STLFW Recap: Neiman Marcus Fashion Chat and Presentation
It's 11pm and I should be getting ready for bed, but I'm finishing this post. Because, no sleep. Because, Saint Louis Fashion Week. It's been a whirlwind of the last couple weeks and I admit that I am behind. But, I am trying, and that counts for a lot in my book!
On October 9th, STLFW started off with a quiet yet powerful bang at the Neiman Marcus Fashion Chat and Presentation at Plaza Frontenac's Neiman Marcus department. St. Louis welcomed Lisa Freede, accessories designer, Audrey McLoghlin, creative director for Frank & Eileen, and designer Jonathan Simkhai for a rather informal "chat" about their work as it was presented on a short runway within the store. The night was hosted by Neiman Marcus’ Special Events Coordinator Chuck Steelman, who boasted a delightful personality and kept our attention with giveaways for those using the hashtag #onthecusp during the runway presentation. Unfortunately, I've been experiencing some terrible service issues and was not able to post a single photo with that hashtag during the evening! Congrats to those who did win a few items - I know some were nice, like Marc Jacobs' Honey perfume!
Saint Louis' own DJ Keeno provided tunes for the evening, setting the perfect tone for the runway presentation and then later pumping it up with favorites like Michael Jackson. During the presentation, we viewed Lisa Freede's jewelry first. Big, eye-catching, and heavy are the words that come to mind. Her work speaks to the sassy and in-control wearer, and celebrities such as Rihanna have been spotted sporting Freede's work. Frank & Eileen showcased works that would appeal to a vast female population, with casual yet chic items, including the purposefully wrinkled button-down. Don't worrying about chasing down your iron! A favorite of mine from their work was the layered look below complete with the amazing sparkling apple handbag. Jonathon Simkhai wowed us with his body-friendly yet slightly sexy looks, featuring fit-and-flare designs, and forgiving fabrics. The pinstripe pieces you see just below are his, and I really need that dress and cognac leather jacket!
Treats were provided by The Hive and Zettie's Confections. As usual, the Skinnygirl Prosecco was flowing and a Pinnacle Vodka cocktail selection kept everyone feeling fine and friendly. Bloggers and attendees mixed and mingled throughout the night, and I caught up with Carmen of The Ruby Zipper and Brittany of Love.Style.Transform. I always love seeing what they choose to wear! Carmen was showcasing a Hyper Haute necklace that grabbed a LOT of attention, and Brittany was wearing a super cute layered romper look.
The evening was a benefit for Saint Louis' Center of Creative Arts (COCA). COCA is a large, far-reaching multidisciplinary arts center in the city, which especially does a lot of outreach programs for low-income youth. The total amount donated from the evening was $6,000, with Neiman Marcus alone throwing in an amazing $1,000!
Julia of Oh, Julia Ann was kind enough to snap a full-length outfit photo for me that night. Forgive the green wristband - that was provided upon entry into the event. I'm wearing a thrifted Banana Republic dress, which was an amazing thrift find at $4. FOUR. DOLLARS. It fits like a glove, and is a gorgeous dark navy wool. My belt and jewelry are from maurices, and my fuzzy leopard print jacket was a super sale find at Forever21. My heels are Anne Klein. I'm a sucker for pointed toes, and these are just right.
Thanks to ALIVE Mag for throwing such a great party to start off STLFW! Stay tuned for more coverage as I slowly roll out my posts.