Local fashion round-up for 8.31

Project Runway S2E6 in review:

[Ra'mon with his design for last week's episode]

Oh no! Last week's episode of Project Runway had us fretting for local favorite Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman. He ended up in the bottom three for his dress that was criticized for looking like a bowling ball and for its construction issues. Fortunately, both him and fellow local contestant Christopher Straub, who sent a one-shouldered mini-dress down the runway, made it safely through this pregnancy-themed episode. Shirin was named the winner for her dress-and-jacket look, and sadly, Malvin (who I had pegged as a top contender) was sent home. W, Ra'mon ended up among the bottom three Hopefully this was a one-time misstep for Ra'mon, who placed second on the premiere episode.

Click here for Extended Judging of Ra'mon.
Click here for Tim Gunn's Workroom visit with Christopher.
Click here for Tim Gunn's Workroom visit with Ra'mon.
Click here for Christopher's video blog.
Click here for Ra'mon's video blog.

Project Runway blogroll:

Here's Sara Glassman's take on the second episode and the new weekly Project Runway viewing party (sponsored by l'etoile magazine) at Hell's Kitchen for Star Tribune. Both Christopher Straub and Season Three contestant Katherine Gerdes were in attendance. Also just posted: Glassman's review of the premiere party held in St. Paul on August 20.

In a cover story interview with Tim Gunn for USA Weekend, Christopher Straub was quoted as to how Tim Gunn inspired him: "He told me to work on my design -- don't work on someone else's, don't try to please someone else -- work on your own. It's one of the most important things I've ever been told: 'You need to find what your identity is and focus there.'" He also gives a fall fashion tip: "[Add] color with handbags and accessories. Everyone's wardrobe gets a little dark in the fall, so dress up all those grays and browns and blacks with a great purple bag or some blue or orange."

Local fashion blogroll:

[Jaslene Gonzalez]

Via facebook, Pioneer Press writer Alison Kaplan reported some other reality TV news: "America's Next Top Model winner Jaslene Gonzalez ate cheese curds at the MN State Fair. And didn't work out after. "I'm naturally thin!" Hate her." Apparently, she was in town to give "fashion tips" at the KidsChange Extreme Teen Makeover on Saturday. Also hitting up the State Fair last Saturday? Christopher Straub, of course (via his facebook status update).

la nouvelle femme from alittlenorth on Vimeo.

La Nouvelle Femme has just released a promotional video for the September 18 music/fashion/art conceptual show at the Varsity Theater. The video, entitled "Wanderlust," highlights the female-heavy roster that includes fashion designers Calpurnia Peach, local female-fronted band Bella Koshka, and artist Tori Bonar. Buy your tickets now at indietickets.com.

[Image courtesy Glamour.com via The Minneapoline]

Recently local street style blog The Minneapoline was added to Glamour.com's Slaves to Fashion blogroll. They've since added these posts: Cute Outfit Idea of The Day: Polka-Dots and Glasses and MidSummer Night's Dream: A Gorge Party Outfit Idea.

The Midwasteland highlights fall fashion-y films, including Coco Before Chanel, The September Issue, and New York, I Love You. First up is the Vogue/Anna Wintour documentary The September Issue, which has its local premiere September 11 at Landmark Edina Cinema. Both Coco Before Chanel (aka Coco Avante Chanel) and New York, I Love You open October 16, also at Landmark Edina Cinema.

[Image courtesy The Minneapoline]

Here's mplsart.com director, Fox Tax Gallery curator and co-producer of the local Project Runway premiere Emma Berg at the premiere party on Aug. 20, via The Minneapoline. Her dress is by Zac Posen and shoes from Opitz Outlet. They also have a best-of take on someone who has frequented The Minneapoline over the past few years, Project Runway's Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman. Click here, here, here, and here for his guest blogging sessions.

Pioneer Press has just published their Fall Fashion spread featuring wares from Grethen House, Belle Reve, Karma, Picky Girl, Stephanie's, and resale boutiques June and gh2, as styled by Jane Magnitude and modeled by model-of-the-moment Greta Sundquist.

Coolhunting.com spotlights 89.3 The Current and the Walker Art Center's annual Rock the Garden festival, which featured Yeasayer, The Decemberists, Calexico and local favorites Solid Gold, with a behind-the-scenes video.

Check out local blogger Beth Hammarlund's A Tiny Machine for her fashion and design-oriented reviews of District 9, last week's Project Runway viewing party at Hell's Kitchen, and the blood drive posters put out by the makers of "Saw".

Locally-based blog Worn Through by U of M grad student Monica Sklar is featured as a "fashion resource" in the new book by Nina Garcia (of "Project Runway" fame), The Style Strategy. The book is available now at major booksellers, but I suggest buying it at the independent Magers & Quinn.

Also be sure to check out this Mpls.St.Paul Magazine profile on local fashion icon, Margot Siegel, whose personal collection of Andy Warhol artwork and artist-designed Louis Vuitton handbags was part of the recent Goldstein exhibition, "Intersections."

Vita.mn + STAYcation for 8.27.09-9.2.09

Check out my writing in this week's edition of Vita.mn:

[A look by 2012 Threads]

Fashion: 2012 Threads Release Party at Triple Rock
Named for the year the Mayan calendar ends, new clothing line 2012 Threads features original images of a post-apocalyptic future screenprinted on T-shirts and hoodies. Click here to read more.

Fashion: B-Girl Be Hair Raising Event at Moxie Uptown
After a hiatus, the all-female hip-hop festival B-Girl Be will return next month. As part of their fundraising efforts, organizers are teaming up with local do-gooding salon Moxie. Click here to read more.

Events: mnartists.org Field Day at Walker Art Center
This week, Walker Free Thursdays isn’t just any old Free Thursday. Sure, the Walker gives us great free stuff every week – admission into the featured exhibitions, film screenings, distinguished guest speakers, art-making workshops. But this week, the Walker teamed up with local arts hub mnartists.org for a jam-packed full day of activities... Click here to read more.

[Transfer art from Rush Hour]

Art: RUSH HOUR at Stevens Square Center for the Arts
Making art out of society's discards has long been a theme in modern art, but it's possible there's one token of city life that has yet to be reimagined: the paper bus transfer. Click here to read more.

[Photograph by Tucker Gerrick]

Art: Best Summer Ever: Proof of Youth at Umber Studios
This solo show by Tucker Gerrick presupposes that at some point in their life, everyone's had their best summer ever. He decided to memorialize his own best summer -- and those of his friends -- in a nonlinear photo series exploring youth, the chemistry between friends, and love. Click here to read more.

[Martina Marraccino]

Performance: Martina's Broadway Cabaret at BLB
Drag and theater unite in this Cabaret-inspired revue hosted by “Dykes Do Drag” and “Lip Service” regular Martina Marraccino (né Martino Mayotte). Inspired by his love for both live drag performance and acting, Mayotte – a local theater writer, director, choreographer for the Minnesota Theatre - joined with colleague Seth Gabriel to found Silver Slipper Productions, and Martina’s Broadway Cabaret was born. Click here to read more.


"St. Paul's Mall" Rosedale celebrates 40th via St. Paul STAYcation:
Through the month of August, Rosedale Center has been celebrating its 40th birthday. Not only has the mall survived the trying economic times of the past few decades, it was the third of four “dale” shopping centers built by the Dayton-Hudson company, now credited as the creators of the modern-day mall. Originally, the shopping center was anchored by the Dayton’s and Donaldson’s department stores when it opened in 1969, with later additions including JC Penney and Montgomery Ward.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

St. Paul Rock City: State Fair Edition (8.27-9.2)
The Great Minnesota Get-Together is once again upon us. Besides gaining a few pounds from all the cheese curds and fried-everything, it means one of the best music lineups featuring national acts of the summer. In honor of the State Fair, this weekend’s nightlife picks highlight the big acts coming to the Grandstand, as well as local acts playing a series of free shows at the Fair.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Fashion & shopping news for 8.27-9.2: (A repost of a Vita.mn online exclusive)

Mall of America just launched a new blog, “MOA Fashion Sense." To celebrate the launch of this new blog, which features trend, retail and beauty info, they're giving away a $50 gift card every weekday now through mid-September to one of their exclusive retailers. Check it out at www.moafashionsense.com.

[New work by Jacob Gossel]

Thursday: Ignite Modeling hosts the second installment of new monthly fashion/music/art event FAME. This time, the theme is street art, and the event will feature new art by Jacob Gossel and San Francisco artist Marcus Lo, live graffiti art by Charlie Mossey, and a live street-style inspired runway show styled (which I happen to be styling) featuring looks from local boutiques ROBOTlove, OPM, and Opitz Outlet, and the latest from local designers Anthem Heart and Ferociter. (7-10 p.m. Fashion show at 8 p.m. Ignite Modeling Studio, Brin Building, 600 Washington Av. N., Mpls. More info and Gregory J. Scott's preview for Vita.mn)

[Christopher Straub, right, will appear at this week's screening of "Project Runway" / Image by Stephen Stephens/Digital Crush]

Thursday: With two local contestants on this season of "Project Runway," it was clear a weekly viewing party would be in order. l'etoile hosts this weekly party at Hell's Kitchen (owned by Season 3 contestant Katherine Gerdes' mom, natch). Last week's winner, Christopher Straub, is said to be in attendance. Plus l'etoile's Kate Iverson and Beth Hammarlund will kick off the night with fashion trivia. Drink specials begin at 6 p.m., with "PR" screening at 9 p.m., followed by PR spinoff "Models of the Runway." (80 S. 9th St., Mpls. More info)

[Calpurnia Peach]

Thursday: The MNartists.org Field Day at the Walker Art Center features a special rendition of Remake/Revamp starring Calpurnia Peach's Luci Kandler and Ashley Wokasch. The design duo best known for their whimsical designs on the Voltage runway offer this follow-up to their screen printing workshop earlier this summer. Look for their fall collection to debut at the La Nouvelle Femme fashion/art/music show at the Varsity on Sept. 18. (1-5 p.m., Outside Bazinet Garden Lobby, Walker Art Center, 1750 Hennepin Av., Mpls. More info)

Through Mon., Aug. 31: Design Collective is in the midst of its quarterly sale. Take 10 to 40 percent off locally-designed clothing, accessories and jewelry. (311 26th St. W., Mpls. 612-377-1000.)

Through Sept. 7: Local high-end accessories shop StyledLife is taking 30 to 70 percent-off spring items from Anya Hindmarch, Dunhill, Valentino, Missoni, Alexis Bittar, Versace, and more. Select items of fall merchandise will also be 20 percent off. (3635 Galleria, Edina. 952-928-8888. More info)

Through Sept. 8: Minneapolis-based Blu Dot is having its first-ever nationwide sale. Everything will be marked down 20 percent. The offer is available exclusively at brick-and-mortar Blu Dot retailers. (Roam: 813 Glenwood Av., Mpls. Target Commercial Interiors: Multiple locations including 915 Nicollet Mall, Mpls. More info)

Local fashion round-up for 8.24

Project Runway S6E1 Recap:

Minnesota's own Christopher Straub was named the winner of the first challenge, with Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman coming in at a close second. They truly did Minnesota proud!

[The crowd at the St. Paul premiere party / Image by Stephen Stephens/Digital Crush Photo]

Local press of the Premiere party held at St. Paul Hotel:
Allison Kaplan's review for Pioneer Press and her write-up on her own blog;
City Pages' review and slideshow;
A whole bunch of photos of the St. Paul Premiere event by Digital Crush;
l'etoile's recap of the premiere event. (National PR blog Blogging Project Runway also linked to this recap!)

National reviews of the premiere episode:

Project Rungay offers up their takes on Christopher's winning design and Ra'mon's second-place look.
Here's Blogging Project Runway's pick for Episode 1 favorite: Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman.
My cover story for Vita.mn on Ra'mon and Christopher was highlighted in Blogging Project Runway, as well as photo links from Digital Crush.

Here's a video of Eclecticoiffeur (my stylist collective) prepping Ra'mon for a photo shoot by Robb Long that will appear in Twin Cities Statement.

Here's an interview with Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman, Christopher Straub and Shirin Askari from their recent promotional appearance in Chicago.

Check out this article in the Chicago Sun Times on Ra'mon and men's fashion.

Ra'mon guest blogs for St. Paul STAYcation about his favorite things about St. Paul.

Here's a story on Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman and Christopher Straub by Kara Nesvig in last week's Star Tribune.

Non-Project Runway-related local fashion news:

MNfashion Week has announced its schedule for Fall 2009 MNfashion Week.

["Slither" boot by Christian Siriano for Payless]

A few styles from Christian Siriano's fall line for Payless are available at Payless.com and locally at the Mall of America. If you're looking for the black pump with chain detail, you're out of luck - unless you can squeeze into a size 6. They're already sold out at the MOA. Look for Siriano's handbag line for Payless to hit stores soon.

Q&A with Scott Schuman of The Sartorialist

[Originally published at l'etoile magazine online]

[Scott Schuman]

In anticipation of the l’étoile-sponsored book release party atMagers & Quinn for The Sartorialist, named for the street fashion photography website, l'étoile fashion editor Jahna Peloquin chatted up Sartorialist creator and photographer Scott Schuman on releasing his first book, his inspiration as a photographer, shooting at Fashion Week, and his favorite Twin Cities shops.

How did the idea to release a book come about?

I’ve been approached by several different publishers but there was nothing that seemed right. Then when I met with Penguin, and they were willing to do a paperback and a hardcover at the same time. I like something that’s very well-crafted but also something that a lot of people can relate to and isn’t so expensive. And they don’t usually do books like that. They felt so strongly about it that they were willing to put more resources behind it, and willing to put more on the line versus typical photo book companies.



How did you narrow down your three years of photographs into one book? What types of looks did you try to include?

When I started pulling images it’s figuring out which images were good stand-alone images. And then we worked back and compared and contrasted and looked at similarities and differences - putting side-by-side images that were taking two years apart and seeing how they look together in a spread. We ended up with about 600 images total.

What are your inspirations as a photographer? Were there any photographers you modeled your style after?

Stylistically it’s a cross between Bruce Weber in the sense that he shoots outdoor and in direct light. Paolo Roversi, who shoots in the studio and has a style that’s a bit more painterly. From him I get a sense of quietness around the people. And there’s Steve McCurry, who shoots for National Geographic. I’m inspired by how he shoots so many different people with the same level of integrity.

What’s your favorite part about your work?

I was in fashion for 15 years, I grew up loving fashion, and I think it’s something I will always have in my life. I love always going out and having a chance to react to things that surprise me and the challenge of trying to capture it photographically the way I see it. I never know who I’m going to see when, so I’m always trying to make fast decisions. Another part is how we’ve been able to create a great community of people through the blog and people have really picked up how we handle things in a respectful manner. We’re one of those unique entities in fashion, in that it’s good, it’s human – it isn’t catty or putting people down. It’s much more positive human interaction.

Are you shooting at Fashion Week again this fall? Are there any particular shows that have a particularly well-dressed audience?

A lot of people are at the same shows. Marc Jacobs has a great space, and he can get more people and more of a variety of people. Dries Van Noten also brings in an eclectic crowd.

You’ve shot at Fashion Week for style.com, have a monthly style page in GQ, shot a campaign for DKNY, and you just released your first book. What’s next? What other projects are you working on?

I’ve been shooting a lot more straight-up fashion editorial, which ends up being photographs that still use the angles I like, the kind of lighting I like, the kinds of locations and how I place the subjects in the location, only it’s with a model with a more dramatic feel. It looks like a photograph I would take. I just shot ten pages for Italian Elle, and ten to 12 pages for Italian Vogue Pelle (the leather/accessories version of the magazine). What you’re going to end up seeing is what I shoot on the street. The blog is really the core of what I’ll always do - I love that lifestyle. But I think you’ll start to see other kinds of shoots from me.

I know you make it into the Twin Cities on occasion. Do you have any favorite places to shop while you’re in town?

Definitely. I try to make it into Intoto and Grethen House when I’m there.

In review: Project Runway S6 Premiere

The Project Runway Premiere held Thursday evening at the St. Paul Hotel and Landmark Center went off without a hitch. Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman gave us a preview of his spring 2010 collection he'll be showing at New York Fashion Week this fall, and Christopher Straub debuted his line of handbags and leather accessories in a trunk show following the screening. Check out the full recap on l'etoile magazine.

One of the great things about the show being on Lifetime is the huge amount of additional footage available on the Lifetime website. Here's a few video clips featuring Ra'mon and Christopher.

Extended Judging of Ra'mon:
Nina and Michael are a bit tough on Ra'mon, but guest judge Lindsay Lohan and Heidi Klum like his dress.

Tim's Workroom visit with Ra'mon:


Tim's Workroom visit with Christopher:


Post-taping video blog with Ra'mon:


Post-taping video blog with Christopher:


And more from Christopher about his winning design:


Visit Lifetime website for more behind-the-scenes footage.

For photos from the Minnesota premiere event, visit Digital Crush Photo online.

Local fashion + shopping for 8.20.09-8.26.09

Check out my cover story profiling Project Runway Season 6 contestants Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman and Christopher Straub in this week's issue of Vita.mn:

[Christopher Straub & Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman / Image by Carlos Gonzalez for Vita.mn / Styling by Eclecticoiffeur / Ra'mon's shirt by YouWorkForThem]

The Twin Cities fashion community has undergone a curious transformation over the past five years. What started out as a DIY-styled group of duct tape-wielding, trash-bag couturiers throwing fashion shows at nightclubs has become a vitrifiable industry of professionals very nearly making a living at their trade. Though unhemmed finishes and hand-sewing were the norm when the first Voltage: Fashion Amplified show hit the First Avenue stage in 2004, the levels of craftsmanship, professionalism and quality that exist today locally are like never before.

So it’s about time that there are not one, but two local designers who Project Runway deemed worthy of being on the national stage. The long-awaited sixth season of the fashion reality TV show (which was stuck in a pitched legal battle between former network Bravo and its producers for nine months until an agreement was finally met in late spring) will include the ambitious former Target designer Ra’mon-Lawrence Coleman and the relatively obscure small-town guy Christopher Straub. (Of course, it’s not the first time a local designer has been on the show – Katherine Gerdes was a contestant on the show’s third season.)

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

[Marc Jacobs at Glamorama 2009 / Image by Stephen Stephens/Digital Crush]

Glamorama in review
Macy's Glamorama returned to the Orpheum Theatre last Friday, reasserting its status as Minnesota's best-produced fashion show. The show kicked off with highlights from Marc Jacobs' fall collection, a neon-highlighted homage to the power-suited big shoulders of the 1980s. Sonia Rykiel's moody palette and stompy boots were juxtaposed with plenty of sequins, rainbow patterns and the French designer's trademark berets (and set, appropriately, to Fischerspooner's "Danse en France"). Click here to read more at Vita.mn.

For more on tonight's l'etoile-sponsored screening of the season premiere of Project Runway in St. Paul, check out my blog on St. Paul STAYcation.

More of my writing in Vita.mn this week:

SUNDAY: Sartorialist release party at Magers & Quinn
In his debut book The Sartorialist, street fashion photographer Scott Schuman’s work (on his blog of the same name) is committed to the printed page, serving as a kind of best-of tome of his work for the past five years. The untraditional book is a visual feast, packed with eclectic imagery and Schuman’s occasional written observation. Independent bookseller Magers & Quinn is celebrating the August 25 release with an event that includes street-style photography by Digital Crush, street food from moto-I, and styling assistance from Blacklist Vintage. Click here for more

(For more, be sure to check out my interview with Schuman on l'etoile later this weekend.]

FRIDAY-SATURDAY: Gh2 90% off sale
Discount designer store gh2 – which cosigns and picks up Grethen House’s overstock, is having its biggest blowout sale of the season this weekend. Designers like Rick Owens, Stella McCartney, Prada, and Comme des Garcons could be among the deals, marked down an astounding 90 percent off. There’s always a huge line waiting outside the store before opening on Friday, so be sure to come early and wear something you can try clothes on over – you will probably have trouble getting a dressing room. Click here for more

SATURDAY: Stoplight Soiree & Fall Fashion Preview
Retro Hollywood glam and a good old-fashioned spotlight party combine for this benefit gala and fall fashion preview. For the uninitiated, a spotlight party makes your relationship status clear by providing red, yellow and green buttons to guests, so you don’t have to worry about giving him or her the wrong idea. Local shops Cliché and Ellsworth will give you a preview of fall trends for women and men to the big-band sounds of the 1950s for the Brass Menagerie at the Crowne Plaza’s outdoor Sky Garden rooftop patio. Click here for more

[New work by John Alspach]

FRIDAY: GO LIVE IV at 526 Salon
The latest work from collage artist John Alspach will be the focal point of FiveTwoSix Salon’s monthly art-meets-music-meets-fashion series, GO LIVE. The Shiny Robot Studio owner will be exhibiting his latest work while working on one of his large-scale abstract collages. The series of large-scale panels constructed from old metal signs and billboards into jagged configurations of warm summer colors seems to point to the reappropriation of urban decay. Click here for more

SATURDAY: Pinewood Derby Art Car Show at Pink Hobo
In a nod to summertime nostalgia, Pink Hobo’s latest exhibition gives the Pinewood Derby the Art Car treatment. A symbol of 1950s innocence and a hallmark of the Cub Scouts to this day, Pinewood Derby cars were invented as a smaller and easier-to-build option from the Soap Box Derby cars. These cars will be built by genuine Cub Scouts and customized by local artists. Click here for more

OPENING THURSDAY: "After Juliet" at Or Theatre
Ever wonder what happened to the Capulets and the Montagues after Romeo and Juliet died? Scottish playwright Shaman Macdonald presupposed the aftermath in a play originally commissioned for the Royal Rational Theatre in 1999. Independent theater company 20% will be giving the play its first Twin Cities treatment, in which Benvolio, Romeo’s best friend, falls in love with Juliet’s cousin, Rosaline. Bonus trivia: The play is said to be inspired by an idea by Macdonald’s famous daughter Keira Knightley, who starred in its original production. Click here for more

[Kaleena Miller]

THURSDAY-SATURDAY: Rhythmically Speaking at Bedlam Theater
This three-night performance brings seven of the top local jazz choreographers together for what should be an eclectic exploration of the tradition of modern jazz dance. It includes the esteemed Karla Grotting of local troupe the Flying Foot Forum and the incomparable Kaleena Miller of Rhythmic Circus – surprising on the surface for a jazz-oriented show, since both are best-known as tap dancers. Click here for more

Fashion & Shopping News (Via Vita.mn)

Make-up Art Cosmetics Collection launches at MAC
For MAC's fall make-up collection, they took their name - which stands for "Make-up Art Cosmetics" - to heart, enlisting three of the most reputed artists of New York to create make-up-inspired art. Richard Phillips, Maira Kalman, and Marilyn Minter offered their own takes on MAC's fall 2009 trends, in some cases incorporating actual MAC pigments into the work. The pieces are bold, playful, and abstract.

[Painting by Richard Phillips for MAC]

For his part, Phillips worked with a photo retoucher to re-create the palette of pastel-to-bold MAC lipsticks and apply them digitally onto a painting.

[Photograph by Marilyn Minter for MAC]

Meanwhile, Minter took her inspiration from a range of glitter pigments, particularly a deep red shade, for her large-scale photography piece.

[Illustration by Maira Kalman for MAC]

Kalman took bold eye shadows and eyeliners as inspiration for her portrait of a young Russian woman.

To celebrate the launch of the line, MAC make-up artists at the Mall of America location are offering the opportunity to try these new shades for a three-day event this weekend. (11 a.m.-7 p.m. Thu.-Sat. Mall of America, 294 W. Market, Bloomington. 952-814-9800.

More local fashion & shopping news:

THURSDAY

[The cast of Project Runway Season Six]

Don't miss the free screening of Project Runway's season six premiere at Landmark Center in St. Paul, hosted by l'etoile magazine. Local contestants Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman and Christopher Straub will be present to introduce the show, and there's rumor of an impromptu fashion show happening before the screening. (7:30-10 p.m. Free. 75 W. 5th St., St Paul. Post party at St. Paul Hotel from 10 p.m.-midnight.)

Jungle Red Salon Spa Gallery is hosting its first annual Clothing Swap. Bring in your good-condition unwanted clothing and score some free threads. Jungle Red will also be offering chair massages, basic nail/toe polish services and eyebrow/lip waxing for only $10 a pop. (6-8:30 p.m. 1362 Lasalle Av., Mpls. 612-870-0653.)

[A look from Jarbo]

Grethen House NETC hosts a cash-and-carry trunk show for NYC-based basics-with-a-twist line Jarbo. Basically, you pay with cash and in turn get everything at wholesale prices - an amazing deal to say the least. (Thu. & Fri. 4930 France Av., Edina. 952-926-8725.)

FRIDAY


The Le Cirque Asylum collective hosts their regularly-recurring fashion show and party - this time at Ground Zero. Le Cirque Libertine will feature neo-Victorian fashions by Megan Bishop of Apatico, Samantha Rei of Blasphemina's Closet, and Heather Luca of Scoundrelle's Keep, as well as belly dancing, burlesque performances, and a photo booth. (10 p.m. $6-8. 18-plus. 15 4th St. NE., Mpls. 612-378-5115.)

SATURDAY

For the first time, the organizers of the Red Stag Block Party have added a runway fashion show. It features just about every northeast Minneapolis boutique, including Belle Reve, I Like You, gh2, Parc, Key North, and Melrose Antiques. Hair and make-up will provided Miyagi Salon. (2 p.m. Free. 509 1st Av. NE., Mpls. 612-767-7766.)

In review: Glamorama 2009 vs. The Runway

This year marked the third year I’ve attended Macy’s Glamorama, and it's always cause for excitement. It’s the only event in the Midwest to show the latest runway collections by renowned designers like Marc Jacobs, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Sonia Rykiel and, for the first time, PHILOSOPHY di Alberta Ferretti. Of the eight designer lines, those four were the highlights of the night. I decided to compare and contrast the Glamorama shots from these abbreviated collections with the original runway images to see what's different, what's the same and how well Minnesota stacks up to the original runway show.

Marc Jacobs

Marc kicked off the show with his neon-bright ode to the oversized shoulders of the '80s. One editor called it "A Flock of Seagulls meets Alexis Carrington." It's the perfect antidote to the gloom and doom of 2009.

[L: Greta Sundquist by Emily Utne for City Pages / Irina Kulikova by Marcio Madeira for Style.com]

If Marc saw this, he'd probably wish he had Greta - one of the show's two local models - wear this look on the fashion week runway. That white-blonde bouffant, her strong facial features, her tough yet sophisticated walk - she's the white Grace Jones/Amber Rose. But to the outfit: Wow, those pants! I want. And I love the cut of the top.

[L: Emily Utne for City Pages / R: Jessica Stam by Marcio Madeira for Style.com]

The shot of the Glam model in action makes it a little difficult to get the full effect you receive in the runway version, but still - what a great dress.

[L: Emily Utne for City Pages / R: Georgie Badiel by Marcio Madeira for Style.com]

This outfit couldn't be any more what Marc intended. However, I think the jacket/dress/legging-boot (for real, legging-boots?!) combination loses its edge a bit on the Glam model. Georgie Badiel is pretty freakin' fierce.

[L: Emily Utne for City Pages / R: Anastasija Kondratjeva by Marcio Madeira for Style.com]

Identical styling down to the mad-good sunglasses. But what's with the hair on the Glam model? I prefer the original hair styling - it gives the '80s look a retro spin.

[L: Stephen Stephens for Digital Crush / R: Kasia Struss by Marcio Madeira for Style.com]

Spot on styling. You can't mess with Marc.

[L: Stephen Stephens for Digital Crush / R: Anabela Belikova by Marcio Madeira for Style.com]

Fun fact: Marc also designed a version of this dress for Miss Piggy. Kind of hate how the Glam modle is posing here, as if she's 12.

[L: Stephen Stephens for Digital Crush / R: Natasa Vojnovic by Marcio Madeira for Style.com]

Ugh, hate the way the model is posing in the Glamorama version - she makes it look very Designing Women in a not-good way. The effect is full-on frump on what was originally a very chic look. I wish they would've mimicked the hair in the original - so Flock of Seagulls!

[L: Stephen Stephens for Digital Crush / R: Alana Zimmer by Marcio Madeira for Style.com]

Wish these last two were better shots, but it's still fun to see what from Marc's sprawling collection the Glamorama team selected.

[L: Stephen Stephens for Digital Crush / R: Jourdan Dunn by Marcio Madeira for Style.com]

What can one say? Marc Jacobs is Marc Jacobs, and it was a great way to kick off the show.

PHILOSOPHY di Alberta Ferretti

In her PHILOSOPHY collection, Ferretti explored the idea of cutting Philosophy's natural sweetness with a masculine edge. The look was layered to the hilt: skinny knits over dresses over sheer, slim pants. For its Glamorama debut, the collection had somewhat of an Indian belly dancer-meets-'60s mod look.

[L: Emily Utne for City Pages / R: Anabela Belikova by Marcio Madeira for Style.com]

Here we see Glamorama fashion director Laura Schara's styling influence. Insted of the masculine, rocker-chick look achieved by Ferretti's original styling the sheer pants under the dress - and the black bob wigs and gem-encrusted necklaces - give these looks a decadent Egyptian/Indian look.

[L: Emily Utne for City Pages / R: Hanna Rundlof by Marcio Madeira for Style.com]

The sample used in the Glamorama show appears to be slightly different; I much prefer the original black upper and jeweled belt of the original. The Glam one seems a bit...cheap?

[L: Stephen Stephens for Digital Crush / R: Whitney Coble by Marcio Madeira for Style.com]

[L: Stephen Stephens for Digital Crush / R: Alina Ismailova by Marcio Madeira for Style.com]

Maybe it's just the model's bad posture, or the lack of a runway on the Glamorama stage, but this dress looks nowhere near as good as it did on the fashion week runway. Overall, the styling of the Glamorama show somehow falls flat for me in comparison to the original, though the staging - which included pop-art-inspired video of Indian belly dancers screened onto fringed curtains the models occasionally would peer through - was my favorite of the night.

Sonia Rykiel

Rykiel's collection was highlighted by her usual ruffly, sparkly, very French aesthetic. There were Lurex-shot sweater dresses almost as sparkly as the sequined tank dresses in the same black, blue, and bronze palette; and color-blocked knits. Her glittery, rainbow-heavy collection paired with berets and wide-brimmed hats was well-suited to its backing track, Fischerspooner's "Danse en France."

[L: Emily Utne for City Pages / R: Kinga Rajzak by Marcio Madeira for Style.com]

LOVE this look - the sporty cut of the oh-so-sparkly gown and the whimsical beret. Glad to see Schara stuck to the original styling for this segment.

[L: Emily Utne for City Pages / R: Magdalena Frackowiak by Marcio Madeira for Style.com]

Here I prefer the original styling - sunglasses aren't very Rykiel, and I love the floppy hat here.

[L: Stephen Stephens for Digital Crush / R: Siri Tollerød by Marcio Madeira for Style.com]

Love the odd pairing of red-on-red-on-red in the original - seemed like the Glamorama styling attempted to make it less quirky, which is really the whole point.

[L: Stephen Stephens for Digital Crush / R: Imogen Morris Clarke by Marcio Madeira for Style.com]

Maybe it's just the angle, but the dress looks like a tent on the Glam model; I like the hands-in-pockets awkwardness of the original runway model.

[L: Stephen Stephens for Digital Crush / R: Kamila Filipcikova by Marcio Madeira for Style.com]

Again, prefer the foppish styling of the original. But what a great and unusual choice for a Midwest fashion show.

[L: Stephen Stephens for Digital Crush / R: Marina Peres by Marcio Madeira for Style.com]

I thought this pantsuit was boring in the Glamorama shot, but upon closer inspiration it's actually quite unusual and lovely.

[L: Stephen Stephens for Digital Crush / R: Olga Sherer by Marcio Madeira for Style.com

What a darling dress, and styled right in both cases.

[L: Stephen Stephens for Digital Crush / R: Sasha Pivovarova by Marcio Madeira for Style.com]

Another great dress, and love the styling in the Glamorama version perhaps even more.

[L: Stephen Stephens for Digital Crush / Heidi Mount by Marcio Madeira for Style.com]

I am pretty sure I gasped when I saw this dress hit the stage. I want! Laura Schara did a phenomenal job in her selection of clothing for this segment.

Jean-Paul Gaultier

For most, the nearly-nude male models wearing speedos while getting doused in water was the perfect finale to Glamorama. For me, it was their red-lit production of Gaultier's line. Models came out stomping to Marilyn Manson’s “Sweet Dreams” in a very goth palette of black and red. Also wearing lace masks, some with red roses, some with whips. It was all kitschy fun, very much what I think Gaultier intended. (The original runway show featured Coco Rocha getting in a faux fight with another model, only to have a dominatrix come onstage to threaten them both with a whip.)

[L: Stephen Stephens for Digital Crush / R: Liu Wen by Monica Feudi / GoRunway.com]

Copied exactly from the runway, but you really can't go wrong with the original styling.

[L: Stephen Stephens for Digital Crush / Maria Kashleva by Monica Feudi / GoRunway.com]

I actually love the addition of the criss-cross tights - they mimic the sheer "x" on the dress perfectly.

[L: Stephen Stephens for Digital Crush / Liu Wen by Monica Feudi / GoRunway.com]

Love the funnel neck, and ooh those tights! Both versions are hot.

[L: Stephen Stephens for Digital Crush / Georgina Stojilkovic by Monica Feudi / GoRunway.com]

[L: Stephen Stephens for Digital Crush / R: Jourdan Dunn by Monica Feudi / GoRunway.com]

The white undershirt and white tights in the original differentiated this look from the other little black "x" dresses.

[Image by Stephen Stephens for Digital Crush]

I couldn't find an image of this look on the fashion week runway, surprising because it's one of the most striking looks I saw at Glamorama. Those high-waisted leggings and sheer tank? Superhot. Especially the fact that we're seeing nipples at a fashion show in ultra-conservative Minnesota. Kudos to Schara for going there.

[L: Stephen Stephens for Digital Crush / R: Coco Rocha by Monica Feudi / GoRunway.com]

This white and black cross-front dress is interesting with the white detail, but Rocha stole the show in the original all-black version.

[L: Stephen Stephens for Digital Crush / R: Georgina Stojilkovic by Monica Feudi / GoRunway.com]

These two dresses are very different, but the dress on the right is the only look that came close to what we saw on the Glamorama stage. Perhaps it's a modified version? Either way, the Glam version is fun and much more wearable than the other.

Overall, I loved the addition of the tights here. I wonder if they are by Gaultier (if not, by whom?) since the original runway didn't show any of the "x" tights. I kind of wished that the Glam models were tougher and less swingy in their walks, but it was a dramatic finish to a great fashion show.

View the complete collection of Glamorama photos by Digital Crush at DigitalCrushPhoto.com.