Alexy Irving
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Right when you didn’t think St. Louis had too much to offer in the fashion world, a local up-and-coming model and a poetic entrepreneur threw the first “Fashion-meets-spoken-word” event in St. Louis. On January 31st at the Third Degree Glass Factory there were a handful of unique artist in the building flexing their craft. “Xpressions” featured local fashion designers, young poets,  vendors and artist in an hour-and-a-half long event showcasing the amazing talent St. Louis has to offer.

Janice Bates, aka Ja’ve, a commercial and runway model who practices her craft between St. Louis and Atlanta, is one half of the mastermind behind this event. The other is Richard Washington, the creator and founder of the bi-monthly poetry event, Lyrical Therapy, who wanted to promote his event with something new. Janice and Richard linked up based on their passions and created an event that brought the fashionably forward and verbally creative people of St. Louis out for a night of beauty.

The fashion designers that featured their work in the show included: Styles by Jessica, Designs by J Stocking, J’amor Chic by Jamie Nelson, Clothes by Eesh, and ENK’D by Ty Young. The Poets who dropped some bars following each designer included: Poetry 7, Louis Conphliction, Unspoken, The Oracle, Sir lsrael, Just Rich and a singing piece by Xavier. The vendors included: Beauty impact accessories, Kim Ragle, Focus and J’Renee Sweets & Treats. The other key people were the host, Ashley Winters, Jessica of Jessica B Academy promoting her amazing learning center, and Cory Lampkin who painted live and finished a piece during the show.

“It was a dream come true. I never thought I would be putting together my own fashion show so I was really appreciative of the opportunity that came my way as well as the people who supported it.” – Janice Bates