CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Southern department store Belk has selected 13 winners from nearly 300 entrants in the retailer's Southern Designer Showcase competition. Belk announced the winners at an event at its corporate headquarters."We are so excited to add these impressive designers to our Belk family," said president and CMO Kathryn Bufano. "This year's winners truly represent the Modern. Southern. Style. that we deliver to our customers every day."The 13 winners are Kari Bryde, Little Rock, Ark.; Lori Cunningham, New York, N.Y.; Darrius Curry, Lithonia, Ga.; Lucy Dang, Dallas, Texas; Charlene Dunbar,Lilburn, Ga.; Heather Menzie Gressette, Columbia, S.C.; Ali Howell, Atlanta, Ga.; Annabelle LaRoque, Columbia, S.C.; Elle Parkinson, Raleigh, N.C.; Diane Wallace, Knoxville, Tenn.; Regina White, Chesterfield, Va.; Anne Hughes Windmueller, Charleston, S.C.; and Rhonda Wyman, Asheville, N.C.The competition, now in its second year, aims to discover new Southern design talent and feature their products in stores. This year's designers offer fresh new looks in women's apparel, jewelry, handbags and children's apparel. In 2012, 15 designers were chosen as winners of the inaugural competition and in spring 2013, their products launched in select Belk stores around the country and on belk.com."We are thrilled to be able to introduce new brands that represent the talented South and look forward to bringing these wonderful designs to our customers next year," said VP of trend merchandising and fashion direction Arlene Goldstein.Charlotte, N.C.-based Belk is a family owned and operated department-store company with 301 Belk stores located in 16 Southern states and a growing digital presence.
