Columbia Fashion week kicked off last night with an intimate gathering at Styled by Naida. The vintage consignment boutique was the perfect backdrop to meet industry pros and get the inside scoop on the Columbia fashion scene. Columbia Fashion Week was launched in 2012 by Alicia Ziegler and has grown rapidly. In past years fashion week was five nights of fashion, mixers, art, and exclusive shopping and fashion education events. This year’s lineup is more of the same. For the last three years, all ticketed activities have sold out so if you’re planning to attend don’t wait to register!

Naida of Styled by Naida was thrilled to once again be a part of the excitement. She spoke as a panelist at last year’s event as a fashion entrepreneur and was eager to offer her newly opened shop on Lady Street for two nights of fashion week fun. Her consignment boutique began as a yardsale of her own belongings to benefit the community through a variety of outreach programs, but has grown into a 501(c)3 organization committed to empowering the less fortunate. The organization provides professional dress, etiquette and self-awareness lessons as well as resource management training to disadvantaged students. This year the foundation will be giving a $1,000 scholarship to a single mother at Benedict College in addition to their regular outreach and educational programs.

The “Shop My Closet with The Rosho Live” event Tuesday night will feature storyteller and livestream strategist Roshanda Pratt. She will give the public the chance to shop her closet for clothing, shoes, and accessories from her speaking events and media interviews. The event will be held at Styled by Naida June 19 from 5-8 p.m. and will benefit the Styled by Naida foundation.

Wednesday’s event is the Fashion Education Panel & Trash the Runway Mini Presentation/Competition on June 20 from 7-9 p.m., The Lourie Center at 1650 Park Circle in Columbia. The event is free for students with valid ID and is designed to teach the public about the business side of the fashion industry, share internship opportunities, and announce the William Josh Ratliff Award for Fashion Excellence winner. The Trash the Runway competition part of the evening will feature work of high school students, college students and recent college graduates who aspire to work in the fashion industry.

For a full list of Columbia Fashion Week events and to register to attend events/purchase tickets visit www.columbiafashionweek.com