STLFW Day 2: Dinner & Designer Contests

Last Thursday, the second day of STLFW offered fun, fashion, and friends. A private dinner hosted by Collections by Joya brought STLFW bloggers to Element in Lafayette Square. A company run by women for women, Collections by Joya supports artisan crafters - specifically women! The items are hand-crafted and gorgeous, and I was thrilled to be gifted a delicate and long necklace with the sweetest little tassel! You can see it in the picture down below of me with model Sierra Williams. The food by Element's chef was outstanding, and the steak dish reminded me why I love, well, steak! 

We all then rushed off to the Luminary on Cherokee Street to catch the final moments of the STLFW Wear It: Fashion Challenge. Local designers Michael Drummond, Nina Ganci, AJ Thouvenot, Nasheli Ortiz, Qun Liu, Destini Gamble, Barbara Bultman, Alexis Cook, Leah Babette and Tiffany Rae were tasked with creating a piece inspired by a work of art. Nasheli Ortiz, was inspired by Sarah Frost’s Built, and her piece took home the $5,000 prize. My personal favorite was designer Destini Gamble's piece based on Pablo Picasso's painting The Peasants. The white jumpsuit was just too gorgeous!

I caught up for a second with model Sierra Williams because I used to see her around the office during my time working for Centro Models. She was wearing Alexis Cook's piece, which was based on the glass artist Dale Chihuly's work. I'd recognize a Chihuly-inspired piece anywhere! After mingling for just a bit more, I headed home. The downpour that had kicked up outside was enough to put me directly into my PJs and onto the couch. 

Stay tuned for more from STLFW on the blog soon, and thanks for reading my adventures! 
Photos by Ashley Kuenstler. 

Many thanks go to ALIVE Magazine and Midwest Influencer Network for inviting me to be a part of the awesome experience that is STLFW.