- POST-SHOW UPDATE -

The night was, in a word, unforgettable. I'm not exaggerating when I say that The Factory Fashion Show & Night Market was one of the best fashion events I've been to in the Saint Louis area and truly set the bar for other events in town. Attendance was close to capacity for the upstairs fashion show and showcased big players in the St. Louis underground fashion scene, including two of my favorite designers from the evening, Brandin Vaughn and Kristen Johnson. 

The vendors in the Night Market downstairs did not disappoint, and I nabbed an adorable new pieces from local companies: jorbaum and Vintage Visions. I can't wait to share what I got! Until then, check out a short video summing up my night below! 

9.16.2017

Supporting local can sometimes be...well, more difficult. It requires not ordering those shoes from Amazon Prime so they can be conveniently shipped to your doorstep in two days. Not ducking into Walmart on your way home from work for last minute groceries. Not stopping at big box stores for items that are locally grown, designed, and sourced.

But once you have the conviction to support budding businesses and local commerce, it becomes harder and harder to find high quality, small brands that resonate with you and your style.

For our early birds we've got farmer's markets, but even these present limitations. The market will be wrapping by the time some roll out of bed from the night before, hung over and focused on finding diner breakfasts. And even if we wake early, depending on the size of your market, non-food vendors can be few and far between.

So we go online. We read blogs and scroll Instagram. But sifting through the crowded World Wide Web to find quality, affordable goods is a frustrating game. Photos can be deceptive, and many times, intentionally so. Colors tweaked, details sharpened, and imperfections masked. They will not show you the softness of a fabric or the sturdiness of stitching. They certainly will not reveal that the ink on that t-shirt you're buying will quickly fade when washed.

Luckily there is an event in Saint Louis to answer all of these woes: The Factory Fashion Show & Night Market on Saturday, September 30th at 6pm. This bi-annual fashion show and night market celebrates the fresh, creative talent of St. Louis by shining a light on local business, art, and performance. 

That's right: Sleep in, enjoy your diner breakfast, and stillget your shop on with the hippest local brands. 

Taking over both levels of 2720 Cherokee Performing Arts Center, the Night Market will open at 6pm on the main level, with a cash bar, great music, and vendors from across the city selling their wares until 12am. 

Did I mention The Factory Night Market is free and open to the public?

Vendors in attendance will include Drawing with a Sewing Machine, jorbaum, Commérage Lingerie, Artists First, Lemonhead.LA, Visions Vintage, Barbara Bultman Designs, BLK MGK WOMAN apothecary+healing art, Rusty Mae Designs, Ghetto Rig, Route, Inc., Salt Attic Stitching, Lark Skin Co., and more.

At 8pm the action kicks off upstairs with The Factory's ticketed Bi-Annual Fashion Show. Known for fusing fashion and art with theatrical experimentation, the show will begin with a performance entitled, "The Intimate Movements of Disco," from talented local dancer and artist, Kat Reynolds.

PRO-TIP: Kat is also a talented photographer! After receiving her BA in Dance, she discovered another medium in which to create beautiful imagery. She has exhibited in spaces across the city, including The Pulitzer Arts Foundation, Fort Gondo Compound for the Arts, The Luminary, and more. Click here to check out her work!

St. Louis DJ and producer, nebulosa, will then take the stage to provide a bumping soundtrack for the main event, a fashion show curated exclusively by The Factory team. Don't miss an opportunity to see stunning collections from St. Louis' top designers, including Paulie Gibson, Brandin Vaughn, Stephanie Carlo, Lauren Michelle Tracy, Perpetua, and Jorge Marrero.

Got a passion for fashion? This is the perfect opportunity to witness the creative talent and intricate craftsmanship of the designers who makeup the underground fashion scene of St. Louis. There’s nothing else like it in the city!

PRO-TIP:  This is the first time The Factory will present two menswear collections from Paulie Gibson and Jorge Marrero. Click here to read more about all the collections, including The Factory's creator, Kristin Johnson's brand, 'Perpetua,' showing at the Fall 2017 Factory Fashion show! 

Tickets for The Factory Fashion Show range between $10-$30, depending on how close you'd like to be to the action. Nab a General Admission ticket for just $10, settle for second row at $20, or upgrade to a VIP experience for $30, which includes premium seating and complimentary beer and wine.

Click here to purchase your tickets to The Factory Fashion Show! 

Eager to meet the designers and creatives behind the show? Stick around for the after party with local performing artist, DJMAKossa, starting around 9pm. Continue to shop some of hippest small brands in the city or find your favorite designer in the crowd. Don't miss your opportunity to meet and network with the biggest names in the Saint Louis fashion community!

The Factory Fashion Show & Night Market creates a platform for collaboration between artists of all media. Focusing on supporting local, independent designers, and “shop small” communities, The Factory team seeks to build direct connections between artist and consumer and create an interactive experience for the audience.

Support the artists and the makers of our community. Don't miss The Factory Fashion Show and Night Market, starting at 6pm on Saturday, September 30th at 2720 Cherokee St! 

Will I see you there?  Leave me a comment below! 

xoxo,