There are some projects that feel bigger than the work itself — where the location, the concept, the people, and the moment all align into something truly meaningful. Styling and producing the fashion editorial in the March issue of Charleston Magazine was one of those projects, and I’m still riding the high of it. When the editor-in-chief Darcy Shankland approached me with the concept of commemorating the anniversary of 250 years of America I jumped at the opportunity. 250 years of history, culture, and evolution all wrapped up in one editorial concept. How do you honor that kind of legacy through fashion? How do you make it feel relevant, beautiful, and alive in 2026 rather than like a costume museum piece?The answer was intentionality. Every single decision — from the silhouettes to the styling details to the people in front of the camera — was made with purpose.

As a stylist, one of my favorite creative challenges is the tension between then and now. For this shoot, I wanted viewers to feel the 18th century — the structure, the grandeur, the drama of that era — while also seeing themselves in it. That meant pulling pieces with period-accurate details: corseted shapes, voluminous skirts, rich brocades, dramatic sleeves, and ornate embellishments that nodded directly to colonial-era fashion.

But I never wanted it to feel like a history lesson. Modern elements were woven throughout — contemporary silhouettes, current designers, fresh styling choices that grounded each look in the present moment. The goal was a dialogue between two eras, not a recreation of one.

Bariano “Balmy Nights” gown, $525 at The Showroom Charleston; Jesus Peiro puff-sleeve, long cape in “Lurex Flower Brocade,” $1,633 at Maddison Row South; Juju Loves “Gold Flower” earrings, $88, and “Lace & Floral” embellished necklace, $248, both at JuJu Loves; Liv Bella Vita “Éloise” ring, $68 at www.livbellavita.com

Saint Bridal Couture “Macbeth” corseted lace gown, $4,150 at Lovely Bride; Ralph Lauren vintage jacket, $200 at Ensemble Consignment; Julie Vos “Tribeca” cubic zirconia and pearl hoop earrings, $165, necklace, $295, and cuff, $295, all at Well Furnished; Jane Win “In a Knot” chain, $178 at Croghan’s Jewel Box; vintage mabe pearl ring, $1,650, and vintage citrine and gold ring, $3,850, both at Gold Creations; Liv Bella Vita “Portofino” rope link bracelet, $58, and “Héritage” link cuff, $68, both at www.livbellavita.com; Hermosa “Ryder” pearl and mixed-metal bracelet, $108 at Hermosa 

This is the part of this project I’m most proud of, and I want to say it plainly: diversity was not an afterthought. It was the foundation.

When we talk about the birth of America, we have to talk about all of America. That means being intentional about who is seen, who is celebrated, and whose style story gets told. I was deeply committed to ensuring the models, designers, and boutiques we pulled from reflected the full, rich diversity of this country — because that is what America actually looks like, and that is what revolutionary truly means.

Seeing that vision come to life on set was emotional. Every model brought something powerful to these looks. Every designer and boutique represented added a layer of authenticity and depth to the story we were telling. This wasn’t just a fashion shoot — it was a statement.

Dessy Group scoop-neck floral maxi dress, $298 at Bella Bridesmaids; Zuriel Kingdom Collections gold brocade, puff-sleeve cape, $175 at www.zurielkingdomcollections.com; 
J. Melissa Designs green chrysoprase and pearl drop earrings, $138 at Rhodes Boutique; Hermosa “Dewdrop Daydream” baroque pearl and beaded necklace, $225 at Hermosa; Jenan McClain “Jaja” hand-laced collar necklace, $600 at www.jenanmcclaindesign.com; Gold Creations emerald and diamond ring, $7,375, and vintage Australian opal halo ring, $4,750, both at Gold Creations; Steve Madden “Sunshine Metallic” stiletto sandals, $150 at Dillard’s

Rebecca Schoneveld made-to-order “Devon” corset, $840, and Jesus Peiro puff-sleeve cape, $1,650, both at Maddison Row South; Michael Kors lace bootleg pant, $2,290 at Gwynn’s of Mount Pleasant; J. Melissa Designs pearl flower drop earrings, $88, and pearl and cameo necklace, $248, both at Rhodes Boutique; J. Melissa Designs mother-of-pearl flower ring, $328, white jade heart ring, $268, and pink shell ring, $218, all at www.shopjmelissa.com; The Tiny Tassel “Mimi” bow clutch, $78 at The Tiny Tassel; Gianni Bini “Lennon” pearl bow dress sandals, $150 at Dillard’s

Aje “Cleo” tiered ruffle gown, $769 at Showroom in Freshfields Village; Farm Rio “Renata Floral Sand” blouse, $198 at The Finicky Filly; Roberto Coin “Love in Verona” gold and diamond earrings, $8,400, bangle bracelet, $13,150, and David Yurman “Albion” topaz and diamond ring, $8,200, all at Reeds Jewelers; Goshwara blue topaz and lapis inlay ring, $2,900 at Croghan’s Jewel Box; Charleston Shoe Company “Croc” bucket purse, $170 at Charleston Shoe Company; EXE strappy heels, $124 at Maris DeHart 

Rebecca Schoneveld made-to-order “Sloane” skirt, $1,968 at Maddison Row South; Moschino deconstructed waistcoat, $1,380 at RTW; Rene Barnes hand-sculpted gold and diamond jewelry, including “Reverie III” earrings, $7,500, “The Crown Diamond” huggie earrings, $5,000, “The Crown Diamond” cuff, $17,000, “Reverie I” tennis bracelet, $14,000, “Romantica Diamond” cigar band, $10,000, “Amplexus II” band, $5,500, and “The Diamond Reverie” ring, $25,000, at Rene Barnes and RTW

On Carly (far left): Dessy Group mini dress in “Silver Dove,” $258 at Bella Bridesmaids; Jesus Peiro pearl cape, $506 at Madisson Row South; Roberto Coin “Venetian Princess” diamond and mother-of-pearl drop earrings, $9,400 at Reeds Jewelers; Clara Williams lepidolite multi-strand necklace, $625, and “White Pearl Wildflower” centerpiece, $1,795, both at Croghan’s Jewel Box; Manolo Blahnik pumps, $875 at RTW

On Becca: Buru “The Peplum Bustier,” $278, and Buru x Val Trumpet “Teagan” skirt, $398, both at Buru; Lela Rose “The Holland” hand-painted sheer blouse, $2,290 at Maddison Row South; J. Melissa Designs flower cascade earrings, $78 at Rhodes Boutique; Hart “Ballet Pink Pearl Cord,” $78, “Baroque Pearl Jumbo Necklace,” $429, and “Double Wrap Starter Necklace,” $340, all at Hart; Julie Vos “Kaleidoscope” crystal ring, $165, and periwinkle adjustable ring, $132, both at Well Furnished; Steve Madden “Sunshine Metallic” stiletto sandals, $150 at Dillard’s

If you know Charleston, you know that choosing a location here is its own kind of storytelling. The William Aiken House was the perfect choice for this shoot.

Built in 1807, the William Aiken House is one of Charleston’s most breathtaking historic landmarks — all sweeping antebellum architecture, lush garden courtyards, and interiors dripping with old-world elegance. Walking through it with the team on shoot day, there was this collective intake of breath. The location didn’t just complement the concept — it elevated it. The grandeur of the space gave the editorial set that you simply cannot manufacture.

Watching models move through those courtyards and rooms in these extraordinary looks, against the backdrop of real Charleston history, was one of those moments I’ll carry with me for a long time.

Saint Bridal Couture “Josephine” corset, $2,100 at Lovely Bride; Alice + Olivia “Tina” ball gown skirt, $795 at Alice + Olivia; Jenan McClain French-laced sapphire and glass bead earrings, $395, and French-laced freshwater pearl, sapphire, and labradorite necklace, $4,000, both at www.jenanmcclaindesign.com; J. Melissa Designs smoky pearl bracelets, $88 each at www.shopjmelissa.com; Staud “Sebastian” kitten-heel mules, $395 at Shoes on King

On Becca (far left): Saint Bridal Couture “Dauphine” corset, $1,750 at Lovely Bride; Love Shack Fancy “Sylette” skirt, $595 at Love Shack Fancy; Girl With a Pearl “Edison” drop earrings, $135, chalcedony and wild pearl necklace, $268, white crystal necklace with a wild pearl drop, $230, and blue crystal and wild pearl necklace, $200, all at Well Furnished; Marco Bicego “Paradise Collection” mixed gemstone and pearl necklace, $5,840 at MP Demetre Jewelers; Liv Bella Vita “Genevieve” moonstone ring, $48 at  www.livbellavita.com; Jeffrey Campbell “Clarabel” blue plaid mules, $175 at Shoes on King

On Carly: Love Shack Fancy “Roseline” ruffled maxi dress, $695 at Love Shack Fancy; Saint Bridal Couture “Camille” corset, $1,750 at Lovely Bride; Girl With a Pearl eight-strand ivory quartz and pearl choker, $425 at Well Furnished;
Roberto Coin “Venetian Princess” diamond and mother-of-pearl drop earrings, $9,400, and David Yurman “Lexington” gold and diamond chain necklace, $24,500, both at Reeds Jewelers; Hermosa “Legare” lariat necklace with baroque pearls, $150 at Hermosa; Liv Bella Vita “Héritage” cuff, $68, and “Cortina Molten” cuff, $68, both at www.livbellavita.com; Hart “Baroque Pearl Necklace” (worn as a bracelet), $225 at Hart; Roberto Coin “Love in Verona” bangle bracelet, $13,150, and David Yurman “Albion” topaz and diamond ring, $8,200, both at Reeds Jewelers; vintage mabe pearl ring, $2,150 at Gold Creations; Gianni Bini “Lennon” pearl bow dress sandals, $150 at Dillard’s

Beautifully Urbane “I Lilac It” sheer organza trench coat, $85 at www.theedgegirl.com; Kasia “Cosmos” strapless smocked dress, $324 at The Finicky Filly; Lea-Ann Belter ”Melody” sash with train, $770 at Maddison Row South; J. Melissa Designs rose quartz earrings, $148 at Rhodes Boutique; Dean Davidson “Knockout” collar necklace with brilliant-cut pendant in “Celestial Blue,” $375, and porcelain antique brooch, $165, both at Well Furnished; Gold Creations emerald-cut blue topaz and diamond ring, $1,895 at Gold Creations; Mazza “Capri” moonstone ring, $1,960 at Croghan’s Jewel Box

Catherine Regehr “Moira” strapless gown, $4,060 at Gwynn’s of Mount Pleasant; Sareh Nouri “Until Next Time” bow cape wrap, $2,290 at Maddison Row South; Roberto Coin “Venetian Princess” pink opal and diamond earrings, $8,050, and pendant necklace, $5,900, both at Reeds Jewelers; Marco Bicego “Lunaria” collar necklace with diamond accents, $17,500 at MP Demetre Jewelers; wide gold vermeil band, $349 at Well Furnished; estate gold filigree and diamond navette ring, $2,250 at Gold Creations

Fashion has always been political. Fashion has always been a form of self-expression, resistance, identity, and power. The American Revolution was about people daring to imagine something different — a new identity, a new story, a new way of being seen.

This shoot was a reminder of why I love this work — the research, the vision, the collaboration, the intentionality of putting a look together that says something real. I’m so proud of what this team created, and I’m so grateful to Charleston Magazine for trusting me with a concept this meaningful.

Thank you to our incredible team:
Photography @annerhettphotography

Hair + Makeup @ashleyabpmakeup assisted by @kcmstyles

Models @radupree & @icarlypeck at @directionsusa

My talented assistant @biancathelook

Videography @starpower.productions