The Insider's Guide to The 9th Annual Pins & Needles Design Competition
Imagine a world in which Saint Louis, Missouri was a celebrated mecca of shopping and retail. Infamous as New York City's Garment District and situated proudly in the Heartland, the Gateway to the Midwest. Instead of bars and scattered businesses, Washington Avenue would gleam with the manicured storefronts and power-washed sidewalks that only accompany an upscale fashion district. The sidewalks would ebb and flow with the fluid motion of concerned mothers and tu-tu'd daughters, greasy teenagers and bored husbands, gold-chained gentleman and Starbucks-clutching ladies. Hard to imagine? Perhaps not as hard as you might think.
Such was the case throughout the early 1900s, when Saint Louis had one of the largest needle-trade centers in the country. Customers would actually walk out of stores without buying if they couldn't get their hands on St. Louis originals. Washington Avenue was once the shoe manufacturing capital of the United States, dubbed "Shoe Street USA," and was even credited with the first development of the junior-size dress category.
Although Saint Louis' garment industry would ultimately struggle with the advent of discount chains and the introduction of foreign merchandising, the city once thrived with active commerce thanks primarily to clothing design and manufacturing.
The Pins & Needles Design Competition seeks to revive our rich culture with their fashion show spotlighting new designers on Thursday, August 10th at The Majorette. Doors will open at 6pm, with the runway coming alive at 7:30pm. A project undertaken by the aptly named Brainchild Events, Pins & Needles spotlights aspiring designers in one-night, unforgettable fashion soirees.
This year's design competition will feature 6 designers from across the country competing for a $15,000 prize package, including a $1,000 cash prize from the Saint Louis Fashion Fund and other exposure to help launch successful careers in the fashion industry. Previous entrants have gone on to participate in Project Runway, America's Next Top Model, and New York Fashion Week.
Pins & Needles celebrates and supports the creativity and artistry of new designers by giving them the exposure, experience, and tools they need to take their collections from runway to retail.
Although standard ticket prices range from $25-40, I'm thrilled to share that I've teamed up with the Pins & Needles crew to offer an exciting discount exclusively to my friends and readers.
Use the referral code, "Johnson15" for 15% off of your tickets to the 9th Annual Pins & Needles Design Competition!
PRO-TIP: Both VIP and General Admission tickets will be 15% off with my discount code, so why not consider upgrading to a VIP experience? VIP tickets include pre-show appetizers, drinks, reserved seating, and a VIP swag bag!
So what are you waiting for? I've got my tickets to the show; who will I see there? Don't miss the premier event in the Saint Louis fashion community, the Pins & Needles Design Competition on Thursday, August 10th at 7:30 pm at The Majorette!
Click here to visit Brainchild Events' website and read more about their project, Pins & Needles.
PRO-TIP: Eager to meet the designers and creatives behind the show? Don't miss the Pins & Needles Meet and Greet the evening before the event, Wednesday, August 9th at 7pm at the Live Juke Joint Dueling Piano Bar in Maplewood (7376 Manchester Rd, St. Louis MO 63143). Come meet and network with the biggest names in the Saint Louis fashion community. Click here to RSVP that you're coming!
xoxo,
Emily