#STLFW Designer Runway Showcase

The Saint Louis Fashion Week finale at Union Station was a spectacular showcase that packed an extra-special punch of fashion goodness! Check it out:

SAINT RITA PARLOR

I snagged a few minutes pre-show to chat with Neil Bardon about his brainchild, Saint Rita Parlor. The brand, launched in 2013, is named after his grandmother Rita. The eyewear, accessories, and garments are inspired by his grandfather, a prisoner of war in the 1940s. Refreshingly intelligent and offbeat, the designer described his menswear collection as "Ivy League meets World War 1" with an undercurrent of "European" and "Catholic" flavor. Although Neil is a St. Louis native, he currently resides in Los Angeles. When I politely suggested that he return home, he laughed about how much he appreciates the always-sunny California weather. (Can't really argue with that.) 

Neil Bardon, founder of Saint Rita Parlor
Right and lower photos by Victoria Lafferty

Insider tidbits: the all-black look is Neil's fave, as it is the first men's outfit he ever designed. The long jacket has 33 buttons because "Jesus died at age 33."
Photos by Victoria Lafferty

TESS GIBERSON
Neutral hues and a myriad of fabrics make this New Hampshire native's modern, feminine collection quite visually pleats-ing. The gorgeous crochet top got lots of buzz from the peanut gallery in my runway section.  

Photos by Mark Schwigen

Photos by Mark Schwigen

TIMO WEILAND

A mesmerizing mix of textures like lace and knits, a pastel/black/white color palette, and looks for men and women characterize this Nebraskan-born designer's collection. Despite the varied silhouettes, it was still cohesive and classy.

Photos by Mark Schwigen

My fave is the cropped sweater!
Photos by Mark Schwigen

YIGAL AZROUËL
Israeli-born Yigal Azrouël's signature aesthetic is expert draping and construction. I was blown away by the outerwear pieces and playful prints. The shoes paired with each look apparently looked much cuter than they felt, as one model brazenly took off her heels before continuing her runway walk. She probably broke about a thousand runway rules, which garnered her many smiles and applause.

Photos by Mark Schwigen

Photos by Mark Schwigen

2 comments stl-style

Share: