Latest news with #SouthernCharm
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Elite private school turns southern charm into art form for century-old flower-bedecked grad ceremony
A private girls school in Texas has turned graduation ceremonies into an art form. With white dresses, wide-brimmed vintage sun hats decorated with hand-picked flowers - and dollops of southern charm - The Hockaday School in Dallas has turned the diploma handover into an event as graceful as it is grand. And it all starts with the graduates' attire flowing white dresses paired with wide-brimmed hats, each uniquely decorated with hand-picked flowers. At the elite $33,000-a-year all-girls college-preparatory school, graduation tradition isn't just upheld, it's elevated into an art form featuring a breathtaking blend of elegance. Earlier this month, the school celebrated its 111th Commencement, where 124 girls crossed the iconic Ashley H Priddy Commencement Terrace to receive their diplomas. The grads' colorful attire transforms the ceremony into a living garden of color and individuality, making it truly unforgettable for the graduates - and the internet - alike. First introduced by Ela Hockaday in 1914, the white dress has remained a lasting staple for every young woman crossing the stage, according to Hockaday Fourcast. Her choice for white dresses was deeply intentional - meant to embody Southern charm while honoring the achievements of the young women wearing them. 'She wanted to bring the old southern charm but also show that the school produced cultured, intelligent ladies,' archives manager Emily Embry said of Ela, as reported by the outlet. 'For them to be dressed up in beautiful white dresses just made it so special,' she added. Selecting the graduation dress each year is a thoughtful process of its own - each year's design reflecting the unique spirit of the graduating class and the moment in time they step across the stage. 'The really exciting part for me is wondering what the fashion at that time was and thinking what made the girls choose this one dress out of all the dresses,' Embry said. The process begins a full year ahead, in June, when a senior's parent takes on the important role of coordinating the wardrobe each girl will wear. In 2013, Nancy Winston, who proudly graduated from Hockaday in 1982, took on the challenge, according to Hockaday Fourcast. She began her search in the bridal department of Stanley Korshak and, with the help of a store employee, narrowed down five to six dresses, each representing a different style. But before the dresses are even unveiled to the senior class, each option must first be approved by the Headmistress. 'Probably one of the most unique aspects of Hockaday commencement is that the whole senior class gets to vote on it,' Winston said, as reported by the outlet. 'Everyone respects that it needs to be a dress that will look good on everybody.' Then comes the long awaited moment: the dresses are modeled to the graduates in a beloved annual fashion show, after which the graduates cast their final votes. But no Hockaday commencement would be complete without the signature sun hats - grand, wide-brimmed and uniquely created by each graduate. While the hats may seem like a charming accessory, for many graduates they serve as a heartfelt tribute to relatives who walked the same path before them. Since the 1991 shift from colored to white hats, those wearing a relatives vintage hat vibrantly stood out among a sea of white - a quiet yet powerful symbol of connection. 'I don't think it's about the color of the hat, it's just that somebody hung onto the hat for 30 years waiting for the next graduate,' Nancy said, as reported by Hockaday Fourcast. 'All that was important was that you were honoring your mother, sister, grandmother or aunt, whether or not anyone else knew.' However, this year marked only the fifth time in the school's 111-year-history that graduates had the option to wear a traditional cap and gown along with a colored hat, People Newspapers reported. Initially, concerns emerged that departing from the uniformity of the attire would lessen the ceremony's symbolic impact after the decision was made in 2021. Yet many students felt the change actually strengthened their sense of unity, as each year, a few classmates request alternative attire - often citing religious beliefs or body image concerns as key reasons. Sidney Kronbach, a graduate of the 2022 class, worked alongside a few other students to advocate for the change. 'For me, it was lovely to see the support that the petition got in our grade and beyond,' Kronbach said, as reported by People Newspapers. 'The most important thing to me and a major reason I support the decision is that while the single white dress is supposed to symbolize unity among the senior class, there is nothing unifying about someone feeling excluded.' Though the graduates wear matching white dresses and sing the same cherished songs - core elements of the Hockaday tradition - each girl's individuality now blossoms through the vibrant flowers crowning her hat. Kate, a Hockaday senior in 2013, described the process of choosing flowers as 'strenuous' but enthralling, Hockaday Fourcast reported. 'Picking flowers for my hat was probably one of the most difficult style decisions I have ever had to make,' Kate told the outlet. 'During my consultation with the florist so many questions were running through my head. What colors? What will I think about my flowers a year from now? Ten years from now? 'Eventually, I decided on what I thought was just me, at that moment.' Archives manager Embry noted that this process has evolved dramatically over the years. In the past, graduates simply had to choose from whatever flowers the florist had in stock that day. Today, the girls have thousands of color and style options. Prep time: The ceremony's planning process begins a year ahead of time when a senior's parent takes on the important role of coordinating the wardrobe each girl will wear 'It helps to bring out the personality of each girl,' Embry told the outlet. 'It's especially nice to see the girls have fun with it.' This year, alongside the elegant ceremony, the girls enjoyed unique touches like custom hat-shaped cookies, decorated with beautiful colors and congratulatory messages. One student gave an inspiring speech to her fellow 'sisters,' highlighting their shared experiences of womanhood in front of friends and family. 'As high as we've grown, we have so much left to go,' graduate Alex Blue Baron said during her speech, which was shared to the school's Instagram page. 'Being a daisy means coming into full bloom,' she continued. In a heartfelt moment, Baron addressed the crowd, reflecting on the challenges of change and how their shared experiences at Hockaday have bonded the class for life. 'And Class of 2025 - remember your roots,' she said, taking in the faces of her classmates, all together in the same space for what might be the very last time. 'Because no matter how high you grow, you'll always be a daisy.'
Cosmopolitan
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
Paige DeSorbo Says Craig Conover Never Bought an Engagement Ring
If you thought the end of Summer House and Southern Charm's respective seasons would bring an end to the drama betweenPaige DeSorbo and Craig Conover, you've clearly never been through a Bravo breakup. Case in point: Just this week, Paige said that Craig never bought her an engagement ring before their split, despite what he told Bravo boss Andy Cohen. Quick catch up: During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live! in March, Craig told Andy that he had 'just returned' the engagement ring he bought for Paige that morning. 'I just don't need custody of it anymore, so I took it back to the guy,' he said. At the same time, he revealed that he was seeing someone new—later identified as Natalie Buffett. Clearly, he wanted it to be known that he was moving on from the drama of the breakup. But based on the Summer House season 9 reunion, he seems to have failed spectacularly. Though she didn't comment on the story at the time, Paige is speaking out now, casting doubt on Craig's story. 'That ring does not exist,' she said at the Summer House season 9 reunion. She went on to poke holes in her ex's story, calling it 'convenient' that he had decided to return the supposed ring the same morning of his Watch What Happens Live appearance. 'Him and his new girlfriend went and returned my ring? I don't think so, Andy. That's insane,' she said. Craig has yet to respond, but knowing these two, I'm sure it's only a matter of time. Ever since Paige and Craig broke up in late 2024, they've been going back and forth in the press, arguing about what really happened between them. Fans originally accused Paige of cheating (she denied it), which then led to a debate on whether or not Craig should defend her against false allegations (spoiler: he didn't even try) and Paige claiming that Craig was texting other women (Craig denies cheating). The whole split has gotten pretty messy. And with both parties continuing to take swipes at each other, it's pretty clear that this is one mess that isn't going to get cleaned up anytime soon.
Miami Herald
22-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Why Craig Conover Is Meeting With Members of Congress
Southern Charm's Craig Conover visited the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday to speak with members of Congress about his business, Sewing Down South, and experience as a small business owner. Newsweek reached out to Conover via email for comment. Small businesses are a huge part of the American economy, and fostering growth in the small business arena has been a staple of both Democratic and Republican presidential campaigns. As Republicans work to pass a budget bill that includes tax cuts to help small businesses, the House Committee on Small Business hosted a showcase of small businesses to highlight the importance of their companies. The showcase enabled policymakers to hear directly from business owners on issues like tax policy, regulation, and investment incentives. According to Conover, sewing Down South is an eight-figure business, and he employed about 30 people with health insurance as of April. During Tuesday's showcase, Conover joined over 25 business owners from across the United States to highlight his company's economic contributions to members of Congress. In an Instagram video shared before the event, Conover said he was "a little nervous" but it was "pretty awesome" that he was presenting Sewing Down South to members of Congress. Conover noted that he had to wear a tie because he had a presentation and noted that while he doesn't wear them that often, he always used to. He said there was "something about dressing up before work or a game." The Southern Charm star posted on Instagram that the last time he was at the U.S. Capitol was in the 5th grade for a field trip. Committee Chairman Roger Williams opened the showcase by thanking entrepreneurs for their work and highlighted federal initiatives to create a healthy business climate, including reductions in taxes and regulations and 100 percent expensing for businesses. Williams was joined by SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler and other committee members who praised small businesses' role in strengthening local economies. Sewing Down South, founded by Conover in 2018 in Charleston, South Carolina, has grown from a hobby-driven startup in his dining room to a major home goods enterprise serving customers nationwide. By 2025, Conover reported that the company had reached an eight-figure valuation and expanded into national retailers such as Kroger and HomeGoods. The company employs approximately 30 people and offers products ranging from decorative pillows to kitchenware. Conover does not solely own the business and has two partners, Jerry Casselano and Amanda Latifi, each of whom holds an ownership stake. Conover also has a stake in the Spritz Society sparkling cocktail brand, which also participated in the Capitol event. Conover's partnership with Spritz Society sparked tension with Summer House starKyle Cooke since Cooke owns Loverboy, a competitor brand. Fans watched the fallout of the partnership play out this season on Summer House. Cooke told Newsweek recently that alcohol is a "zero-sum game," so if one brand is being promoted, another brand isn't, which is part of why Conover's taking on this partnership was a problem. "If your friend comes out with a podcast. And you have a podcast, are you mad at your friend? No, you just cross-promote, you hop on each other's podcasts, you create this rising tide," Cooke said. "There's not a lot of industries that are so dog-eat-dog but beverage is one of them." Conover told Page Six in May that he tried Spritz Society at a Taylor Swift concert and enjoyed it, so when the opportunity presented itself to invest, it was "such an easy sell." He said investing in Loverboy "wasn't an option." After Tuesday's event, Conover called it "pretty awesome" to have two companies in the Capitol presenting and said he hopes he gets the chance to come back. "That was awesome," he added. House Committee on Small Business chair Roger Williams, in a statement: "The House Committee on Small Business is proud to be a voice for Main Street America in Washington. Today, small business owners from across the country had the chance to showcase the results of their hard work and dedication to Members of Congress." Craig Conover on Instagram after the event: "Incredible feeling walking into the Capitol and seeing one of your other businesses presenting." Small business leaders who participated in the showcase will continue to advocate for supportive policies and seek new opportunities for collaboration with Congress. Sewing Down South plans to pursue further partnerships and expansion, as indicated by its ongoing collaborations and national distribution. Related Articles Paige DeSorbo Says She Got 'Good Reminder' About Marriage Over the Weekend'Southern Charm' Star Craig Conover Dodges Questions About Ex Paige DeSorbo Cheating RumorsPaige DeSorbo Seemingly Spotted With New Guy After Craig Conover Split'Southern Charm' Stars Craig and Austen Call Out Fake Cast-'Don't Hide' 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
22-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Why Craig Conover Is Meeting With Members of Congress
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Southern Charm's Craig Conover visited the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday to speak with members of Congress about his business, Sewing Down South, and experience as a small business owner. Newsweek reached out to Conover via email for comment. Why It Matters Small businesses are a huge part of the American economy, and fostering growth in the small business arena has been a staple of both Democratic and Republican presidential campaigns. As Republicans work to pass a budget bill that includes tax cuts to help small businesses, the House Committee on Small Business hosted a showcase of small businesses to highlight the importance of their companies. The showcase enabled policymakers to hear directly from business owners on issues like tax policy, regulation, and investment incentives. According to Conover, sewing Down South is an eight-figure business, and he employed about 30 people with health insurance as of April. What To Know During Tuesday's showcase, Conover joined over 25 business owners from across the United States to highlight his company's economic contributions to members of Congress. In an Instagram video shared before the event, Conover said he was "a little nervous" but it was "pretty awesome" that he was presenting Sewing Down South to members of Congress. Conover noted that he had to wear a tie because he had a presentation and noted that while he doesn't wear them that often, he always used to. He said there was "something about dressing up before work or a game." "Southern Charm" star Craig Conover speaks at an event in London on October 26, 2024. "Southern Charm" star Craig Conover speaks at an event in London on October 26, Hayu The Southern Charm star posted on Instagram that the last time he was at the U.S. Capitol was in the 5th grade for a field trip. Committee Chairman Roger Williams opened the showcase by thanking entrepreneurs for their work and highlighted federal initiatives to create a healthy business climate, including reductions in taxes and regulations and 100 percent expensing for businesses. Williams was joined by SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler and other committee members who praised small businesses' role in strengthening local economies. Sewing Down South, founded by Conover in 2018 in Charleston, South Carolina, has grown from a hobby-driven startup in his dining room to a major home goods enterprise serving customers nationwide. By 2025, Conover reported that the company had reached an eight-figure valuation and expanded into national retailers such as Kroger and HomeGoods. The company employs approximately 30 people and offers products ranging from decorative pillows to kitchenware. Conover does not solely own the business and has two partners, Jerry Casselano and Amanda Latifi, each of whom holds an ownership stake. Conover also has a stake in the Spritz Society sparkling cocktail brand, which also participated in the Capitol event. Conover's partnership with Spritz Society sparked tension with Summer House starKyle Cooke since Cooke owns Loverboy, a competitor brand. Fans watched the fallout of the partnership play out this season on Summer House. Cooke told Newsweek recently that alcohol is a "zero-sum game," so if one brand is being promoted, another brand isn't, which is part of why Conover's taking on this partnership was a problem. "If your friend comes out with a podcast. And you have a podcast, are you mad at your friend? No, you just cross-promote, you hop on each other's podcasts, you create this rising tide," Cooke said. "There's not a lot of industries that are so dog-eat-dog but beverage is one of them." Conover told Page Six in May that he tried Spritz Society at a Taylor Swift concert and enjoyed it, so when the opportunity presented itself to invest, it was "such an easy sell." He said investing in Loverboy "wasn't an option." After Tuesday's event, Conover called it "pretty awesome" to have two companies in the Capitol presenting and said he hopes he gets the chance to come back. "That was awesome," he added. What People Are Saying House Committee on Small Business chair Roger Williams, in a statement: "The House Committee on Small Business is proud to be a voice for Main Street America in Washington. Today, small business owners from across the country had the chance to showcase the results of their hard work and dedication to Members of Congress." Craig Conover on Instagram after the event: "Incredible feeling walking into the Capitol and seeing one of your other businesses presenting." What Happens Next Small business leaders who participated in the showcase will continue to advocate for supportive policies and seek new opportunities for collaboration with Congress. Sewing Down South plans to pursue further partnerships and expansion, as indicated by its ongoing collaborations and national distribution.
Newsweek
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
'Summer House' Season 9 Reunion: All the Hints the Cast Has Dropped
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Summer House Season 9 reunion is still a few weeks away from airing, but the cast has dropped a few hints about what viewers can expect. While viewers are still watching the last few episodes of the season play out, the Summer House cast has already filmed the reunion, which will air at the end of the month. This season on the show, viewers got to see Paige DeSorbo struggle with her relationship with Southern Charm's Craig Conover; Ciara Miller and West Wilson navigate the fallout of a tumultuous friendship and relationship; and Jesse Solomon's whirlwind relationship with new cast member Lexi Wood. Of course, viewers also got to see a new side of Lindsay Hubbard, who ended last season with her broken engagement from Carl Radke and started this season with the announcement of her pregnancy. Reunions give the cast members a chance to rehash what happened the previous season and answer questions from Andy Cohen and fans about some of the biggest moments. Part two of last season's reunion was a viewership high for the season and fans' interest in the various relationships that didn't work out this season could bring in another high level of viewership. Left: Paige DeSorbo at the Bravo Clubhouse on April 23, 2025, in New York City. Inset: Lindsay Hubbard at the Us Weekly and Pluto TV's 2024 Reality TV Stars of the Year at The Highlight... Left: Paige DeSorbo at the Bravo Clubhouse on April 23, 2025, in New York City. Inset: Lindsay Hubbard at the Us Weekly and Pluto TV's 2024 Reality TV Stars of the Year at The Highlight Room on October 10, 2024, in Los Angeles. Right: Jesse Solomon during a segment of "Good Day New York" on April 16, 2025, in New York City. More The Hapa Blonde/GC Images//While the cast is supposed to keep details of the reunion under wraps until the episode airs, there have been tidbits of information that have trickled out over the last few weeks since the reunion filmed. Imrul Hassan told Newsweek that he gets to show viewers a little bit more about himself on the reunion and give them more context to the person who was portrayed on the show. During the season, he opened up about being undocumented until he was 23 years old when he was confronted about the number of women he was inviting back to the house. He told Newsweek that, looking back, it might not have been the best context to bring up his back story, but he gets to elaborate on it during the reunion. Amanda Batula, who was first introduced to viewers as Kyle Cooke's girlfriend in season one, said on Instagram that she was "shocked" by the seating chart that placed her next to Cohen. It's a coveted seat and shows Batula's transformation from not being a full-time cast member on season one to being a critical part of the show in her own right nine seasons later. Reunions can often turn contentious, but DeSorbo recently revealed on an Amazon Live that the cast "had a good time" and it's the most she's ever laughed at a reunion. "Obviously there was a part where it was not great vibes and people were fighting," DeSorbo said. "But overall, as a reunion whole, probably one of my favorite ones." Hubbard seemed to echo DeSorbo's reflections on the reunion, telling Us Weekly that she had a "great time" at the reunion and the cast hit "every emotion." "I think that there are a lot of things that you might expect to happen, but things are unexpected as an outcome," Hubbard said. Hubbard added that she wasn't "directly in the hot seat" during the reunion, which was a new place to be for her after nine seasons. Solomon's relationship with Wood this season drew parallels to Wilson's relationship with Miller last season. During the season 8 reunion, Wilson found himself in the hot seat as his cast members questioned his behavior toward Miller. When asked on the Virtual Reali-Tea podcast if Solomon had as much to answer for at the season 9 reunion as he had to during season 8, Wilson said Solomon could "walk out of the room with his head up." When it comes to if Wood was supported at the reunion or was left out on her own, Wilson said on the podcast that it was a mixture of both. "I will say in her defense, like she's so articulate and well-spoken that, like, I think she could hold her own in any situation ever," Wilson said. "She, like, doesn't need help at all. But yeah, there's, like, so many weird complexities to this situation. But I will say, like, she was certainly, like, leading the charge." After Wednesday's episode, Solomon appeared on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen and was asked about a toe-sucking incident that occurred in a room with Hassan, sparking tension with Wood. Cohen asked what really happened in the room and Solomon said people will "find out at the reunion." But it's unclear if anything actually comes to light during the reunion because he quickly followed it up with "nothing" and said "I can't hold water, Andy." Solomon also teased a major announcement that happens at the reunion, sparking tons of speculation as to what it could be. "I would say there was, like, a big announcement that we were all very surprised by," Solomon told fans during an Amazon Live. "But I can't tell you what." The final episode of the season will air on May 21, with the reunion after that.
