SAINT LOUIS FASHION WEEK returns on October 9-13

ALIVE Magazine and Brown Shoe Company present SAINT LOUIS FASHION WEEK™ ’12, 
OCTOBER 9 – 13, 2012

Seventh season of Saint Louis Fashion Week™ welcomes St. Louis-turned-international-designer Emily Brady Koplar, spotlights emerging local designers and partners with top local retailers for runway shows, after parties and more

St. Louis (September 6, 2012) – Saint Louis Fashion Week™, which originated in 2007 and has developed into St. Louis’ premier and nationally recognized fashion event, returns on October 9 - 13. Presented by Brown Shoe Company, Saint Louis Fashion Week ’12 consists of five consecutive nights of runway shows, stylish in-store events, pre-show cocktail hours, shopping opportunities, special appearances and after parties—all while highlighting the latest fashion trends and supporting the city’s emerging designers and top retailers. This year’s Saint Louis Fashion Week will take place at a different venue each night, including the Saint Louis Science Center EXPLORADOME, Plaza Frontenac, Saint Louis Galleria, Macy’s at Saint Louis Galleria and Pointe 400. Tickets for Saint Louis Fashion Week are currently on sale and range from $15-45 per night or $100 for a weeklong pass.

One of this year’s highlights is St. Louis-native-turned-international fashion designer Emily Brady Koplar, who will showcase pieces from her clothing line Wai Ming as part of Liquid Style, the flagship and finale of Saint Louis Fashion Week on October 13. Koplar’s line of women’s clothing, which has been described as “fresh, light, effortless chic” and “sophistication with a youthful, downtown edge” is carried by three St. Louis boutiques as well as retailers in New York City, Chicago and Bermuda just to name a few.

Another highlight is the October 9 Project: Design! runway competition, which showcases the collections of six of St. Louis’ top emerging fashion designers whose styles range from military-rock ‘n roll and 1940s glamour to enchanting, fairytale-like creations. Unique to this year’s showcase is a special car-inspired look that will be included in each designer’s collection. Sponsored in part by Chevy Keys to STL, this year’s Project:Design! challenge involves flying the participating finalist designers to the General Motors Design Center in Detroit, Michigan to meet with GM car designers to discuss their respective crafts and sources of inspiration. The designers are tasked with the challenge to create a look that reflects their trip to the GM Design Center with inspiration from cars and car design. Each designer’s auto-inspired look will debut on the catwalk along with their collections at Project:Design! on October 9, the first official night of Saint Louis Fashion Week. The participating Project:Design! finalist designers are Jessica Affsprung of Edwardsville, Lauren Bander of St. Louis, Elise Lammert of St. Louis, Whitney Manney of Kansas City, Michele Sansone of O’Fallon, Missouri and Ashley Ulicni of St. Louis.

“Saint Louis Fashion Week continues to highlight our city’s talent and contributions to the fashion industry while celebrating our community’s love and interest in fashion,” said Elizabeth Tucker, co-founder of Saint Louis Fashion Week and publisher of ALIVE Magazine. “This year’s participation by designers like Emily Brady Koplar, the stellar line-up of local designers in Project:Design! and the active involvement of our local retailers, boutiques and sponsors like Brown Shoe Company and Chevrolet are great examples of the enormous amount of creativity and support for fashion right here in St. Louis.”

Event Schedule 
Saint Louis Fashion Week brings together St. Louis’ leading national retailers and boutiques, emerging designer talent and fashion enthusiasts for a weeklong event filled with style, glitz and glamour. The full schedule of events include:

Tuesday, October 9 – PROJECT DESIGN! 
Presented by Brown Shoe Company 
A showcase and runway battle of St. Louis’ top emerging fashion talent. It begins as an open online fashion design competition and culminates with six finalists competing for the title of St. Louis’ hottest up-and-coming designer. The finalist designers showcase their collections along with this year’s challenge of creating a car-inspired look. Runway footwear provided by Brown Shoe Company. 
Tickets: $20 (online pre-sale); $25 (at the door) 
Time: 6 p.m. (Cocktail Party), 7 p.m. (Fashion Show) 
Location: Saint Louis Science Center EXPLORADOME (5050 Oakland Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110) 
After Party: Sub-Zero Vodka Bar (308 North Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63108)

Wednesday, October 10 – PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER 
Presented by Macy’s at Saint Louis Galleria 
Join Macy’s as it showcases the Fall 2012 trends for men and women on the runway. Guests will receive 25% off of any purchase from the Impulse and INC International Concept departments during the event. Be one of the first 200 guests to check in and receive a free gift bag and the opportunity to make a $5 donation to St. Louis Children’s Hospital and receive a $10 Macy’s Savings Card to use that night. 
All proceeds benefit St. Louis Children’s Hospital 
Tickets: $15 (online pre-sale); $20 (at the door) 
Time: 6 p.m. (Cocktail Party), 7 p.m. (Fashion Show), 8 p.m. (Shopping) 
Location: Macy’s at Saint Louis Galleria (1550 Saint Louis Galleria, St. Louis, MO 63117)

Thursday, October 11 – FALL IN FASHION 
Presented by Saint Louis Galleria 
A collection of various designers and brands throughout the Saint Louis Galleria will be working together to create a fun and fashion forward runway show. 
All proceeds benefit HavenHouse St. Louis 
Tickets: $15 (online pre-sale); $20 (at the door) 
Time: 6 p.m. (Cocktail Party), 7 p.m. (Fashion Show), 8 p.m. (Shopping) 
Location: Saint Louis Galleria (1155 Saint Louis Galleria, St. Louis, MO 63117) 
After Party: BlackFinn American Grille (1147 Saint Louis Galleria, St. Louis, MO 63117)

Friday, October 12 – INDULGE 
Presented by Plaza Frontenac 
Enjoy a show featuring select luxury brands of Plaza Frontenac. Come join us for 2012 Fall fashion with the best of what Plaza Frontenac has to offer. 
All proceeds benefit SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. 
Tickets: $15 (online pre-sale); $20 (at the door) 
Time: 6 p.m. (Cocktail Party), 7 p.m. (Fashion Show), 8 p.m. (Shopping) 
Location: Plaza Frontenac (Lindbergh Blvd. & Clayton Rd., St. Louis, MO 63131)

Saturday, October 13 – LIQUID STYLE 
Presented by ALIVE Magazine 
An event featuring the best of St. Louis boutiques, including an exclusive look at St. Louis-native-turned-international designer Emily Brady Koplar’s women’s clothing line, Wai Ming. Experience fashions from local boutiques with footwear by Brown Shoe Company. Enjoy a show of unique and stylish trends specific to St. Louis. 
Tickets: $40 (online pre-sale); $45 (at the door) 
Time: 7 p.m. (Cocktail Party), 8 p.m. (Fashion Show), 9 p.m. (After Party) 
Location: Pointe 400 
After Party: Three Sixty (1 S. Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102)

For more information on the Saint Louis Fashion Week schedule, please visit www.stlouisfashionweek.com. To keep up with the latest news and updates, follow Saint Louis Fashion Week on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.

Tickets 
Saint Louis Fashion Week is open to the public with purchase of a ticket. Tickets range from $15 to $45 per evening. Weeklong passes are $100 and include admission to all Fashion Week events as well as two complimentary sponsored drinks and appetizers at all events. Tickets and passes are currently available for purchase online at www.stlfashionweek.com. Advance ticket purchase is recommended as many shows sell out. Tickets are available for purchase at the door each night of Fashion Week pending availability. On the nights of October 10 – 12, one hundred percent of proceeds will benefit the host retailer’s charity of choice, which includes St. Louis Children’s Hospital, HavenHouse Saint Louis and SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center.

Event Sponsors 
Saint Louis Fashion Week’s title sponsor is Brown Shoe Company. Supporting sponsors include Chevy Keys to STL, Bud Light Platinum, Plaza Frontenac, Saint Louis Galleria, Macy’s, Effen Vodka, Partnership for Downtown St. Louis, Monster Energy, Esther, Devil City, Cha, Ivy Hill, Sole & Blues and The Eye Bar.

Event Partners 
Media partners of Saint Louis Fashion Week include Z107.7, Sauce Magazine, Town & Style and Vital Voice. Additional partners include Mother Model Management, West Model & Talent Management, Centro Models, SHEE, 963 Collective, Balluun.com, Sarah Thompson Productions, Rock Uniform PR, Ayden Activation Group, Saint Louis Science Center, Saint Louis Children’s Hospital, HavenHouse St. Louis, Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, Alobars, Saint Louis Paul Mitchell School, Stonewater Spa & Salon, Regis Salon, Midwest Valet Parking and Weinhardt Party Rentals.

About Saint Louis Fashion Week 
Saint Louis Fashion Week began in August 2007 when the city welcomed hundreds of out-of-towners and St. Louis residents over five consecutive nights. These fashion enthusiasts flocked to runway shows and after-parties to get a glimpse of the latest trends, top designers, models and entertainment. Saint Louis Fashion Week expanded in 2008 with a lineup of shows unprecedented in the Midwest. The Spring 2008 edition received major national media attention, critical acclaim and featured global fashion icon (and St. Louis native) Kimora Lee Simmons, who brought along camera crews from her hit TV show “Life in the Fab Lane” to film her in action. Since then Saint Louis Fashion Week has become the city’s and one of the Midwest’s premier and nationally recognized fashion event. It features a week of fashion shows highlighting the season’s latest trends at marquis venues throughout the St. Louis area. Saint Louis Fashion Week kicks off with Project:Design!, a competitive showcase of St. Louis’ top designers, followed by a week-long series of fashion shows with national retail partners at premier venues throughout St. Louis. Saint Louis Fashion Week culminates with Liquid Style, a showcase of offerings from the city’s most chic boutiques, and the collection from the winner of Project:Design!, which has also been accredited with helping to launch the careers of several designers. Past participants have included hit TV series “Project Runway” alumni A.J. Thouvenot (Andy J), Laura Kathleen and Michael Drummond. For more information about Saint Louis Fashion Week, please visit www.stlouisfashionweek.com