Tuesday might have seen record-high temps (in the upper 80s!), but it was nothing compared to the hotties and hot looks on and off the runway inside the tents at Charleston Fashion Week’s opening night.

While CofC coeds still sunbathed on the greens, Charleston’s glitterati hit the Style Lounge, where I bumped into Andrew Peterson of Cos Bar vogueing with Charleston magazine’s March cover girl, Mimi Apker, in front of the cordoned off step-and-repeat portion of the red carpet. One of 10 locals named the Holy City’s most stylish in the issue, Apker said that when CFW style director Ayoka Lucas told her she was chosen, she couldn’t believe it and started crying. This week, she says she’s looking forward to watching her daughter, Rouge Apker, hit the catwalk as one of 10 female candidates for the Rock the Runway model competition.

When doors opened for attendees to take their seats in the main tent, waves of the well-dressed—people sporting everything from facinators to bowlers, Mohawks to moustaches, bow-ties to short-shorts, and heels, heels, heels—flooded forth, everyone vying for seats in what became a standing-room-only event. DJ Arthur Brouthers worked some serious feel-it-in-your bones music magic, continuing the heart-thumping beats that the dueling Style Lounge DJs K-Flo$$y and Joycette started. When the lights dimmed, the entire back wall of the tent was awash in undulating blue and white clouds, and Quiana Parler took the stage belting out—and that girl put the belt in belting— Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy.” Strutting down the runway in a silver sequin-petaled mini dress and super-stacked red peep-toes, she worked it hard and worked the crowd harder, whipping up a frenzy that felt more Friday night than Tuesday. (Speaking of Friday, check out the Queen Quiana on Friday night when she returns to open the shows with guest hip hop rapper Righchus. Not. To. Be. Missed.)

Next up, the shows! Rapport Fine Clothing & Furs kicked things off with navy and white and khaki looks accented with pelts that harkened to a trés Upper Eastside lifestyle. Those who aspire to South of Broad living, take note. And the big takeaway from Copper Penny and CP Shooz show? Nude wedges and tropical palettes rule. But the big hoopin’ and hollerin’ during the first half of the night was saved for Featured Designer Barbara Beach. Last year’s People’s Choice winner, Beach is known for her well-tailored kidswear that adults envy and children adore. The crowd seriously went nuts for the toddlers and gradeschoolers who walked the catwalk grinning from under mini-bowlers and nubby, knitted caps, sporting everything from vests to swing coats with playful patterns and edging.

After a catch-your-breath break, the lights dimmed for the Emerging Designer portion of the evening, which features four shows of original lines by new artists. Each night, the CFW fashion panel will choose one designer to proceed to Saturday night finale competition. Tuesday started with North Carolina’s Marie Cordella, who paired tight, tailored, and geometrically detailed bodices with flouncy, layered skirts. Each silhouette highlighted the female form and left shoulders, décolleté, arms, and backs bare. Then came an effortlessly flowing line of looks in gray and mauve silk chiffon from Tennessee’s Van Hoang. Dressing up pants and comfying up skirts and offsetting both with clean-lined tops were the name of her fab and very wearable game.

The Lowcountry’s own Veritee Hill followed all Hoang’s softness with a costume-inspired collection that called to mind a vampish French bordello, rife with fringe, flowers, and feathers and resplendent in black, burgundy, and metallics. Hair and makeup were equally intense and moody, with pale faces, dark lips, and Marie Antoinette-style (after-the-party) updos topped with wild cage veils. Suffice to say the crowd was gaping. Last up in the Emerging Designer lineup was Atlanta’s Sarah Parrott, who toyed with jersey material like a conductor coercing an orchestra into something that rocks. Cutouts, color blocking (turquoise and magenta against blacks), and mix-and-match materials (leather with jersey) ruled her runway, and updated maxi dresses, shorts and tops, and gowns alike.

In a great pairing—think the perfect after-dinner wine following a rich, innovative, and provocative meal—the last show of the night belonged to Featured Designer and past season Emerging Designer finalist Jamie Lin Snider. Snider is set to open a shop on King Street sometime this year, and if her runway show is any indication of what’s to come, watch out, Charleston. Models glammed up in a zombie-chic teased hair and moon-pallor faces donned sheer and/or body-hugging gowns and frocks accented with overlays of chain spiderwebs that caught, at turns, jewels, bone fragments, hollow bits of horn, tiger-like teeth, and even gold-painted skeleton hands. That was a front-row view, but even the woman beside me there didn’t pick up on the materials. Point being, Snider plays with organic elements, turning them into decorative details that defy tradition and often fool the eye. Is it wearable? Don’t even ask. Runway shows are meant to inspire and remind all of us to see fashion as art; and I trust that her shop will show us how to take her otherworldly style into the everyday…or maybe the extraordinary day.

And the Winners Are…
• Veritee Hill won last night’s Emerging Designer competition to move onto the finals Saturday night!
• Sarah Parrott won the Tuesday night’s People’s Choice award

Coming Tonight!
• Get your tix as they are going fast!
• Come for pre-partying at the Style Lounge starting at 6 p.m., where DJ Forge and DJ SK of Jukebox Heroes will get you amped up and the bars will hold complimentary Jack Daniels tastings and offer Lynchburg Lemonade.
• Check out Featured Designer: Troubadour
• Plus, see four Emerging Designer debuts, and shows from House of Sage and Tommy Bahama
• After the tents close, the action continues at the NV after party
• Also? There’s buzz aplenty surrounding Mychael Knight’s Off the Runway Bash Secret Party. To find the location, time, and deets, text ILLUMECFW to 72855. Trust us, it’s going to be crazy worth the hunt!

Click here for tickets!

Check out photo galleries from Tuesday night’s shows!