MERCH, a new company launched by Susan Sherman and Tania Beasley-Jolly, welcomed two fashion icons to town recently for its second event. The designers behind the New York-based brand Proenza Schouler, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, joined local fashionistas at a private home in Clayton for a cocktail party, followed by dinner at Billie | Jean with their dear friend, fashion journalist and St. Louis native Derek Blasberg. MERCH brings top brands in fashion, home and beauty to St. Louis, and its next soiree, a holiday MERCH Mix Nov. 20 and 21, will feature multiple brandsfrom New York and London at the Contemporary Art Museum.
Congratulations to YWCA Metro St. Louis’ 2019 Leaders of Distinction, a group of women recognized for professional achievement and commitment to the community. This year’s honorees are Barbara Archer of HighTower St. Louis Wealth Advisors; philanthropist Alison Ferring; Ruth Kim of Fleishman Hillard; JoAnne Levy of Mercy; Mary McKay of Washington University; Celeste Player of Express Scripts/Cigna; Teresa Ruzicka of Catholic Charities; Lisa Stump of Lashly & Baer; Nancy Wolfe of Bayer Crop Science; and Nerinx Hall student Kaylin Walters. Carol Duhme received the organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Saint Louis University’s nursing program is sporting a new name, the Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing. Trudy, a 1980 alumna, current trustee and longtime philanthropist, gifted $4 million to the school in honor of former deans Teri Murray and Joan Hrubetz. She is the daughter of late brewing magnate and St. Louis Cardinals owner Gussie Busch.
There is a new laugh factory in town … ComedySportz St. Louis, a competitive improv comedy theater, is now churning out family-friendly chuckles at its new space on historic Main Street in St. Charles. Comic teams battle for laughs and points each weekend, and the audience chooses the winners. No two shows are alike, according to local owner Mike McGuire, who also manages Sweet Laughs.
Visit cszstlouis.com for more information.
