Akins Fashion Station

North Carolina

____________________________________________________________

Concord Fashion Weeks Spotlight Southern Style
Cityand Concord hosted vibrant fashion weeks in early June 2025, presenting a range of collections by emerging and seasoned designers. Concord Fashion Week offered runway shows featuring bold color palettes, structured silhouettes, and experimental materials r. These events showcased how local fashion embraces both modern flair and Southern charm. Designers used the runway to display couture-ready and ready-to-wear pieces, emphasizing versatility. Industry professionals attended to discover rising talent and network. The media highlighted standout looks, praising the region’s growing creative community. Collectively, these fashion weeks solidified North Carolina’s position as a rising hub for style and innovation.

Carolina Urban Fashion Week’s Inclusive 
Carolina Urban Fashion Week, held mid-June, fostered a celebration of diversity and street style . Designers specialized in urban-chic aesthetics, incorporating sustainable fabrics and gender-fluid designs. The week featured panel discussions on ethical production and runway events celebrating inclusive representation. Many attendees noted the vibrant community energy and the fusion of casual streetwear with high-concept artistry. By fostering dialogue on fashion’s future, the event reinforced NC’s evolving cultural scene. It marked an important moment where local designers solidified their voices, removing barriers between underground style and mainstream recognition.

Emerging North Carolina Designers Emerge into the Spotlight
A recent report listed Colter Dillon, Royal Peasantry, and JAWBREAKING among NC’s most promising designers as of June 2025 . These creatives have impressed with innovative storytelling through garments—melding tailored menswear with artistic motifs and eco-conscious craftsmanship. Their work blends traditional techniques with contemporary sensibilities: sustainable dyes, recycled textiles, and minimalist yet expressive designs. Local publications and fashion blogs have been sharing visuals from runway debuts, praising material innovation and wearability. Their growing fanbase is fostering a supportive ecosystem, with boutiques and influencers featuring their creations.

Carolina Urban Fashion Week

 Held June 14–20 in, Carolina Fashion Week celebrated diversity and creativity with runway shows, panels, and pop-up boutiques. Designers presented collections inspired by streetwear, Afrocentric prints, and sustainable tailoring. The event emphasized mental health awareness through fashion, blending advocacy with style. Highlights included modular garments, expressive accessories, and inclusive casting. Attendees praised the week’s energy and community focus, calling it a transformative experience for North Carolina’s fashion identity.

Highlight Concepts Spring Fashion Show Brings Glamour 

On June 1, the Highlight Concepts Spring Fashion Show lit up the DoubleTree by Hilton in Citywith a red carpet, cocktail hour, and runway extravaganza. Emerging designers showcased eveningwear, bridal couture, and avant-garde accessories. The event featured musical performances and celebrated multicultural beauty across generations. Designers like Gerardo Bucio and Venancio Tadeo emphasized sustainability and cultural storytelling. The show reinforced Charlotte’s role as a fashion-forward city with international flair.

Mecklenburg International Fashion Week Embraces Mental Health Awareness

Mecklenburg International Fashion Week, held in May and continuing into June, focused on mental health advocacy through fashion. Designers presented collections that reflected emotional resilience, identity, and healing. The event included workshops, model calls, and community panels. Attendees praised the fusion of style and purpose, noting the importance of fashion as a platform for social change. The week’s inclusive programming and bold styling positioned Cityas a leader in compassionate fashion innovation.

Summerwear Trends Reflect Southern Practicality

North Carolina designers leaned into summer 2025 trends with breathable fabrics and expressive silhouettes. Butter yellow tones, aquatic motifs, and boho suede dominated collections. Fishtail dresses, fringe crop tops, and convertible garments appeared in boutiques across Raleigh, Durham, and Asheville. Accessories included shell jewelry, East-West bags, and statement belts. Designers adapted global runway influences to the state’s climate and lifestyle, emphasizing comfort, versatility, and storytelling through garments.

Fall 2025 Collections Previewed with Appalachian Sophistication

Despite the summer heat, several North Carolina designers teased fall collections during June pop-ups. Victorian lace, asymmetrical cuts, and earthy palettes emerged as dominant themes. Structured denim, quilted textures, and posh English-inspired outerwear hinted at a season of romantic silhouettes and practical layering. Designers emphasized tactile richness and sustainability, using upcycled materials and natural dyes. The previews reflected North Carolina’s evolving fashion identity—rooted in heritage, yet forward-thinking in execution.

Emerging Designers Gain Visibility Through Local Platforms

Events like Carolina Urban Fashion Week and Highlight Concepts spotlighted rising talent such as LiloushLine, TRBROWN, and Lion + Owl. Their collections emphasized inclusive sizing, adaptive wear, and sustainable materials. Social media amplified their reach, with TikTok and Instagram showcasing behind-the-scenes design processes. Hashtags like #NCStyle and #CharlotteFashion trended throughout June, boosting visibility for designers and events. These creatives are now preparing for showcases in New York and Atlanta.

Fashion Momentum Across the State

TikTok and Instagram played a pivotal role in promoting June’s fashion events. Viral clips from runway shows and boutique launches reached thousands. Influencers highlighted thrifted finds, DIY styling, and local brands. Hashtags like #NCStyle and #TriangleFashion trended throughout the month. Digital platforms continue to democratize fashion, giving visibility to emerging designers and niche aesthetics. Social media’s role in shaping North Carolina’s fashion narrative is more powerful than ever.

Fashion Meets Community at Summer Festivals

Fashion intersected with culture at June’s Pride and Juneteenth celebrations across North Carolina. Events featured expressive fashion—rainbow sequins, Afrocentric prints, and DIY embellishments. Designers used these platforms to showcase inclusive sizing and adaptive wear. Pop-up styling booths and fashion photo ops turned festivals into creative showcases, reinforcing fashion’s role in activism and identity. These gatherings became platforms for storytelling and community

Upcoming Fashion Events in North Carolina 

Raleigh-Durham Fashion Week Cultivates Creative Energy

Raleigh-Durham Fashion Week (RDFW) premiered in June 2025, aiming to accelerate the region’s growth as a fashion leader raleighdurhamfw.com. The event featured local designers alongside guest boutiques, complemented by stylist demonstrations and fashion tech showcases. Emphasis on emerging brands and collaborations gave RDFW a community-focused yet forward-thinking vibe. Live streams and digital lookbooks enhanced engagement, reaching audiences beyond the Triangle. Feedback from attendees highlighted the fresh energy and potential for this event to become a staple in NC’s fashion calendar.

North Carolina’s Summer Fashion Trends: Color Meets Comfort

Summer 2025 in NC was marked by breezy linens, pastel shades, and bold prints—navy florals, citrus tones, and breathable cotton blends dominated boutiques . Designers tapped into coastal inspirations, incorporating textured fabrics and easy silhouettes. Locals embraced maxis, cropped trousers, and woven accessories. Retailers promoted capsule wardrobes blending style with practicality. Outdoor fashion markets and popup trunk shows across the state display these trends, confirming that North Carolina’s summer wardrobe blends regional flair with global appeal.

Previewing Fall 2025: Layers, Textures, and Tailoring

As summer concludes, fall fashion planning is underway with cozy knits, rich jewel tones, and layering taking center stage . Local designers in Cityand Raleigh previewed wool-blend jackets, flannel shirts, and tailored trousers for cooler months. Earthy greens and burnt siennas dominate palettes, reflecting North Carolina’s autumnal landscape. Accessories like leather boots and structured bags add polish. Boutiques are already accepting fall arrivals. This early buzz signals a keen embrace of transitional dressing with Southern ease and sophistication.

Sustainability and Ethical Fashion on the Rise

NC designers increasingly adopt sustainable practices—organic cotton, low-waste patterns, and ethical craftsmanship are key focus areas  Events like RDFW and Concord Fashion Week spotlighted eco-conscious brands. Consumer demand is responding; pop-up markets are featuring resale and upcycled pieces. Educational panels at Carolina Urban Fashion Week further raised awareness about carbon footprint, solvent-free dyes, and local sourcing. This conscientious trend aligns with the global shift toward responsible fashion, but with a distinctly Southern interpretation: comfortable, timeless, yet earth-conscious.

Cultural Resonance and Regional Identity in Design

North Carolina fashion increasingly embraces its cultural roots—heritage quilting patterns, Appalachian textiles, and streetwear elements blend into collections . Designers like Melissa Crosson, featured at The Style Social event in Hickory, brought NYFW-level designs to local audiences . Regionally inspired prints, artisanal crafts, and historical references appeared on runways, celebrating diverse influences. Fashion events also integrated local music, food, and arts, delivering a multifaceted cultural showcase that resonates authentically.

Fashion Education and Industry Collaboration

Fashion education in NC is becoming deeply integrated with industry. RDFW and local fashion weeks included mentorship programs, student showcases, and skill-building workshops . Colleges partner with designers to create capsule collections; young talent gains real-world experience. Industry professionals guest-lecture on trend forecasting, marketing, and sustainable practices. Such collaborations strengthen the ecosystem, ensuring North Carolina develops not just designers, but well-rounded entrepreneurs who understand the multiple facets of modern fashion.

City Fashion Week Blends Southern Charm with Urban Edge

City Fashion Week dazzled with its "Queen City Reign" theme, spotlighting NC’s textile heritage through contemporary designs. Emerging designer Jamal Carter debuted his "Millennial Millwork" collection featuring repurposed denim from historic NC factories and indigo-dyed silks inspired by the Blue Ridge Mountains. The runway at the Mint Museum showcased sustainable evening wear with tobacco-barn-inspired textures, while local boutiques reported record demand for convertible pieces that transition from office to rooftop cocktails. A show-stopping finale featured models in LED-lit gowns parading through Romare Bearden Park at dusk.

Raleigh’s Eco-Chic Movement Gains National Attention

The "Oak City Greenwalk" transformed downtown Raleigh into a sustainable fashion hub, with designers showcasing looks made from upcycled tobacco cloth and pineapple leather. Local brand Piedmont Threads introduced a line of moisture-wicking business attire using NC-grown bamboo, while designer Elena Rodriguez debuted solar-charging handbags woven from kudzu vines. The event’s "Farm to Fashion" competition challenged designers to create looks using only materials sourced within 100 miles, resulting in stunning sweetgrass-woven separates.

Bohemian Fashion Festival Celebrates Artisan Craft

The "Mountain Modern" showcase at the River Arts District blended Appalachian traditions with avant-garde design. Weaver Sarah Oakley unveiled a collection featuring hand-loomed fabrics dyed with wild blueberries, while designer Boone Carter introduced "Hiker to High Tea" convertible looks with hidden backpack straps. The event’s "Trash to Treasure" runway featured garments crafted from repurposed brewery equipment and retired hiking gear.

Heritage

This season’s must-haves reflect NC’s diverse landscapes: "Piedmont Prep" offers seersucker suits with built-in cooling tech, while "Mountain Mystic" features ethereal layers in fog-inspired grays. The "Coastal Cottage" trend dominates with UPF-rated cover-ups in nautical stripes, and "Research Triangle Ready" showcases wrinkle-free separates perfect for tech entrepreneurs. Local boutiques report soaring sales of jewelry featuring Cherokee beadwork and recycled oysters.

Emerging North Carolina Designers to Watch

Durham’s Priya Kapoor gained acclaim for her "Tobacco Road Revival" collection featuring gold-leafed denim, while Wilmington’s Marcus Waters pioneered "Saltwater Silhouettes" using algae-dyed fabrics. Asheville’s Lila Chen made waves with her "Appalachian Futurism" line blending traditional quilting with LED embroidery.

Carolina’s Style

Designers are preparing collections featuring "Blue Ridge Blanket Coats" with removable thermal linings and "Tobacco Barn Tweed" suits in warm autumnal hues. The "Coast to Peak" collection offers versatile layers that adapt to both mountain chills and coastal breezes, while "Research Triangle Techwear" introduces blazers with built-in device charging.

Sustainable Textile Production Thrives

NC’s historic mills become hubs for circular fashion, with Burlington’s "Revival Mills" transforming textile waste into premium fabrics. The "Carolina Cotton Initiative" partners with small farms to produce traceable organic denim, while Asheville’s "Mountain Fibers" collective pioneers hemp-silk blends.

Native-Inspired Fashion Honors Cherokee Traditions

The "Seven Clans Collection" in Cherokee showcased contemporary designs featuring traditional river cane weaving and beadwork patterns. These pieces merge indigenous craftsmanship with modern functionality, gaining recognition from Vogue and other major publications.

NC-Made Accessories Tell Local Stories

Handcrafted jewelry featuring Blue Ridge gemstones and repurposed tobacco twine dominates Raleigh boutiques. The "Sound to Sea" collection offers bracelets with sand from different NC beaches, while Cityartisans create clutches from upcycled NASCAR materials.

Upcoming North Carolina Fashion Events

 
Fall Fashion Week
Raleigh Oak City Style Symposium
Asheville Mountain Fashion Festival
Wilmington Coastal Couture Show
Durham Bull City Wearable Art
Winston-Salem Piedmont Craft Fair
Boone High Country Fiber Expo
Outer Banks Seafood & Style Gala
North Carolina Fashion Awards (Greensboro)
Cherokee Native Arts & Fashion Market

The Fashion Economy and Local Retail Ecosystem

Fashion events in North Carolina bolster local economies—boutiques, stylists, photographers, venues, and catering companies benefit from increased activity . Accessories, swimwear, and seasonal wardrobes prompt consumer spending. Events attract visitors, boosting hotel stays and dining. The Triple Bottom Line approach means economic growth now sits alongside social and environmental benefits. Local businesses are leveraging fashion weeks to drive engagement, host trunk shows, and collaborate with creators. This cross-sector momentum points to a resilient and sustainable regional fashion industry.

Upcoming Fashion Events in North Carolina

The Style Social – August 9, 2025, Hickory. NYFW designer showcase by Melissa Crosson 

CityFashion Week – September 27, 2025, Concord/Charlotte 

Raleigh “Take Up Space” Fashion Show – August 2, 2025, Triangle Town Center 

Triangle Town Center Mall, “Take Up Space” – August 2, 2025, Raleigh 

Carolina Urban Fashion Week (next edition) – 2026 dates TBD 

Mecklenburg International Fashion Week – l2025, Charlotte 

Raleigh-Durham Fashion Week (next round) – l2025 

“Sip, Swirl & Style” Fashion + Wine Event – July 20 2025, Raleigh 

Rebecca’s of Clinton Fall Fashion Show – August 1, 2025, Clinton 

Fayettev Runway Extravaganza – January 11, 2026 

North Carolina’s fashion scene is energized—rooted in heritage yet future-focused, sustainable, and community-driven, with an exciting lineup of events ahead.

carolyn fashion co

carolyn fashion co

carolyn fashion co

carolyn fashion co

carolyn fashion co

carolyn fashion co

carolyn fashion co

carolyn fashion co

carolyn fashion co

carolyn fashion co

christopher fashion co

christopher fashion co

christopher fashion co

christopher fashion co

christopher fashion co

christopher fashion co

christopher fashion co

christopher fashion co

christopher fashion co

christopher fashion co

derrick coutelyou fashion co

derrick coutelyou fashion co

derrick coutelyou fashion co

derrick coutelyou fashion co

derrick coutelyou fashion co

derrick coutelyou fashion co

derrick coutelyou fashion co

derrick coutelyou fashion co

derrick coutelyou fashion co

derrick coutelyou fashion co

derrick vonza fashion co

derrick vonza fashion co

derrick vonza fashion co

derrick vonza fashion co

derrick vonza fashion co

derrick vonza fashion co

derrick vonza fashion co

derrick vonza fashion co

derrick vonza fashion co

derrick vonza fashion co

drew fashion co

drew fashion co

drew fashion co

drew fashion co

drew fashion co

drew fashion co

drew fashion co

drew fashion co

drew fashion co

drew store

drew stores

paige fashion co

paige fashion co

paige fashion co

paige fashion co

paige fashion co

paige fashion co

paige fashion co

paige fashion co

paige fashion co

paige fashion co

paige store

paige stores

troy fashion co

troy fashion co

troy fashion co

troy fashion co

troy fashion co

troy fashion co

troy fashion co

troy fashion co

troy fashion co

troy fashion co