Watching Brandin Vaughn pull together looks for what has become an annual tradition — illustrating the elegance of the St. Louis American Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala through a fashion editorial — is downright fascinating.
The final looks fall squarely within the spectrum of style guests can expect from honorees and attendees at the 39th Annual Education Salute, which takes place at 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 17 at St. Louis Union Station Hotel.
He brings in piles of clothes and accessories. Some are his original designs. Others come from establishments and individuals who allow him to pull items. This year, that included The Vault Luxury Resale, Loafer League and Vauje Jewelry.
As he chisels looks from the piles, three things become abundantly clear: glamour knows no price. Glamour knows no size. Glamour knows no age.
I watched him pair a $5,000 vintage Chanel Diana flap quilted lambskin bag with a $35 Zara dress. I’ve seen him bring together models ranging from teens to well‑seasoned, in different heights and shapes, and create a cohesive statement that defines elegance on every level.
“I’m not gonna say anything goes when it comes to formalwear, but you certainly don’t have to box yourself in,” Vaughn said. “I love to have fun with accessories.”
He said this as he pinned a cluster of brooches on a green velvet tuxedo jacket — already a statement piece on its own.
The gold and ruby tones from the brooches did exactly what he intended. They elevated the look. A less skilled eye might have created a clash with the bold coat and bling. But Vaughn’s choice of jewelry accentuated the jewel tone of the jacket.
“You can follow trends. You can opt for something more traditional. You can do a blend of both,” Vaughn said. “The key is to create a look that makes you feel good and expresses how you want to present yourself to the world in that moment.”
The looks he conjured up aligned perfectly with what designers are leaning into for fall 2026 and spring 2027. This is a season where formalwear is settling into a new rhythm.
A shift from shock value to classic cuts and shape
This year, there has been a revisitation of classic silhouettes. In previous seasons, evening gowns, tuxedos and black‑tie looks were chasing shock value. Designers are now leaning into structure, with clean lines. The details are intentional as opposed to loud.
After several seasons of draped and oversized gowns, designers are also moving back toward shape. Defined waists, sharp shoulders and hems that frame the body are making their way back into eveningwear. With colors, there has been an emergence of jewel tones — emerald, garnet and deep sapphire — instead of the neon shades that had their moment a few years ago.
Black‑tie menswear is moving in a similar direction. Tuxedos are moving away from the ultra‑slim cuts that were a staple of the early 2020s. Tailors are giving jackets more room through the shoulders and trousers a cleaner break at the shoe. The classic black tuxedo is still the foundation, but midnight blue and charcoal are in a steadier rotation. Velvet jackets remain in the mix, but they’re being paired with traditional bow ties instead of the novelty pieces that came with them in past seasons.
For both men and women, metallics are playing a bigger role. Gold and pewter are showing up in shoes, clutches and lapel details. It’s not the mirror‑finish metallic that reads futuristic — it’s softer and more wearable. Designers are using it to add dimension without overwhelming the look.
Accessories follow the same pattern. Evening bags are smaller and structured. Jewelry is leaning toward single statement pieces instead of layered stacks. Shoes — for gowns and tuxedos — are cleaner and more classic.
Formalwear is settling back into elegance. Designers are choosing refinement over spectacle. They’re reminding people what it looks like when the clothes do their job — and let the person wearing them take the spotlight.
The St. Louis American Foundation’s 39th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education will take place at 6 p.m. (5 p.m. reception) on Saturday, October 17 at St. Louis Union Station Hotel. For more information, visit www.stlamerican.com or call (314) 533‑8000.
The creative team for the 2026 St. Louis American Foundation Education Salute fashion photo shoot included Lawrence Bryant, co‑creative director and photographer, and Brandin Vaughn, co‑creative director and designer/stylist. Models: Tia B, Bryan Logic, Ronyea Measimer, Shirley Vaughn and Serroge Watt.
