St. Louis Mixxer Exchange was a make-up success in St. Louis, June 14th at the Regional Arts Commission June 14th. The expo and networking affair was designed for make-up artists, fashion designer.
Attendees poured in to see the latest trends in hair, fashion and make-up and to get information to help them with their careers. Organized by make-up, project management and creative professionals, Patricia Moore, Danielle Harper, Ebony Shaw and Edna Branch, this year’s theme was “Dirty Make-up.”According to co-organizer and co-founder Harper, it means, being authentic in your fashion and make-up, even if that means wearing no make-up at all.
The Beginning
“We started St. Louis Mixxer in 20012 because I am a make-up artist, and lot of times people in St. Louis complain that we don’t have a lot of opportunities to display and have an event where we can showcase our talent and a lot of entrepreneurship,” said co-organizer and co-founder, Moore. I would travel to other cities such as Chicago and Atlanta where they have huge make-up events. And I would see make-up artists there networking, getting out their information, and so myself, and another girl who would travel with me decided, this may be something we can do in St. Louis.”
The laid back St. Louis Mixxer had an air of sophistication about it as St. Louis showed a slice of its creativity and the artists mixed and mingled. It featured face and body painting by Jessica Dana, live smooth Jazz and R&B music by saxophonist Vinnis Bryant, a class facilitated by professional make-up artist Nettie Kelley and Skincare 101 taught by Lakysha Jeffries. Moore’s husband, syndicated radio (The Praise Mixdown) and TV host (Direct TV’s #Flatout TV), Willie, Moore, Jr. served the as M.C. and kept the crowd laughing.
The highlight of the evening was the fashion show featuring new designs by special guest, Shan Keith from Lifetime TV’s “Project Runway presents Under The Gunn.” Harper said, “St. Louis just has a lot of great talent, a lot of great energy, a lot of information, a lot of influential people, but they don’t get to see that side of us. They’re very artistic here and we bring a lot to the artsy game. So that’s why we decided to do this.” Vendors lined the exhibit room from wall to wall displaying products designed to make women feel and look beautiful, including natural hair care products, lipstick, purses, make-up, jewelry and clothing.
The St. Louis Mixxer Gives Back
The Mixxer gave a portion of its proceeds to the non-profit, St. Louis Crisis Nursery Center.Cosmetic retailer and vendor at the event, Sephora, donated $4,000 to the charity at the event. Harper said giving back to the charity has a special meaning to her. “Every day we say its about God, its not about ourselves. So we definitely want to give back. Me, having a situation where my son who was shaken to death at six months, really hit home for me. So we definitely want to give back where we build up women in domestic situations where we make sure that we never let another child, or never let another woman or man be a victim of abuse.” As The Mixxer gleans in having accomplished its goals of success for 2014, it is preparing to return in 2015 bigger and better. Patricia Moore, said, “Every Year we look for new talent, new vendors so we can put on a great event for St. Louis to come out and see the many artists that we have here.”