TV spot for Vita.mn Spring Fashion Shoot

Look, ma - I'm on TV!

I had the pleasure of speaking about spring fashions during the Vita.mn Spring Fashion Shoot earlier this month at Target Field. This spot aired on the local CW network show The CW Twin Cities Beat last Thursday.


It's not embeddable, so you have to click here to view. Click HERE to view the spread online, or pick up a copy on a newstand now through next Wednesday.

"Kiss Me, Cake" spread revealed

A shoot I styled recently for l'etoile, "Kiss Me, Cake," is now online! Featuring fashions by Blasphemina's Closet, Calpurnia Peach, Jenny Carle, Max Lohrbach, Emma Berg and Danielle Everine, with accessories from Rox jewelry by Robyne Robinson, Renee Larson jewelry, and Nelle Handbags.

Click to enlarge and view spread

My life as a hand model

The product of my short-lived stint as a hand model for the l'etoile spread "Behind Closed Doors" last weekend. The guy's hand? Brian Gioelli, l'etoile's ad manager.

[Photo by Stephen Stephens]

View the entire spread HERE.

Vita.mn spring fashion spread now online

My spread for Vita.mn's spring fashion shoot is now online (and on newstands through next Wednesday)! We shot it earlier this month at the newly-opened Target Field. It was a cold and rainy day, but you wouldn't know it thanks to the talents of photographer Carlos Gonzales and model Sarah Manley.

Click HERE to check out the full spread.

[Photo by Carlos Gonzales for Vita.mn]

Annie Larson knitwear e-store launches

Whether you're a longtime fan of local designer Annie Larson (whose ahead-of-the-curve designs first debuted at Voltage 2007) or fell in love with the colorful knitwear seen at February's "New Land of Milk and Honey" event, here's some exciting news for you: the designer's collection of spring and summer knits is for sale at her brand-new e-shop. The mini collection of knit tank tops, sweaters, skirtalls and bike shorts in colorful striped patterns are lovingly machine-knit by Larson herself.

Pictured: "Sum Sum Skirtall"

It's the first time the designer has put her knitwear up for sale, and the first new Annie Larson's designs for sale since Fall/Winter 2008. The collection runs from $75 for a knit racerback tank to $200 for knit skirtalls.

Pictured: "Coney Box Top"


Pictured: Annie Larson in "Checker Stripe Bike Short"

Visit http://www.allforeveryone.com/ for these and additional styles.

Christopher Straub vs. RuPaul

Local drag queen Bitch Flowers (real name: Richard Anderson) was onto something when he said in an interview with Kate Iverson in City Pages' Dressing Room blog that the green foil leaf-cut gown Christopher Straub closed his show with last Sunday was fit for a drag queen such as himself. Specifically, Richard refers to an unnamed designer (purportedly Christopher) whose "chartreuse Mylar dress was something that Bitch would wear! A drag queen's dream dress!" And he wasn't kidding: the following event on RuPaul's Drag Race season finale, RuPaul herself walked out in a stunning green foil number that could've come from the same batch of foil as Christopher's. See for yourself. Perhaps a new career path for the fledgling former Project Runway contestant?

[Images courtesy Logo & Stacy Schwartz]

Review: Christopher Straub comes full circle with debut runway collection

[Originally posted at Vita.mn online]

(Update: My review got linked in go-to Project Runway blog, Blogging Project Runway! Thanks girls!)

by Jahna Peloquin

It was only last August at that former Project Runway contestant Christopher Straub, with fellow designer Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman, celebrated the premiere of the reality show at the Saint Paul Hotel. Eight months later at the same venue, the designer appears to have come full circle with his debut runway collection.


It was the first time since the airing of the show we've seen clothing designs from Straub, having chosen to focus on his accessories line. Set against the old-world decadence of the historic hotel, his collection carried a modern mass appeal coupled with the distinctive flavor for which the designer was known during his time on Runway - feminine, ruffled confections accented with tough leather and stud details.


His aesthetic was decidedly hit-or-miss throughout the show. Straub's missteps came when leaning too heavily on his aesthetic; though wearable and well-made, many looks were predictable and nothing you couldn't find in a department store.


But on the "hit" end, there were some truly inspired pieces: a black textured vinyl skirt accented with silver studs that, thanks to a softly structured silhouette, managed to combine femininity and edge, as did a floor-length navy blue dress paired with a show-stopping, sculpted black vinyl corset.


Straub also seems just as adept in his menswear, which included everything from denim jeans to sporty leather jackets; at only two looks, it was a shame he didn't focus more on menswear. And of course, he played to his strengths by incorporating his tough-meets-pretty handbags and belts throughout the show. A monochromatic look that paired electric blue skinny leather pants with a jacket of folded ruffles elicted oohs and ahhs from the audience, as did a finale gown that appeared to be made of green metallic foil.


Special guest and self-proclaimed "world's first supermodel" Janice Dickinson nearly stole the show with her off-kilter introduction in which she called the designer "Christian Straub" and quipped, "I'm so old they have to lift me onto the runway." The biggest cheers, however, were for the designer himself, whose everyguy charm and approachable aesthetic have made him a bona fide local celeb.

[All photos by Stacy Schwartz]

MNfashion Week: Best of street style

One of my favorite parts of MNfashion Week every season is how dressed up people get (myself included). I always focus on wearing as much local fashion as possible during those two or so weeks.

[A stylish guest at the Blacklist event shot by Ellen Dahl via The Minneapoline]

Recently, my favorite (and apparently, the only current) local street-fashion photog Ellen Dahl of The Minneapoline and Vita.mn has been expanding her coverage for Vita.mn online. HERE she posts some style shots from l'etoile magazine's "Imagination Mechanism" event on April 23, Blacklist Vintage's "Clothes Off Our Backs" event on April 21, and CounterCouture's "Alter/Nation" event on April 24. HERE she captures stylish peeps at Voltage at First Avenue on April 16. Visit The Minneapoline for additional shots from Envision, the MNfashion Week Preview Party, and Clothes Off Our Backs.

Here are a few of my recent favorites:

J'adore the striped tights on this young lady at Voltage. What a great way to add interest and edge to an otherwise fairly basic outfit.

Is that a Red Shoe bodysuit I spy on this stylish guest at the Envision fashion show?

A great updated mod look from this guest at the MNfashion preview party at Spill the Wine on April 7.

Me! at the MNfashion Week preview party. It's such a treat to be photographed by Ellen.

[All photos by Ellen Dahl for Vita.mn & The Minneapoline]

"Behind Closed Doors" spread online

The final spread from the live photoshoot from Friday's MNfashion Week event "Imagination Mechanism" is now online. The l'etoile magazine creative team was in full force, with gorgeous layout by Chris Larson, art direction by Kate Iverson and Beth Hammarlund, photography by Stephen Stephens, hair and makeup by Kate Erickson, modeled by Vision's Karen O & Kevin, with clothing from Blacklist Vintage, Elsworth, Belle Reve, Heimie's Haberdashery, and Russell Bourrienne. Styling by yours truly, of course.

View the full spread HERE.

Vita.mn Poolside promo shoot update

Today I had the opportunity to work with a handful of talented and lovely Vision models - including Will Defiel, the former face of Calvin Klein menswear - on the set of the promo shoot for Vita.mn's Poolside Fashion Show promo shoot. The shoot was captured by the brilliant hand and eye of photographer Nic Marshall, with whom I’ve styled for regularly for five years now. The images really utilize Nic’s ability to create gorgeous lighting and shadows, something he says he hadn’t had the chance to play around with for a while.

[A look by Emily Weich from last year's Poolside Fashion Show; photo by Stacy Schwartz]

The shoot was concepted by Vita.mn event producer Christian-Philippe Quilici and has an ’80s-meets-futuristic-meets-cool-modernist feel, and the ad should be out in next week’s issue of Vita.mn. The show is taking place June 10 at Calhoun Beach Club, and it will be my fourth year styling it. You won’t want to miss it!

Click HERE for photos from last year's show by Stacy Schwartz.

Voltage: Fashion Amplified 2010 in review

Voltage: Fashion Amplified 2010 was a great success! Returning as lead stylist for the fourth year running, I led a team of six talented fashion stylists working with the show's ten runway designers. As lead stylist, I took part in selection of the show's runway and accessories designers, and worked with the designers and stylists (including Zach Pearl, Trevor Small, Mike Head, Alice Sydow, Angie Hanson and Danica Andler) to come up with cohesive and impactful statements for the runway.

[Me watching the show during Emma Berg's segment. Photo by Stacy Schwartz]

The evening's program was a piece of work in and of itself: The Voltage lookbook, art directed by Chris Larson with photography by Stephanie Colgan, is viewable online HERE.


I've gone through the trouble of compiling the tons of all the Voltage-related interviews, articles, reviews and photos out there.

• Mary O'Regan of METRO Magazine's review HERE; Beth Hammarlund for l'etoile's review HERE; and City Pages' Dressing Room review of Voltage by Stacey Tuthill HERE. Kara Nesvig's recap for Vita.mn is HERE.
• Allison Kaplan's excellent story for Pioneer Press on the effect of MNfashion Week as it grows and looks toward being sustainable and cost efficient. (Click for a shot of the front page.) Here's her Voltage recap for her Alishops.com blog.
• Voltage designer Raul Osorio's lookbook shoot featuring jewelry by Carrier Pigeon is now on facebook and at www.raulosorio.com. More of Carrier Pigeon's spring line images are available here. Check out new and updated websites from fellow Voltage designers Danielle Everine, George Moskal, and Emma Berg.
• Voltage photo sets by Stacy Schwartz, Digital Crush, Stephanie Colgan, Matt Porath, and Stacy Schwartz and Vita.mn's Leslie Plesser.
• Voltage founder Anna Lee's interview about Voltage on 89.3 The Current's Local Show is now online.
• Star Tribune profiles Voltage designers Kevin Kramp, Emma Berg, George Moskal, Pafoua Thao and Danielle Everine HERE.
• The Minnesota Daily profiles Voltage designer Kevin Kramp HERE.
• Kate Iverson's profile of Voltage founder Anna Lee for City Pages' Dressing Room blog is HERE.
• Juleana Enright profiles Voltage designers Kevin Kramp and Emma Berg for l'etoile magazine. Kara Nesvig's profiles Voltage designers for Vita.mn HERE.

Envision: Artopia in review (Vita.mn)

Here's my review of the Envision: Artopia show last Saturday for Vita.mn online. Check it out in the print edition of Vita.mn on Thursday.

True to its name, Envision: Artopia showcased a palette of lush color, bold prints and occasional whimsy from some of the most recognizable names in local fashion.

[A look by kjurek couture. Photo by Amy Gee]
The biannual show produced by Ignite Models Inc. on Saturday night at the Graves 601 Hotel kicked off with an "interactive hair show," which put hair stylists from Rocco Altobelli on the runway as they sculpted avant-garde hair looks on models. As a soul singer jammed over beats by DJ Ken Hannigan of Anthem Heart, the first half of the show was dominated by a Robert Palmer-esque army of statuesque models in slicked back hair, red lips and kohl-rimmed eyes wearing looks from local boutiques.

[A look from Elsworth. Photo by Chris McDuffie]
The show got a welcome burst of kitsch and color thanks to Cliche's Carmen Miranda-inspired headpieces, eliciting the most oohs and ahhs of the night. But the Elsworth segment nearly stole the show from the ladies, thanks to a hot-nerd look incorporating cardigans, bowties, eyeglasses, and a graffiti-inscribed umbrella into its usual dapper aesthetic.

[A look from Cliche. Photo by Chris McDuffie]
The second half of the show was dominated by local designers, including seasoned vets kjurek couture, Amanda Christine, and Russell Bourrienne. But the most talked-about segments came courtesy of some lesser-known designers, namely Rose White, Jenny Carle and Sarah M. Holm. While Rose White (by designer Amanda Chaffin) and Carle made a softly feminine statement with the season's biggest trend - neutrals - it was Holm's dark, Lady Gaga-esque take on springtime that fittingly capped off the show. Dresses, jackets and even headpieces mimicked the shape of an umbrella, punctuated with drip-like accents and rubber wellies. Besides, what says spring in Minnesota better than a rainstorm?

[A look by Sarah M. Holm. Photo by Chris McDuffie]

Behind the scenes at Vita.mn's spring fashion shoot

Photographer Carlos Gonzalez took some behind-the-scenes shots from our Vita.mn spring fashion spread, shot last Tuesday, April 6 at the new Target Field. It was a cold and rainy day but the shots have managed to look springy and sunshiny! The spread comes out on April 29 in on newstands and on Vita.mn online.







Photographer: Carlos Gonzalez
Art Director: Leslie Plesser
Stylist: Jahna Peloquin
Hair and Makeup: Kate Erickson
Model: Sarah Manley
Video: Jenni Pinkley
Assistants: Amy Gee and Jerry Holt

Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman Spring 2010 lookbook

I was fortunate enough to have served as Lead Stylist for Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman's Spring 2010 show at New York Fashion Week last fall. And now, his Spring 2010 lookbook for the same collection is up at his website, www.ramonlawrence.com. He also has lookbook photos of his previous collections, "Inside the Looking Glass" (Fall 2008), "Eluded Love" (Spring 2008), and his capsule collection for the Un-Prom at the Walker Art Center (May 2006), plus runway images from "Eluded Love."

Here's the Spring 2010 lookbook in its entirety. Photography by Herring&Herring (Dimitri Scheblanov & Jesper Carlsen), with styling by Eva Zuckerman.