“The original 17th-century settlers of Charleston spent years exploring the southeastern coast of the U.S. looking for a spot to call home. But by 1680 they found this hospitable harbor, and tidy cobblestone streets soon took root, along with houses with inviting verandas designed to catch cooling breezes. More than three centuries later, the South Carolina city is still an ideal refuge. “I go every month,” says Eric Cohler, a Manhattan-based interior designer who bought a circa-1809 home here, complete with a hoopskirted ghost, a few years ago. ‘I just fell in love with the atmosphere, the people, the food—the whole vibe.’ ”   Read Entire Article at ElleDecor.com>

Well, Charleston Fashion Week is coming to close and we are still spinning from the week’s events!  It has been an exciting week for Charleston, the city seems to be packed with people attending the shows, the parties or just plain people watching.  Mary Norton had a very special guest in town this week, Mr. Las Vegas himself, Wayne Newton. Wayne is as gracious as he is famous (in addition to an amazing horse breeder, check out the video from his ranch on his website!) and came with us this past Thursday morning to the MUSC Children’s Hospital to visit with some of the sick children and even help them make purses (his went for $4,000 at our charity auction on Friday!).  He was so sweet to the kids, and everyone at the hospital was a bit starstruck having such a huge celebrity there, especially one who rivaled Mary in bag-making ability. 

photo by Eric Bradshaw - www.ebradshaw.com

Later Thursday night, Wayne and his family caused a stir when they sat in the front row under the Marion Square tents to watch the fabulous Mary Norton/Saks Fifth Avenue Show.  The show was replete with candy-inspired accessories, flirty spring clothes from Saks, and just plain eye candy (the male models who trailed our girls down the runway, who they looked better than they behaved!)  Needless to say, it was still a hit. Check out The Digitel’s Front Row Party Coverage.

Thursday evening, many painstaking hours were spent transforming the fashion runway tents into a beautiful luncheon venue and boutique for the Catwalk for Kids event held on Friday afternoon.  The event raised money and awareness for the MUSC Children’s Hospital and all the research they do.  During the lunch provided by Brett McKee of Oak Steakhouse, everyone heard stories from families with extremely sick children who have benefited from generous donations to the hospital.  

Wayne even serenaded one of the children, which was a very touching moment, during his fabulous performance. Overall, it was a fantastic event for a wonderful cause and worth all the painstaking planning and work that went into putting it on.  Catwalk for Kids was a perfect way for Mary Norton to use this week to give back to the community, and we had a blast doing it!  Check back over the next few days as we upload more photos and videos of all the events.  

Charleston Fashion Week officially kicks off today and we are gearing up for the Mary Norton/Saks Fifth Avenue show that will take place this Thursday evening in the Marion Square Tents.  If you haven’t purchased your tickets now, go get them before they’re gone!  To follow all of the Charleston Fashion Week goings-on, visit The Digitel, a great local online news source that has it’s own dedicated fashion week page with and updates on all the CFW events and even some of our models twittering live from their fittings and rehearsals.  We will also be stuffing gift bags for our Catwalk for Kids event and are still looking for volunteers during the luncheon this Friday, starting at 10:30 A.M.  If you are interested helping out, contact mimi@marynorton for more information.

Mary, on what inspired the Spring 2009 Candy Collection:

“The genesis of the Spring 2009 collection was unusual for me, in that the original inspiration came from a sense of taste (candy) because I was on a diet! I was in an airport traveling (as usual) and there, like some glittering mirage, was the most amazing candy stand in the world. It had the most beautiful display of gorgeous candies in the most decadent colors, and the most delicious smells, emanating from the fresh fudge, cotton candy, and hand dipped chocolates being made right there on the spot! It was this terrible temptation that was that the launch point for the Spring 2009 collection….”  Click here to read the full interview!

Though the Peace symbol recently celebrated it’s 50th Anniversary, it has it’s own history here at Mary Norton. Back when the Peace on Earth Minaudiere was created at Moo Roo, it was an instant hit.  Longtime Moo Roo & now Mary Norton fan Sharon Stone made more than a fashion statement by carrying the original Moo Roo Peace Minaudiere on the red carpet during the beginning of the War in Iraq, in 2003.

Now, Mary is bringing back this classic bag, upgraded specially for the 50th Anniversary of the Iconic Peace sign, this time in a laser-cut calf hair minaudiere adorned with Swarovski stones.   Though Peace on Earth will be part of the fall collection, it can be preordered through www.marynorton.com/store.

Mary recently featured Peace on Earth during E! Entertainment’s Red Carpet fashion coverage, and was inspired to bring it back, not only to celebrate the iconic symbol but the “inner peace we all strive for.”  And with Mary’s hectic schedule, the woman knows what she is talking about!  Peace – inner or outer, never goes out of style.

Check out Time Magazine’s Photo Essay “The Peace Symbol’s 50^th Anniversary”:

http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1725762,00.html

The Mary Norton Runway Show at Charleston Fashion Week 2008

Since we all know Charleston is fast on it’s way to becoming a fourth major destination on the NY/PARIS/MILAN fashion week circuit (well, maybe not yet, but a Southern girl can dream!), we’ve been working hard to up the ante on fashion shows and Charleston Fashion Week parties.

This year, in addition to the fabulous Mary Norton/Saks Fifth Avenue runway show, Mary Norton will be hosting a special benefit luncheon for her favorite charity, the MUSC Children’s Hospital  with special guest, (Mr. Las Vegas Himself!) Wayne Newton.

The luncheon will take place under the tents in Marion Square, Charleston, SC on Friday, March 27th.  Doors open at 10:30 and Saks Fifth Avenue experts will be on hand to discuss the latest Spring Fashion trends.  An exquisite lunch will be provided by Chef Brett McKee of Oak Steakhouse and you will be entertained by a live auction of  handbags made by Wayne, Mary and the kids from the MUSC Children’s hospital.  Great cause, great food, great music and great clothes… buy your ticket today!

Thanks to our friends at Blue Ion for putting together a wonderful montage at www.catwalkforkids.com. Visit us there to learn more and for details on sponsorship opportunities!

A volunteer helps a patient make handmade bags with feathers in the Atrium at the MUSC Children's hospital. Mary and Wayne will be making bags with the children to be auctioned off during the luncheon!