Southern Protocol

Us Holy City dwellers are lucky enough to live in one of the most beautiful cities in the country, don’t you think? I mean really – how many movies are filmed here, stories based here, famous images captured here… sometimes when I walk around back streets of downtown I have to pinch myself that I was blessed enough to land here!

What better way to honor the place where you live than with local photography? People all over the country have images of Charleston hanging in their homes or beach condos, and while we have the luxury of just walking out the front door to see it in person, bringing the beauty of both nature and architecture indoors seems only natural.

While there are NUMEROUS places to find such art of Charleston’s breathtaking views and photogenic spots, I have been most impressed with King Street’s newest addition: Images Charleston. The image boutique actually just took the place of Boutique NV at 328 King Street (which sadly closed its doors a month or two back), and its unbelievably narrow space mimics the pictures on the walls of Charleston’s infamous alleys so perfectly. I finally stopped in yesterday to purchase one of the window photographs – have you ever noticed the incredible number of gorgeous windows in Charleston?? I will now start a collection, and it will look simply charming on any wall in any future home.

The studio is owned by a father-daughter team, Jen and Don Bennett, which makes it even better. Stop in to see them on your next stroll down King, even if its just to admire! Added bonus: you’ll probably get to play with the adorable Mischa – Images Charleston’s resident little doggy.

John Galliano, the current mastermind extraordinaire at one of the world’s most adored fashion houses (Dior, dah-ling!), did not disappoint during his Paris Haute Couture show. Never one to send inconspicuous models down the runway, this season, taking inspiration from Mr. Dior’s iconic 1953 “Tulip Collection,” he had all of his models made up to look like, well, tulips. Abstractly speaking.

Each model stomped down the runway with an impressive amount of florist cellophane wrapped around her head (courtesy of London milliner Stephen Jones), and enough makeup underneath to have a really cool effect – it was somehow reminiscent of the Alice in Wonderland flowers that come to life in the original Disney cartoon.

Getting past the models’ aesthetics, the clothes were stunning as always, and they all seemed alive with florals. Tiny waists and ballooned skirts that still hit around the knee were accented with detailed jackets and hydrangea adornments. It was excess and texture at its best – especially with the breathtaking ball gowns that made an appearance at the show’s closing… I literally cannot stop thinking of them, they’re like a dream.

The looks weren’t exactly the most flattering (all that texture is bound to take its toll!), and for all you realists out there who are rolling your eyes at the “lack of wearability”: it’s not supposed to be wearable, it’s supposed to be art. And this collection was art at its absolute finest.

See full coverage at FashionandRunway.com or Style.com ‘s news feed.

We’re at the halfway point in our Petite Protocol camp with the Gibbes Museum of Art, and what a fantastic week with our little 4-6 year olds it has been! We absolutely love all of the families, and are even bigger fans of the Gibbes Museum itself… which is why we were thrilled to hear about Society 1858′s Bastille Day celebration next month!

Society 1858, for those who are unaware, is the new auxiliary group for the renowned Gibbes Museum for “dynamic young professionals.” In honor of Bastille Day, they are hosting a lavish party on Friday, July 16th from 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm in their very own beautiful courtyard, transformed into the sophisticated “Bastille Cafe” for the evening.

Naturally the appetizers and drinks will be provided by Charleston’s favorite French restaurant, Rue de Jean, and there will be live jazz entertainment featuring Heddy Rae. If you still didn’t get your full French fill when the official party ends at 11, everyone is encouraged to head on over to Rue de Jean for the after party.

The party is free to Society 1858 members (see below on how to become a member), and $25 for non-members. Tickets can be reserved over the phone (843.722.2706 x 22) or online.

Can’t make it on the 16th but still want to do something Parisian? You can participate in the Pommes Frites Competition before the big day! Competing for the best fries in Charleston are:
The Glass Onion, 1218 Highway 17
Blind Tiger, 36 Broad Street
La Fourchette, 432 King Street
Rue de Jean, 39 John Street

If you do attend the event and are a registered member of Society 1858, be sure to enter the French-themed scavenger hunt that will take place throughout the museum so you’re  eligible to win a YEAR’S SUPPLY of french fries from the winner of the competition! Let’s be honest, there’s is nothing unappealing about this offer.

(Society 1858 members have until September 30th to join the Gibbes Museum and activate your Society 1858 membership. Visit www.gibbesmusem.org/support, select the $30 Student membership category and enter LP1858 in the promo code.

As if there weren’t enough cool things going on this weekend, what with Spoleto being in town and gorgeous weather on the forecast, I have another thing to add to your Saturday To-Do List: The first ever Lowcountry Artist Market.

Inspired by artsy and addicting website Etsy (the “place to buy and sell all things handmade and vintage”), The Lowcountry Artist Market will feature handmade vintage and local items. Charleston artists will be selling handmade jewelry, vintage clothing, stationary, children’s clothing, custom hair accessories, art, and much more! How wonderful does this sound? You will walk away with amazingly unique purchases, knowing that you helped support more than 40 of Charleston’s own creative minds.

The market will be held at the Music Farm downtown from 10:30 am until 5:00 pm. And just in case you need a little extra incentive, the Music Farm’s bar will indeed be open. Be sure to pop in for a minute or two while strolling around tomorrow afternoon!

Music Farm is located at 32 Ann Street. 843.577.6969. For more information on the market, please email kristen@musicfarm.com.

I always forget how much I love the outdoor, foreign market feel of World Market. All their products, whether wine or food or art or furniture, just seem to exude unique chic simply by being within the walls of this store. It’s a great place to hit when you’re looking for specialty foods or quality furnishings and decor.

So especially if you’re in the market for home updates, get to the World Market on Orleans Road this week! Wall art, furniture, decor and even some fun trinkets are up to 50% off! I personally purchased a gorgeous, art-nouveau-esque set of three paintings for only $50. It was a miracle I walked out of there without buying everything!

We here at Southern Protocol are all about promoting the little guy. The local boutiques, businesses…I may love my J.Crew, but I love knowing that I’m keeping another small company in business even more!

So while we obviously focus on the beautiful city of Charleston, SC, I decided that today we shall branch out to other artists across the country; in this case, from my hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. At a swanky art fair this past weekend my mom stumbled across this fabulous artist from Jackson, Georgia – who conveniently for us has a website in which to purchase her super cute pieces – that creates the coolest fashionable art: multi-material dress paintings! Some that use actual dresses stitched into the canvas! The dresses of choice include baby garments, corsets, vintage dresses…pretty much anything aesthetically pleasing she finds.

The artwork is cutesy and unique, and appropriate for so many places: a girl of any age’s bedroom, a particularly spacious closet, a college dorm or apartment, for a boutique’s dressing rooms…the list is endless. Each painting uses acrylics, stitching and collage patterns, and other unconventional materials (like buttons!); each painting also has a funny title and theme.

Her name is Katherine Allen-Coleman; check out her website for all the deets on how she got started, her motivations, experience, etc. Anyone can get a painting from Pottery Barn…only those of you in the know can get a cool vintage piece.