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Flashing cameras, sashaying models, couture fabrics and the artistry of handcrafted clothing — this is just a taste of what to expect at the fourth annual Columbia Fashion Week. The six-day event runs June 15-20 in downtown Columbia. The event will also include live entertainment, parties, fashion education and lots of exclusive shopping.

“When we started fashion week in 2012, we felt that Columbia needed to be a big part of the conversation about fashion in the Carolinas,” Alicia Zeigler, co-founder and director of Columbia Fashion Week, originally called Columbia Style Week. “The popularity of the first three years showed us that people in Columbia were ready and excited to help us make that happen.

The event kicks off with an opening ceremony on June 15. Other highlights include the Fashion Education Panel and Networking Mixer on June 17 and designer and retailer runway showcases on June 19 and June 20. Some of the retailers involved this year will be Vestique, Mainstream Boutique, Entourage Clothing & Gifts, M2 Boutique Clothier and MayaQoba’s Fashion Boutique.

Among this year’s awards will be the second annual Josh Ratliff Award, which will be given to a participant that has displayed fashion excellence. Ratliff was a resident of Blythewood and began his fashion career at the age of 16. He later served as a producer for Couture Fashion Week in New York City, worked with the likes of Vera Wang, Robert Cavalli and True Religion, and helped produce Charleston Fashion Week. He died unexpectedly last year at the age of 23; the award is a way to honor Ratliff and his contributions to the fashion world by recognizing others who have excelled in the field.

Wink Magazine will also be awarding the 25 Most Stylish People awards; the winners are voted on in an online poll at

winkmagonline.com.

Columbia Fashion Week also prides itself on helping the advancement of charities. This year they’ve partnered with Sisters Encouraging Sisters Ministries, a nonprofit outreach program that helps women connect with each other to make positive changes within their families and throughout their community.

Look forward to fabulously dressed models and attendees. Prepare for lavish designs and like-minded fashionistas — and don’t forget to invite a friend.

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