This Friday, Mad Art Gallery will transform into a rock ‘n’ roll mecca. More than 300 rock disciples will cram into the former police station on Soulard and pay tribute to rock counterculture during the 2nd Annual Pins and Needles Fashion Show. This four-hour rock collage is the shared inspiration of Dwight Carter, founder of Rock Uniform PR, and Rachel McCalla, creator of Lucky You productions. Both Carter and McCalla have experience in event coordinating, and are also involved in St. Louis Fashion Week. Besides rock-fueled fashion, there is one thing that Carter can promise—things will get loud. “I’ve always wanted to put together a balls-to-the-wall, rock ‘n’ roll fashion show,” Carter says. “The music for the runway show is all rock ‘n’ roll, and it’s very, very loud.”
For Carter, music and fashion are inseparable. Punk rock, grunge rock, and pop stars all have a hand in creating modern fashion. Carter spent 15 years in the music industry, managing bands, producing musical festivals, booking tours and launching local bands from St. Louis and Chicago. During that time, Carter also worked in retail and soon found himself involved with a charity fashion show called “Threads 4 Hope.” Two weeks later, Carter started a new company, “Rock Uniform PR,” applying his expertise in music management to the world of fashion. For Pins and Needles, fashion will mirror a blend of old school and punk rock. “Every event I do involves music and fashion,” Carter says. Besides being the co-creator of Pins and Needles, Carter is also the creator of a runway show that is part of St. Louis Fashion Week, called “Project: Design!”
The show will feature several designers from St. Louis and Chicago, including Michael Drummond from Project Runway, Conjetta, and Jennifer Neal. “There’s no fall or spring,” Carter says, “The designers come out with their most eclectic, edgy pieces, or they design pieces for the show.” Pins and Needles will include both experienced and up-and-coming designers from universities around St. Louis. Such a diverse mixture, Carter hopes, will help promote St. Louis fashion and give young designers a venue to display their work.
Although live fashion will dominate the runway, Pins and Needles will also feature live music by St. Louis native, Mike Apirion, and live art by local artist, Calc 2. With such an eclectic collection of art, music and fashion, it’s no wonder the audience is equally as diverse. “You can have an older woman in a really expensive, Betsey Johnson dress sitting next to a kid with a purple mohawk,” Carter says. “There is really no demographic for this show.”
Mad Art Gallery is located at 2727 S. 12th Street. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m.
