Wearing a skirt is second nature to Ian, as long as it’s a kayak spray skirt. The outdoorsy director of the Lowcountry Environmental Education Program (LEEP) uses kayaks, hikes, marshy excursions and all things creepy and crawly to teach kids about the natural world. “It’s amazing how many local kids have never even seen the beach,” says Ian, a Californian who joined LEEP in 1999. By teaching students outdoors, Ian works to break a cycle. “We can pick up trash in marshes all day long,” he notes, “but it’ll just reappear unless we teach people to care, and people don’t care about something unless they experience it.” A musician by training and teacher by choice, he’s also an advocate (lobbying for improved environmental educational opportunities statewide) and movie star—his 2008 adventure kayaking from the SC mountains to the sea is chronicled in the ETV documentary, Web of Water. 

The best thing about wearing a skirt? “Being able to move around easily au naturel.”
His favorite thing about reading skirt!? “It teaches me that women are the true movers and shakers in Charleston.”

As Trish McEvoy’s regional make-up artist extraordinaire, Andrew has brightened the countenance of many a baggy-eyed gal. But a little blush here, a dab of concealer there isn’t his only talent. Andrew has reached out beyond his loyal clients at Saks and Gwynn’s to brighten the outlook for those living with HIV across the Lowcountry. When Andrew was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS a few years ago, he refused to cower behind the disease’s stigma. Instead, he has spoken about safe sex and HIV prevention at college fraternities and other groups, and used his lip and eye shade expertise at various fundraisers to support Lowcountry Aids Services, including an upcoming November 13^th and 14^th Gwynn’s event featuring the world premiere of a new Trish McEvoy lip color, “Gorgeous Red,” which she created especially for World Aids Day (in honor of Andrew, with proceeds benefiting LAS). “Make-up is so personal,” says Andrew. “For me it’s about building quality relationships with my clients.”

The best thing about wearing a skirt?   “My parents always thought one day they’d find me in a skirt. It’s nice to finally fulfill their expectations.”

A last-minute lark and a Facebook shout-out landed Nick in the annals of South Carolina history. By earning a spot on the Charleston County Constituent School Board (District 20) during the 2008 election, Nick became the state’s first openly gay elected official and a hero of Internet-savvy campaign wonks. The College of Charleston senior and political science major was voting early last fall when he noticed a blank ballot slot and wrote his name in. Without spending a dime or campaigning in person, he invited his social networking contacts to do the same, and 21 votes later, Nick is helping shape local education policy—a responsibility he takes seriously despite his nontraditional campaign. “Local politics matters,” he says. “You don’t have to be a conventional candidate. Think outside the box.”

The best thing about wearing a skirt?  “I wish it was more acceptable for men, it’s the most comfortable thing ever.”

The Reverend John Zahl is a disco disciple. On Sunday mornings, the Oxford-educated minister may be preaching at the Church of the Holy Cross, but at night, he's spreading the good news and groovy vibes of obscure, esoteric European disco records. That's right, records. Vinyl. Vintage stuff he digs up at the Ladson Flea Market or in record stores in Pittsburgh, then edits down to create original eclectic mixes. He digs the 1977-to-1984 era, when classic rock, disco funk and early electronica were all overlapping. "I like the place where different things come together," says John, a.k.a. DJ JAZ, who spins turntables at Fish every Friday night, and deejays gigs ranging from Roller Disco at Hot Wheels to Pecha Kucha. "I've always loved music; it fires all my synapses," he says. "Christianity is all about love, too. About helping people connect to that source. I believe wherever a person's heart is, God is close by."

His favorite thing about wearing a skirt? "I feel much smarter and more emotionally mature."

His favorite thing about reading skirt!? "It does a great job at contributing a fresh voice and highlighting new things going on in Charleston."

I’m a feminist because…

I’m a feminist because…

 “I believe no woman should fear that a stranger will violently change their life forever or that someone they love will subject them to physical or mental abuse. I simply believe no woman should have to live in fear.

 He was the kid who liked jigsaw puzzles—insisting on doing four or five at a time. He was the high school shop nerd, and the college student with the incredible tan from working construction all summer. And he's your man if you ever dreamed of a renovation that didn’t become a nightmare. "I've always loved working with my hands," says Bob, owner of Classic Remodeling, a design/build firm specializing in renovation. "I love the puzzle of how to take a building apart, then transform it into what the client has in mind." A consummate learner, he's a longtime supporter of the American College of Building Arts and a member of an international roundtable to keep current with industry trends, especially those related to sustainable building. When not overhauling Charleston homes, Bob's a "triple threat—Bob the Builder, Bob the Boater, Bob the Bartender" and he loves traveling, especially to Europe, where he marvels at structures that have survived hundreds and even thousands of years.

Walt Thorn will take you for a ride.

If you're headed toward the altar (or the reception hall), Walt's got your wedding wheels. As the owner/operator of Absolutely Charleston, Walt has created a destination management company that specializes in matrimony mobility, i.e. transporting brides/grooms and wedding parties wherever they need to go, whether it's Hibernian Hall or off into the sunset. With a fleet of old trolleys he restored himself and a replica of a 1923 Charleston City Bus, he keeps things rolling in what is now the country's third top destination wedding location. "I love the freedom to make my own decisions for my company," says this former Atlanta businessman and self-proclaimed "serial entrepreneur." One recent decision is to go as green as possible, with a goal of converting his fleet to hydrogen fuel cell power. "South Carolina is actually a leader in hydrogen fuel cell development," he says. "We just need a fueling station."

His favorite thing about wearing a skirt: "It makes me feel frisky."

His favorite thing about reading skirt!? "Women control 95% of the money and 100% of what men are interested in. skirt! lets me know what's on their minds."

An avid sailor, Steve loves high-tailing it on a brisk breeze, and as a businessman, he's equally savvy at knowing which way the wind blows. When he landed in Charleston 16 years ago, post-divorce and ready to chart a new course, the British expat and former London clothing retailer noticed a gap in the area's home décor market. "Nearly everything in Charleston furniture-wise was traditional and formal," Steve says. So he opened what's now known as celadon at home, featuring a more casual, European-influenced style. "Not too fussy," he says. A founding member of the Sustainable Furniture Council, Steve was "green" before green was in, favoring hand-made products and natural materials and steering away from particle board. "It's part of the European thing," notes Steve, a fan of simplicity.

The best thing about wearing a skirt: "Actually, I don't really like wearing one. I feel vulnerable."

His favorite thing about reading skirt!: "I love skirt! because the content is smart, provocative and entertaining. Women are the driving force of my business, therefore I will always be a reader."

When education budgets get slashed, John gets busy. As founder, director and chief dreamer of SideWalk Chalk, a non-profit organization that supplements arts education in Charleston public schools, John sees potential instead of deficit. He began SideWalk Chalk by offering a creative writing workshop for fourth graders at Sanders Clyde Elementary School last March, and publishing a book of the kids' work. Soon other schools were inquiring, and now John brings professional artists of all stripes—dancers, photographers, painters and writers—into all Title 1 downtown elementary schools to implement programs that follow state education standards. A former pastor, his unbridled energy and enthusiasm can sway even nonbelievers—the folks who see art education as "extra"-curricular, not fundamental. "Writing and self-expression has been a savior for me," says John. "Art inspires life in so many ways. But even more, it's about showing these kids that life can be whatever they want it to be."

The best thing about wearing a skirt? "In a skirt and my boots, my legs look fabulous."

His favorite thing about reading skirt!?"I read it for the articles."

It's the same old story—"my mom made me take piano lessons in third grade, and wouldn't let me quit. I hated it," says Joe Giant ("really my real name"). Then in high school, something shifted. Piano was okay, in fact, "I really started liking it," he says. He continued playing as a music major at Ohio's Miami University and now morphs his classical training into rousing acoustic rock with the band, Crowfield. Hot off the release of their debut album, Goodbye, Goodnight, So Long Midwestern, Crowfield is touring the Southeast, and Joe couldn't be happier. "I could perform every night, that'd be the best ever." When not on stage, Joe teaches piano students aged 7 to 94. "I remember how much I hated it, so I make it fun," says the Vespa-driving musician. "I find tunes they'll enjoy playing. If I act like it’s a really cool song, they're cool with it."

His favorite thing about reading skirt!: "It's really, really colorful, and so literary, so beautifully written. There are lots of good SAT words in there."

The best thing about wearing a skirt? "I feel sexier when I wear a skirt than when I wear a dress."

In fact, it's his medieval way of thinking, about urban design and the primacy of the public sphere, that make Vince one of the most progressive civic visionaries around. Best known as the developer of Newpoint in Beaufort, SC, and the I'On neighborhood in Mount Pleasant, Vince has rekindled the tried and true, borrowing from characteristics that make medieval Rome, and less ancient cities like old Charleston, such attractive, walkable, livable environments. "What could be more sustainable than 2,000-year-old cities that people still live in?" he asks.

“I’m a feminist because Vicky Walberg always beat me in spelling bees. Mom took over when Dad got Parkinson’s. Amanda Torhan taught me my best business lessons. My daughter taught me to use the VCR at age two. My work team’s full of smart, funny, intuitive, tough, compassionate women. Why wouldn’t I be a feminist?”