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!!!

Get Your Motor Runnin'

Hope you all had a great day!

Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)
Tank:  Target (Similar here)

Maybe I'm craving a road trip because today's work look is loosely inspired by the road.  I started with a faux leather jacket perfect for riding the road on a motorcycle (it's actually quite warm even if not a proper "leather").

Jacket: The Limited (Similar here)
Shoes:  Target (old)

Purse:  The Limited
Necklace:  Express

Then, very literally, I thought of the colors of the road and added a hematite grey necklace and traffic line yellow tank.

To make the look a little more work appropriate, I added high-waisted trousers and a basic work bag. 

Ring:  Local flea market

Snake bracelet:  Torrid (Available here)
Earrings:  The Limited

This outfit could easily transition from day to night by swapping out the tote for a more fun bag like this or this.

For these pants in other looks, see here, here and here.
For this jacket in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Project:Design Showcases Up-and-Coming Designers

Last Wednesday, I had the pleasure of attending Project:Design, a design contest showcasing up-and-coming designers vieing for an outstanding prize package valued at over $30,000 plus a $2,500 cash prize!

Before the contest started, last year's winners entertained the audience with new collections.

Lauren Bander
One of my favorite collections of the night was presented by last year's winner, Lauren Bander.  The pretty flowy pieces had such a feminine, romantic quality.  The tulle dress was just angelic, and you know I love me a tulle skirt!!!

Elise Lammert
Last year's People Choice winner, Elise Lammert showed a colorful collection perfect for a resort.

Abaya Dake
Then, it was on to this year's contestants.  Abaya Dake showed a colorful, African-inspired, figure flattering collection that proved to be the crowd favorite.  Dake took home the People Choice award!!

Fouché

Nicole Fouché showed a darkly romantic collection that was one of my personal favorites.  Burgundies, black, and gold lace and brocade made for a stunning fall collection.

Miita Collection
New York-based Miita Collection was all white with clean lines and sporty luxe details.  I loved this opalescent sequin dress!

Black by Maria Silver
Maria Silver mixed chiffon prints with ease and created a fun, flirty, and feminine collection that had an easy 70s vibe with just a touch of 90s flair thrown in for good measure.

Spansen Filles
Spansen Filles' avante-garde collection included drop crotches, mixed materials, and interesting up-cycled sweaters and afghans.

Q Liu
Ending the show, Q Liu created one of the most unique collections of the night.  With a true eye to detail, felt dresses took flight with gorgeous bird drawings.  Fun touches like nest purses and a bird and branch fascinator perfectly complemented the looks.

This year's Project:Design winner?  Dah, dah, dah...Miita!!  New York Fashion Week creator Fern Mallis and Publisher of Alive Magazine Elizabeth Tucker presented the winning designers with a check for $2500 to help them launch their line.

Since they weren't from the area, the judge's runner-up, local designer Q Liu walked away with the amazing prize of a free year's rent!

Lorena of Garnets and Sapphires and Julia of Oh, Julia Ann
Photo by Psyche Southwell of Economy of Style

All in all, it was great to see so much talent and to meet up with some fellow local bloggers!

All photos by Alive Magazine, unless otherwise stated.

Help Me Re-Name My Blog!!

For some time, I have been wanting to change the name of my blog. I want something that is catchy and easy to remember but that also fits the content and mission of my site.

I have always planned for a different logo for the blog and have grappled over other aspects of my site's design. By the end of the year, I plan to make several changes to my blog's design that I hope you will all enjoy.

By then, I also hope to have a new name to go with my new look. To that end, I am looking for suggestions. Any and all ideas are greatly appreciated!

 Thanks so much!!

Cassential Links, 10/5/13

So sorry I've missed Cassential Links over the last couple weeks!  Enjoy!


Wendy looks stunning in this colorblock dress!

An all-black outfit and a killer statement necklace?  Sold!

A project designed to fight unrealistic body expectations after pregnancyI have (and adore) this blazer in black and initially had it in pink but changed my mind.  These ladies (here and here) have me wishing I had both! 

As an attendee at St. Louis Fashion Week events, I was interested in this perspective.

Best moment of Fashion Month?  Rick Owens shows that clothes SHOULD be shown on diverse bodies in movement!

Love the ease and sexiness of this casual outfit.  Pops of neon yellow are just the whip cream on this versatile look.

Has Barbie been replaced?


Nobody nails retro chic quite like Kaelah Bee! 

Speaking of retro, Ashley Rose's classic looks and amazing curves are pin-up gorgeous in this burgundy dress!

Playful Patterns

Hi everyone, and happy Friday!!!

Dress:  LOFT

I hope today's look puts a smile on your face because it certainly does mine! 

As most of you probably know by now, black and white is my favorite color combo and I love mixed prints.

Cardigan:  Torrid

Shoes:  Target (old)

The fit and flare shape of the dress and red peep-toe heels lend the look a retro vibe.

I only wore this outfit long enough for pictures, but I would definitely wear it to a bridal or baby shower or for another fun or festive occasion.

Clutch:  The Limited

And because joy is so often found in play...

Have a great weekend everyone!!  :-D

For this dress in another look, see here.

Easy Edge

On Sunday, my mom, the older kids, and I went to the DaVinci Machines Exhibition currently in St. Louis (see more here).

The exhibit was fascinating, and I learned a lot about DaVinci that I never knew.  The fact that the man was a beyond brilliant visionary is apparent, but also yay to the fact that he was a pacifist and a vegetarian!

Tank:  The Limited (Available here)
Pants:  New York & Company (Similar here)

I wanted to be comfortable and wear these sweatpant-like pants.  I was thinking of wearing a t-shirt, but it was most definitely laundry day and nothing was clean.  I pulled this leopard tank out of the closet and grabbed my knit moto cardigan, and I had an outfit!

Cardigan:  Converse One Star for Target (old)
Tote:  The Limited (old)

Cuff:  New York & Company
Boots:  Payless

This outfit was super comfortable all day, and I love that it has a little edginess to it while being ultra casual.

I couldn't decide whether to the wear the pants legs pulled up or left down, but whenever I pulled them up, they fell down after a short time, so my decision was made for me!

For this shell in another look, see here.
For the cardigan in other looks, see here, here, here, here, and here. 

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.