School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs
“I would describe myself as the ever-evolving explorer,” says Caroline Hincher Baker, a business administration major and Charleston designer whose post-College explorations found her graduating summa cum laude in fashion design at New York City’s Fashion Institute of Technology with a certificate in millinery. “I enjoy learning as much as humanly possible about my trade. I love to gather information and ideas and see where they lead me.” So far, her
ideas have landed her on the Charleston Fashion Week runway for three consecutive years – last year being the runway debut of Maude Couture, her line of custom eco-couture gowns named after her grandmother, who taught her to sew as a girl. “I take pride in working with my hands the way my grandmother (and her grandmother) did. There is a great comfort in the humility of that tradition.”
In a unique tribute to tradition and culture, Baker has united the universal language of love with the world’s various wedding customs in this untraditional wedding gown. “Every culture’s bridal attire is steeped in history and tradition, expressing some special custom or belief. This design celebrates these diverse elements by marrying them into one,” says Baker, explaining that the gown takes its influences from the African iro and ipele, the Korean hanbok, the Indian Sari, the Hispanic mantilla and the Japanese obi and tsunokakushi – as well as respecting the traditions of China (with red, symbolizing good luck), India (with red, symbolizing fertility, wealth and purity), Ireland (with blue, symbolizing luck), England (using something old, new, borrowed and blue) and the South (via the monogrammed train). “This design reflects a potpourri of wedding traditions from around the world, illustrating the compatibility of cultural differences and the beauty of love’s assimilation through the language of fashion.”
student model: Amberjade Mwekali Taylor '11
location: atrium of Yaschik/Arnold Jewish Studies Center
March 27th, 2009 by Charleston Style Concierge
Charleston Fashion Week 2009 began with a bank Tuesday night as six semi-finalist emerging designers showcased their fabulous spring collections. The night was speckled with seductive backless dresses, 70s style vintage attire, geometric dresses, vibrant colors, and floral touches, as each designer offered a completely different collection from the next.
One of my favorite designers was South Carolina native Caroline Baker, owner of the Maude Couture line. Her eco-friendly Plumage Collection was absolutely stunning, boasting recycled beads, organic materials, elegant colors, feathered silhouettes, and exquisite backlines.
Baker's Plumage collection is a must have for spring couture fashion. The airy, backless dresses are perfect for cocktail parties or lack tie events during warm spring nights. Below are some photos of the Plumage Collection, illustrating magnificent backless couture:
Backless dresses are classic and reveal one of the most elegant areas of skin... the back. This look isn't just a cocktail party/ black tie look, it can be pulled off during both day and night - both different styles of course...
... Below are some examples of tops or dresses from the Plumage Collection that are done just right.
James Island designer shows off bird-inspired outfits at Charleston Magazine show
By Allyson Bird Wednesday, March 25, 2009
In her tiny dressing room built from thin red curtains, designer Caroline Baker threads a needle in dim light and makes a last-minute alteration to Chickadee, a scarlet dress with brown and white feathers at the neckline.
The model wearing it stares patiently ahead, as the final hour until show time ticks away. Thumping techno music finds a muffled way in, and a recording of a British woman tells early arrivals: "Please take your seats. The future of fashion will begin shortly."Tuesday night the opening of Charleston Magazine's Charleston Fashion Week, marked the runway debut of Baker's Maude Couture clothing line. But the James Island resident, 21, with long blond locks, waltzes back and forth from her curtained cube with the ease of experience. She attended Fashion Week both of its previous years as a designer for King Street-based boutique LulaKate.
Wearing a copper-colored single-shoulder top with a lone strip of aqua peaking out, she answers matter-of-factly, "Yes, I did design this... this morning."
She's one of six semifinalists who, along with three finalists, helped transform Marion Square into a spectacle beneath white tents this week. Organizers expect a record 5,000 attendees and, for the first time, opened Fashion Week to North Carolina and Georgia designers in addition to South Carolina residents.
Baker calls her style "eco-couture," because she uses organic or recycled, fair-trade materials. Tuesday, she presented the Plumage Collection, all 14 pieces named for birds.
Her favorite, Baker says, is an organic lace getup called Osprey. With a neckline that plunges to the bellybutton and a thick ribbon that ties in the back, it captures both cute and sexy, she explains.
Baker grew up in Beaufort and studied at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology. Before launching this collection, she researched birds and designed each piece as a play on a particular species.
Pulling out another organic lace dress, this one less structured, she says, "You look at it and you can just tell it's the Albatross."
With opening night under way, Baker is the second designer up. Her name flashes across a projector in front of the runway, telling the earth-friendly story of Maude Couture, named for the grandmother who taught Baker to sew without a machine - and relish the labor. Somewhere in the crowd Baker's daughter, not quite 2, looks on in her Maude Couture coast and Converse high-tops.
Then, to the White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army," they strut onto the runway, all 14 of them: Raven... Hummingbird... Swan.
People stand to see better, and when Baker appears at the end, they give her a standing ovation.
Backstage, she hands champagne gifts to the eight models who wore her dresses.
"I tripped!" one of them cries, as another group of hippie-inspired catwalkers stand nearby, toting "Green is Glam" signs.
Baker can't say how it went; she had to stay backstage to help with changes, and her television monitor went black. But she's glad it's over.
With more dresses than models, "it's literally 25 seconds to try to get a ball gown on someone," she says.
This morning from her home studio, Baker begins a head-to-toe lace wedding gown. She suspects that's where she'll carve out her niche.
With a degree in business from the College of Charleston, she smiles and says, "it seems to make sense in this economy. People will always get married."
But high fashion might come only once a year.
Reach Allyson Bird at 937-5594 or abird@postandcourier.com.
By Erica Jackson March 24, 2009
Just got back from the first night of Charleston Fashion Week 2009. The tents are glam, the stage is solid (no dangerous fabric center), and everyone's psyched for the next four nights of great fashion. In one of the most anticipated nights of the week, six of the Emerging Designer Competition semifinalists presented their shows. Some of the designers were better than others, but they were all impressive - after seeing what they did,we just can't wait to see the finalists on Sunday night. (Go straight to the flickr page with my pics.)
Amanda DeLeon, looking super-chic with her platinum hair and dramatic eye makeup, gave the very first show. Her's was inspired by a song called "Digital Sea" - tranquil and modern. We loved the sheer fabrics, the crazy shapes, and the electric blue matchstick pants. but why didn't you walk the runway after your show, Amanda? We loved it. Pic at left.
Caroline Baker was next (right). After working for Lula Kate for three eyars, she's breaking out to
start her own line. Her'swas one of my favorites: lots of pretty cut-outs, feathers, backless dresses, and luxurious gowns with carefree hair. One of my favorite pieces of the night was her burnished gold gown with red underlay and peacock feathers. Gorgeous.
Georgia girl emily Bargeron next showed her '70s vintage-inspired line (below). The flower child models sported peace signs, carried signs ("Green is Glam"), and wore big, bold jewelry. The clothes were a patchwork of different fabrics and patterns. Reminiscent of Megan Waldrep's super-fun line last year. (We heard the two are friends and they often collaborate.)
We got our first male in the mix with Jonathon Nigel Moore's detail-oriented collection. Nearly every piece featured a nice color-block detail. Lots of greys, violets, and loose fits. And lots of ruffles. It made us think of Target for some reason. Izaak Mizrahi perhaps?
Up next was Shan Keith, another big fave. his "gardens to garment"-themed line was just what you'd expect, feminine, pretty, with lots of floral prints. many of the pieces were made from bold, jewel-tone fabrics, and he used a lot of bubble hems. We also got our first male models of the night, though their cardigan and pants combos were nothing to shout about.
Swapnali Ahire finished out Night Uno with probably the most innovative show of the evening, with jersey knit, leather, and various shades of denim coming together with zippers - lots of zippers. Several pieces made me think "garbage bag chic." In a good way.
Councilman Tim Mallard sat beside us and gave a running commentary on the evening's fashion. A baby across the runway seemed entranced by the night's spectacle. Ayoka Lucas looked fabulous when she took the stage to thank everyone involved. And the after-party at Chai's was packed with plenty of beautiful people and fashiony movers and shakers.
Click on the image to visit Charleston City Paper's flick page.
By Caroline Millard
If tonight set the tone of what to expect for the rest of the week, then Charleston Fashion Week 2009 is about to be phenomenal. The first night featured the collections of semi-finalists in the Southeast Emerging Designer competition. And while the competition ends here for the six-finalists, their collections marked a triumphant kick-off to Charleston Fashion Week.
The premier night began with Wilmington, North carolina designer Amanda DeLeon and her avant-garde collection. INspired by a background in architecture and Thrice's "Digital Sea" )the first single off Alchemy Vols. I & II, for you music fiends), the pieces were edgy and captivating - with pops of intense blue and experimental variations on the big trends of high waistlines and pockets.
With expectations set high by the first collection, Charleston designer Caroline Baker took it to another level with her Maude Couture label. creating a collection around the theme of fair trade and organic materials, Baker proved that eco-couture not only exists but it's just as glamorous as it is Earth friendly. The highlights of the collection were sexy plunging backlines, a rich jewel toned color palate, delicate use of beading and feathers, all combined to create a luxuriously natural look.
After a twenty-minute break and a trip to the Style Lounge (a new feature of this years Fashion Week), the third designer of the night - Emily Bargeron and her line Mamie Ruth Designs took the runway with a whimsical 1970s inspired collection. Bargeron, whose label is named after her grandmother, updated the retro look with pops of bright yellow, purple, green and turquoise plus a fabulous attitude to math. Models stomped the runway carrying signs with slogans like "I Recycle Boys" and "Make Love Not War" adding to the overall cohesiveness of her spring collection.
Savannah college of Art and Design graduate, Jonathan Nigel Moore and his label J.N.H brought bold geometric patterns and color palette that mixed neons and neutrals. The line was youthful and bright, inspired by paintings by artist Paul Gauguin, the look was effortlessly laid-back. Moore was followed by Atlanta designer Shan Keith, who created an urban sophisticated style working maxi dresses, and two men's wear pieces. As the only designer of the night to show men's wear, Keith paired well-structured pants in denim and herringbone with hip cardigans, mastering a modern masculine look.
opening night ended with the Indian/electro fusion designer Swapnali Ahire. A South Carolina native with Indian roots, Ahire brought an edge to the runway not yet seen in the Holy City. Her spring collection, Death Disco Denim DAze, was dark and deconstructed. The look was amazingly harsh yet pulled together, we would have never known Ahire was working on her collection until the last moment had a little fashion bird not told us.
Charleston Fashion Week continues under the tents of Marion Square tomorrow night at 7:05 with the first night of the retail runway collections.
Beaufort's own Divine Shoes was recently invited by Lady's Island's own Caroline Baker to joining her at Charleston Fashion Week.Caroline, creator and head designer of Maude Couture will be debuting her new Plumage Collection. Divine Shoes will be featuring... divine shoes.
Caroline Baker discovered her love of fashion as a child. "Right away, I was a killer of curtains, slips, tablecloths, and anything else I could fashion into dresses for myself and my dolls," she says. "I even made
hats out of magnolia leaves."
Baker attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and has since returned to the South andworked for Charleston's LulaKate and LulaKate Bridal for the past three years. Her line, Maude Couture, will be presenting the Plumage Collection, emphasizing local, sustainable, couture glamour. Dramatic silhouettes are paired with earth-friendly elements such as fair-trade recycled glass beads, organic fabrics, and feather trims, creating unique, natural luxury.
Divine Shoes, nestled in historic downtown Beaufort, features the latest fashion from international designers in footwear and handbags. It also offers a fine collection of Cole Haan for men. A favorite shopping haunt for "locals," Divine Shoes enjoys frequent repeat visits from savvy part time residents, as they return to their beautiful Lowcountry retreats. Thanks to this phenomenon the store has developed a clientele across the United States.
Kathy L. Kilgore, store owner, says, "It's thrilling to have the opportunity to pair Divine Shoes with Caroline Baker's original designs. The runway event provides a venue to show off the more dramatic styles we carry in the store to an audience looking for cutting edge fashion." 
Susan S. Collins, store manager, has been working closely with Kilgore, choosing the shoe styles that will support the "eco-couture" that dominates Baker's designs. "Her color and fabric choices are rich and accented with pheasant and peacock feathers. THe shoes must not compete - they need to compliment the statement the outfit is making," remarks Collins.
The Third Annual Charleston Fashion Week takes place March 24-28. For a complete schedule of events, visit to www.charlestonfashionweek.com.
By Mark Allwood
January 23, 2009
When other children were playing Nintendo or watching cable TV, Caroline Baker was playing in the woods of Lady's Island, fashioning clothes and accessories out of everything she could get her hands on.As the founder and owner of the maude couture fashion line, Baker gets excited when talking about how her hometown influenced her creativity and her latest collection, Plumage, which she calls eco-couture.
"I had the coolest childhood ever," said Baker, 30. "I grew up in the woods. My family worked really hard to preserve the woods and instilling how important the land is, loving it and taking care of it. I think that has a lot to do with my idea bout conservation and renewable resources."
It was ultimately Baker's creativity that earned the Lady's Island native a spot at Charleston magazine's third annual Charleston Fashion Week, taking place March 24-28. To enter the competition, Baker had to submit an application, a biography, sketches of a few ideas that she would like to present and a photo portfolio that documents the work she's already done.
Baker was chosen as one of nine finalists of the Emerging Designer Competition: Southeast and will show her collection during Charleston Fashion Week, which the Southeast Tourism Society recently named as one of its top 20 events for March 2009.
Last year's event drew approximately 4,000 people and earned national publicity. This year's gala will feature "Project Runway" finalist Mychael Knight and top designer cynthia Rowley.
"Plumage is eco-couture, which is something I've completely made up as far as I know," said Baker. "It's basically beautiful couture gowns, a couple of wedding dresses and bridal gowns, but it's made out of all sustainable materials. I use hemp, organic cottons and linens, bamboo. I also use a lot of glass beads, and they're all recycled and fair trade from AFrica. I think that's the future of fashion."
The them of this year's Charleston Fashion Week is "the Future of Fashion." Charleston magazine styles editor Ayoka Lucas is the creator and creative director of Charleston Fashion Week, and she also served as one of the judges that selected the emerging designer finalists from over 30 applicants.
Lucas said she modeled Charleston Fashion Week after New York City's world-famous Fashion Week, which takes place in midtown Manhattan's Bryant Park.
"All of the designers and retail stores will really be answering that question, 'What is the future of fashion?'" said Lucas. "Overall, (Baker's) concept for her collection was very cohesive, and it was very obvious that she had thought about her concept and translated that very well into what her collection is going to be for Charleston Fashion Week."
Baker named maude couture after one of her grandmothers, who Baker said taught her "how to sew by hand when I was so small I can't even remember what I was sewing." Baker said she was also influence by the style and clothing of her other grandmother, Dorothy Rosenwinkle Mitchell.
After graduating from Beaufort Academy, baker moved to Charleston, where graduated from the College of Charleston with a B.S. in business a concentration in Intermodal Transportation. She then moved to New York City and attended the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude in fashion design with a tailoring specialization.
Baker returned to South Carolina 3 1/2 years ago and moved back to Charleston with her husband, a Charleston native. The couple have a baby daughter.
"One of the things that I noticed about the concept that she outlined in her application was the whole aspect of these adornments and the structure of her garments," said Lucas. "I really saw that in her sketches an in her finished garments. She had a great way of embellishing using feathers, draping, color combinations, adornments on particular gowns. It just seemed as if she really understood what it meant to put on a runway presentation from concept to fruition, with a cohesive theme. She was successful with that."
Although Baker had always dreamed of launching her own fashion line, the dream became more urgent when she was unexpectedly laid off from her job as the sole employee at LulaKate in Charleston in September. In her three years at LulaKate, Baker traveled to India, helped expand the ready-to-wear line and launched LulaKate Bridal with the owner, Katherine Mullins McDonald.
"I went full force and tried everything to get back on my feet as quickly as possible," said Baker. "Looking for jobs, one door closed after another, and with my business, one door opened after another. It's just what I was supposed to do. It was clear."
Baker said she misses Beaufort but comes home often.
"I have huge family there," she said. "It was a great way to grow up and it really helped me develop my imagination. Beaufort definitely shaped me into who I am, and growing up there is a huge part of how I arrived at this idea of eco-couture."
Semifinalist: Caroline Baker, Lady's Island, SC
A native of Lady's Island, South Carolina, Caroline Baker discovered her love of fashion as a child. "Right away, I was a killer of curtains, slips, tablecloths, and anything else I could fashion into dresses for myself and my dolls," she says. "I even made hats out of magnolia leaves." Baker attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in new York City and has since returned to South and worked for Charleston's LulaKate and LulaKate Bridal for the past three years. her line, Maude Couture, presents the Plumage Collection, emphasizing local, sustainable, couture glamour. Dramatic silhouettes are paired with earth-friendly elements such as fair-trade recycled glass beads, organic fabrics, and feather trims, creating unique, natural luxury.
