Just as fashion and music go hand-in-hand, Charleston Fashion Week^® (CFW) 2012 will deliver not only amazing clothing designs but a variety of some of the hottest East Coast entertainment on the runway. And this year’s lineup brings Bluroc Records president and recording artist/musician McKenzie Eddy to perform at next Friday night’s shows. This businesswoman-by-day, musician-by-night works directly with music mogul Damon Dash and has helped develop projects with top names such as The Black Keys and rappers Mos Def and Raekwon of Wu-Tang fame. In between collaborations and organizing major tours, the South Carolina native and New York City resident managed to put out three albums of her own. I recently caught up with the multitasking songstress to get a peek into her life and find out what she has in store for Charleston Fashion Week^®:

Q: You are what I call a “Power Girl.” How do you manage to run a record company, work with Damon Dash, and promote your own singing career? 
A: I love what I do. It’s difficult to manage everything sometimes, and Damon helps to bring out my full potential. I’ve been really fortunate to meet and work with supremely talented people—not only in hip-hop, but in all genres. I get to be so creative because of the fact that I work with a variety of artists who all have different processes and methods. It’s very rewarding. 

Q: Tell me about your South Carolina connection.
A: I grew up in Hilton Head and graduated from USC. South Carolina is and will forever be my home. 

Q: What was your first reaction to the invite to perform at Charleston Fashion Week^®?
A: I was really excited because I had been telling my New York friends about Fashion Week in Charleston for a while, and I had always wanted to go. Charleston is one of the emerging cultural centers of the South, so I am happy to be a part of the creation and continuation of that culture. 

Q: What can CFW attendees expect from your performance at the tents on Friday night?
A: Something funky to make them smile and dance in their seats a little. Something to get them excited about the designs that they are about to see on the runway. Something feisty. 

Q: What special treats do you have planned for that night’s After Party at the Music Farm?
A: I’m bringing my amazing band. They’re some of the best musicians in NYC. Sean O’Connell, the rapper Da$h, and DJ Boogz are also making the trip down with me, so the show should be nothing short of eclectic. 

Q: Describe your relationship with fashion. Love or hate to shop? Designer or vintage finds? Image is everything or only when necessary?
A: I really like to shop, both designer and vintage. Damon’s taught me about the beauty of simplicity when it comes to clothing. That it’s better to own a more expensive coat you’ll wear every day than 10 cheap coats you can only wear once. Image is not everything, but it matters, although I’m referring more to self-image when I say that. When you have on a good pair of shoes or a nice pair of pants—whatever—you feel like you can take on the world confidently. 

Q: Name your five favorite wardrobe pieces.
A: 1. My brown Rochas shoes. They look like men’s dress shoes, but they are high tops made for women. 
2. My grey Burberry pea coat. It has the most strong, perfect shoulders. 
3. Levis.
4. My black and white Ralph Lauren cowboy boots.
5. My (multiple pairs) of Adidas Top Ten high-tops.

Q: What are you wearing to Charleston Fashion Week^®?
A: Oh, I don’t know yet. Guess that one will be a surprise, although I’d love to find a cool local designer and sport something of theirs. 

To buy tickets to the Friday night show, click here.

For more information on the After Parties, click here.

For the Style Lounge DJ lineup, click here.