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| Hampden Clothing 5th Anniversary |
| Hampden Clothing Celebrates its 5th year Anniverary with Rag & Bone |
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By Megan Abigail Chandler
Humidity was ubiquitous on Friday March 30, when those fashion-starved Southern beaus and belles hauled into Westbrook Brewery deep in the heart of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Stacy Smallwood, owner of Hampden Clothing (Charleston’s downtown boutique that serves as the city’s beacon of fashion-awareness) was having a birthday party. The store turned 5 years old, and the crowd was giddy. Testing out the various IPAs and fizzy home-brewed beers as well as clinking champagne glasses with old friends, locals and not locals came together under one common ideal: fashion.
Having carried David Neville and Marcus Wainwright’s collection since her stores inception, Stacy thought a Rag & Bone runway show was the best way to celebrate her half-decade. As she said at the conclusion of the show, “They have evolved, and I hope we have too.”And it’s true. Since they launched their line in 2002, these Brits have enchanted Hampden Clothing’s savvy shoppers. Charlestonians, thirsty for fashion worthy of any couture capital, found Stacy’s boutique where they became regular shoppers. And as her store evolved, continuing to support David and Marcus’ line, customers who became clients quickly became friends and slowly became family.
That ambiance was clear on the morning of the much-hyped runway show. Where anyone turned, they saw a friendly face leaning in for a two-cheeked kiss and a toothy greeting. And as men and women munched on pimento cheese sandwiches and ham biscuits, an effervescent vibe flowed through the crowd. Whether it was the beer or that fashion, one can’t be too sure, but it is true that whatever Smallwood does embodies this aura. It was even evident at the small private dinner she hosted at her Isle of Palms beach house the night before. Gourmet Southern home cooking was served along with Wadmalaw Island’s signature Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka. While a nipping breeze from the ocean dusted the party-grounds, David and Marcus could be found taking to that Southern way of life as they played with Smallwood’s nieces and posed for pictures with doting guests. Cut to 12 short hours later, and they turned on the charm again with a color infused collection that jived perfectly with the Southern appreciation of bold hues. No one does a flattering silhouette quite like Rag & Bone, and with every dress, trouser, jean and sandal that marched the runway; these Southern fashionistas fell in love with the collection just a little bit more. As the crowd shopped the stunning pieces at the conclusion of the show (where they were introduced to Rag & Bone’s menswear line, a little something the daring Smallwood was sampling at the show for her Hampden Clothing family), that homey feeling infused the cavernous Westbrook Brewery. It was New York meets hometown. It was fashion at it’s most comfortable. It was quite simply two very different walks of life coming together over their passion for true fashion. |
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