Economy of Style
A notebook on evolving trends, fashion sense and cents

STLFW Unites Spring Styles and Stories of Survival

It’s fashion week in St. Louis! Last night, I attended the kickoff event of Saint Louis Fashion Week (STLFW), a Spring Style Soirée at the West County Center. The event was packed with inspiration. We were inspired by the spring styles curated by Sarah Stallman, Fashion Editor at Alive Magazine, and we were also inspired by the strength and swag shown by seven cancer survivors who walked the runway in the opening presentation.

Here are a few highlights from the runway presentation at the event. The looks come from Macy’s, Nordstrom, The Limited, Gap, Altar’d State, and Banana Republic.

Macy’s: Graphic print mini skirt | Faux leather jacket

Ann Taylor: Fine stripe shirt | Fine stripe pants

The Limited: Halter jumpsuit | Clutch

Gap: Mesh sweater | Khaki shorts

Banana Republic: Cross-back pullover | Striped ponte pencil skirt

Cancer strikes one in three women. Last night’s event was particularly special, then, because 100% of proceeds benefitted the Siteman Cancer Center, an institution at the forefront of cancer treatment, research, prevention, education, and community outreach. As an added bonus, the event honored survivors who walked the runway holding cards indicating the number of years they’ve been kicking cancer’s butt.

White House | Black Market: 

Floral dress |  Trench jacket | Dark wash jeans

Colorblock tee | Piped ankle pants | Stripe fit and flare dress 

There were several others involved in setting the mood for this successful event. Angie Lewis of Honey and Denim was a superb host. DJ TrashTalk kept the energy high with the perfect sounds. Jenni Radosevich of I SPY DIY and The Foundrie helped folks explore their creative skills at an on-site DIY booth.

Spring styles seen in this post:

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What I Wore: STLFW, Day 3

For the next three years, Saint Louis Fashion Week will call Union Station home. Attendees got to experience this new swanky space on the final night of this season’s STLFW. For coverage on that event, check out Saint Louis Fashion Week: Designer Showcase.

Today’s post shares my last STLFW outfit, a look anchored by a geometric print shift dress by RACHEL Rachel Roy. This dress was an easy choice for me because it combines a classic, figure-flattering silhouette with a modern, hip print. It’s also on sale! I paired my dress with a complementary pair of printed pumps. The blue/white pattern on the pumps played well with the print/colors on the dress. A black studded clutch and mint spike bracelet add edgy accents.

Dress—RACHEL Rachel Roy for Macy’s (on sale) (extra 25% off for F&F)

Earrings—Kate Spade | similar

Bag—Rebecca Minkoff

Shoes—Joe’s Jeans

Earrings—Kate Spade | similar

Bracelet—J.Crew 

Watch—Michael Kors | similar

Lip—Mac ‘Heroine’ lipstick, Mac ‘Heroine’ lip pencil

What I Wore: STLFW, Day 2

Rebecca Minkoff presenting at Saks St. Louis is an occasion to get glam for. And, St. Louisans showed up and showed out, y’all! See what I mean in Alive magazine’s best dressed list (featuring yours truly) from that night.

I wore a silk dress with a fresh, global print for the event. The dress, which retails for over $300, was a recent T.J. Maxx find. I paid less than a 1/3 of the retail value of the dress at the Runway at Maxx store. Talk about a memorable maxxinista moment! To complete my look, I added caged booties, a yellow clutch, and chandelier earrings.

Dress—Nicole Miller Artelier | option, NM dress I love
Shoes—Tahari
Bag—Kate Spade (sold out) | similar
Earrings—Kate Spade
Watch—Michael Kors | similar
Lip—Mac ‘Heroine’ lipstick, Mac “Heroine” lip pencil

What I Wore: STLFW, Day 1

Saint Louis Fashion Week was a blast! I hope you’ve enjoyed peeking inside the fashion scene here in the Lou. If you missed any of my SLTFW recaps, be sure to check ’em out—Day 1: Spring into Fashion, Day 2: Rebecca Minkoff at Saks, and Day 3: Designer Showcase.

Today’s post shares what I wore to the Spring into Fashion event. The dress is a recent bargain buy from the Loft. I got it for a sale-on-sale price of $40 (orig. $98). To counter the ‘cuteness’ of the dress, I wore my J.Crew Cleo Perforated Mirror Metallic Loafers, J.Crew’s spin on the classic gentleman’s smoking slipper. I kept accessories minimal to allow the striking square eyelet design on the dress to take center stage.

Dress—Loft (on sale)

Shoes—J.Crew (on sale in-store)
Earrings—Kate Spade | similar
Watch—Michael Kors | similar (on sale)
Clutch—Kate Spade | similar (on sale)
Lip—Mac ‘Heroine’ lipstick, Mac “Heroine” lip pencil

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.