Austin R. Walker

After serving as a founding member of Charleston Fashion Week in 2007, Austin relocated to Winter Park, Florida where he worked extensively with the Chamber of Commerce and city officials to design and produce programming to boost commerce in the midst of the recession.  It was during that time he coined the ‘Winter Park Fall Events Series’ which was anchored by Park Avenue Fashion Week – an event he crafted to highlight local retailers, bars and restaurants.  During this time, he became one of the founding partners of Enlightened Grain Spirits and its line of premium vodkas.

While in Florida, Austin also consulted in the luxury automobile, retail, fashion, beverage, and professional sports sectors.  He has been associated with such elite productions as the Republican National Convention, Democratic National Convention, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week - Miami, The Daytona 500, The Rolex 24 Hour Race at Daytona, The Capital One Bowl, Champs Sports Bowl, Sony Open Tennis Tournament, and Shaquille O'Neal's retirement press conference.

Since returning to Charleston in 2013, Austin facilitated the launch of Ibu Movement, an international fashion and home goods company focused on the preservation of female artisan handmade textiles and goods.  In 2016, Austin and the infamous 'Rhum Chef' Paul Yellin opened Cane Rhum Bar, a traditional rum bar and caribbean kitchen in downtown Charleston.  He is also one of the founding partners of Matthias Kaupermann, a lifestyle brand rooted in southern heritage, creating products for a life refined.