Style & Fashion
Designers, ateliers and the Southern sense of dress.
House of Ellison and the Making of a Charlotte Fashion Label
In three seasons, designer Marguerite Ellison has turned a SouthPark studio into the most closely watched label in the state. Her secret is patience.
The Quiet Renaissance of Southern Menswear
From bespoke tailors in Raleigh to heritage shirtmakers in the Piedmont, Carolina men are rediscovering the pleasures of clothing made to last.
Tobacco Road Denim and the Return of Carolina-Made Clothing
Betting that shoppers will pay for provenance, a Piedmont denim brand is manufacturing entirely within the state — and finding a national audience.
The Natural Dyers Coloring Asheville's Slow-Fashion Movement
Working with indigo, walnut and marigold, a community of mountain textile artists is building garments that are as much ecology as fashion.
The Bridal Ateliers Reinventing the Carolina Wedding Gown
Rejecting mass-market sameness, a handful of the state's designers are crafting heirloom gowns meant to be kept, altered and worn again across generations.
Raleigh Fashion Week Grows From Showcase to Launchpad
Once a modest local event, the Triangle's fashion week has become a genuine proving ground for emerging Southern designers and the buyers who court them.
The Archivists Turning Durham Into a Vintage Fashion Capital
Serious collectors and resale entrepreneurs are building a market for archival designer pieces, and turning the Bull City into an unlikely hub.
The Milliners Keeping the Carolina Hat Alive
From Derby season to Sunday best, a small guild of hatmakers is preserving a craft that refuses to fade, one blocked brim at a time.
Digging Deep: The Jewelers Mining North Carolina's Gemstone Legacy
The state is one of the few places on earth to yield emeralds, and a new generation of jewelers is building fine collections around homegrown stones.
The Rental Revolution Reaches the Carolina Wardrobe
Fashion rental has moved from novelty to habit, and local platforms are betting that the future of Southern style is borrowed, not bought.
The Leather Workers Crafting Carolina's Finest Accessories
Belts, bags and boots made by hand in small Piedmont workshops are winning devotees who prize patina over logos.
How Independent Boutiques Are Outmaneuvering the Mall
As chain retail retreats, a wave of sharply curated independent shops is redefining how Carolinians discover and buy clothes.