Apple Bottoms by Nelly and Hip-Hop Artists Murphy Lee and Kyjuan of the St. Lunatics Tap Saint Louis Fashion Week for the

World Premiere of Their Exclusive Clothing Lines

Internationally acclaimed recording stars join global fashion designers and local up-and-comers for runway shows, after-parties and VIP events

St. Louis, MO, August 7, 2008 – Building on two successful seasons of sold-out shows, national coverage and critical acclaim comes the most impressive designer and celebrity line-up ever as Ecco Domani presents Saint Louis Fashion Week Fall 2008, which runs from October 6-12. Apple Bottoms by Nelly will showcase Red Label, its new high-end exclusive collection while Murphy Lee and Kyjuan will launch their own line of colorful, innovative urban wear, U. C. Me. In addition, some of the world’s most sought-after names in fashion, along with emerging designers and the best locally based talent, will unveil their Spring 2009 collections during five nights of runway shows. Heat-Up St. Louis, a regional, all-volunteer, non-utility, not-for-profit charity is the benafactor of this exciting international affair.

These exciting announcements and more were made by St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay at a press conference Thursday at the downtown Four Seasons Hotel. The mayor was joined by Murphy Lee, Kyjuan and many of the generous corporate sponsors and partners who help make Saint Louis Fashion Week possible, including Ecco Domani, Budweiser Select, Borba Skin Balance Water, Dillard’s, Bronx Diba Shoes, Brown Shoes, Fiji Water, Redken, Lumiere Place Casinos & Hotels, Michael Genovese Jewelers, Goodwill Industries, Plaza Porsche, ALIVE Magazine, State Beauty Supply, St. Louis Runway Fashion Show, Art the Vote, Contemporary Art Museum, St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission, Lucky You, Twist, Cheresse INK, Insight Retail Solutions, Rock Uniform, STL TV, Charter Communications, Contemporary Productions, Synergy Productions, NEXT Models, Solique Models, Centro Models, West Model & Talent Management and Mother Model Management.  

“Urban wear is one of St. Louis’ most relevant and culturally significant contributions to the world of fashion,” said Attilio D’Agostino, executive producer of Saint Louis Fashion Week and editor-in-chief of ALIVE Magazine.  “We are thrilled that Apple Bottoms by Nelly and Murphy Lee and Kyjuan of the St. Lunatics have chosen their native St. Louis to shine the worldwide fashion spotlight when they showcase their exclusive lines for the first time.” 

D’Agostino said that the success of Saint Louis Fashion Week is the result of a winning partnership, including some of St. Louis’ most prominent corporations, cultural institutions, talented artists and designers and visionary leaders. He added that Fashion Week is a “true collaboration” among dozens of St. Louis businesses ranging from boutiques, hotels and restaurants to casinos, nightclubs and modeling agencies. 

“The Saint Louis Fashion Week team is looking forward to further extending this community partnership as we unite our talents with two of St. Louis’ most prominent urban fashion houses through a collaboration with St. Louis Runway, created by Janet and Jarred Moore, the wife and husband fashion design duo,” D’Agostino said. 

Runway shows for Saint Louis Fashion Week will begin at the Contemporary Art Museum on Tuesday, October 7 with “Project: Design!” which features six of St. Louis’ hottest up-and-coming designers: Andrew Thouvenot, Paul Gibson, Carmella Simpson of Mella Y, Shawn Williams of Eyekon and re.Construct>D<econstruction, Janet Moore of Yani Co. and Shan Oliver of Shan Oliver Designs. The evening will also mark Saint Louis Fashion Week’s first foray into “going green,” with environmentally friendly “recycled” vintage fashion, sponsored by Goodwill Industries, and the energy at the event being offset with Missouri-based renewable wind power, compliments of AmerenUE’s Pure Power program. A marketplace will also be part of evening, offering attendees the chance to shop for some of the fashions they admire at the show. 

The next three nights of runway shows will take place at Lumiere Place Casino & Hotels. “Current,” on Wednesday, October 8, features rising international designers Meghan Fabulous and Silver Dagger. The fun and flirty creations from L.A. designer Meghan Fabulous have donned every Hollywood A-lister from Angelina Jolie to Paris Hilton while the rock-star inspired fashion of Silver Dagger can count notables such as Gabrielle Union, Missy Elliot and Slash among its fans. 

Avant-garde is the word at “Surface,” on Thursday, October 9, when cutting-edge designers Miacro and Wrath Arcane join Humanity for All to present their Spring 2009 collections. Miacro, based in Springfield, MO, is back by popular demand after a splashy showing at Spring 2008 Saint Louis Fashion Week. Co-founders Tina Davis-Noble, a former Karl Lagerfeld model, and award-winning fashion designer Jenn McKelvie use organic fabrics, raw simple shapes and unrefined print and dye applications to create their brand of unique fashion, which has been featured in InStyle Magazine. Wrath Arcane, which stands for “secret anger” or “forgotten rage,” is a fashion innovator in men’s clothing design. Tired of big-name designer labels, Cleveland natives and co-founders Sean Bilovecky and Brian O’Neill create hip, contemporary street wear with attention to detail and custom construction. The line is sold in top boutiques around the country, including Fred Segal and Revolve Clothing. Not only does each piece from Humanity for all tell a story with its intricate, bold graphics, but co-founders Tammy Hotsenpiller and Helena Cho also strive to change lives by donating 25 percent of their profits to world humanitarian efforts. 

“Liquid Style,” on Friday, October 10, presented by Dillard’s, will feature Fall 2008 runway shows and a special surprise designer to be announced. This rare and comprehensive look into the many collections Dillard’s offers will showcase apparel from women’s designers such as BCBG Max Azria, Lauren by Ralph Lauren, Ellen Tracy, Anne Klein, Adrienne Vittadini, Antonio Melani, Dina Bar El, ABS, Ed Hardy and To The Max by Max Mara, to name a few. Dillard’s won’t disappoint the gentleman in attendance with favorite looks from Hickey Freeman, Hugo Boss, Ralph Lauren, Mark Ecko, Tailor Byrd, Penguin and from the South of France – our very own Daniel Cremieux. 

“Flow,” the final runway show, on Saturday, October 11, will cap off the week with the premiere of the Apple Bottoms by Nelly exclusive high-end Red Label collection. An international, fashion-focused denim brand, Apple Bottoms’ supreme mission is to celebrate the natural curves of women of all shapes and sizes. Apple Bottoms jeans have been worn by such celebrities as Oprah, Fergie, Alicia Keys and Ashanti. Though the apple-pocketed blues are the “core” of the line, the brand has expanded to include sportswear, intimates, handbags, footwear and as audiences will see at Saint Louis Fashion Week Fall 2008, high-end and high-style garments that are sure to intrigue. Also featured at “Flow” will be the new U. C. Me line, a collaboration between hip-hop artists Murphy Lee, Kyjuan and their sister Janet Moore. The concept of the U.C. Me label came from Murphy Lee who—tired of settling on the slim pickings found in local clothing stores—resorted to custom-made creations in order to get the bold, individual style he was seeking. He then turned to fellow fashion-conscious St. Lunatic Kyjuan and his sister Janet Moore to help create a line that would center on fresh and innovative urban wear with stand-out color schemes. 

About Saint Louis Fashion Week: Saint Louis Fashion Week began in August 2007 when the city welcomed hundreds of out-of-towners and St. Louis residents over five consecutive nights. These fashion enthusiasts flocked to runway shows and after-parties to get a glimpse of the latest trends, top designers, models and entertainment. Buoyed by its overwhelming success, Saint Louis Fashion Week expanded in 2008 with a line-up of shows unprecedented in the Midwest. The Spring 2008 edition, which took place in March, received major national media attention, critical acclaim and featured global fashion icon (and St. Louis native) Kimora Lee Simmons, who brought along camera crews from her hit TV show “Life in the Fab Lane” to film her in action.   

For more information about Saint Louis Fashion Week Fall 2008, please visit www.saintlouisfashionweek.com.