Dress to Shine: Sister Spokesman Annual Fashion Presentation

Style, Story, and Time

This May, Sister Spokesman invites the community to Dress to Shine. A vibrant annual fashion presentation celebrating culture, self-expression, and style.

Inspired by iconic vintage moments from Jet, Essence, Ebony, Fashion Fair, and McCall’s, this gathering features a runway experience, a full meal, and meaningful community connection as we continue to step out dressed to shine.

Saturday, May 2, 2026 | Noon โ€“ 3 PM

Wilder Center
451 Lexington Parkway North
St. Paul, MN 55104

Tickets: $55 (includes meal)

Annual Fashion Runway Show
A curated runway experience hosted by Richard Moody, Chief Visionary of iammoody, featuring local fashion designers.

Full Meal Included
Enjoy a full meal alongside friends, neighbors, and community members.

Community Connection
Honoring the looks that shaped us and the style we step into next.


What to Expect

A curated runway experience featuring local designers showcasing everything from vintage-inspired looks to bespoke couture. Come ready to be inspired, celebrate style, and connect with a community that knows how to show up and show out.

Dress to Shine is more than a fashion show. It is an afternoon of culture, creativity, and community – where every seat has a great view and every guest is part of the story.


Meet the Event Architect

Richard Moody is the creative force behind the runway, bringing nearly 30 years of production expertise to every detail of Dress to Shine.

Richard Moody / iammoody

Fashion Runway Show Producer & Event Architect

Richard Moody is the powerhouse founder of iammoody, a boutique production firm that has spent nearly three decades transforming fashion shows into immersive, multidimensional narratives. With 38+ years as a professional model and 28+ years in production, Richard’s perspective is rare โ€” he understands the magic of the catwalk from both sides of the lens.

A dedicated champion for the Twin Cities fashion scene, Richard blends international flair with local grassroots heart. His global travels have cultivated a fashion sensibility drawn from style hubs like Paris, London, and Tokyo.

Whether producing the signature All-Black Attire event at MartinPatrick3 or the culturally significant Threads of Impact for Black Fashion Week MN, Richard’s work is defined by a commitment to diversity, professionalism, and the elevation of emerging talent.


Meet the Designer

Kathryn Rogers of House of KLynn brings couture craftsmanship and cinematic elegance to the Dress to Shine runway.

House of KLynn

Designer: Kathryn Rogers | Bespoke Couture, Bridal & Red Carpet Gowns

House of KLynn is a bastion of true artistry in an era of mass production. Founded by Grand Couturier Kathryn Rogers, the label is built on the mission to redefine modern luxury by returning to the golden age of couture. Each garment is meticulously handcrafted to offer a flawless fit for women of all shapes and sizes.

Kathryn brings a cinematic level of expertise to the runway, having served as a couture stitcher and seamstress for critically acclaimed films including Hidden Figures, Passengers, and Bessie. Her designs have graced the Vegas strip and high-profile events like the Walker Art Center’s Avant Garden. At House of KLynn, fashion is not a trend โ€” it is a statement of unapologetic elegance designed to endure as a wearable heirloom.


Meet the Owner & Operators

Autumn Frazier and Marques Armstrong are community-rooted entrepreneurs who bring intentional style, timeless craft, and local pride to everything they create.

Autumn Frazier Credit: Submitted
Autumn’s Vintage

Owner & Operator: Autumn Frazier | Minneapolis, MN | High-End Curated Vintage

Autumn’s Vintage is a celebrated pillar of the Minneapolis style scene, founded by stylist and vintage devotee Autumn Frazier. Driven by a powerful mission to keep history out of landfills, Autumn meticulously curates high-end garments and one-of-a-kind treasures that challenge the cycle of disposable fashion.

Her collection is a masterful blend of timeless elegance from the 1940s to the 1970s, reimagined with a modern, intentional flair.

Autumn’s Vintage invites you to embrace a lifestyle where fashion is an enduring memory, crafted for women of all sizes who lead with character and grace.


Renaissance House of Fashion

Owner & Operator: Marques Armstrong | Maplewood, MN | Bespoke Suiting, Modern Menswear & Capsule Wardrobes

Renaissance House of Fashion, led by visionary menswear stylist Marques Armstrong, is more than a boutique โ€” it is a movement dedicated to the modern gentleman.

Founded on the philosophy that “presence is intentional,” the brand specializes in tailoring that fuses classic elegance with bold, modern flair.

Based in Maplewood, MN, Marques has spent years redefining style for men who lead with purpose โ€” offering everything from sharp business suits to elevated casual wear that honors the wearer’s unique silhouette. Renaissance House of Fashion empowers men to step into their next level with confidence and craftsmanship.

Marques Armstrong

Keith Dorsett
Heimie’s Haberdashery

General Manager: Keith Dorsett | Menswear Provider | Downtown St. Paul, MN | Custom Suits, Tailoring & Accessories

Heimie’s Haberdashery is a cornerstone of classic menswear in the Twin Cities, bringing a tradition of craftsmanship and personal style to downtown St. Paul. Known for their expertise in custom clothing and accessories for ladies and gentlemen.

At Dress to Shine, Heimie’s will provide the menswear for the runway, with Keith Dorsett on site representing the brand. From sharp custom suits to elevated accessories, Heimie’s brings the full gentleman’s wardrobe to life.

Heimie’s Custom House specializes in designing custom garments and suits for any occasion. Their full range of services includes tailoring, alterations, shoe shine, a barbershop, and a complete custom clothier experience.


Meet the Entertainment

Thomasina Petrus and DJ Munya bring the energy, soul, and sound that will keep the afternoon moving from the first look to the last note.

Thomasina Petrus

Live Entertainment and Exhibitor | Singer, Actor, and Entrepreneur

Thomasina Petrus is one of the Twin Cities’ most celebrated performing artists, bringing a rare combination of theatrical depth and jazz vocal mastery to every stage she graces. A true hometown talent, she has performed lead roles at some of the region’s most prestigious stages including Penumbra, Park Square, Mixed Blood, Illusion, the Guthrie, the Capri, and Old Arizona Theatre.

Mentored and inspired by some of the Twin Cities’ most beloved artists, Thomasina has shared the stage and collaborated with luminaries including James “Cornbread” Harris Sr., Javetta Steele, Stokley, Regina Williams, Prince, T. Mycheal Rambo, Lou Bellamy, Lewis Whitlock, and Marion McClinton.

Thomasina will also be on the vendor floor at Dress to Shine, where you can grab a bag of her latest trademarked creation, Thomasina’s Cashew Brittle. Stop by, say hello, and take a little sweetness home with you.

Thomasina Petrus

DJ Munya, aka TONEZ
Music provided by DJ Munya

DJ & MC since 2012

Musical Influences
Black Coffee, Marvin Gaye, DJ Kent, Oliver Mtukudzi

Munya, aka TONEZ (pronounced Tones), serves as GenNOWโ€™s MC and global entertainer. Coming from Zimbabwe, Munya brings his signature โ€œThrivingโ€ energy to every event and has had the pleasure of hosting the NCAA 2019 Final Four Select Events, 2018 Super Bowl Live Stage, and other corporate, international and sporting events.


Dress to Shine is a celebration of the style that shaped us and the stories we carry forward.

Join us for an afternoon of fashion, food, and meaningful community connection.

Tickets are $55 and include a full meal.


Saturday, May 2, 2026 | Noon โ€“ 3 PM

Wilder Center
451 Lexington Parkway North
St. Paul, MN 55104

Get directions >

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Become a Vendor

This special event takes place at the Wilder Center, where guests will enjoy a runway fashion show, a full meal, and an uplifting afternoon celebrating culture, self-expression, and community.

Vending Times

We want you to maximize your sales! Vendors can sell during the entire event, including the 1-hour panel/showtime. Please note that during the show, we ask for ‘silent sales’โ€”no loud interactions, music, or interruptions to the panel/show, please. Expect minimal sales during the panel/show hour.

A Look Back: Threads of Impact

Last year’s fashion presentation brought the Twin Cities community together for Threads of Impact, a powerful celebration of Black fashion, culture, and self-expression. Take a look at the moments that made the afternoon unforgettable.


Sister Spokesman is a nonprofit event series

Sister Spokesman is a nonprofit event series created to uplift, connect, and celebrate African American women in the Twin Cities. As part of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorderโ€™s commitment to community engagement, MSR Publisher Tracey Williams-Dillard founded Sister Spokesman in response to the need for welcoming spaces that center the voices, experiences, and joy of Black women.

Each gathering offers meaningful conversation on topics that matter, along with music, giveaways, shopping, and opportunities to build genuine connections.

The Sister Spokesman vendor market is a thriving space for Black entrepreneurs to showcase their products, grow their customer base, and circulate dollars within the community. It is both a marketplace and a celebration of local talent, creativity, and economic empowerment.

Sister Spokesman participants pause to breathe and heal

At Sister Spokesmanโ€™s Pause. Breathe. Heal. event, Black women filled a glass lined community space near NorthPoint for an afternoon that felt less like a program and more like a communal exhale. Publisher Tracey Williams Dillard, therapist Venus Burney, and trauma specialist Dr. Resmaa Menakem led a candid conversation about stress, survival, and the weightโ€ฆ

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Sister Spokesman celebrated Black excellence on Nov. 1 with the 2025 Best of Black Businesses Awards. Honorees in five categories were recognized for their creativity, community impact, and leadership. From food and beauty to wellness and professional services, winners and nominees shared stories of purpose and progress that highlight the strength of Minnesotaโ€™s Black businessโ€ฆ

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Last Saturday, a powerful panel of doctors, cancer survivors and physicians gathered at the University of Minnesotaโ€™s Masonic Cancer Center for Live Laugh Learn 2025, a cancer awareness event focused on the disparities in breast, prostate and colorectal cancer within the Black community. The message was clear and urgent: Donโ€™t wait. Early detection saves lives,โ€ฆ

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