Saint Louis Fashion Week: Designer Showcase

Saint Louis Fashion Week, now in its ninth year of existence, continues to spread the word that there’s an impressive breadth of talent in the Midwest. The finale event last night, a designer showcase at St. Louis Union Station, opened with a presentation by local designers Dipped and Dyed, Michael Drummond, Blue Bird Apparel, and Devil City. A runway show followed featuring designs by Skif International, Novis, Harbison, and Viktor Luna.

Highlights from the designer presentation.

Skif International hit the runway first, sending a diverse (by age, gender, size, and race) group of models down the catwalk. Skif’s collection demonstrated that its naturally-fabricated knitwear is for every woman and man.

Novis, a line by Washington University in St. Louis graduate, Jordana Warmflash, followed Skif. This collection, filled with heavy knits and printastic dresses, all in earth tones, left me longing for fall. Dress lovers, how gorgeous is the dress (seen below) in that striking watercolor print?

  

Viktor Luna’s collection entitled “Pangea” kept attendees captivated. Inspired by hunters and exotic animals, the pieces were both feminine and barbaric. What stood out in this collection, though, was Luna’s clear mastery of leather. The perforated and diamond cut leather patterns were simply exquisite.

Harbison, a line by Charles Elliot Harbison, closed the show on an exciting foot. His collection of very modern, clean, and elegant looks subtly blur the lines of gender. His menswear-inspired outerwear stood out as pieces the sophisticated woman would want to buy and keep forever.