This week marks the kick-off for the launch events of Columbia Style Week (this year, June 5^-9) and, needless to say, I am super stoked. To make sure this year’s event week starts off with a bang, they’ve decided to host a few mini-events to build anticipation, and boy did it work. Last Saturday,

they held an event called Posh and Panache hosted at M² in the Vista. This is probably the cutest store to ever hit Columbia. Clarissa started her store in her very own apartment in New Jersey, and then opened her first brick-n-mortar store in Atlanta. Since there hasn’t ever been anything else like it in Columbia, her local family advised her to open a store here. Selling everything from printed tunics to True Religion jeans, there’s something for everyone’s price point. Here are a couple greatly styled pictures from the night.

Above, the back says it all. Below is me with the owner and, again, go check her store out in the Vista. Let’s be honest, you are guaranteed to find something that could always have a place in your closet.

We’ve had a crazy-busy month, so we’d like to take a time out to show you some pics of the most stylish party-goers at several USC events that G&B Style couldn’t miss:

Carolina Productions presents: Battle of the Bands

701 CCA (Center For Contemporary Art) is a little-known piece of art heaven located in the heart of Downtown Columbia…but not for long. For this past All Hallow’s Eve, from 7 pm-12 am, they hosted their first ever signature event that featured a costume bash, which I have to say, was unbelievable. If you weren’t there, you missed an extravagant event. The entire 701 Whaley building was utilized to its fullest extent.

They sold masks at the door if you were not feeling particularly “artsy”, The Nickelodeon Theatre showed “Troll 2” on loop, Jasper Magazine had a Ghost Story Salon where you had the opportunity to swap the spookiest of spooky stories, Sid+Nancy took “Black Carpet” photo portraits (I mean hello, can you say profile pic?) and Greenhaven Preserve had casket photo portraits. 701 CCA had their Biennial Part 1 exhibition on display downstairs, as well, but the main event was The Uncommon Costume Contest.

Well, hello there fall!

Even though it’s technically autumn here in the lovely city of Columbia, it definitely doesn’t quite feel like it yet. However, there certainly have been a few cool days and nights where fall can be detected after a sudden rush of cold wind attacks your body (and hair). So with the occasional chill in the air, you can slowly start adding key fall pieces into your wardrobe without looking like a crazy person in 80 degree weather.

Fashionistas everywhere are celebrating the beginning of award season with the annual Emmy Awards. For a little bit of background information, it is put on by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and has been around since 1949. Really, the only thing that us fashion people really care about when it comes to award shows is the red carpet…duh.

The hour leading up to the live broadcast of the awards ceremony is the highlight of designers, stylists and spectators alike. I’m cynical a lot of the time when it comes to these things so I always like to watch it for the fashion “don’ts” rather than the “best dressed” celebs. Browsing through the pictures from that night, there seemed to be two definite trends: red and blue. Apparently everyone got that memo multiple times, and I have to say, I do love a red dress on the red carpet. Although I think there were some downright misses this past Sunday, I figured I would show you guys some of my absolute favorites (optimism is coming through thanks to sugar-free Red Bull).

Nina Dobrev from The Vampire Diaries wore a stunning, body-conscious dress from the Donna Karan Collection and was “frosted” with Neil Lane jewelry (I literally gasped when I saw how amazing she looked). As Rachel Zoe would say, “BA.NAN.AS.”

Okay, while I know this isn't technically blue, I would, without a doubt, still put this bad boy in the family. From the Good Wife, Archie Panjabi looks absolutely regal in this gown by Angel Sanchez. She exudes complete and utter sophistication. Whoever styled her for the evening completely NAILED it.

Now, what’s great about these dresses is that they are totally adaptable into your very own wardrobe. I know I'm planning to get something like Archie’s in the near future for an event (the actual event is making the purchase so I can store it in my closet for just-in-case purposes…and to stare at it). Here are some great interpretations of each:

This dress by BCBGMAXAZRIA can be found at Nordstrom. It’s a strapless, beautiful shade of red and includes the tier effect on the hips (which plays on the bottom part of Nina Dobrev’s dress).

This dress is also a BCBGMAXAZRIA design from Nordstrom and is not only the same color as Archie’s, but also has the draped fabric effect on the torso just like hers. I mean come on, I think I'm going to have to buy this baby now.

Hopefully you’ll find some sort of inspiration from the Emmy’s (whether good or bad) to jazz up your fall wardrobe because who knows how many party dresses you’ll need for the upcoming holiday festivities.