Accessory Design: Reagan Charleston

Reagan Charleston spent her childhood watching her mother and grandparents carefully craft giant swaths and sheets of copper into intricate works of artthat were collected worldwide and sold out of their Toulouse Street gallery. Influenced by sculpture, architecture, and literature, Charleston designs accessories as strong and bold as the personality they adorn. Her wearable art has been featured in national print, on the red carpet, and by trendsetting men and women around the world.

Charleston sells her line exclusively in Europe through an Italian luxury retailer. She designs sustainable pieces with a classic and elegant esthetic that withstands the test of time. Outside of design, Charleston studies Law at Loyola University and aspires to use her degree to help other female entrepreneurs navigate the world of fashion and retail.  

Photography: David Leslie Anthony

David Leslie Anthony embarked on a photography career in the late 1980's, after retiring from 10 years in the beauty industry as Creative Director with both Vidal Sassoon and ABBA Academies, in London and Los Angeles. By mid 1990, David was selected to photograph the national advertising campaign for Z. Cavaricci, which paved the way to shooting for various denim companies and magazines.

In 1991, Brocato International brought David to New Orleans, where he fell in love with the city and based himself for three years shooting locally and nationally. David then moved to Paris to assist a top local French photographer and worked across Europe for magazine and agency work. David returned to the US and worked in major markets with top clients and celebrities like Michelob, Pepsi, Scarlett Johansson, Roberto Cavalli and Carla Gugino. David has been featured in International Photo Exhibition during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, published in multiple books and featured in an exhibit at the Louvre in Paris.

David works in both film and digital photography. He currently acts as the Creative Director for Art+Design Magazine. 

Make Up Artistry: Susan Spaid

Known simply as “Spaid,” Susan is a world class film industry makeup artist with skills to create everything from breathtaking beauty to a look of burn beyond recognition and everything in between.

Something of a legend, she opened the first independent M.A.C. makeup studio called Makeup Art, which was the go-to spot on Magazine Street in New Orleans for many years.

Her resume proves she is the “real deal.” She has worked on countless productions including Twilight, Interview with a Vampire and Ray and made up even more celebrities including Drew Brees, Sofia Vergara, and Anne Heche. 

Fashion Design: Suzanne Perron

Suzanne began her fashion career at an early age, she began sewing at the age of five and Placed in Pratt Institutes national high school talent search. She continued her education at LSU and the Fashion Institute of Technology, winning the Bill Blass Award for outstanding graduate in Fashion Design.

She then embarked on a 13 year career in NYC working with the likes of Anna Sui, Christina Perrin, Chado Ralph Rucci and Vera Wang. She dresses celebrities including Anna Wintour, Ann Hathaway, Katie Couric, Jennifer Lopez and many others while at Vera Wang. She then started her own company in 2006 designing one of a kind Ivory and White Gowns. Perron started with two gowns and one part time employee and has grown to upwards of 100 garments and six employees. Her designs have been displayed at the LSU Museum of Art and bee published with the LSU press.  

Female Model: Shairdá Brown

Born in Amori, Japan on Misawa Air Force Base, Shairdá  first discovered a love for runway at a college charity fashion show. In January of 2015, Shairde cut her hair and auditioned for NOFW, she booked her first photo shoot the following weekend. After placing third in the Launch model walk off at NOFW, she traveled to LA where she won test shoot, runway, swimwear, monologue and model of the year; 1st runner up for singer of the year and 2nd runner up for actress of the year. She earned honorable mentions for fashion print, commercial and scene. She currently studies acting at Launch and recently signed to BMG’s Atlanta office. 

Male Model: Christian Suarez 

Christian began modeling in November of last year and won the Launch model walk off competition at New Orleans Fashion Week 2016. Since then, his career has catapulted through his work with Launch Model and talent.

Suarez attended Industry Network in Los Angeles and competed in swimsuit, runway and acting. Suarez recently signed with BMG models in Atlanta and continues to train with Launch. Not limited to walking the runway, Suarez also designs his own line of apparel called God’s Eye. 

Hair Artistry: JKL Salon

Janie and Ken LaPrairie founded JKL salon on the mission to raise the standards of the industry and focus on the future professionals as the leaders of tomorrow. Salon Today Magazine recognized JKL as one of the top 200 fastest growing salons in the U.S. for five consecutive years for their achievements, leadership and attributes to the salon industry.

Janie and Ken’s editorial work are in constant demand as well as for trade and consumer publications worldwide. Highly trained educators and platform artists, members of Intercoiffure America, TSA and NCA. 

Institutional Leadership: The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk

The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk offers a great experience and mix of fashion making it perfect for both locals and tourists to indulge. Major national brands at the Riverwalk include Nordstrom Rack, Neiman Marcus Last Call Studio, Tommy Bahama Outlet, Forever 21, Coach Outlet, The PUMA Outlet Store, GUESS Factory Store and Kenneth Cole Outlet.

The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk is dedicated to serving the people of New Orleans. In addition to the latest dining and shopping offerings, included several first-to-market brands, the center also offers an array of entertainment options to benefit visitors such as Lundi Gras on the Mississippi, French Quarter Festival and a variety of Holiday events.

Retailer: Kay's by Kay Charbonnett

Kay started designing at a young age alongside her abuela, a Cuban immigrant and dress maker. Since then, she has remained serious about fashion. Kay earned her B.A. in Fashion Design and continued her studies abroad as an apprentice to a prominent London bridal designer. She later studied couture draping at Paris’ American Academy. Kay finished her education in advanced design studies at Drexel University. Kay returned to New Orleans to design, but quickly recognized a void in the marketplace for edgy street style and opened her boutique in December 2014.

Kay works with numerous brands to bring the best of Los Angeles, New York, London and Australia to New Orleans and to her large online following. 

Fashion Icon: Carolyn Elder

Carolyn Elder began her rise to success as a sales associate at Leon Godchaux Clothing in 1974 and quickly advanced to a buyer with the company. She began assisting buying and moved up through contemporary clothing into designer sportswear. When Saks Fifth Avenue moved to New Orleans in 1983, Elder stood out as a local merchant that understood the designer customer. After spending four years as key Merchandise Executive she was promoted to the General Manager, overseeing all aspects of the store.

After being forced to close in 2005 due to Hurricane Katrina, Elder worked tirelessly to reopen in November of 2006. They had the biggest sales year ever in 2007. During her time she has helped the store expand to 230 employees and a home for major brands like Gucci, Celine, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and countless others.  She also spearheads a variety of charity efforts through the store. 

Lifetime Achievement: New Orleans Magazine

New Orleans Magazine has been the flagship culture and lifestyle magazine of theCrescent City for fifty years. In true New Orleans fashion, the magazine was conceived over a midnight dinner at Antoine’s Restaurant’s famed Wine Cellar by a group of likeminded entrepreneurs that recognize the need to share the city’s rich, diverse, and uniqueness with the region.

“It was there New Orleans Magazine got its first breath of life and none of our lives have since been the same,” as stated by founding publisher James Townsend in the New Orleans Magazine first issue, published October 1966. New Orleans Magazine has evolved and progressed over the last 50 years proving the magazine’s tenacity and ability to intimately and artfully tell the stories of the city ranging from the best burgers, to fashion, Mardi Gras, and all the happenings around the gulf coast region.

Owned and published by Renaissance Publishing that also owns St. Charles Avenue, Louisiana Life, New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles, New Orleans Bride, Acadiana Profile, Biz New Orleans, and produces a number of custom publications.