Project Runway,” and Russian designer Evgenia Luzhina-Salazar and Lizzi London of Virginia Beach, both of whom were 2012 crowd favorites.
Last year, La’Charles’ collection reflected a slight evolution from its earlier urban-diva tinges reminiscent of a 1990s Mary J. Blige. Absent were the cutout leggings, replaced by a mix of feminine, flirty and urban-chic silhouettes.
“I do more couture, and I was always happy if only one person in the audience liked what I did. But last year, I said, ‘let me try to do something broader.’?”
That’s still the goal, although her latest collection does bring back leggings, she said with a chuckle. Oh, and a lot more metallics, too.
“It’s a cross between streetwear and glam,” she said. “It’s all very wearable for the fashion-forward.”
Just a couple of weeks after the Virginia event, La’Charles plans to debut Bridal Veil Bar, her collection of ready-made and custom bridal veils. Stay tuned to MikasaLaCharles.com.
She also has been negotiating with a manufacturer so she can extend the availability of her clothing in stores.
“It’s been a really great year for me,”she said.
Ann Leister, creator of Virginia Fashion Week, said La’Charles stands out because everything she does is a statement piece, plus she’s a pleasure to engage with.
“Her work is so original and vibrant,” Leister said. “It sort of reflects her personality.”
And though La’Charles’ brand continues to take shape, her authenticity – refreshingly – has yet to change.
Jamesetta M. Walker, 757-446-2211, jamesetta.walker@pilotonline.com
IF YOU GO
Here is a look at some of the major events:
Opening Night/Beauty and the Beach!
7 p.m. Thursday at Richard Stravitz 30th Street Gallery, 3004 Pacific Ave., Virginia Beach; admission: donation to Bra-ha-ha
Events include live music; a showing of swimwear, cocktail and evening attire; boutique showcases; and Bra-ha-ha on The Runway. Designer Lizzi London will close the show.
“All Jazzed Up!”
7 p.m. Friday at City Square, Williamsburg; admission: $20
Reception featuring music, wine and fashion, held in conjunction with the Williamsburg Jazz & Wine Festival.
Day of Designers Part I, Catwalk Competition
2:30 Saturday at Trinkle Hall, 108 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg; admission: $20, $30 for afternoon and evening shows, $70 VIP (all Saturday and Sunday events, front-row seating, Southside Swimsuit & Beach Party show Thursday, Fashion & Art Finale on Sunday)
Day of Design-ers Part II
7 p.m. Saturday at Trinkle Hall, 108 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg; admission: $20
Fashion as Art
Doors open at 4 p.m. Sunday at Stryker Building, 412 N. Boundary St., Williamsburg; admission: donation to Beyond Boobs
Designer competitions Trash2Fashion and Work of Art and presentations from art/fashion designers; final reception
WHO’S SHOWING
Here are some of the designers and boutiques whose work will be on display:
AB Couture by Gohar Ayvazyan Beaver of Charlottesville, A Blas Couture by Azi Blas of Richmond, Angela Bacskocky of Richmond, J. Carpentier by Jennifer Carpenter of Greater Richmond, Michael Carter of Washington, D.C., Arian Chanle’ by Michael Taylor of New York/Richmond, Christina Grehan of Virginia Beach, JB5 Designs of Puerto Rico, Mikasa La’Charles of Chesapeake, Loja Leblon by Matthew Tompulis of Brazil/Norfolk, Lizzi London of London/Virginia Beach, Evgenia Luzhina-Salazar of Russia/Maryland, Corinne Monique of Toronto/New York, Victoria Reed of Corpus Christi, Texas, Allyson Ritchie of Richmond, Vintage Hazel by Stephon Stallings of Atlanta, Patricia Sehar Peerzada of Pakistan/Washington, D.C., Shameera Wiest of Williamsburg, Brehon Williams of Chesapeake, Carlyle Williams/Mr. Carlyle Collection of Newport News, Gwendolyn Wilson of Franklin, WYH by Willie Jermaine Charles of Virginia Beach and Yatra Collection of Yorktown/India
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