Whew! As if the week hasn’t been hot enough, yesterday’s fashion-focused fêting upped the temps even more.

Pop-Up Shoppers gathered in Marion Square from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., ready to take advantage of the mini-tent’s last day. Indigo and Cotton’s classically cool offerings were perfect for the guys in the crowd, while other vendors—like Emma Graham, with tailored, pink, and oh-so-preppy sundresses; Coral Cotton Swimwear; and the Mount Pleasant-based consignment shop Groove Girl drew in the gals. Aspiring models flocked inside around 1 p.m., when past CFW model, runner-up on Cycle 16 of America’s Next Top Model’s, and Rock the Runway Competition judge Molly O’Connell showed up to dish about her Top Model memories and to offer up tips on how to make it in the biz.

An hour after the Pop-Up Shops shut things down, the pre-party at Hampden Clothing (314 King St.) kicked into gear. A see-and-be-seen event by all measures, front-row Fashion Panel VIPs Cameron Silver, K. Cooper Ray, Fern Mallis, and Mychael Knight chatted it up with Hampden-owner Stacy Smallwood and Charleston magazine Style Director Ayoka Lucas, and in-the-know bloggers like Look Linger Love’s Chassity Evans mingled about with local fashionistas. Techno music and a fully stocked bar of Korbel, Grey Goose, and Chambord took the “pre” out of the pre-party, and around 5 p.m., Feature Designer and man-of-the-hour Chris Benz arrived.

In the Style Lounge two blocks north, a vibe fit for Friday was in effect, thanks to the bass-heavy tracks played by DJ Paradime. Cocktail dresses and suits set a sassy tone for the evening, and trends like color blocking, pleated maxis, and pops of neon and metallic stood out in the crowd. As last night was as much about the models as the designer clothes they wore, I took a peek backstage to see how they were prepping. If not getting glammed up by hair- and makeup-guru Ashley Brook Perryman and her skilled team of two dozen, the models were reading, texting, snacking, or chatting—a calm before the sure-to-come storm of flying clothes and shoes and free-spritzing hairspray.

Inside the tent, the sold-out crowd was welcomed by a—what can only be described as cool—performance by vocalist McKenzie Eddy that refreshed us for the drama to come.

First up was Mount Pleasant retailer Mary Mojo, who delivered one ready-to-wear-off-the-runway look after another, each polished off with purses and street-chic shades. The party dresses and mix-and-match suit separates were right on trend, shouting out in bright patterns (like zebra and polka dots) and blocks of color.

Gwynn’s of Mount Pleasant brought the first men to the walk. A sharp-looking pair of red pants earned a thumbs up from K. Cooper Ray, and his look of approval stuck around for the women’s fashions, too, which were dominated by can’t-look-away colors (orange, yellow, and neons) and black and white. Dramatic silhouettes, like mega-flared tops and maxi skirts, earned whispers of approval across the front-rows.

After a quick break for refreshments and photo-ops came the Rock the Runway Model Competition. Video shorts made by Production Design Associates introduced us to the 10 female finalists and the top five males. Then one by one, the leggy contestants walked it out, the girls donning a can’t-hide-a-thing uniform of black leggings, a fitted tee, and stilettos, while the boys each wore jeans and a tight shirt. Across from me sat the judges—supermodel and reality show star Cynthia Bailey, founder of the Karen Lee group and international model scout Karen Lee Grybowski, and Molly O’Connell—who were busy whispering, nodding, and eagerly jotting down notes throughout.

The first of last night’s five Emerging Designers was Keely Lauren Cansler. The Raleigh designer’s chandelier-inspired aesthetic translated into regal fabrics like velvet and silk and rich hues—silver, maroon, black, and stark white. Romantic looks were edged up with jet-black lips, and the crowd buzzed over the last look—a swoon-worthy maroon gown of velvet and jersey.

In a sentence, Emily C. Pollard of Falls Church, Virginia describes her fall 2012 collection as, “How to dress for the end of the world.” Her doomsday vision proved a sexy one, as stony-faced models draped in thick, fur-accented jackets, tight leather pants and skirts, and slicked-back ponies strutted to a literally ground-shaking Dubstep beat.

Savannah’s Ashley Newsome used repurposed and upcycled materials to create 19th-century inspired stunners. Black hats atop loose up-dos and materials like wool and velvet lent an antiquated feel to modern silhouettes, while detail, like all-over gold studs, added intricacy to each piece. The most surprising look? A floor-length, circus ringmaster-style wool sheath that, when striped off at the end of the runway, revealed black hot pants and a billowy white top.

Neutrals were shocked to life by vivid oranges and bright blues in Charleston’s own Shelley Lucille Smith‘s avant-guard collection of drama, drama, drama. Layers upon layers of fabric added a textural sophistication to her designs, and shocking accessories—a neck- and mouth-covering net and a muzzle-like metal shield—sent a wave of excited murmurs across the tent.

Complex prints, clean lines, and discerning color-coordination marked the last Emerging Designer’s debut. Each item a dazzling piece of art, 23-year-old Hannah Goff, of Savannah, presented a seriously ready-to-wear (to work or to play) collection, comprised mostly of knee-length dresses, skirts, and structured blouses.

And finally came the much-anticipated (and wildly cheered for) show from Featured Designer Chris Benz—fresh off the stage of New York Fashion Week. Black and white patterns mixed and matched with pops of lime green, neon pink, and sherbet orange, creating a Andy Warhol-esque effect, and tailored pieces gave way to drape-happy silhouettes later in the show, like a loose-fitting silk shirt-and-skirt combo in blush and tan hues that drew claps and whistles from the crowd.

And the Winners Are…
• Hannah Goff won last night’s Emerging Designer competition to move into the finale tonight!
• Emily C. Pollard won Friday night’s People’s Choice Award.
• Nikki Jansen (14 years old, from Hilton Head, SC) won the female Rock the Runway Model Competition
•Samuel Roberts (19 years old, from Little River, SC) won the male Rock the Runway Model Competition

Coming Tonight!
• Come for pre-parting at the Style Lounge from at 6-8 p.m. Rocky Horror will be spinning tunes.
• Runway doors open at 8 p.m.
• Check out Featured Designers: Charlotte Hess (CFW 2011 Emerging Designer: East) and Faith Thornburg.
• Plus, catch full shows from the four Emerging Designer Finalists: Tsvetelina Gerasimova McAuliffe, Angela Sum, Vartika Vikram, and Hannah Goff.
• See who wins the CFW 2012 Emerging Designer Competition: East!
• See who wins the Emerging Designer People’s Choice Award!

For the schedule, click here.

For tickets, click here.

To check out photo galleries from last night’s shows, click here.