Lexus Charleston Fashion Week® (CFW), one of the nation’s leading fashion events, recently announced the top 12 Emerging Designer Semifinalists for the 2018 fashion competition. This year, Emerging Designers include Joan Madison of Joan's Bridal Couture and a diverse collection of designers from cities around the country, including a former Project Runway contestant and features the competition's youngest designer ever–she's 12 years old.

Each Emerging Designer will compete for the top prize March 13 - 17, 2018 under the tents in Marion Square in the heart of historic downtown Charleston. Tickets are now on sale for the hotly anticipated fashion event of the year. Visit the website to purchase runway tickets, nightly passes, VIP packages and more.

“We were overwhelmed by the number of talented applicants of all ages, skill sets and education,” said Pauline Nakios, CFW fashion panel judge. “Each up-and-coming designer chosen will showcase his or her collection on the nationally-recognized runway before leading fashion insiders, influencers and media.”

The Lexus Charleston Fashion Week® 2018 Emerging Designer Competition Semifinalists chosen to debut their collections include:

• Joan Madison // Columbus, Ohio
• Tygerian Burke // Charlotte, North Carolina
• Kelly Callaway // Scottsdale, Arizona
• Kenya Freeman // Atlanta, Georgia
• Tina Gancev // Atlanta, Georgia
• Sharae Hines // Charlotte, North Carolina
• Heather Rose Johnson // Charleston, South Carolina
• Tierra Macon // Los Angeles, California
• Kimberly Millar // Charlotte, North Carolina
• Patresea Peppers // Atlanta, Georgia
• Emilie Schroeder // Brooklyn, New York
• Patrick Tai & Terrence Henderson // Charlotte, North Carolina

The 2018 Emerging Designer Grand Prize Winner, selected by a fashion panel of judges at the Saturday night Fashion Finale, will receive an enhanced prize package worth more than $40,000.

The Emerging Designer Competition began eleven years ago and serves as a platform for undiscovered talent, connecting them with top fashion trendsetters including New York Fashion Week Founder and international fashion consultant, Fern Mallis, and CFDA members and top designers like David Hart, CADET, and Tracy Reese. Previous winners and contestants have been featured in VOGUE, Marie Claire, ELLE, Women’s Wear Daily and on CNN.com, along with other major media outlets; and their collections have been picked up by stores including Anthropologie, BARNEY’s New York and Neiman Marcus. For more information, including tickets and availability, visit charlestonfashionweek.com.