N.C. beauty tries for top model spot

Samantha Thompson Smith keeps up with the Triangle's evolving fashion and trends. Every Monday

There must be something about that fresh mountain air. Actually, Kathy Hoxit thinks it's the water. She's the latest beauty from western North Carolina taking a stab at becoming "America's Next Top Model," which started its sixth season with supermodel Tyra Banks hosting on UPN on Wednesday night.

Her "Top Model" quest was short-lived, though. Hoxit was the first of the 13 finalists cut from the show after the contestants were photographed with bald caps on and in dramatic makeup. The show's judges, which includes Banks, said after looking at the pictures, Hoxit didn't have the model face to make it in the business.

But Hoxit still hopes to model. The 21-year-old, who is now home in Brevard working in a family business painting houses, said in a telephone interview Thursday she's going to stick with her original plan. Before she auditioned for the show in August in Washington, D.C., she wanted to take money she had saved and go to New York City, where she will knock on a few modeling agency doors.

"Modeling had always been something that I was kind of interested in, but the opportunity never presented itself," she said.

In September, she found out she was one of 30 finalists out of nearly 15,000. She went to Los Angeles to film the show, staying about a week before coming home in October.

Judges were critical of Hoxit's Southern charm, and at one point even told her to tone down her strong Southern accent. She said she tried for a day, but then decided to continue to be herself on the show.

"It was a crazy experience, coming from a small town," she said. "It was a lot to have to take in."

She's the second from the region to make it as a finalist in the show. Blond-haired, blue-eyed Amanda Swafford, then from Hendersonville, made it to the top three in season three before she was cut.

Coup de couture

Vermillion has done it again. More big-name brands. This time, it's Stella McCartney and Bottega Veneta.

The contemporary women's clothing boutique at North Hills in Raleigh, which already carries some of fashion's hottest, most sought-after names including Derek Lam, Proenza Schouler and Ballenciaga, landed McCartney last month while store owner Ashley Vermillion Harris was in New York buying for fall.

McCartney, beloved by such stars as Kate Hudson, Liv Tyler and Madonna, recently had a Paris showing of her fall collection, which includes chunky sweaters, sweater dresses, skinny pants, boyfriend jackets and baby doll dresses, all with a distinctive European feel. Fall merchandise should start arriving in June or July.

Harris also will carry in fall Bottega Veneta handbags and wallets, known for their woven leather and high price tags.

Meanwhile, for spring, she has started carrying Zac Posen and Be & D handbags, fine jewelry by Lucifer Vir Honestus and the nautical clothing look of Reyes.

Fashion happenings

Trunk show season has returned.

On Thursday, Lark Home/Apparel at The Galleria in Chapel Hill will show the work of jeweler Kim Lyons. Lyons, a former New York City advertising executive who returned home to her native St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, creates each piece by hand using materials from around the world, including opals from Peru, crystals from Austria and sterling silver from Thailand. She makes hand-crocheted purses of natural fibers and lined with satin.

On Friday and Saturday, look for Cole Haan's spring shoe collection at Main & Taylor in Cameron Village in Raleigh. Customers can order shoes in hard-to-find sizes and various colors of different styles.