The convergence of strategic brilliance and high-fashion glamor is set to captivate Saint Louis as the Saint Louis Chess Club and World Chess Hall of Fame proudly present the 7th annual Strategy Across The Board Gala. Scheduled for December 2, 2023, at The Chase Park Plazal, this extraordinary evening promises a fusion of chess, art, and fashion, with 6-time Emmy Award-winning costume designer Marina Toybina as their keynote speaker.
Hosted by World Chess Hall of Fame music directors Brian Owens and Brian Woods, the gala will feature special appearances by legendary World Champion Grandmaster Garry Kasparov and TV personality Sharon Carpenter. The evening’s keynote speaker, Marina Toybina, an Emmy Award-winning costume designer, will bring a unique perspective to the intersection of chess, art, and fashion
Photo credited to: Multi- Emmy Winning Costume Designer Marina Toybina
Marina Toybina, celebrated as one of the most sought-after costume and fashion designers in the entertainment industry, will bring her visionary flair to the gala. A 6 time recipient and 7-time nominee of the prestigious Emmy Award, Toybina’s portfolio boasts iconic moments from The Masked Singer to The Grammys. Her collaboration with A-list celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj, and Juliette Lewis has solidified her status as a trendsetter. When asked what has solidified her success Marina shares, “I’ve been able to study and excel in so many different avenues of artistry and had the incredible honor of collaborating with so many great people over the years. I think it allowed me to broaden my knowledge and merge all those elements into my work. If we can’t keep learning and evolving we’ll get stuck in the same place, and a focus of mine has always been to try to keep pushing boundaries”.
A highlight of the evening will be Toybina’s keynote address, offering an exclusive insight into the intersection of chess, art, and fashion. Her groundbreaking work, including the stunning chess queen and knight costumes worn during Katy Perry’s Super Bowl performance of “Dark Horse,” is currently on display at the World Chess Hall of Fame as part of the “Sound Moves: Where Music Meets Chess” exhibition.
Photo Credited to: Jane Owen PR
The Saint Louis Chess Club is a non-profit organization committed to making chess an integral part of the community. Offering tournaments, chess improvement classes, and educational programs, the club strives to promote the cognitive and behavioral benefits of chess.
The proceeds from the gala will contribute to supporting chess education, cultural exhibitions, and public programming at the Saint Louis Chess Club and World Chess Hall of Fame.
As the gala’s attendees prepare to immerse themselves in a night of style and substance, Marina Toybina’s presence serves as a living testament to the power of creativity and strategy. Just as each move on the chessboard is a calculated masterpiece, so too are Toybina’s designs—an intricate dance between intellect and aesthetics. Her keynote address promises to elevate the evening, providing an intimate glimpse into the mind of a visionary who seamlessly weaves together the realms of chess and couture.
