Giddy up, Louisville! April is here, which means “go, baby, go!” The arrival of Derby season brings a month packed with annual can’t-miss events, so we’re here again to give you all the fashion advice you need to make it through. (P.S. Be on the lookout for our Derby Edition of What to Wear in mid-April.) Our city seems to just get more beautiful by the day, and we can’t think of a better time to slip on your favorite frock and experience all the events that come with springtime in Louisville.
There are so many events to attend! We’re highlighting three of our favorites in 10 fun and sophisticated looks shot on location at the gorgeous KMAC Museum. Our highlighted events include KMAC Couture, Thunder Over Louisville and Opening Night at Churchill Downs. The featured looks come from some of our favorite local boutiques: Water + Oak Outdoor Co., Six Sisters Boutique, A. St. Clair, Circe + SWAG, Blu Boutique and Cindy Borders Jewelry. Our models are three beautiful women who are all walking the KMAC Couture Runway Show! We’d also like to give a shoutout to those who helped to make our models look absolutely incredible for this shoot: our amazing stylist, Shannon Kessler of Primp Style Lounge, our hair and makeup team for this shoot, Omagi Salon, and our fabulous photographer, Christine Mueller. We had so much fun shooting this April edition of What to Wear!
Walking into Derby season like … From left to right: Franchesca Ljubic, Shannon Burton from Helen Wells Agency and Dominique Joy Thompson. Be sure to look for them in KMAC Couture!
The Event: KMAC Couture: Art Walks the Runway
- Saturday, April 14, 2018
- 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- The 700 block of West Main Street, just in front of KMAC Museum
- Tickets start at $160
Art Walks the Runway is the annual KMAC Couture fashion show on Saturday, April 14, where designers use unusual items to create one-of-a-kind couture clothing. One of Louisville’s unique art and fashion experiences, KMAC Couture happens inside a white tent that spans the length of the 700 block of West Main Street, just in front of the KMAC Museum, and is filled with art and fashion lovers wearing all white attire. The show itself features jaw-dropping, handmade works worn by local models walking the runway. All proceeds benefit KMAC education and outreach programming.
What to Wear: Guests wear white attire, so feel free to get daring with your choices. Creativity is definitely welcome — art is the big idea! We went with flirty dresses, bold necklines and highly stylized accessories.
Look #1:
From Circe + SWAG: Floral print off-the-shoulder top, $295; matching white skirt, $355
From Cindy Borders: Gold circle earrings with golden pyrite cubes, $95; bone shield with turquoise howlite necklace, $248
Look #2:
From Blu Boutique: White flutter sleeve dress, $89; black bead necklace with tassel, $190. From Cindy Borders: Mother of Pearl and pyrite rhinestone earrings, $128
Statement jewelry is a must for KMAC Couture!
RELATED: 22 Events and Happenings in Louisville: April 2018
Look #3:
From Circe + SWAG: White tassel long-sleeve dress, $565. From Cindy Borders: buffalo horn and white cotton tassel earrings, $118
The Event: Thunder Over Louisville
- Saturday, April 21, 2018
- Fireworks start at nightfall, but the party starts whenever you want!
- Free to attend
The event that officially kicks off Derby celebrations is pure magic and excitement for the entire city. You can join the thousands who gather at Waterfront Park for an up-close air show and fireworks experience, or if you’re in the mood for something a bit more intimate, you can attend a Thunder party. Whether you join a few hundred at the Derby Festival’s official VIP Rooftop Party, attend Thunder by the Bridge at Rocky’s Sub Pub or score a private invitation from a friend with a great view, we’ve found four looks that are flirty, fun and ready for some fireworks.
What to Wear: Keep it simple, but have fun! We chose comfy yet stylish looks so you’ll feel cozy whether you’re at a small get-together or laying on the grass at Waterfront Park.
Look #1:
From Water + Oak Outdoor Co.: Style tie sweater, $62; Joe’s ankle jeans, $155
From Six Sisters Boutique: Hot pink woven earrings, $24; floral sunglasses, $34
From Six Sisters Boutique: Light pink handbag, $68; bracelets, $24 each
Look #2:
From Six Sisters Boutique: Lemon tank top, $48; palm leaf kimono, $58; two-tone denim jeans, $88
From Six Sisters Boutique: Large Rosie sunglasses, $28; hoop earrings with green drop stone, $24; long multi-stone necklace, $44; tassel handbag, $44
Grab your girls and lay your blankets out on Waterfront Park — it’s Thunder time!
Look #3:
From Six Sisters Boutique: Strapless floral jumpsuit, $58; blush handbag, $64
From Six Sisters: Blue teardrop statement earrings, $28. From Cindy Borders: slate jade bone curved bracelets, $78 each
Thunder might be a little chilly, so we recommend a light jacket! This one is $129 from Blu Boutique.
Look #4:
From Cindy Borders: Leather, pearl and gemstone waterfall necklace with white freshwater pearls, brownshell pearls and tiger’s eye, $158. From Blu Boutique: white ripped denim jeans, $58. From A. St. Clair: black and gold tunic, $100
The Event: Opening Night at Churchill Downs
- Saturday, April 28, 2018
- Churchill Downs
- Tickets are $15 for general admission
- For more information, visit kentuckyderby.com
It’s the most wonderful time of the year in Louisville! Kick off Derby Week by attending Opening Night at Churchill Downs on Saturday, April 28 at 5 p.m. The first race starts at 6 p.m.
What to Wear: Time to pull out all the stops, ladies! This event is dress-to-impress. Ladies are encouraged to wear party and cocktail dresses, and men are encouraged to wear sharp pants and a dress shirt with an optional tie. We chose three cocktail dresses that are sure to bring you luck on opening night!
Look #1:
From Circe + SWAG: Boat neck illusion midi dress, $898
From Cindy Borders: Elongated kite earrings with lemon quartz, $175
RELATED: 5 Spring Trends Every Woman Can Wear: 2018 Edition
Look #2:
From Blu Boutique: Red off-shoulder sleeve cocktail dress, $239
From Blu Boutique: Rhinestone earrings, $45; matching rhinestone statement necklace, $79
Look #3:
From Cindy Borders: Rhinestone wings and AB white moonstone earrings, $158; AB creme chalcedony and pearl necklace, $525
From Blu Boutique: Black off-shoulder wing dress, $219
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
- To our boutiques: Water + Oak Outdoor Co., Six Sisters Boutique, A. St. Clair, Circe + SWAG, Blu Boutique and Cindy Borders Jewelry for providing the perfect looks and accessories
- To our photographer: Christine Mueller Photography for shooting absolutely breathtaking photos
- To our stylist extraordinaire: Shannon Kessler from Primp Style Lounge for making our models look incredible
- To Omagi Salon Spa for providing hair and makeup services for this shoot
- To the KMAC Museum for allowing us to use their gorgeous space
- And last, but certainly not least, to our models Franchesca Ljubic, Shannon Burton and Dominique Joy Thompson.
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For more on what’s going on in Louisville, visit our Happenings page. And for more on the local boutiques that provided these styles, visit our SB Guide or download our FREE SB App.