The Delmar Loop – one of the “10 great streets in America” – just got greater.
Two years after the popular entertainment, cultural and restaurant district earned that distinction from the American Planning Association, a local designer and her mother have added Mannequins on the Loop to the mix.
The new attraction, the brainchild of local Figure 8 fashion designer Audrey Jones and her mother Dorothy Davis, features mannequins dressed up by designers who use recyclable goods used by the stores in which they appear.
Designers’ mannequins will be judged in a culminating competition during an unveiling ceremony, from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, June 29 atop the new Moonrise Hotel in Loop. The winning mannequin will be displayed at the Regional Arts Commission, June 29-July 27.
Jones and her mother got the idea from Michigan Avenue in Chicago, which also made the APA list. Davis and her daughter frequently visit Chicago and wanted to bring some of that flavor to St. Louis.
Twelve stores on the walking and people-watching stretch agreed to participate.
“The mannequins are eye-catchers – people makes comments,” said Grabrielle Elliott, owner of Gabby’s (6140 Delmar Blvd.), an accessory and display store for local artists peddling art, jewelry and fashion.
“I think it was a fantastic idea. It gives local designers and the stores here more recognition.”
Local visual artist Jo Ann McNeil participated in Mannequins on the Loop. She said that while she isn’t a fashion designer, her participation shows that people don’t have to limit themselves. The use of recycled materials, she said, helps people to see that they can reuse things and be more green.
“It was a really good project to be involved with – it benefits the community,” McNeil.
She said Jones “brings people together and now she’s doing her part in bridging the gap between the community and artists.”
Josh Haake, who works at the furniture store Pizzaz, said the project is an interesting example of do-it-yourself fashion and it challenges interior designers to produce an ensemble with the resources found in retail outlets in The Loop.
Local fashion designer and owner of Imported Designs Hasina Starks-Turner designed Pizzaz’s mannequin using bubble wrap. Her mannequin is called “Bubble Infusion.”
“It showcases our love of vibrant colors and the transport of precious items using bubble wrap,” Haake said.
Starks-Turner said she delighted in being offered the chance to use her creativity to help market a merchant.
“Bubble wrap protects things when they are shipped, so the mannequin says that if you buy something from Pizzaz you know it’s been well protected,” she said.
The Delmar Loop is anchored by developer Joe Edwards and his landmark attractions: Blueberry Hill, The Pageant, Pin-up Bowl and the Moonrise Hotel. Edwards also owns other buildings on the strip that merchants rent out. He’s planning the return of the trolley that berthed the name The Delmar Loop, since a trolley used to turn around on the west end of the strip.
Jones said she was inspired by Edwards to add more flavor to The Loop.
“Joe Edwards had done so much for this community, and I wanted to add something special that will showcase the talent designers in the St. Louis area,” Jones said.
Though on a smaller scale than Edwards, Davis and Jones exemplify what the APA said makes The Delmar Loop special: “The Loop is a great example of what can happen when government, community and business leaders work together to revitalize an urban neighborhood.”
