by Keleka Mobley

This year’s Pins and Needles Design Competition produced by Brainchild Events on Saturday, August 2 showcased the work of four emerging designers. The lineup included St. Louis designer Jacqueline Madey of Jacqueline Nicole, Nikki Fizer of No Human Intentions from Kansas City, Truly Alvarenga of Pink Elephants Designs from Nashville and Jummy Thomas of Olá from Minnesota. Closing out the show was Paulie Gibson with his 2014 F/W menswear collection. Each designer brought their own aesthetic and creativity to the table making the show a diverse display of talent. In the end Pink Elephants won the competition followed by Jacqueline Nicole as the runner up. Here are the highlights:

Olá: Jummy Thomas's lineup included spring silhouettes that showed just the right amount of skin. A ditzy flower print and periwinkle blue was carried throughout the collection. — Olá: Jummy Thomas's lineup included spring silhouettes that showed just the right amount of skin. A ditzy flower print and periwinkle blue was carried throughout the collection.

No Human Intentions: Nikki Fizer’s collection was filled with long silhouetted garments with juxtaposing seams. The hooded garments and gray-scale color scheme gave the collection a witchy vibe. — No Human Intentions: Nikki Fizer’s collection was filled with long silhouetted garments with juxtaposing seams. The hooded garments and gray-scale color scheme gave the collection a witchy vibe.

Jacqueline Nicole: This collection included trendy silhouettes such as the circle skirt and the cutout body- con dress. Garments also included mixed textures and an earthy & metallic color palette. — Jacqueline Nicole: This collection included trendy silhouettes such as the circle skirt and the cutout body- con dress. Garments also included mixed textures and an earthy & metallic color palette.

Pink Elephants: Truly Alvarenga’s designs included a varied use of fabric. Silhouettes also varied widely. This glamorous punk-rock collection ranged from a sequin jumpsuit to a orange velvet gown. — Pink Elephants: Truly Alvarenga’s designs included a varied use of fabric. Silhouettes also varied widely. This glamorous punk-rock collection ranged from a sequin jumpsuit to a orange velvet gown.

Pink Elephants: Alverenga had the most looks in her collection. Her collection stood out from the completion because she designed outside of the box. She played with interesting silhouettes and fabric choices while still keeping her&n… — Pink Elephants: Alverenga had the most looks in her collection. Her collection stood out from the completion because she designed outside of the box. She played with interesting silhouettes and fabric choices while still keeping her
aesthetic identifiable and cohesive.

Paulie Gibson: Paul Gibson definitely showed his chic and clean menswear collection that has males all over St. Louis and the world a-buzz. He was the perfect headliner for such a fun event.

geminijunemoon was so excited to be a part of the event by making the goodie bags that went out to all the VIPs!!!

BTS with Jummy Thomas and her Ola' models.

BTS with No Human Intentions models before they walk the runway.

Next up for Brainchild Events: Graphic Part 2! This will be a fun runway show featuring local t-shirt designers and some of your favorite models, including the sassy Armanda Rahmoeller, Playboy model Kara Friedman and geminijunemoon founder, June Ann D'Angelo! Make sure to come back to the moon to catch all the details...press release should be up soon!