The Jewish fashion event that’s defined St. Louis generosity for 61 years

Ellen Futterman, Editor-in-Chief

Published October 8, 2025

Ever wonder what happens when St. Louisans clean out their closets, basements and china cabinets for a good cause? The answer: pure fashion, accessory and housewares magic. The best of the best doesn’t just get donated—it takes center stage at the National Council of Jewish Women-St. Louis’ annual Couturier sale at the Resale Shop, 295 N. Lindbergh Blvd. The 61^st annual Couturier sale is back Oct. 22–25 and bigger than ever — it’s where hidden treasures find their second life.

Make no mistake – this isn’t your run-of-the mill rummage sale. This is where you’ll find dozens of pairs of new Manolo Blaniks, Michael Kors handbags, Alexis Bittar jewelry, racks of designer cocktail dresses and men’s sportscoats, and enough crystal stemware to toast a wedding or three.

NCJWSTL Couturier Sale St. Louis returns

And then there are the housewares. “They steal the show this year,” said Jessica Dudeman, director of retail sales operation at the Resale Shop, ticking off some of the treasures — vintage writing boxes, stacks of glossy coffee table books, antiques with a story to tell and glassware that catches the light just so, oftentimes with their original tags still attached. Many shoppers say the Couturier sale is as much about gifting as it is about personal splurges — there’s always something unexpected waiting to be wrapped up and passed along.

And the toys. Expect loads of brand-new, never-been-opened games and kids’ gifts, perfect for birthdays, holidays or just a rainy afternoon. It’s the kind of discovery that makes you giddy: you came looking for a handbag, maybe a cashmere sweater or two, and you also leave with an armful of board games for Hanukkah to please every grandchild, niece and nephew on the holiday list.

“All our toys and games for Couturier are brand new,” said Dudeman. “And you can’t believe how many of the kids’ clothes have never been worn before. Couturier is an excellent place to stock up on children’s gifts for every occasion.”

In addition to the amazing finds, what makes Couturier truly extraordinary is its impact. Roughly half of NCJWSTL’s annual budget comes from its shop and sales, and Couturier is the single biggest fundraiser of the year. Every purchase helps to fund the organization’s five core community service initiatives — programs like Healing Hearts Bank, which offers micro-loans of up to $500 to women and families in need; the Back to School! Store, which equips underserved elementary school children with supplies, clothes and other essentials to start the school year with confidence; and the Wife Widow Woman program, a support group that helps women navigate life after losing a partner.

Community impact powers NCJWSTL

NCJWSTL recently bought the building next door so it can expand its Resale Shop, proof that neither Couturier nor the nonprofit’s programs to benefit women, children and families, are slowing down. For now, though, donations keep pouring into its current location – at a pace of over 1,000 a month, ranging from a small sack of sweaters to a full U-Haul of clothes and collectibles. About 20% of those finds — once again, the best of the bests — are earmarked for Couturier, and thanks to donors’ care (a quick Clorox wipe on shoes, a cleaned-out purse), the pieces arrive ready to shine on the sales floor.

If you want a sneak peek, both NCJWSTL and the Jewish Light have you covered. NCJWSTL features daily “countdown pictures” on its social media, posting a new item each day from the upcoming sale. And on Thursdays, the Jewish Light’s digital newsletter Morning Light, features a top pick from employees of the Resale Shop.

In truth, the Couturier sale isn’t just about shopping. It’s community. It’s tradition. And it’s the single biggest NCJWSTL fundraiser of the year, with every dollar flowing right back into projects that support St. Louis women, children and families.

And that, perhaps, is the greatest treasure of all.

Couturier Event Schedule

Wednesday, Oct. 22 | 12–4 p.m.– VIP Preview (sold out); 4–8 p.m. – $15 Preview Night
Thursday, Oct. 23 | 10 a.m.–6 p.m. – Open to the public
Friday, Oct. 24 | 10 a.m.–6 p.m. – Open to the public
Saturday, Oct. 25 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m.– 25% off storewide

About the Contributor

Ellen Futterman, Editor-in-Chief

A native of Westbury, New York, Ellen Futterman broke into the world of big city journalism as a general assignment reporter for the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner in the latter part of the 20th century. Deciding that Tinsel Town was not exciting enough for her, she moved on to that hub of glamour and sophistication, Belleville, Ill., where she became a feature writer, columnist and food editor for the Belleville News-Democrat. A year later the St. Louis Post-Dispatch scooped her up, neither guessing at the full range of her talents, nor the extent of her shoe collection. She went on to work at the Post-Dispatch for 25 years, during which time she covered hard news, education, features, investigative projects, profiles, sports, entertainment, fashion, interiors, business, travel and movies. She won numerous major local and national awards for her reporting on “Women Who Kill” and on a four-part series about teen-age pregnancy, ‘Children Having Children.'” Among her many jobs at the newspaper, Ellen was a columnist for three years, Arts and Entertainment Editor, Critic-at-large and Daily Features (Everyday) Editor. She invented two sections from scratch, one of which recently morphed from Get Out, begun in 1995, to GO. In January of 2009, Ellen joined the St. Louis Jewish Light as its editor, where she is responsible for overseeing editorial operations, including managing both staff members and freelancers. Under her tutelage, the Light has won 16 Rockower Awards — considered the Jewish Pulitzer’s — including two personally for Excellence in Commentary for her weekly News & Schmooze column. She also is the communications content editor for the Arts and Education Council of St. Louis. Ellen and her husband, Jeff Burkett, a middle school principal, live in Olivette and have three children. Ellen can be reached at 314-743-3669 or at [email protected].