A decade of style: SLFF hosts year-long calendar of anniversary events
In honor of its 10th anniversary, Saint Louis Fashion Fund is hosting a year-long celebration of the people, organizations and businesses making St. Louis one of the most vibrant fashion cities in the United States.
“Saint Louis Fashion Fund is an important voice for the entire industry – and we’re all stronger together,” says Susan Sherman, board chair and co-founder of SLFF. The nonprofit launched in 2014 with a mission to revitalize St. Louis’ historic Garment District and put the metro back on the fashion map.
In collaboration with local and national fashion designers, retailers and organizations, the Fund’s 2024 anniversary events include fashion shows, a fashion lobby day in Jefferson City and top fashion personalities visiting St. Louis. Attendees can also expect to see some familiar faces at events like the Gent Menswear Fashion show, held at City Park on Feb. 18, 2024, where St. Louis City SC teammates and young players from the squad’s “City Futures” program walk the runway in cutting-edge fashion.
In March, the Fund will host its first-ever Lobby Day at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City. “It’s part of a statewide effort to raise awareness for how fashion fits into the economy as a whole, from job attraction to economic development,” Sherman says, noting St. Louis’ $3.3 billion fashion industry.
In April, fashion design icon Michael Kors will headline the Fund’s free annual “Speaking of Fashion” event at Washington University in St. Louis. Another event to watch out for is the Lou Fusz Fashion Fleet, which involves fashion-statement-wrapped cars celebrating various 10th anniversary events.
As she looks back on the Fund’s first decade, Sherman recalls all the young designers and emerging brands that have inspired and energized her through the years. “We’ve grown up a lot,” she says. “We started with a fashion incubator on Washington Avenue until the pandemic hit us hard. Fashion is 24/7; it’s always changing – you have to pivot and change with it.”
Still, SLFF continues to attract and retain local to global talent, Sherman explains: “Every day, we serve youth with internships and job opportunities to keep talent in the city. Our local designers are the backbone of our ecosystem. We want to make sure they know there are opportunities for them in St. Louis.”
The nonprofit will also continue to support the industry’s workforce development, including the refugee training program at small-batch fashion manufacturer The Collective Thread in St. Louis’ storied Garment District.
Sherman credits the Fund’s board for helping the organization reach its decade-long milestone. “We have a consistent and tremendous board that cares about preserving and growing the business of fashion in St. Louis, supporting emerging brands and keeping them here to scale and grow,” she says.
The nonprofit’s 10th anniversary partners include WashU, Gent, FWRDSociety, The Collective Thread, STL Fashion Alliance, Missouri Historical Society, Mother Model Management, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and the Women’s Society of WashU.
SLFF welcomes everyone to join its anniversary celebration and check out upcoming free and ticketed events. Follow the Fund’s Instagram for posts about truck shows, holiday markets and opportunities to shop local all season long.
“The Fashion Fund is grateful to our generous sponsors over the years,” Sherman adds. “For our 10th anniversary, we are especially thankful to Washington University in St. Louis, Caleres, Lewis Rice Design Luxury, Edward Jones, Ken Cella, Kristin Johnson, Greater St. Louis Inc., Lou Fusz Automotive Network and U.S. Bancorp.”
Saint Louis Fashion Fund, saintlouisfashionfund.org