Wes Gordon to appear at STL Fashion Fund, Neiman Marcus

What’s in store for the “Conversation with Wes Gordon?”

Gordon will bring his singular vision and years of experience to St. Louis for the SLFF annual “Speaking of Fashion” series in partnership with Washington University in St. Louis and Caleres.

The event, open to the public (and also set to be livestreamed), will be followed by a Q&A moderated by Derek Blasberg, a native St. Louisan, journalist, author, and fashion industry personality.

[Additionally,] Gordon will receive the Saint Louis Fashion Fund Award, presented to individuals making major contributions in fashion. Past recipients include Michael Kors, Diane von Furstenberg, the late André Leon Talley…and Karlie Kloss.

What’s new for this year’s program?

Blasberg [and Gordon] are friends, so we know the Q&A should be most lively. Gordon’s age and youth is something we love, and he has ties to the Midwest as he’s from Chicago.

New this year, [Gordon] has agreed to have lunch with a group of Missouri fashion students, [where they] will have a chance to share their designs and get his input and advice.

And for the first time, Gordon will attend a trunk show and luncheon hosted by Neiman Marcus on Nov. 19. We are still working on the details but are fortunate to have Neiman’s general manager Dan Kramer on the SLFF board.

The Fund announced the four recipients of its inaugural Susan Sherman Fashion Scholarship, named after the nonprofit’s co-founder and board chair.

We launched our first Brand Summit…[in our] fashion force’s… ongoing mission to reclaim St. Louis’ roots as a fashion epicenter.

In addition, today, five of 12 former SLFF incubator alumni – Retta Jane, Hats by Dianne, Summersalt, AUDRA, and Lux & Nyx – are growing their brands in St. Louis, contributing to the local economy and creative scene.

What’s on tap for 2026?

We are in discussions about our next Brand Summit and the 2026 Fashion Futures networking program for students to interact with fashion industry experts.

We also are exploring a partnership with Kansas City Fashion Week president and CEO Teisha Barber, who recently acquired St. Louis Fashion Week, to see how the Fund could play a major role in resurrecting STLFW, [which] will relaunch in summer 2026.

Saint Louis Fashion Fund, saintlouisfashionfund.org