St. Louis is set to become a hotspot for Gents Fashion as Gent Men’s Fashion Week culminates in a highly anticipated runway show at CITYPARK on Sunday, February 18, 2024. This event, kicking off at 3 p.m., promises to be a vibrant showcase of both established and emerging menswear designers, with a special focus on the intersection of sports and style.
The runway will feature an exciting lineup of personalities, including Lutz Pfannenstiel, Sporting Director for St. Louis CITY SC, Head Coach Bradley Carnell, and CITY SC players. Adding to the unique flavor of the event, participants from the CITY Futures youth soccer program will also grace the runway, highlighting the community spirit at the heart of this fashion week.
The collections on display will be diverse and trend-setting. Headlining the event is London-based designer Stuart Trevor, cofounder of AllSaints and Bolongaro Trevor, who will debut his new sustainable fashion line on the U.S. runway for the first time. Local talents will also shine, with collections from menswear designers Paulie Gibson, The Normal Brand, Rocket Supernova, Ying Ying Ying, and Lukas Roe. A special selection from CITY SC will further emphasize the growing influence of sports aesthetics in contemporary gents fashion.
This year’s Gent Men’s Fashion Week is not just about the runway show. It’s a week-long celebration of men’s style, running from February 12-18, and featuring a variety of events across St. Louis. The initiative is spearheaded by Dwight Carter, CEO of Brainchild Next and a board member of the Saint Louis Fashion Fund, underscoring the collaborative effort to elevate the gents fashion scene in St. Louis.
The Saint Louis Fashion Fund, celebrating its 10th anniversary, plays a crucial role in nurturing the city’s fashion industry. The Runway at CITYPARK event is one of ten events marking this milestone year, demonstrating the Fund’s commitment to fashion education, outreach, and supporting emerging designers in the realm of gents fashion. Historically, St. Louis has been a significant player in garment manufacturing, and the Fashion Fund is working to revitalize and modernize this legacy.
Susan Sherman, Co-founder and Board Chair of the Saint Louis Fashion Fund, highlighted the natural synergy between sports and fashion, particularly menswear. Observing the stylish arrivals of CITY SC players at matches, she recognized an opportunity to merge the energy of sports with the dynamism of gents fashion. The themes of sustainability, sports jerseys, and sports-inspired fashion, all prominent in menswear trends for 2024, find a perfect platform at Gent Men’s Fashion Week.
Lee Broughton, Chief Brand Architect of St. Louis CITY SC, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the city’s rich history in both fashion and soccer. He noted the influence of professional athletes in shaping global menswear trends, making the partnership between CITY SC and Gent Men’s Fashion Week a natural fit. This collaboration aims to elevate St. Louis’s profile in both the fashion design and soccer culture spheres, recognizing the growing convergence of these two worlds in modern gents fashion.
Beyond the runway show, Gent Men’s Fashion Week offers a diverse schedule of events. The week commenced with the annual Blue Jacket Fashion Show on February 1st at the 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis, raising awareness for prostate cancer. This event, streamed live from NY, featured top designers and celebrities, linking St. Louis to the broader national gents fashion conversation.
Further enriching the week’s offerings, the Missouri History Museum hosted “Decades: The History of Men’s Fashion” on February 13th. This panel discussion, sponsored by Tacony Corporation/Baby Lock, explored the evolution of men’s style with insights from industry experts like Dan Kramer, General Manager of Neiman Marcus St. Louis, author Valerie Battle Kienzle, and local menswear designer Cedric Cobb. This event provided a historical context to contemporary gents fashion trends.
Capping off the week, Saturday, February 17th, was dedicated to Men’s Retail Day. Over 10 local retailers, including Tufts and Batson, Rudamentary, Profield Reserve, and The Normal Brand, participated with in-store events and sales, encouraging the community to support local businesses and explore the latest in gents fashion. This retail focus strengthens the local fashion ecosystem and provides consumers direct access to diverse menswear offerings.
Gent Men’s Fashion Week 2024, through its runway show and associated events, effectively positions St. Louis as a rising hub for gents fashion. By blending high-profile runway events with community engagement and historical perspectives, it offers a comprehensive and engaging experience for fashion enthusiasts and industry professionals alike. The week’s events underscore the dynamic and evolving landscape of menswear, highlighting both local talent and broader industry trends.
