GAZELLE MAGAZINE Vol. 2, Issue 4 | Page 4

GAZELLE PUBLISHER’S NOTE There are many things people think St. Louis is not ready for; one of them is a thriving fashion industry. The truth of the matter is that any community is ready for anything if the people who live in it are ready to embrace change and diversity. Diversity is not just about people. It is about embracing growth and different groups who help support that growth. Think about it this way - Hollywood is the movie capital of the world, because there are tons of people who make that possible. Always creating, always pushing and making a concerted effort to support it all. St. Louis is one of those cities that with the right mindset among the people who live here, can do anything and be successful at it. I am thrilled to be co-founder of Missouri Style Week. A popular radio host recently called me “The little engine that could.” As funny and slightly offensive as that was, it was also true. Missouri Style Week has been a catalyst for change in our region. Change cannot happen without controversy. Change is scary. Change can cause mass hysteria when people don’t understand it or don’t understand the need for it. But we believed that there was a need that existed in this community for an industry that was not a local monopoly, and we were right. Finally, this community is beginning to realize that fashion is not about one group of people. Fashion is to be explored and adored, reveled and appreciated by everyone. Missouri Style Week is not about a group of people. It is not about “us” or “them.” It is about supporting the talent that is coming out of our great colleges and universities; the talent that is coming from across the world to be a part of the fashion and style greatness that is happening right here. 4 Missouri Style Week has transcended “us.” Let us build a strong fashion community by supporting one another. Missouri Style Week is where “Art meets Style.” Join us in celebrating all that is great about where we live. Cillah Hall Publisher [email protected] GAZELLE STL