Missouri Historical Society hosts inaugural fundraiser

ST. LOUIS – The Missouri Historical Society hosted its inaugural fundraiser: Threads: History Never Looked So Haute on Saturday, April 13th.

The new biannual cocktail party and runway show had nearly 200 guests in attendance and raised over $250,000 benefiting the exhibits, collections, and programs for the Missouri Historical Society, a 501(c)3 charitable organization.

“It was a thrill to see and hear so many guests finding themselves caught up in the evening, enjoying the magnificence of the Missouri Historical Museum and in wonder of the inspirational items and their re-imagined counterparts,” Veronica McDonnell, event chairperson of Threads, said. “The Missouri Historical Society is one shining reason St. Louis should be proud.”

In addition to the 200 guests in attendance, the Missouri Historical Society invited Project Runway alumni and local university fashion students to create haute couture designs that are inspired by items from the Missouri Historical Society’s 18,000 textile collection.

Models from Mothers Modeling Agency walked the runway at the Threads: History Never Looked So Haute event. Here they pose for a photo after the runway show on Saturday, April 13, 2019. Photo courtesy of the Missouri Historical Society.

The designs made were showcased during the Threads runway show where all Threads guests were able to experience the unique history that inspired the show.

Dr. Frances Levine, president of the Missouri Historical Society, shared that the runway showcased the organization’s belief that the past influences the present.

“We’re so grateful to everyone who helped make the inaugural event a success and for strong community support which allows us to continue to preserve the past, learn from it, and look toward the future,” Levine said.

The new designs created by the Project Runway alumni are currently on display in an atrium show at the Missouri History Museum. An online silent auction of the items is ongoing. Both the atrium show and the silent auction close July 14, 2019. Starting bids are $250 for student designs and $500 for designs from the Project Runway alumni. Those interested in placing a bid should visit mohistory.org/threads or call 314-367-9457 for more information.

Threads: History Never Looked So Haute is open April 20, 2019 through July 14, 2019. Admission is free. Photo courtesy of the Missouri Historical Society.
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