St. Louis Fashion Week Presents Industry Night!

 Sorry I've been absent for a bit.  I was having internet issues, but I'm back now!!

Tonight, my coverage of St. Louis Fashion Week continues!  The last major fashion show of the week was Industry Night, featuring local and national designers.

Wai Ming
Local designer Wai Ming started the show featuring wearable, tailored clothes with interesting colorblocking, mixed media, and fabric manipulation.

Laura Kathleen
Then, one of my favorites, St. Louisan Laura Kathleen, of Project Runway fame, featured a gorgeous, feminine collection that left me longing for this trench, the khaki dress, and pretty much everything else.

Jennifer Chun 
Jennifer Chun showed a sporty collection that had a little bit of a 1920s tennis vibe...I could just imagine a modern-day Daisy Gatsby wearing these pieces.  While I really enjoyed this collection, I especially loved the look worn by the designer (bottom right)!!

Samantha Pleet
Samantha Pleet, whose looks have been sold by Anthropologie, showed pretty clothes that made me long for vacation.  Many of her models walked the runway barefoot, and all of the models had an easy,carefree vibe that made me smile.  The rainbow dress (second row, right) was definitely my favorite out of the collection. 

Eva Franco
Last, but certainly not least, Eva Franco showed a whimsical and quirky collection complete with fun prints, umbrellas, wigs, and lots of smiles and waves from the models.  How adorable is that sunglasses print dress?

You can find Eva Franco at Mod Cloth, among other places.

All in all, I was pleasantly surprised by the offerings of both the national and local designers.

As I wrap up my St. Louis Fashion Week coverage with my next post, I just want to take a moment to give a shout out to St. Louis, Alive Magazine, and all the designers, bloggers and others who participated in Fashion Week.  I feel so fortunate to have been afforded the opportunity to participate as a blogger, and I had a great time meeting new people and soaking in all of the gorgeous fashion.  We are one fashion-forward city and know how to put on an amazing week of style!!!

St. Louis Fashion Week's Project Runway Fashion Show - Make Love Not War

Saturday night, I attended the Project Runway fashion show at the Fabulous Fox Theatre as a VIP guest.  As a HUGE Project Runway Fan, I think I was most excited about getting to attend this show!

It certainly lived up to my expectations, and then some!  

First, the venue for the show could not have been better.  The Fox Theatre is simply magnificent.

The runway show was hosted by KPLR 11 St. Louis news anchor Melanie Moon and St. Louis' own Laura Kathleen, as seen on Season 9 of Project Runway and Season 2 of Project Runway All Stars.

The show included collections from Laura Kathleen and St. Louis' Michael Drummond, as well as favorites Anthony Ryan, Casanova, Viktor Luna, April Johnston, and Joshua McKinley.

Michael Drummond
Michael Drummond cited music as his main inspiration, and his newest collection, The Exquisite Corpse, featured looks resembling cocoons and geodes.  I absolutely loved the drama of this collection, and the presentation was equally theatrical.  

I would especially love to wear the top from the third look.  With high-waisted trousers or a pencil skirt, this top would definitely work on curvy petite gals!

Photo by Mark Schwigen for Alive Magazine

Photo by Mark Schwigen for Alive Magazine

Photo by Mark Schwigen for Alive Magazine

Casanova
I always enjoyed Casanova's sweet and funny personality while watching Project Runway, so I was delighted to see that he was presenting a collection.  Casanova was true to his ultra-sexy aesthetic creating gorgeous resort fashion, featuring lots of grommets and provocative back details.  Oh, and the Naked Dress (third look below)...How stunning is that?

Photo by Mark Schwigen for Alive Magazine

Photo by Mark Schwigen for Alive Magazine

Photo by Mark Schwigen for Alive Magazine

Anthony Ryan Auld
I also always enjoyed Anthony Ryan Auld on Season 9 of Project Runway and was so happy for him when he won Season 2 of Project Runway:  All Stars. I was impressed with his determination and his fight against cancer.  Unfortunately, he announced at the show that his cancer is now back. A testament to his strength, he doesn't appear to be letting his diagnosis stop him, presenting an interesting and wearable collection.

Anthony Ryan said his collection was inspired by the idea of how Native American fashion might have evolved had Europeans never arrived in the Americas.  He called it Native with a Star Trek twist.

Photo by Mark Schwigen for Alive Magazine

Photo by Mark Schwigen for Alive Magazine

Photo by Mark Schwigen for Alive Magazine

April Johnston
April Johnston's Mangled Courtesan collection featured a slightly somber, very beautiful, all-white fashion show.  I loved the floaty, ethereal quality of many of her looks.  I imagined the dresses worn by brides who wanted to wear traditional white but wanted a look that was anything but.

Photo by Mark Schwigen for Alive Magazine

Photo by Mark Schwigen for Alive Magazine

Photo by Mark Schwigen for Alive Magazine

Viktor Luna
Viktor Luna's sportswear collection was bright and colorful, featuring swimsuits and interesting prints.  I especially loved the second look below.

Photo by Mark Schwigen for Alive Magazine

Photo by Mark Schwigen for Alive Magazine

Photo by Mark Schwigen for Alive Magazine

Joshua McKinley
If you're a Project Runway fan, then you probably remember Joshua McKinley and his bold personality.  His design aesthetic is just as bold.  His collection included lots of neon colors, mixed prints and textiles, and fringe, though my favorites were actually some of his more subtle looks.  Joshua McKinley stated that he wants to make clothing that is audible without conversation and that reflects his perseverance and courage as a designer.  Mission accomplished!

Photo by Mark Schwigen for Alive Magazine

Photo by Mark Schwigen for Alive Magazine

Photo by Mark Schwigen for Alive Magazine

Laura Kathleen
Laura Kathleen ended the show.  She expressed her inspiration as the woman she aspires to be.  Her looks featured lots of black and gold and neoprene. 

It's really hard for me to choose a favorite out of all the amazing collections presented, but I think when it comes to wearability, especially for petite and curvy ladies, Laura Kathleen's collection can't be beat.  

I would happily and giddily wear any of these looks in a second.  The peplum dress, styled to perfection with the bold cuff and boots, was my favorite look of the night.

Photo by Mark Schwigen for Alive Magazine

Photo by Mark Schwigen for Alive Magazine

Photo by Mark Schwigen for Alive Magazine

All in all, the show was fantastic, and I feel so fortunate to have been able to see the show from seats ON THE STAGE!!

The gorgeous St. Louis Fashion Week Blogger Crew:

My look for the night was inspired by current events (Syria) and my pacifist beliefs.  It's a sartorial juxtaposition of war (military) and peace (love).  

Dress:  The Limited (old)
Blazer:  The Limited (Available here)
Tights:  The Limited (old)

This outfit was a compromise from my original vision.  I had planned to wear this darkly romantic floaty chiffon dress I had bought and taken back and then wanted again, but it wasn't available in my size at any of my local stores (indecisiveness, oh how you betray me).  I also searched my house up and down for this cool gold belt I recently bought from Torrid (sold out on-line) that would have added to the military vibe well.  Since I couldn't find it, I added a gold horn necklace.  

While the pendant is a horn, I envisioned it as a stylized shell casing, adding the to the war and peace theme.

The look wasn't everything I had hoped, but I think Tim Gunn would be proud that I made it work!  :-)

Necklace:  The Limited (Available here)
Clutch:  The Limited (Available here)
Ring:  LOFT
Shoes:  Simply Vera by Vera Wang

Do you watch Project Runway?  Whose/which designs are your favorites?

In the St. Louis area?  Check out Project: Design happening this Wednesday at Windows on Washington and help support emerging designers.  On Thursday, Industry Night is sure to please as local and runway designers are showcased, including Laura Kathleen!  

Get more info and purchase tickets here.