When women show up for each other like this, you can feel it the second you walk in. That was the energy behind Uncorked & Unapologetic: STRUT at Tandem. Yes, it was a runway show with unique pieces from local boutiques, but once it started, it quickly became something else. Everyone was watching with cocktails in hand, and a full crowd quickly gathered around.

A Runway Made of Real Life

The first thing you noticed is who’s walking. They weren’t professional models– they were women from this community. The kind of people you pass in Carrboro every day. Doctors, artists, mothers, business owners, women who have built entire lives here. Their stories, their humor, their confidence, even their nerves, made the night feel real.

Style as a Starting Point

You started to realize pretty quickly that the clothes were just the entry point. Each boutique brought something different. Local Carrboro boutiques like Uniquities and Glassbox leaned into that effortless, pulled-together feel– soft and lived-in but still intentional. Our very own Carr Mill boutiques Love & Peace and Sofia’s rounded things out with pieces that felt wearable but still special, bringing bold color and pattern that caught your eye immediately.

The way the show was structured mattered, because instead of feeling like a fast, back-to-back lineup, it slowed down just enough for you to actually take people in. You heard who they are. What they do. What they care about. You found yourself clapping a little louder when you recognized someone, or when something about their story stuck with you. There was a moment where it shifted from watching to feeling part of it. People started talking to each other more and you saw groups forming that didn’t walk in together. Someone compliments a look and it turns into a full conversation. Someone else points out a friend in the lineup. It feels less like an event you’re attending and more like something you’re inside of.

A Space That Holds the Night

And then there’s Tandem itself. The space already felt warm, a little tucked away but still open. It encouraged people to stay, to order another drink, or to keep talking. With bites, music, and that steady background hum of conversation, it became the kind of night that doesn’t feel rushed. The night wasn’t just about getting dressed up or putting on a show. The event supported Habitat for Humanity’s Women’s Build, which grounded everything in something tangible. You’re not just watching women walk a runway. You’re watching a community show up to support other women in a real, direct way. It gave the whole evening weight without making it heavy. You left

thinking about more than what people wore. You thought about who they are and the way the room felt.

What’s Next: STORY

Later this spring on April 30th, the series continues with STORY, an evening centered on conversation and connection. It will bring together Anita Spring Council and Erin McMullen for a garden party-style gathering at Tandem, with cocktails, live jazz, and personal storytelling woven into the night. The focus shifts from the runway to lived experience, but the heart stays the same. It’s still about showing up, taking your place, and knowing you belong in the room. If STRUT is any indication, it won’t feel like a presentation– it will feel like being invited in.

Purchase your tickets here: https://order.toasttab.com/online/tandem-restaurant-200-north-greensboro-street