Spring MNfashion Week Preview

Though Spring 2010 MNfashion Week is officially slated for April 19-25, official MNfashion Week events sprawl throughout the month of April (and into May). Here's a guide to the main fashion shows and events that have been announced - so far. (Scroll down for the complete schedule of events.)

[A Danielle Everine look at the 2010 Voltage Preview; Photo by Stacy Schwartz]

Friday, April 16: Voltage: Fashion Amplified at First Avenue
The behemoth that started it all, Voltage: Fashion Amplified returns for its seventh edition. Local favorites George Moskal, Brianne Jones (Kelson), and Christine Carmichael (Carmichael Claith) return to show full runway collections, while some of the most highly-anticipated designers include Jereme grant winner and knitwear designer Kevin Kramp, arts curator and mplsart.com director Emma Berg, Hmong designer PFT Couture, and Honduras-born menswear designer Raul Osorio. Additional designers include Elena Mercurio, Frances Zerr, and Danielle Everine. Voltage favorites Laura Fulk, Kerry Riley of Red Shoe Clothing Co., Calpurnia Peach, and Anthem Heart return to outfit bands Mayda, Red Pens, Caroline Smith & The Goodnight Sleeps, and Mark Mallman's Ruby Isle. (St. Paul boutique BlackBlue will outfit Blue Sky Blackout.) Afterward, head to OM for the official afterparty for DJ Bach, $5 Voltage themed cocktails, and $5 specialty apps.
8 p.m. $25-30. 21-plus. Visit www.voltagefashionamplified.com for more info and www.first-avenue.com for tickets.

["Envision: Artopia" promo image by Miles Schuster]

Saturday, April 10: Envision: Artopia at Graves 601 Hotel
Ignite Models' Envision fashion show is quickly becoming one of the other main events during MNfashion Week every season to see local fashion - and be seen wearing local fashion. I'll be acting as a guest judge to pick the best look of the night from the talented group of local designers, which includes Amanda Christine, kjurek couture, Jenny Carle, Arwyn Birch, Russell Bourrienne, Sarah Holm, Peloria, and Rose White. Boutique looks from Cliche, Elsworth Menswear, OPM and others will also be shown. Click HERE for a preview video.
Info: 9 p.m.-midnight. $25-50. Visit www.envisionmpls.com for more info and tickets.

[A Fall 2010 look by Laura Fulk]

Tuesday, April 20: Laura Fulk fashion show at McNamara Alumni Center
After her much-talked-about debut solo show "Suffocate" during last spring's MNfashion Week, Laura Fulk is sure to wow yet again with her Fall/Winter 2010 collection, composed of 32 looks and 50+ pieces, including separates, dresses, outerwear and accessories. Fulk is sure to blow us away yet again with her fierce, bold and unique designs. The show is invitation-only, but if you're enterprising you may be able to find a way in.
Info: 7:30 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show. Free; invite-only. www.laurafulk.com.

Friday, April 23: Imagination Mechanism at Eitel Building
Hot on the heels of its upcoming website relaunch in April, l'etoile magazine will offer a real-time peek into their creative process. The mixer event will offer the chance to design fashion shoot mood boards and storyboards, and to watch a process that includes styling, shooting, retouching and editorial layout. As l'etoile's Fashion Editor, I will be involved with the creative process, from conception to execution the evening of the event. Also: cocktails, DJs and prizes for "best photo ready"!
Info: 7-11 p.m., free. Visit letoilemagazine.blogspot.com for more info.

[A Spring 2010 look by Christopher Straub]

Sunday, April 25: Christopher Straub fashion show at St. Paul Hotel
Former Project Runway contestant Christopher Straub has kept himself very busy since appearing on the sixth season (and coming in fourth) of the reality show. He opened an e-shop, announced an accessories line for ShopNBC, created a dress out of packaging from the Project Runway Wii game, and will be participating in Voltage as a handbag designer for PFT Couture and Emma Berg's lines. This spring, he's showcasing his very first full men's and women's clothing collections (accompanied by accessories, of course).
Info: $15-40, 350 Market St., St. Paul. www.christopherstraub.com and tickets at vitalculture.com.

[A Spring 2010 look by PFT Couture, photographed at Belle Reve]

Tuesday, April 20: Fashion Group Meets Fashion Week: Inside the Designers Notebook at Belle Reve
Fashion Group International hosts this event which offers the chance to hear straight from the designer's mouth about the design process. I will lead the discussion with three local designers featured in Voltage 2010: Emma Berg, George Moskal, and PFT Couture by Pafoua Thao, who will talk about their inspirations and spring collections.
Info: 7-9:30 p.m., $40 or $20 for students. Call 612-333-3148 to RSVP. www.bellereveboutique.com.

Other MNfashion Week events worth marking on your calendar:

Wednesday, April 7: MNfashion Week & Voltage Preview Parties: MNfashion Week officially kicks off with a preview party at Spill the Wine restaurant, followed by the annual Voltage CD listening party at Jake Rudh's Transmission at Clubhouse Jager.
Info to come at www.mnfashion.org.

Wednesday, April 21: Clothes off our Backs at Blacklist Vintage
Blacklist Vintage shows off its spring offerings on live models as it celebrates the grand opening of its new location just in time for MNfashion Week. Vintage aficionados (and fashion plates) Jennifer Sapiro and Vanessa Messersmith host the event, which will feature tasty refreshments from Salty Tart, music from DJs Double Trouble, and a unique fashion presentation featuring living mannequins on pedestals wearing off-the-rack fashions from Blacklist Vintage. Customers can literally buy the clothes "off the backs" of the models and even have their purchases altered on-site by Sew Simple to ensure a perfect fit.
Info: 7 – 10 p.m. (Show at 9 p.m.) 25 E. 26 St., Mpls. www.blacklistvintage.com.

Friday, April 9: Amanda Christine + kjurek couture Trunk Shows at Cliche:

Private mini fashion show, Spring 2010 trunk shows from Amanda Christine and kjurek couture, plus cocktail hour, music from DJ Real Talk Radio and Ignite models. RSVP for a spot on the list.
Info: 7-10 p.m., free. Call 612-870-0420 to RSVP.

Saturday, April 24: Alter/Nation at Grain Belt Bottling House
Local upcycling line CounterCouture is hosting an MNfashion Week event that is one part clothing swap, one part DIY workshop, and one part eco-fashion show. Donations will be accepting beginning April 22 from 4-7 p.m. at the MNfashion Studio (Grain Belt Bottling House, Studio #212) or during the event. Then the day of the event, you can pick out new items, and even have local designers customize the look or have Anthem Heart screen-print on it for only $5. The fashion show will include new looks from CounterCouture, Je Ne Regrette Rien, and Marissa Bridges, styled by I've Got Your Style.
Info: 1-5 p.m. $5 plus donations. www.countercouture.com.

And the complete MNFW Spring 2010 Line Up:

Wednesday, April 7
7pm - 10pm
MNfashion Week Preview
The producers, local boutiques and designers of Spring MNfashion Week 2010 events will preview their events. $5 suggested donation.

10pm - 2am
Voltage CD Listening Party - Transmission at Clubhouse Jager 923 Washington Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55401

Friday, April 9
7pm – 10pm
Kjurek Couture/Amanda Christine - Cliche 2403 Lyndale Ave S Minneapolis, MN 55405

Saturday, April 10
5pm – 9pm
A Night of Eastern Enchantment - Belle Reve Boutique 320 E Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN 55414

8pm – 2am
Envision: Artopia Spring 2010 - Graves 601 601 1st Ave N Minneapolis, MN 55403

Thursday, April 15
11am – 5pm
W7 Gallery Event - W7 Collective 1032 7th St W St Paul, MN 55102

7pm – 9pm
Laura Nelli handbag launch event / W7 Gallery Event - W7 Collective 1032 7th St W St Paul, MN 55102

Friday, April 16
11am – 5pm
W7 Gallery Event - W7 Collective 1032 7th St W St Paul, MN 55102

11am – 9pm
Ivy Spring Exclusive - Ivy 1440 W Lake St & 201 E Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN 55408

7pm – 11:30pm
Voltage: Fashion Amplified - First Avenue 701 N 1st Ave Minneapolis, MN 55403

11:30pm - 2am
Voltage Official Afterparty - OM 401 N 1st Ave Minneapolis, MN 55403
DJ Bach, $5 Voltage themed cocktails, and $5 specialty apps.

8pm – 1am
Dearling Physique "Currency" EP Release Party - Varsity Theater 1308 4th St SE Minneapolis, MN 55414

Saturday, April 17
9am – 4pm
10th Annual Garage Sale - Textile Center 3000 University Ave SE Minneapolis, MN 55414

11am – 5pm
Local Artist T-Shirt Mart - Walker Art Center 1750 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN 55403

11am – 5pm
W7 Gallery Event - W7 Collective 1032 7th St W St Paul, MN 55102

12pm – 5pm
I Like You Trunk Show & Anniversary Party - i like you 501 1st Ave NE Minneapolis, MN 55413

7pm – 10pm
Style for Smiles Installment 1: Kokoon - CW Lofts 730 Stinson Blvd Minneapolis, MN 55413

Sunday, April 18
11am – 1pm
VIP mini fashion show - Cliche 2403 Lyndale Ave S Minneapolis, MN 55405

11am – 4pm
Vintage City Classics Studio Open House - Vintage City Classics Studio 314 Clifton Ave Minneapolis, MN 55405

12pm – 5pm
i like you Trunk Show & Anniversary Party - i like you 501 1st Ave NE Minneapolis, MN 55413

1pm – 5pm
InsideOut - Spill the Wine 1101 Washington Ave S Minneapolis, MN 55415

Monday, April 19
4pm – 6pm
Haircut Happy Hour - Miyagi 411 E Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN 55414

Tuesday, April 20
4pm – 6pm
Haircut Happy Hour - Miyagi 411 E Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN 55414

6pm – 8pm
The Office on Film: Skyscraper Souls - Goldstein Museum of Design 32 McNeal Hall 1985 Buford Ave St Paul, MN 55108

6:30pm – 8:30pm
Sewing Machine Operations 101 - MNFashion Studio 79 13th Ave NE #212 Minneapolis, MN 55413

7pm – 9:30pm
Fashion Group Meets Fashion Week: Inside the Designers Notebook - Belle Reve Boutique 320 E Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN 55414

7pm – 10pm
Scenes from Alice in Wonderland - The Dancing Ganesha 1100 Harmon Place Minneapolis, MN 55403

8pm – 10:30pm
Laura Fulk Autumn/Winter 2010 – McNamara Alumnia Center-U of M 200 Oak St SE Minneapolis, MN 55455 (invite only retail/press event)

Wednesday, April 21
4pm – 6pm
Haircut Happy Hour - Miyagi 411 E Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN 55414

6pm – 8pm
The Office on Film: The Best of Everything - Goldstein Museum of Design 32 McNeal Hall 1985 Buford Ave St Paul, MN 55108

7pm – 10pm
Clothes off our Backs - Blacklist Vintage 25 E 26th St Mpls, MN 55404

Thursday, April 22
4pm – 6pm
Haircut Happy Hour - Miyagi 411 E Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN 55414

4pm – 7pm
Teresa Goodall Spring Trunk Show - Fawbush's Women's Apparel 3420 Galleria Edina, MN 55435

5pm – 8pm
Shop Local at Picky Girl St Paul - Picky Girl 949 Grand Avenue St Paul, MN 55105

5pm – 8pm
Carrie Cordelia Handbag Trunk Show - W7 Collective 1032 W 7th St St Paul, MN 55102

6pm – 8pm
The Office on Film: Nine to Five - Goldstein Museum of Design 32 McNeal Hall 1985 Buford Ave St Paul, MN 55108

6pm – 9pm
StevenBe - StevenBe 13448 Chicago Ave Minneapolis, MN 55407

9pm – 2am
Stupid Dance Party - 501 Club 501 Washington Ave S Mpls, MN 55415

Friday, April 23
4pm – 6pm
Haircut Happy Hour - Miyagi 411 E Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN 55414

5pm – 9pm
Allilamodie Original Clothes, Larry Retzlaff Photography & Flow Glass Jewelry - Microbrew Artist Co-op 1300 Quincy St NE Minneapolis, MN 55413

7pm – 10:30pm
Imagination Mechanism - Eitel Building Rooftop Sky Park 1367 Willow St Minneapolis, MN 55403

7:30pm – 11pm
Fashion Ball "Cabaret Catwalk" - Ritz Theater 345 13th Ave NE Mpls, MN 55413

Saturday, April 24
1pm – 5pm
Alter/Nation - The Bottling House 79 13th Ave NE Minneapolis, MN 55413

1pm – 5pm
Spring into Watercolors with PFT Couture & Belle Reve - Belle Reve Boutique 320 E Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN 55414

8pm – 10pm
A Man's Show - The Lowry Theater 16 W 5th St St Paul, MN 55102

7:30pm – 11pm
Fashion Ball "Cabaret Catwalk" - Ritz Theater 345 13th Ave NE Mpls, MN 55413

Sunday, April 25
4pm – 8pm
Christopher Straub Premier Collection - The Saint Paul Hotel 350 Market Street St Paul, MN 55102