ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - A street is named after a supermodel in hopes of revitalizing the Garment District in downtown St. Louis.
Supermodel and St. Louis-native Karlie Kloss held the ribbon along with Mayor Tishaura Jones to pull the white fabric covering the street name.
Well it got stuck and eventually did fall to the ground unveiling the new name on Washington Avenue.
Mayor Jones says naming the street after Kloss is all about promoting local clothing shops.
"While I don't walk the runway as mayor, I do support local designers, craftsmen, dressmakers and cobblers like Just Down The Street, LUXE Department Store, Broadway Shoe Repair" said Jones in an public address during ceremonies Monday. "These are visionary entrepreneurs that continue the legacy of St. Louis as a fashion city in its own right."
Kloss got the chance to speak and was touched by the honor to have her name on a sign post in her hometown.
"This street naming is so meaningful to me. My family has proudly been rooted in the Midwest. So we're proud Midwesterner and no matter how far I travel, my beloved Saint Louis is always home in my heart," said Kloss Monday. "So as I stand here and look out, I am truly overwhelmed with gratitude. I feel profoundly grateful for so many people here who I owe everything in my life to."
A bill to make the naming happen, was originally introduced before the pandemic, with signs having been up, but the unveiling never took place until Monday.
Susan Sherman of St. Louis Fashion Fund told me she believes naming the strip after Kloss will bring back the Garment District.
"Carly is a St. Louis icon. I mean, she's doing incredible things globally but she never forgets her hometown and her support of fashion the Fashion fund 10-12 years ago before we were even a nonprofit has been unbelievable," said Sherman. "She loves the arts. She's getting involved in all kinds of interesting media now, but again, she does not forget her hometown. So I think it's great."