All Aglow

All Aglow | We visit Charleston's elegant South Carolina Society Hall (where the city's children take cotillion) to give the season's best ballgowns a whirl

Ashley Brook Perryman Ayoka Lucas

TIERING UP: Marchesa’s ruffled and tiered tulle gown from White on Daniel Island.

ETHEREAL MOMENTS: Alexis Bittar’s silk necklace with Lucite pendant from Gwynn’s of Mt. Pleasant. 18K rose gold ring with morganite and diamonds from Croghan’s Jewel Box. Marchesa’s ruffled and tiered tulle gown from White on Daniel Island.

MAID IN WAITING: Amsale’s “Newport” one-shouldered faille gown from White on Daniel Island. Peruvian blue opal necklace from Theodosia Jewelry. Posy from Whole Foods Market.

UP CLOSE & PERSONAL: Jim Hjelm’s organza gown with embroidered and beaded bodice from Gown Boutique of Charleston. Silver Turkish necklace from Dixie Dunbar Studio. 18K white gold ring with sapphires and diamonds from Croghan’s Jewel Box.

STEPPING UP: Callie Tein’s “Marena” wrapped Thai silk gown in blush from Modern Trousseau. Gold-plated and vermeil chain necklace with pearl, pyrite, and labradorite from Swoon. Posy from Whole Foods Market.

TREASURE CHEST: Katherine McDonald’s “Birkin” French jacquard gown in silver from LulaKate. Ziio’s Murano glass bead and labradorite necklace from RTW. 18K white gold ring with sapphires and diamonds from Croghan’s Jewel Box. Pelle Moda’s suede heels from Shoes on King.

GENTLE REPOSE: Bittersweet Designs’ bead and chain necklace with charms from Out of Hand. Watters’ “Mollie” embroidered and beaded lace and organza gown with illusion upper, available through Bridals by Jodi, Jean’s Bridal, and White on Daniel Island.

PILLAR OF SOCIETY: Watters’ “Mollie” embroidered and beaded lace and organza gown with illusion upper, available through Bridals by Jodi, Jean’s Bridal, and White on Daniel Island.

DREAM GIRL: Reem Acra’s “She’s Every Dream” beaded and embroidered tulle gown with illusion neckline from Maddison Row. Chalcedony and white topaz drop earrings and ivory and gold-plated bracelet, both from Croghan’s Jewel Box.

NET GAINS: Theia’s lace illusion and tulle gown from Gown Boutique of Charleston. Rhodium, silver, and gold earrings with sapphires and 18K white gold ring with sapphires and diamonds, both from Croghan’s Jewel Box.

BLOSSOM FORTH: Monique Lhuillier’s “Pearl” organza gown with embellished peplum and her “Sandrine” headband, both from Maddison Row. Alisha D. Creations’ acrylic chain link necklace from Swoon.

TULLE MUCH: Legends by Romona Keveza’s point d’esprit lace gown from Maddison Row. Colette Malouf’s headband from Swoon.

Photographs by:

Corbin Gurkin

Editor Melissa Bigner tests out a pose for the model. Image by Corbin Gurkin Photography.

And here we go again. Love that Modern Trousseau tea-length frock! Image by Corbin Gurkin Photography.

Ashley Brook Perryman sneaks in for a touch-up. Image by Corbin Gurkin Photography.

Tip for hairline flyaways? Try taming them with a toothbrush. Image by Corbin Gurkin Photography.

This Marchesa gown comes with a modern-day hoop skirt, so style director Ayoka Lucas takes a stab at covering the machinations with layers and layers of tulle. Image by Corbin Gurkin Photography.

When it's not used for weddings, shoots, or the like, the hall's home to weekly cotillion lessons for Charleston's junior set. Image by Corbin Gurkin Photography.

Originally this area was meant to frame quartets; these days, weddings tend to place the cake table in the place of honor. Image by Ashley Gartz.

To net the shots, Corbin scooted up a ladder that came in handy for the cover shot, especially. Image by Ashley Gartz.

Another nice boost for Corbin, this one courtesy of one of our cars. Image by Ashley Gartz.

The South Carolina Society Hall's columns are an iconic landmark on Meeting Street, just near the so-called "Four Corners of Law" at Broad Street. Image by Ashley Gartz.

We wanted to play off a Monique Lhuillier photo in which the model wore minimal makeup, a low-key hairstyle, a stunning, full gown, and a large, chunky necklace. Image by Ashley Gartz.

Tender moments. Or, just how much taller is a model than the average editor? Image by Ashley Gartz.

Prepping for the cover shot's sea of tulle. Image by Jessica Doherty.

Gotta love industrial-strength clamps... Image by Jessica Doherty.

The cover shot from another angle. Image by Jessica Doherty.

How many staffers does it take to nail one shot? Image by Jessica Doherty.

Check out the tallest pocket doors in Charleston! Image by Jessica Doherty.

For softer waves, don't clamp the hair in a curling iron, simply twist strands around the barrel by hand. Image by Jessica Doherty.

One screen and voila! July light looks wintry. At least we hope so... Image by Jessica Doherty.

Styled by Ayoka Lucas

Hair & Makeup by Ashley Brook Perryman

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