When Diana Ford, Director of Luxury Goods & Gatherings for The Vault Luxury Resale, started speaking on the hottest formal trends of 2025, this reporter instantly had a flashback to 2024.
“Pantsuits are so hot right now,” said Ford. “You can pair it with a satin blazer or some gorgeous accessories. Winter white is also huge, so are monochromatic looks.”
Two of the best dressed at last year’s 37th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala proved themselves to be fashion forward trendsetters based on Ford’s remarks pertaining to this season.
Karen Gordy’s winter white pantsuit was a head turner. So was the black lace jumpsuit paired with a Valentino belt worn by Janet Williams.
The 38th Annual Education Salute will take place on Saturday, November 1 at America’s Center. The event is an established trendsetter in its own right. One of the highlights of the nearly four decades that St. Louis American Foundation has presented the Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala is seeing who wore what – and predicting who will be best dressed for the next year.
The staple black-tie event for Black St. Louis has its own set of reliable style stars. 2025 Stellar Performer Mary Elizabeth Grimes is one of them. There are also those who come through and surprise the event’s regular fashionistas– like Gordy and Williams did last year.
Along with Gail Holmes and Gayle Jones, Williams was one of the lovely women who agreed to show off the formal style options available at The Vault Luxury Resale.
Though she mostly shops out of town, the high end buyer and seller with inventory that runs the gamut, is one of Williams’ go-to establishments.
“I can go high or low,” Williams said. “I like Zara. I also like Chanel.”
Among the high end looks the women sported was a cutting edge dress by Haitian-Italian designer Stella Jean. A rising star in the fashion industry, her dresses can retail at up to $1000. The Vault’s price is $299.
Holmes wore the long sleeve midi dress that features a red and white toile print with a blue border at the hem that has the numbers 9,10 and 12 printed on it. An ordinary shopper might overlook the dress as a formalwear option. But the contemporary look caught the eye of costume designer, fashion designer, stylist and wardrobe specialist Brandin Vaughn – who selected the looks for the fashion shoot. The gown was stunning on Holmes, and it checked two of the boxes Ford says are go-to trends for 2025.
“Red is hot right now, too,” Ford said.
While the House of Andrew GN ceased operation two years ago, dresses from the Asian designer retailed for upwards of $3,500 at the height of the brand’s popularity.
Williams donned an emerald green gown that is on brand with respect to GN’s vibrant colors and glamorous details – which often include unique embellishments. The high neck is a nod to his heritage and is elevated with blue jewels. The Vault Luxury Resale price is $289.
“We get dresses that no one has here,” Ford said. “Like Lela Rose. Her dresses retail at $3000. We have them because we have a client in Dallas. We also have a client in New York. That’s why people shop with us. There are a lot of interesting pieces here that you can’t find anywhere else.”
Among those pieces are luxury handbags, shoes and jewelry – all of which can be a gamechanger when it comes to glamour.
“Don’t underestimate the accessories,” Ford said. “You could have a basic black dress, but if you pop a cool handbag or a colorful shoe, you have just elevated it.”
Such was the case with Jones. Her elegant, but understated black floor-length gown was instantly elevated by the pearl-colored Cult Gaia Luna crossbody purse.
The dress also illustrates Ford’s notion that brooches and pins are also an easy way to upcycle a look for this season.
She says that the younger generations have embraced the accessory often associated with post-World War II fashions.
“The millennials and Gen Z are all about embellishments – even purse charms,” Ford said.
The St. Louis American Foundation’s 38th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala will take place on Saturday, November 1 at 6 p.m. (general reception at 5 p.m.) at America’s Center. For more information, call 314.533.8000 or visit www.stlamerican.com.
The clothing and accessories used for this feature were provided by The Vault Luxury Resale, 2325 S. Brentwood Blvd. For more information, visit https://shopthevaultluxuryresale.com.
The style team for this feature included: Lawrence Bryant, co-creative director and photographer; Brandin Vaughn, co-creative director and stylist; Brittanie Skye, hair artist and creative associate and Diamond White, makeup artist and creative associate.
Living It content is produced with funding by the ARPA for the Arts grants program in partnership with the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis and the Community Development Administration.
