The grown-up circus paid Charleston a visit last week. Under the big top in Marion Square, snow cones were traded for Korbel and lithe acrobats for models in haute couture during Charleston Fashion Week March 16 through 20.     
“I have never seen so much energy in Charleston on a Tuesday night,” said Rick Jerue, president of the Charleston Art Institute, to the applause and whistles of an appreciative audience on opening night.     
The energy remained amped up during a frenzied week that showcased dozens of designers and boutiques, emerging and established.     
Former “Project Runway” contestants Mychael Knight, Carol Hannah Whitfield and Giordana Gehlhausen presented collections alongside up-and-coming designers competing in CFW’s Emerging Designer Competition: Southeast.     
Georgian Larika Page took the title of Emerging Designer during the glitzy Fashion Finale Saturday night, while the People’s Choice Award went to local children’s couture designer Barbara Beach.     
Page, Beach and Mount Pleasant’s Jaime Lin Snider were the three semifinalists selected from the eight whose pieces were shown on Tuesday night. The three were then assigned a “Project Runway-esque” style challenge - create an edgy haute couture eulogy to Alexander McQueen from 10 button-down white oxford shirts.     
This year, Charleston Fashion Week also included a “Rock the Runway” modeling competition in the vein of “America’s Next Top Model.” Ten women and 10 men were selected as semifinalists from the numerous fittings and rehearsals that began in the fall.
On Thursday night, in between shows from local boutiques including Seeking Indigo and Copper Penny and featured designer Mary Porter, the top 20 competed in a walk-off. Caroline DeBruhl and Antwuan Whitney took the prizes, which included $1,000 cash and an all-expenses-paid trip to Las Vegas.     
The closest most have been to a fashion show is the runway created in living rooms featuring chic pieces from the dress-up box.     
Going to the shows at Charleston Fashion Week is like going to another world, a surreal place straight from the scenes of a movie. Yes, Lady Gaga could sport some of the outfits, but others might find their way off the runway and into your math class.      
The sheer diversity of all of the pieces and the designers was like listening to your iPod on shuffle.      
Bohemian funk found high fashion in Anna Lassiter’s black feathery fringed mini-dress cinched with a satin coffee-colored belt. Heartthrob Chelise Ravenell mixed street cool with sporty and preppy with punk in a collection where camo skate pants were matched with oxfords and bowties. Uriel Zamora’s pop-art-inspired pieces brought comic-book superheroes to the runway in asymmetrical suits and minis. Graphic tees with cupcake screen prints and pastel shift dresses from Barbara Beach’s collection, modeled by show-stealing kids, took the cake.      
Saturday afternoon’s bridal couture show, perfectly scheduled for the first day of spring, had attendees wishing they were planning the big day as a wedding dress for every taste promenaded down the runway.
Charleston favorites LulaKate, Bella Vista and more showcased elegant creations in tulle and satin, culminating in featured designer former Charlestonian Carol Hannah Whitfield’s highly anticipated bridal collection.      
During breaks, video screens displayed the latest feed about Charleston Fashion Week on Twitter. Followers tweeted their comments about each show, sometimes complimentary, sometimes catty.     
Though nothing compares to experiencing Charleston Fashion Week firsthand, pictures, videos, blogs and tweets can all be found online. Follow #chsfw on Twitter (toward the end of the week, #chsfw was temporarily kicked off Twitter for too many tweets, said CFW creative director Ayoka Lucas). Visit www.charlestonfashionweek.com for links to behind-the-scenes postings and more.