The idea is clever enough: Gather an all-star collection of talented, young designers and artists under one roof for a limited time only.
The name is clever, too: Pop Up Shop.
The store, conceived by 2009 Charleston Fashion Week finalist Lindsey Carter, opens Wednesday at 501 King Street (the former English Rose Antiques shop), and continues until June 22. A kickoff party (free sangria, anyone?) is planned from 4 to 8 p.m. today.
Typically, pop-up shops, restaurants or bars emerge in larger cities, say New York, London or San Francisco, springing up temporarily to create a fuss, generate buzz and meet the changing demands of consumers. In Charleston, it's a much newer concept. But Carter and company saw an opening in the marketplace.
They hope to boost recognition of their individual brands, fill a vacant storefront and increase King Street foot traffic. Spoleto Festival gave them the perfect entree.
An installation from Karen Silvestro, an artist from a new public art project called WALK Gallery, also is featured.
"The idea to do it around Spoleto was natural because there is so much going on and people are walking the streets every day," Carter says. "More people can become aware of local brands."
The shop will offer apparel, jewelry, handbags, interiors and art. Brands, designers, artists and goods include:
--Carter Humphrey, resort clothing from Carter.
--Troubadour, a small summer capsule collection of one-of-a-kind dresses, also from Carter.
--Large-scale, abstract oil paintings and smaller "recession-friendly" pieces from Kate Long Stevenson.
--A special shopping experience from Ross Kenan Interiors and up-and-coming designers Caroline Ross and Sterling Kenan. Along with a selection of furniture pieces, shoppers can comb through a library of Ross-Kenan sources — fabric samples and furniture books typically available only to designers or members of the trade — and place orders.
--Library: Archives of Fashion, a collection of high-end vintage fashion and accessories from Lauren Lail.
--Clutches and handbags from Julie Wheat Bags.
--Theodosia, one-of-a-kind jewelry by Jenny Thompson.
If you go
What: Pop Up Shop.
where: 501 King St.
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (To close later during Spoleto).
Dates: Through June 22.
Kickoff party: 4-8 p.m. tonight.
--Proud Mary, eco-conscious bags and pillows from Harper Poe and Molly Purnell.
--Clewis Reid, a sustainable clothing brand from 2008 Charleston Fashion Week finalist Ashley Reid.
"Continuing to present talents and objects that are exclusive, or original, to the city is more attractive than the you-can-find-that-anywhere consumerism," says Stevenson, the artist. "People want one-of-a-kind, only-found-here unique objects."
And who knows? Say it's a success, and Pop Up Shop II could be in the offing.
"I am sure we would all sign up to do it again in a different location at a different time, given the availabilities of space," Carter says.
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