Belk makes it work on Project Runway

I'm just back from Belk's fall fashion preview that was held for the media at its SouthPark mall store. I can't wait to share what will be hot for fall, but there's some other exciting news to announce first:

Belk, the national chain of department stores that's headquartered in Charlotte and has the tagline Modern. Southern. Style will be a part of the 12th season of  the reality TV fashion design competition "Project Runway" when the new season debuts July 18 on the Lifetime network.

As a nod to show mentor Tim Gunn's famous saying, I know Belk will "make it work."

Belk is sponsoring the season's accessory wall, which is really neat. But even cooler is that one of the challenges for the designers will be called the Modern. Southern. Style design challenge and will feature Belk executive John Thomas as a judge. He's the company’s executive vice president, private brands. That episode will air Sept. 12.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/07/17/4170851/wall-to-wall-fashion-charlotte.html#storylink=cpy

The winner of the design challenge will have the opportunity to design and sell an exclusive line at Belk. I can't wait to see which designer wins the challenge. ( It would be fun if it was N.C. State grad Justin LeBlanc of Raleigh who's one of the 15 fashion designers competing on the show. )

During the run of the competition, Belk will feature "Project Runway" at belk.com/projectrunway with information about accessories seen on the show, video clips and featured products based on the winning designs.  

Belk will also sponsor a Facebook-based sweepstakes that runs Aug. 8 through Oct. 25. Entrants will be eligible to win one of the following: A selection from the Belk accessory wall; or a trip to New York City to see a taping of "Project Runway."

Follow Olivia on Twitter @oliviafortson