Christopher Gibbons, Saint Louis Fashion Week
Daniella Kallmeyer Spring 2015
Last night at Union Station, designer Daniella Kallmeyer of New York received the inaugural award for the Saint Louis Fashion Fund Emerging Designer competition, presented by Brown Shoe Company. Fern Mallis, former director of the CFDA and creator of New York Fashion Week, presented Kallmeyer with the $15,000 prize.
During the event, a kickoff to Saint Louis Fashion Week, Kallmeyer showed her spring collection, which is both minimal and elegant, with lovely details like asymmetrical ruffles, accordion pleats, and mid-calf skirts and dresses. The color palettes are mostly neutral: white, ivory, navy, black, and a tea color—striking in simplicity and line. The resulting collection is polished and sophisticated, with broad market appeal.
A native of South Africa, Kallmeyer began her studies at Syracuse University and later transferred to London’s College of Fashion. There, her graduate collection was selected to be presented at the Royal Academy in London. After learning from design luminaries—among them, Alexander McQueen, Proenza Schouler, Luca Luca, and Alice and Olivia—Kallmeyer launched her own line of ready-to-wear clothing in 2010. Her line has been featured in Vogue, Elle, New York Magazine, Women's Wear Daily, and Refinery29, among other notable publications.
Fashion financier Gary Wassner, who served as a juror for the design competition, made a surprise announcement at last night's event: With the competition being so close, he presented a runner-up award of $3,500 to Charles Harbison, whose delightful Harbison Collection included a mixture of jaunty and smart tailoring, with whimsical color and embellishment. Imagine Eva Perón breaking into a box of crayons.
Of the six finalists, one was from St. Louis: Wai Ming's Emily Koplar. Chicago-based design team Remi Canarie also represented the Midwest.
