Moms are the stars of Poised and Proper fashion show in Charleston

Banners displaying definitions of “poised” and “proper” draped the entrance of South Carolina Society Hall in downtown Charleston. “Being in balance.” “Belonging to oneself.” These phrases set the tone for what awaited.

Guests dressed to the nines walked past glowing signs that read “Free Mama” as they entered the Poised and Proper Fall Fashion Show on the evening of Nov. 30.

The event was for moms and by moms. It was hosted by Joquetta Wright, founder and CEO of Soar In Style Wardrobe Studio — and a mom. She hosted the first Poised and Proper fashion show the day before Mother’s Day earlier this year.

“This was a celebration of how we’ve gotten through the year,” Wright told The Post and Courier.

That night, all the featured models were mothers, and all the featured boutiques were run by mothers. The fashion showcase was packed with colorful pieces spanning street to formal wear from eight Charleston-area designers.

Proceeds from the event benefited My Sister’s House, a Lowcountry nonprofit that serves victims of domestic violence.

“‘Free Mama’ is a movement,” Wright said, “ ‘Free Mama’ is my labor of love, and the celebration of it is Poised and Proper. My hope is that, through this fashion show experience, these moms gain friends, confidants and support systems. I want to provide as many resources as I possibly can to elevate whatever dreams they have.”

It’s about coming together and being confident even after their bodies have changed due to being pregnant and giving birth. It’s about taking time for yourself as a mother to dress up and feel good. And it’s about finding a community that understands what you’re going through. 

Wright considers herself a storyteller, she said. Not only is fashion itself a story being told, but the individual journeys each woman brings to the catwalk inspire her to do what she does.

“I don’t think fashion is acknowledged enough as an art form,” she said. “What I choose to wear today is what I’m feeling in the moment. Tomorrow, I may look totally different. It’s important for us to understand what clothing does — it helps us feel.”

Poised and Proper centers on not just the bravery of each mom as she walks in the show, she said, but the bravery to live out her “mother walk” even though it may not look like anyone else’s.

“Let’s walk this runway, let’s walk this motherhood journey,” she said. “All the featured brands represent my love for fashion, and the models represent my love for motherhood.”

Featured designers at the fall event included Latoya Patterson of Belle Red Boutique, Daisha Pope of Daimerce, Bridgette Sloan of Designs by Lady B, Mercedes Kinloch of Mercedes Lee, Samantha Blayde of Samantha Lynn Boutique, Camille Iclely of Sarah Camille Art, Theresa Spann of The Edge Girl and Shaneiqua Washington of Zuriel Kingdom Collections.