Staff Photo by Dan Henry Patrons gather to watch a fashion show during the She Expo at the Chattanooga Convention Center on Saturday.

With flair and style, Stacy London took the stage and captivated her audience.

"How are ya'll doing?" Ms. London asked in her best Southern drawl. "There's nothing sexier than a Southern accent," Ms. London said to her audience of about 10,000.

TLC's fashion critic and co-host of the popular "What Not to Wear" television show entertained the overflowing auditorium of women at the She: An Expo for Women on Saturday at the Chattanooga Convention Center.

Ms. London, known for her brutal honesty, was quick to give her opinion of Chattanooga's fashion early in the day, saying she saw quite a few "capris and elastic pants," which made her nervous.

In the South, too often people associate dress with "the '80s and the Bush family," she told the Chattanooga Times Free Press with a laugh.

Ms. London began the day signing autographs for loyal fans, some of whom traveled up to four hours to meet the fashion diva.

"I just love her," said Kimber Zellner, 46, who drove 21/2 hours from Decatur, Ala., Saturday morning. "I spent a week trying to figure out what to wear."

Macee Henry, 8, from Dayton, Tenn., was all smiles in her bright pink shirt with a matching scarf and dangling earrings after she got her fashion hero's autograph.

"She told me I could pull off wearing two shades of pink," Macee said.

Macee's mother said her daughter loves fashion and she looks up to Ms. London as a role model.

Ms. London's fans stretched across the auditorium and eventually workers had to stop the crowds from going through the line for her fashion presentation. Fans who didn't get through in time crowded near the stage to take a quick photo of Ms. London.

After being whisked away for a quick break, she graced the stage in black high heels and sheath black dress captivating her audience with more than a pep talk on fashion.

"Everyone in this room is beautiful, and everyone is imperfect," Ms. London told the crowd. "That's what makes us snowflakes."

She then spent an hour talking about how women need to embrace their own beauty and find a style that expresses themselves.

"Style is all about you," Ms. London said. "Style is about a celebration of who you are right now."

She offered helpful hints and rules to guide everyday fashion.

Don't just buy something on sale, because "first of all its on sale because no one else wanted it," Ms. London said, who has been in fashion since she was 3.

"You all have an inner Stacy," she said.

With applause erupting, Ms. London left the stage. As she passed behind the stage curtain, the celebrity took off her high heels and gracefully exited the room.