Local artist and entrepreneur Sarah Elizabeth White, better known by her artist name “Swhitey,” brings together her passions of fashion, art and community Sept. 7 to hold a fashion show on James Island to raise funds for the nonprofit “I Am Voices.” It supports women impacted by human trafficking, sexual violence and homelessness in South Carolina.
Sweatman’s Garden on James Island will host the 7 p.m. Saturday event. It’s free to attend and enjoy music from DJ Dolla Menu while watching colorful, expressive looks as models walk down the runway, made from Swhitey’s revamped and curated vintage threads through her brand “Neat-it Thrift.”
“With an emphasis on the ‘90’s and Y2K fashion, the show will display a catwalk full of colorful, crazy, wild looks for all genders and styles,” White said. “The point of my clothing brand, Neat-It Thrift is to encourage people to express themselves through fashion and celebrate individuality.”
The models are also local creatives, including Charleston City Paper 2023 Best Local Comic, Laura Dixon, and members of the local band Stop Light Observations. Swhitey said her goal with the event is to use maximalist fashion and creative community to turn heads towards I Am Voices and the vital work it does for women in S.C.
“If we can get people’s attention through these clothes, that’s going to get eyes on I Am Voices, and that’s the main reason we’re doing it,” White said. “This is a very hard working, effective nonprofit that’s hands-on helping women with their halfway house and their resources.”
All the looks will be available for purchase after the show with 30% of sales going towards I Am Voices, which will also have an information table and donation options on site. Sweatman’s Garden will offer a one-night drink special with proceeds towards the cause.
“The louder and the more fun the clothes, the more attention we get, and that’s the goal.”
Behind the diamond logo
Swhitey’s colorful aesthetic comes through in all the varied art she makes – from jewelry to clothes and paintings – which are all branded with her Swhitey logo, a colorful diamond.
“My diamond logo represents how we’re all diamonds in the rough, and we might as well shine about it. It represents individuality and purpose,” White said, explaining how she believes using unique talents towards positive change is the only way past apathetic thinking when it comes to big, scary issues like sex trafficking and homelessness.
“The gift of being an artist is to bring people together. To help people feel. You add a nonprofit to that, and you have the perfect dynamic and recipe for donations… People don’t want to talk about these issues, and it’s unfortunate.
“People love to talk about fashion though. So let’s get that crowd in here and remind them of what’s important — and that’s helping one another.”
Doors open at 7 p.m.; fashion show starts at 8 p.m., Sept 7. Learn more at @swhitey_art on Instagram.
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