The galas just keep on going! Even though my body was still bruised and battered from squeezing this 2X shape in a medium pair of Spanx for Salute, nothing but death could have kept me from the Kwame Foundation’s Gala Friday night at the Ritz. I had to be in the building to see my best work friend Dr. Suggs receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. He’s so low key that he will probably feel a type of way that I mentioned him. If it gets out, I know it was one of y’all. But anyway, I’m so glad I listened to my inner voice and decided against plopping “Aunt Brenda” (my cropped cocktail wig) on this head, dusting my most bedazzled Burlington Coat Factory moo-moo and jazzing it up with a belt and some bedazzled flats. What? Dr. Suggs knows that the only gala I usually only dress like I have a full-time job with benefits and a place to live is for Salute! Anyway, I’m so glad that I fought through the pain and tried to look like something, because I would have been too shame to be in that banquet room full of baddies! They clearly came to slay – and many of them slayed last week at Salute, too! Kaci and Mellve Shahid refuse to get off our necks! If she had called me on the phone and said, “I’m wearing a pea green velvet gown,” I would have replied, “put it in the fire pit!” And yet, on Kaci, I wanted to ask if it came in an 18W. I was shook by her gown, and his velvet black tux. And don’t even get me started on Shaunte Shields Ryan and that “living my life like it’s golden” gown of hers! She was serving Nicole Murphy with a sip of Wendy Raquel Robinson! And after seeing him Friday night, I’m convinced that Kwame Thompson is gonna be fine forever. I’m not being fresh; I’m just stating facts! And while I’m talking about him, I have to point out that as dignified as his remarks were, he still pulled a “U City” out of the bag. What did they y’all over there? Because y’all will rep any time and any place and under any circumstances ! I promise, I have never been to the funeral of anyone from U. City, because I’m legit afraid that if somebody starts reppin’ they might prop up out the casket on us! But back to the gala, it was wonderful and I want to congratulate the whole Kwame Foundation team for what they are doing for our young people!
Black Fashion. Period! Now I know I’m a week late with this, but I wanted to give T.Moore and his team plenty of space to shout out the wonderful experience they provided us with the Saint Louis Black Fashion Week Runway Show last Sunday at The Palladium. They had me feeling like I was somebody with those beams of light slicing through the air like we were on a movie set. I got my whole entire life from the ambience – and the outfits! The energy was electric and the clothes had me ready to pull out the handheld sewing machine I bought at Aldi and pull some lewks (yes, lewks) together! Who am I kidding? My creations could never compare! All of the designers brought that thunder! BPLR’s diamond-studded streetwear, Kyo- C’s creative upcycled denim, our favorite homegirl Pierre McCleary brought the boss-lady fits — it was art, power, and pride all stitched into fabric. And don’t even get me started on LAHA! Lillian, girl, you’ve done it again, again and again – and yet somehow blow me away every single time! By the time Derron Cherry’s couture finale floated down the runway, I was clapping like I was front row at Paris Fashion Week! It wasn’t just fashion — it was us, shining. I left that building feeling like I’d been sprinkled in stardust – and ready to rip the runway my own doggone self!
Celebrity Brunchin’ at The Marquee. Only in St. Louis can brunch turn into a full-blown day party. This past weekend’s “Birthday Behavior” Brunch at Marquee Nightclub proved it. Produced by the ever-so-talented Morgan Casey of Date Ideas and Things to Do, this wasn’t your regular mimosa meetup. The crowd came dressed to impress. Thank God the temperature dropped, or some of y’all would have evaporated in that fur and those boots! I was here for every bit of the knit dress and lace tights combos the girls were serving! Plates were full of waffles, eggs, and wings, washed down with margaritas on the side—because who needs rules when it’s brunch in the Lou? Jarrion Stacker of JStackz Entertainment was the birthday boy, but all eyes were on celebrity host (Omari Hardwick 2.0) Tyler Lepley. Some ladies froze up when they saw him, others brought that bold St. Louis energy—walking right up and demanding a picture. He seemed cool enough, but I heard he can be standoffish. But the STL girls don’t have time for that! Don’t believe me, ask the lovely lady in the fur coat and leather shorts – who made sure to show Tyler what she was twerking with. I wanted to go up to her and say, “Ma’am, he’s not single! DJ Climate kept the vibes perfect, mixing Sexyy Red for the ladies as well as Future and Yo Gotti for the fellas.
Thanks, and giving at Bliss! Since I already talked U. City up, Was I the only one so excited I almost fell off my futon when I saw the promo Nelly posted on IG about the upcoming party at Bliss? He had my FULL attention when he said, “We ain’t trying to make no money, we trying to raise money.” All of the proceeds will go to help feed families in St. Louis this Thanksgiving. And just when I thought I couldn’t be any more shook, he said “Y’all Whatever we raise, I’m doubling it!” It’s going down this Saturday (November 15) at Bliss (11836 W. Florissant). Doors open at 7 p.m. and the party is powered by Topher.