Celebrating its 45th anniversary, Girls Inc. of St. Louis marked a historic milestone by hosting the organization’s first-ever national summit at Washington University, bringing together more than 250 young women from over 30 affiliates across the United States and Canada. During four transformative days, participants strengthened leadership skills, built confidence, explored emotional intelligence and critical thinking, and formed relationships with peers and community leaders. For Girls Inc. of St. Louis President and CEO Cheryl Jones, hosting the inaugural summit was a full-circle moment, reflecting the organization’s decades-long commitment to inspiring young women to be strong, smart and bold. Participants arrived from communities across North America as strangers but departed as part of a powerful new leadership network—equipped with greater confidence, meaningful connections and the encouragement to use their voices to shape a better future.

The Saint Louis Zoo's most important annual fundraiser, ZOOFARI 2026 presented by Wells Fargo, brought supporters together for a spectacular summer evening of food, entertainment, and philanthropy on June 12. The all-inclusive "grazing gala" featured signature bites from more than 40 local restaurants and caterers, refreshing libations, and live music from A-Town A-List. Guests also supported the Zoo through a wine pull, bourbon tasting, bubbly wall, silent auction, restaurant gift cards, Topgolf experience, Hearth & Soul pop-up, Kendra Scott Color Bar®, and a giving gallery featuring flamingo artwork. Beyond the festivities, ZOOFARI serves a critical purpose: proceeds from the evening support the Saint Louis Zoo's exceptional animal care and conservation efforts in St. Louis and around the world, making an unforgettable night out an investment in wildlife and its future.

As summer gives way to the busy rhythm of a new school year, families quickly discover which spaces in their homes are helping—or hindering—the morning routine. In this feature, we explores how thoughtful home organization can transform everyday life, from streamlined mudrooms and custom kids' closets to dedicated homework stations, efficient pantries, and hardworking laundry rooms. Jennifer Quinn Williams, founder of Saint Louis Closet Co., explains why successful storage begins with listening to how families live before designing personalized solutions. More than simply reducing clutter, custom organization gives families back valuable time, lowers stress, and makes busy mornings run more smoothly. For more than 35 years, Saint Louis Closet Co. has helped homeowners across the St. Louis region create beautiful, functional spaces that make daily life easier—proving that the greatest luxury isn't just a well-designed home, but one that works effortlessly for the people who live there.

The Festival of Nations returns to Tower Grove Park on August 29-30, welcoming more than 100,000 visitors to celebrate the food, music, art, and traditions of over 80 countries. While the beloved multicultural festival remains free to the public, Sophisticated Living readers can elevate the experience with the exclusive VIP Oasis at the Piper Palm House. VIP guests enjoy premier parking, a dedicated entrance, air-conditioned lounge, reserved Main Stage seating, complimentary beverages, and access to a private Kick-Off Party at the new Director's Croquet Garden. New this year, a single-day VIP pass offers a flexible way to enjoy these premium amenities. Beyond the comfort and convenience, every VIP ticket supports the International Institute of St. Louis, whose mission since 1919 has been to help immigrants and refugees build successful new lives in our community. It's an unforgettable way to experience one of St. Louis' signature cultural events while making a meaningful investment in the region's future.

A decade ago when this homeowner strolled through the front door of this century home in Parkview Place, she was moonstruck. “It was love at first sight,” she recalls. While the home captured her heart, the décor did not. While the previous owners took great care of the 1923 home, it hadn’t been updated since the 1980’s. So, the homeowners sought out interior designers and landed on Channing Krichevsky and Maria Hogrefe of C&M Interiors. Read on to learn of the transformation.

In September, the eyes of the interior design world collectively cast its discerning gaze on Paris for the Maison&Objet show and Paris Design Week. Read on for a behind-the-scenes look at how Parisian designers and artisans Franck Genser and Bina Baitel employ a transdisciplinary approach to bring elegant and exciting interiors to life.

When Chelsea, founder of Chelsea Design Company, took on the hurculean task of transforming an aging farmhouse into a 21st-century stunner, an elegant farmhouse in Kimmswick, Missouri on the Mississippi was the result. Read here how she and her team rose to the challenge.

It took a St. Louis family five years to find just the right property for their second home. But once they did, they immediately knew it was right for them. When they found their spot, they knew it was perfect at first sight: 170 acres of rolling hills, high vistas in the Augusta-Defiance area.

Picturesquely perched on a hilltop near the commune of Champillon, is The Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa. The site offers sweeping views of UNESCO-listed vineyards, forest, and the nearby quaint village of Hautvillers. In the 19th-century, it was a frequent rest stop for Napoleon Bonaparte. Now, one can soak up the rays of luxury in France's historic Champagne region at the hotel. See the breathtaking pictures here.

Under Canvas at Yellowstone National Park is the segment-defining brand that offers upscale safari-style accommodations and unparalleled access to some of the United States' most iconic and beloved outdoor destinations. Take a look see at images that will make you want to plan your next getaway with a quickness.

Debbie and Craig Kaminer embarked upon a trip to Florence, Italy last fall, where they first met in 1985. Celebrating both their 35th wedding anniversary and their 60th birthdays with their adult kids and dear friends, they experienced a dream come true. Journey with them on the trip of a lifetime.

The Boca Raton, an iconic South Florida resort, is a sprawling property encompassing five lodging options, The Cloister, the Bungalows, the Tower, the Beach Club, and the Yacht Club. It is just the getaway one might need from the bone-chilling, arctic, sub-zero temperatures and the snow and ice storms blanketing much of the nation. Read here to experience this stately paradise in pictures and words.

The annual Dancing with the St. Louis Stars 2024 Competition and Gala benefiting the Independence Center, raised a record $650,000-plus this year. Sponsored by Emerson and held at the Ritz-Carlton, guests were treated to dance numbers by local luminaries. Read on for a glimpse inside the stellar event.

What do treasure hunts, swashbuckling and providing free resources have in common? Each can be accomplished by attending this year’s St. Louis Public Library Foundation’s Stranger than Fiction: X Marks the Spot fundraising event to support Central Library on Saturday, March 2nd. Unearth the details here.

The Big Muddy Ball: An Evening for Movers and Shakers” took place on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at the Center of Creative Arts (COCA). The Big Muddy Dancers’ glamorous gala event created long-lasting memories of the stunning dance repertoire, live music, dinner, cocktails, and an after-party. Our community of movers and shakers showed up and showed out to help build the future of The Big Muddy Dance Company. Click the pic glimpse some of the movement that night.

January and February have a smorgasbord of sumptuous events guaranteed to satisfy the most sophisticated pallet for exploring our town. Read here about the many things to do this winter as you get out and about.

Dena Ladd's latest venture ties her experience in fashion working in luxury goods with Christian Dior to her passion for research. She recently introduced a line of jewelry and accessories called Flora Jaine, featuring delicate gold and silver cannabis leaves. Part of the proceeds from Flora Jaine will go to fund research projects for Missouri Cures, which endeavor to find a cure for cancer, Parkinson's, and other devastating diseases.

It's not every day that a European-trained fashion designer from Delaware starts a business, launches a full line of women’s custom and ready-to-wear clothing, falls in love, comes to St. Louis, and decides to stay. “But that is exactly where Audra Noyes Herndon’s success story starts. Read on and discover her catapult to worldwide success.

I am excited to live in a multi-ethnic, multi-national, multi-lingual, multi-religious country which defends the rights of ALL. This has never happened in the history of the world. But we are hitting speed bumps. The world isn’t left or right, blue or red, Judeo-Christian or Muslim, conservative or liberal. We all live on this continuum, yet our world is being run by extremists who benefit when we can’t agree. Political experts agree that the conditions in the U.S. are frighteningly similar to those just prior to the Civil War. With the world seemingly on fire, don’t we have bigger issues than fighting among ourselves? If you want to meet and discuss the world and our differences, please contact me. Read further for details.

For decades, I made New Year resolutions. Spend less. Save more. Go to the gym. Lose 15 pounds. None of it ever happened. In the last few years, that list has shimmied down to one: Be kind. The older I get, the less impressed I am with anything but kindness. I’ve decided that my resolution for 2024 is to fight for the underdog, help the vulnerable, advocate for sanity—and against haters. To do the right thing. And, above all else and without exception, to be kind. Read more here.

As I write this publisher’s letter for Sophisticated Living, a magazine which focuses on the art of living, I want to encourage each and every one of you to remember the treasured moments of life. Practice the art of living this holiday season. As we wrap up 2023, live a little, or a lot. Peace and prosperity to all.

Next time our leaders, colleagues, business associates, family members, or we lie to ourselves, call them — or ourselves — out.  Don’t brush it under the rug because he/she represents your party, business interests, or family harmony. Read here as Publisher Craig Kaminer reflects on how lies have become distressingly prevalent infiltrating the fabric of our society.

Jazz St. Louis presents “Swing for Tomorrow’s Stars” — A two-night gala held at Jazz St. Louis and the Chase Park Plaza. For two nights, electricity will buzz through the town from one end to the other — From Midtown to the Central West End. From the Gateway Arch and up and down the Mighty Mississippi and beyond, people will feel the power — the power of jazz. Read on to learn about “the event of the decade.”

The Contemporary Art Museum works to enrich lives and inspire curiosity, creativity, and learning through experiences with contemporary art. Its mission is to create meaningful engagement with the most relevant and innovative art being made today in a welcoming space of architectural significance. And, it’s free to all. Read here how it made its move from Laclede’s Landing to the Grand Arts Center in a big way.

Presented by the Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation, The 2024 St. Louis Teen Talent Competition’s workshops continue through Saturday, December 16, 2023. Auditions begin in January 2024. The adjudicated competition has become a platform for high school students to celebrate their passion, dedication, and love of the performing arts while competing for scholarships and cash prizes, and it will take center stage at The Finals in March 2024, at the Fabulous Fox Theatre. Read on for details.

This November, Cinema St. Louis (CSL) is thrilled to unveil the 32nd Annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival (SLIFF), set to captivate audiences at the historic Hi-Pointe Theatre, CSL’s new forever home, as well as at multiple venues across the city including the Alamo Drafthouse, Webster University, Washington University and more. Read on for everything to know about the annual event.

The spirit of philanthropy is alive and well in St. Louis thanks to its generous donors. Sophisticated Living is proud to once again harness that spirit of giving back to the community in the annual issue of the Sophisticated Giving Charity Register. Peruse the pages virtually here.

Day by day, Christmas Day inches closer.  Time to gather those gifts.  Want one more gift to put under the tree?  Then hop in your sleigh, rev up your reindeer and head on out to Ladue’s Hearth & Soul.  They will jingle your bells all the way to December 25th with their BELIEVE Christmas Giveaway. 

Just in time for the holidays, Washington University alums Jessica Lanzberg and Olivia Putterman launch Wonder Togs Talking Tees, a new high-tech lifestyle brand that blends technology and fashion to bring a child’s wardrobe to life. Read on to learn how they worked with veteran creative marketers Norty Cohen and Brian Clever to make one little girl named Rosie’s favorite zoo animals come to life.

One of the finest purveyor’s of fly rods, exquisite rod cases, purses and trunks, and carefully crafted canoes is located not in Montana, rather in Maplewood, Missouri. Read here how Amelia Tufts and Gabe Batson are making their company “fly.”

Founder and Chief Executive Office of Green Street Real Estate Ventures foresees a “Magic City.” The company’s approach is to buy sizable swathes of land for building apartments, family residences, offices, and, what he terms “the magic sauce,” entertainment. Read on to learn more about how Green Steet is transforming the landscape of St. Louis for people who are interested in, as he says, “An experiential lifestyle that’s office, entertainment, and how you live.”