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ALIVE and Saint Louis Fashion Week have been longtime supporters of local designers, and this year, we’ve upped the ante with a new initiative that will send one STL-based fashion designer to the Dallas Apparel and Accessories Market.

The chance to attend a leading retailer event such as Dallas Market is a significant one for both established and up-and-coming designers, as it provides them the opportunity to gain buyers from across the country, as well as earn the necessary market exposure to take their brands to the next level.

With stakes this high, deciding which local designer to send to… more …

If Rungolee isn’t in your fashion vocabulary—or, more importantly, in your closet—than it is time to make a change. Rungolee designer Anjali Kamra invited us into her gorgeous Ladue home this week to celebrate the launch of her Spring 2013 collection. A poolside runway show accompanied with small bites and sips courtesy of Elaia & Olio made for a perfect Tuesday evening. Attendees were encouraged to shop the collection after the show, and a percentage of the evening’s sales benefited the Contemporary Art Museum and Saint Louis Ballet.

Rungolee is truly the embodiment of Kamra’s spirit. Featherweight fabrics surprise you,… more …

Supporters of the LGBT community came out in droves to the Contemporary Art Museum this past Saturday for the sixth annual Urbanaire in support of PROMO and the work it does in the name of LGBT equality.

The statewide organization is known for helping LGBT Missourians create a supportive and visible community, become active in the democratic process and work for their equal protection under the law.  Successful events like Urbanaire have helped the organization build community awareness and grassroots support for LGBT equality and increase civic participation of LGBT Missourians.

If there was one theme of the evening–other than the worthy… more …

St. Louis pro model scouts Jeff and Mary Clark of Mother Model Management have discovered their fair share of celebrity and supermodel royalty. Ashton Kutcher, Jenny Sweeney, Katie Fogarty and Vogue’s “it” girl Karlie Kloss have all been scouted by the Clarks and propelled full force into the fashion industry with gigs ranging from Cosmo to Versace. Chesterfield native and plus-size model Jennie Runk is no exception. After being discovered, Runk booked Vogue within a year of being signed, and has posed for high-profile publications such as Marie Claire, Seventeen and CosmoGirl. It’s Runk’s latest endeavor, however, that has the… more …

Despite the dreary weather, fashion and art fans alike donned their umbrellas and showed up in numbers to last Friday’s opening reception of “DRESSED,” an art-meets-fashion presentation curated by designer Michael Drummond. I was honored to assist Drummond on the exhibition, held at the St. Louis Regional Arts Commission through June 15, featuring works by Drummond, fellow “Project Runway” alum Laura Kathleen, Opera Theatre of St. Louis Head Draper Bob Trump, artist Marie McInerney and teacher/designer Deborah Pontious—all from St. Louis.

Drummond cites his influences as everything from hip-hop to excess and obsession.”I’m really interested in showing people who get… more …

Sustainable jewelry line John Hardy sent Creative Director and Head Designer Guy Bedarida to Saint Louis this week for an impressive trunk show at Saks Fifth Avenue. The luxury label is best known for its Balinese jewelry making techniques and a devotion to staying green and giving back to the environment. We were lucky enough to spend a little time with Guy and gain some insight on the new collection and his ongoing devotion to keeping the company socially responsible.



ALIVE: What is an average day for Guy Bedarida?



GUY BEDARIDA: I wouldn’t say any day is “average” as I… more …

St. Louis native and “Project Runway All-Star” Laura Kathleen Planck tied the knot this past weekend at the Fabulous Fox Theatre. The fab designer invited ALIVE to partake in the day of ceremonies, and we couldn’t have been more honored. The lighting and architecture of the The Fox provided a relaxing backdrop for the bride as hair stylist Tiffany Roberts and makeup artist Kimmie Feilds prepared her for the festivities.

Melanie Moon, in the process of receiving her signature smokey eye, told us that Laura Kathleen wanted all of her bridesmaids to feel like themselves. Each girl had creative control over their own hair… more …

The Contemporary Art Museum held over 500 guests this weekend at one of its biggest events of the year, the Dada Ball and Bash. Known for it’s elaborate costumes and attire, Dada keeps even the most wardrobe savvy attendees on their toes. The party’s inspiration this past weekend came from CAM’s exhibit “Jeremy Deller: Joy in People.” The attire was “creative cockney”–and creative it certainly was. Check out our special edition of Dada Style Files below, and don’t forget to view the full gallery of Dada Ball & Bash party pics!

We loved this gentleman’s take on Jeremy Deller’s Battle… more …