As the world embraces the excitement of international soccer this summer, Tamara Keefe is inviting St. Louisans to embark on a global culinary adventure—one scoop at a time. In celebration of National Ice Cream Month, Clementine's Naughty & Nice Creamery has unveiled its limited-edition International Travel Collection, featuring handcrafted flavors inspired by Keefe's travels to destinations including France, Egypt, India, Brazil, and the United Arab Emirates. The celebration culminates on National Ice Cream Day, July 19, with the debut of two exclusive flavors, free soccer-themed T-shirts for the first 50 guests at each location, and other festive giveaways, proving that this July, the sweetest passport is an ice cream cone.
Craig Kaminer shares the deeply personal story of how a lifelong passion for offshore sailing became an unexpected testament to the strength of his marriage. While sailing was always Craig's dream, his wife Debbie embraced the adventure—not because she loved rough seas and overnight passages, but because she loved him. Through breathtaking voyages, challenging storms, and thousands of nautical miles together, the couple discovered that the greatest journeys aren't measured by destinations reached, but by the unwavering support, trust, and partnership that carry a marriage through life's calm waters and fiercest tempests.
Few places define the character of St. Louis quite like Forest Park. For nearly 150 years, it has served as our city's front yard, cultural crossroads, and peaceful retreat—a place where generations have gathered to celebrate, reflect, exercise, explore, and create lasting memories. Now, that remarkable legacy is captured in a stunning new hardcover book, Forest Park: St. Louis's Gathering Place Since 1876, by acclaimed local historians Amanda E. Doyle and Cameron Collins.
Tens of millions of Americans nationwide are currently taking GLP-1 weight loss drugs. Approximately 12% or St. Louis adults are taking Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro, about 300,000 to 340,000 people. These drugs not only provide a dramatic weight loss of up to 70 pounds, they also have significant benefits for those with heart disease and diabetes. But there is a cost. In this article, plastic surgeon Dr. Charles Nathan and Dr. Michael Nayak discuss the booming plastic surgery trend resulting from these ever-popular medications.
From the moment you turn the first pages of our July/August issue and gaze upon the tranquil waters of the Chesapeake Bay, you'll find yourself transported to a world of quiet anchorages, breathtaking sunsets, and endless horizons. Whether you're mentally cruising the calm waters of the Mid-Atlantic or imagining yourself sprinting across a padel court, this issue invites you to experience the very best of midsummer—both in St. Louis and far beyond its borders. Click here to enjoy a virtual edition of the July/August issue of Sophisticated Living St. Louis.
During the summer and fall, weddings in wine country are becoming increasingly more popular. For sophisticated couples in St. Louis, a wine country wedding can be as close as a winery along the Missouri River Valley, from Augusta to Hermann. Yet for those dreaming of an extraordinary destination celebration, California's Sonoma County continues to set the gold standard for luxury vineyard weddings. See more about California nuptials dreamin’ here.
The Met Gala may take place on the storied steps of New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, but for one evening in May, St. Louis proved that fashion, art, and imagination can be every bit as captivating right here at home. The annual Met Gala Watch Party hosted by Fashion Group International of St. Louis transformed the Contemporary Art Museum into a celebration of style, creativity, and community unlike anything else on the city's social calendar. Relive the first Monday May 2026 if you were there that night. Or glimpse it from afar in pictures and words.
For many men, classic automobiles occupy a special place in the heart. They evoke memories of first cars, summer road trips, Sunday drives, and a time when craftsmanship and style seemed to go hand in hand. On Father’s Day Eve, Saturday, June 20th, guests will have the opportunity to admire an impressive collection of classic cars while enjoying live music and mingling with fellow enthusiasts — and shop for that special gift for the father in your life. The atmosphere is relaxed, festive, and distinctly St. Louis—a gathering of neighbors, friends, families, and car lovers enjoying a summer afternoon together.
It's summertime in the city. And the living is easy. Father's Day is almost here. We've celebrated the mothers. Now it's our turn, fellas. For generations, Father's Day has been built around some of America's most enduring traditions: firing up the grill, enjoying a great steak, gathering family and friends, and perhaps raising a glass or two in celebration. Though those traditions remain alive and well, since its legalization in Missouri, adding cannabis to the mix is rapidly becoming a new practice at gatherings.
There are certain people in St. Louis who seem to possess a rare gift. They have the ability to bring people together. Not just for a party. Not simply for a social gathering. But for a purpose. Kelly Burrell Bagwe is one of those people. She is a successful model, actress, philanthropist, and fixture on the St. Louis social scene. What they may not know is that she dedicates to helping others through her “Premiere with a Purpose” events. Read about the latest when she helps host the “Hairspray” at the Muny.
Queer Writes: An Evening of Selections by LGBTQ+ Writers in St. Louis for its fourth consecutive year on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the Missouri History Museum. The event is part of the Museum’s Thursday Nights at the Museum series and its Gateway to Pride programming.
“On this 250th anniversary of our nation’s independence, we invite the community to come together in remembrance of those who lost their lives while serving our country,” said Mark Sundlov, Managing Director of Soldiers Memorial Military Museum. Soldiers Memorial Military Museum will hold its annual Memorial Day Observance on Monday, May 25 at 10:00 AM. This event is free and open to the public. This powerful event honors the memory of America’s fallen service members and includes a wreath-laying ceremony and musical tribute.
An invitation was sent to St. Louis for the 2026 Three-Sixty Westport Kentucky Derby Soirée, and with it came an unspoken understanding: one does not simply attend—one arrives properly. What awaited atop the Gold Tower at Westport on May 2nd, was not merely a party, but an interpretation—St. Louis’ answer to the pageantry of Churchill Downs. And it was convincing. The details were intentional. As Lodging Hospitality Management Chairman and CEO Bob O’Loughlin has noted, the intention has been clear: to elevate Westport into a premier destination for both visitors and the local community. On Derby Day, one of the crown jewels in the LHM firmament of properties, Three-Sixty Westport, ran for the roses and brought them home.
On April 26, inside the dignified halls of the Missouri History Museum, approximately 150 figures from the arts and cultural community gathered not simply to honor Joan Lipkin, but to affirm the scope of a career that has long extended beyond any single stage, city, or discipline. The occasion: her receipt of the 2026 Margo Jones Medal—an honor bestowed annually upon one citizen-of-the-theatre nationwide. In its 65-year history, it had never before been presented in St. Louis.
First recognized as a week-long observance in 1978 and expanded to a full month in 1990, May was chosen to commemorate two key moments: the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States in 1843. It is both a celebration and a correction—an acknowledgment of contributions that were too often overlooked. Their professional presence is significant—spanning medicine, finance, engineering, technology, academia, and entrepreneurship. They are physicians, executives, innovators, and business owners whose economic contributions help drive both local and national growth. As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, the importance of this recognition only grows.
There are certain holidays that arrive with obligation—and then there are those that arrive with reverence. Mother's Day belongs, unequivocally, to the latter. In St. Louis, the second Sunday in May is not simply marked; it is curated. It is a day when gratitude is translated into beauty, indulgence, and, increasingly, experience. And for the city’s most discerning families, the question is no longer whether to celebrate—but how exquisitely. Because in St. Louis, as in New York City or Paris, sophistication is not defined by how much is spent—but by how thoughtfully it is given. On Sunday in May, 10, 2026 nothing is more luxurious than getting it exactly right.
If you are reading this, you are the FIRST to see our May/June 2026 issue. In it, we explore how St. Louis continues to leave its imprint on the world stage. Our cover story, “The Rooms That Speak: Lou Bopp and the Art of Photographing Absence,” is a deeply moving piece that will leave a lasting impression on you. It is a poignant look at the creation of a 2026 Oscar-winning documentary by a St. Louis photographer. It is, quite simply, unforgettable. We also take a deep dive into two other St. Louis institutions, the 101-year-old Al’s Restaurant, which was the very definition of fine dining in yesteryear and carries the torch today in St. Louis and beyond. Also read about how Stifel Financial Corporation Chairman and CEO Ronald J. Kruszewski ensures that their brand is carried throughout the nation and the world.
A different kind of supermodel hit the red carpet at the Expo Porte de Versailles in the City of Lights this past January. Coinciding with the biannual Paris Haute Couture Week, over four days, the 50th annual Rétromobile drew close to 150,000 motoring enthusiasts to this comprehensive lifestyle motoring event. To mark the milestone, Rétromobile’s official 2026 poster featured BMW’s first Art Car, a BMW 3.0 CSL with graphics designed by Alexander Calder half a century earlier. Since then, BMW has teamed up with an esteemed roster of artists, including Frank Stella, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, and Jeff Koons, to name a few, whose one-of-a-kind works were displayed alongside one another in one of three sprawling halls at Rétromobile.
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis hosted their 3rd Annual Holiday Benefit. The event brought community, artistry, and festive spirit together for an unforgettable winter celebration supporting St. Louis theatre. This year’s event welcomed Emmy Award–winning actress Britt Lower — star of Apple TV+’s Severance and a proud Midwestern artist with St. Louis roots — who shared stories from her creative journey and reflected on the power of live theatre. Embracing the theme Home for the Holidays, guests enjoyed performances by Broadway star Taylor Louderman, unique auction experiences and exceptional food and drinks, all contributing to raising more than $300,000 to support The Rep’s educational and community programs, world-class productions, and overall presence in St. Louis’ vibrant arts community.
The Black and White Ball 2025 was a true celebration of St. Louis’ generous heart. It transformed the Four Seasons Ballroom into a celebration of glamour, community and giving back, blending high-fashion moments with unforgettable performances and hometown pride. Nelly, a longtime supporter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, announced that 4-year-old Elijah Gilligan will be going on an all-expense paid trip to Disney World with his family. Nelly also surprised Harris-Stowe State University student Te’Ron Moore with a 4-year full ride scholarship. Ashanti, Busta Rhymes, Doug E. Fresh, Jermaine Dupri, Ozzie Smith, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, and Wesley Bell.
