Local fashion roundup

Vision model Ashlee Walker graces the cover of the latest issue of METRO Magazine. (The fashion spread inside is not yet online.)

[Photos by Eliesa Johnson]

Photographer Eliesa Johnson puts together an impressive menswear spread, pulling looks from Len Druskin. Johnson tells me it's a test shoot for her new commercial brand, Eliesa, that is set to launch in a few weeks.

[Coco & Breezy courtesy Vogue Black]

Coco and Breezy are Vogue Black's Look of the Day.

Jane Belfry interviews local designer and SCENEaSOTA producer Maritza Ramirez for City Pages. The show currently has a call out for designers.

Calpurnia Peach on mn original

Check out this adorbz video of local fashion designers Calpurnia Peach on mn original, a weekly series produced by Twin Cities Public Television.



And below for mn original's video from the duo's spring 2010 studio fashion show:

Local fashion roundup: weekend edition

[Monique Darton in Cosmo South Africa]

Check out this image of Vision model and former Project Runway contestant Monique Darton in Cosmo South Africa. Cute!

Miss this year's Vita.mn Poolside Fashion Show? Vita.mn has posted video of the show, from prep to execution, by Star Tribune staff photographer Carlos Gonzalez. (Fashion styling by me!)

Local fashion designer Joynoelle announced her bridal line is being mentioned in an upcoming issue of Martha Stewart Weddings, and that WWD shot two of her pieces for an upcoming spread.

space150, a digital communications firm located in Minneapolis, Minn., recently announced that it has been selected by youth fashion leader Forever21 as its agency of record. The firm’s first project out of the gate – masterminding groundbreaking real-time digital content for a giant billboard above the Forever21’s new flagship store in Times Square, New York. Check out the video HERE.

The Nordstrom Designer Preview show at the department store's Mall of America location was the traveling show's first stop in Minneapolis, the Pioneer Press reports.

Check out photos from FiveTwoSix's most recent GO LIVE event, featuring a live photoshoot with custom lingerie by local designer Brittany Hughes and custom motorcycles by artists Atom Pechman and Tristan Thiel.

Jane Belfry offers up some affordable and chic summer staples for City Pages.

Minnesota Monthly blogs about the new Aveda Control Force Hairspray now available at Juut, styling by nationally-acclaimed hairstylist Pearson Knight at Juut Gaviidae.

Pioneer Press's Alison Kaplan has the scoop on longtime designer boutique Intoto's impending closing in July.

Local fashion roundup: mid-week edition

Vision model Blake walks at Calvin Klein menswear S/S 2011.

Cliché co-owner Delayna Sundberg posts photos from Friday's "Cross Walk" mini fashion show at Cliché by photog Cody Lidtke, as does designer Danielle Everine on her facebook page.

City Pages' summer fashion spread is now online and on newstands, with photography by Emily Utne, styling by Jane Belfry, hair by Charlie Brackney, and makeup by Nikol Jorgenson, featuring Vision models Mary and Wesley. Find out more about the shoot, check out some behind the scenes shots, and read a Q&A with stylist Belfry.

City Pages' "Freestyle Fashion" team shoots the most stylish Rock the Garden attendees.

Ellen Dahl shoots the most stylish at last weekend's "Cross Walk" show at Cliché for Vita.mn.

Stylist Jane Belfry, photographer Amy Gee and crew shoot Vision model Mary Cann for a recent test shoot.

SCENEaSOTA Fall 2010 has a call out for fashion designers (set for November 6), as does the annual Schoolgirls and Mobilesuits fashion show (slated for September 24).

Check out my posts from earlier this week:
Vision's Megan McNierney does resort
Calpurnia Peach pillow lookbook

Check out my reviews of Cliché's "Cross Walk fashion show and Rock the Garden for l'étoile magazine, where I also update the weekly l'étoile shopping guide.

Check out my content in Vita.mn this week, including:
Gay Pride 2010 Events Guide;
A preview of "Wings & Teeth: The Art of Doomtree at CO Exhibitions
A preview of Rhythmic Circus' "Feet Don't Fail Me Now!"
Previews of the Midwest Vintage Clothing Show and Vintage City Classics' Yard Sale
Rock the Garden in review.

In review: Cliché's "Cross Walk"

[Originally published at l'étoile magazine]

Text by Jahna Peloquin
Photos by Cody Lidtke


Forgoing its usual blowout summer runway show, local boutique Cliché instead brought its customer into the store - and out of it. Entitled "Cross Walk," the event cleverly put the "street" in "streetwear" as models styled in clothing by the store's national lines as well as local designers Ivan Idland, Danielle Everine and Elena Mercurio paraded outside of the store and onto the cross walk of 24th Street and Lyndale Avenue.

The event kicked off with Cliché's showing of its national lines, styled with a streets-of-Tokyo-meets-Chinatown vibe. The bold painterly-print dresses, graphic tops and leggings were paired with fan headpieces and Japanese shopping bags for an effect perfectly suited to the Cliche customer - street-styled with a twist.


Next up was a brand-new five-piece line by history-referencing designer Ivan Idland, whose custom, one-of-a-kind pieces were his best yet. The adorable jumpers and dresses looked ready-made for a modern-day State Fair, if only the most chic of us dressed up for it - styled, of course, with cotton candy, balloons and state fair prize ribbons. Combining his penchant for folded sailor collars, contrast colors and button-front construction with a newly youthful and fresh sensibility, Idland has created some of his most wearable and saleable pieces to date.


Another designer to show a brand-new line was Danielle Everine, who's apparently been keeping herself very busy since debuting her memorable Voltage 2010 line this past April. The five-piece line served as a preview for her upcoming Fall 2010 collection, a diverse yet cohesive blend of separates highlighted by ivory lace and pastel prints. Inspired by the Wild West, the line was kitschily styled with faux mustaches, custom-made leather gun holster belts, and straw cowboy hats.


Last up was Voltage 2010 designer Elena Mercurio, showcasing her Voltage collection for a second time. Though the futuristic collection of color-blocked separates was nothing new for followers of local fashion, she added some glo-stick-infused headwear as a dramatic touch to the presentation as dusk fell over the city.

Though the show was apparently a cost-saving way to still showcase its local designers and latest offerings, Cliché made use of creative presentation and a novel concept to make for a truly memorable event.

All items available at Cliché, 2403 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis, 612-870-0420, www.clichempls.com

Visit Cliché's facebook page for more photos.

Danielle Everine for Vega Magazine

Local designer Danielle Everine is set to have her work featured in an editorial in New York e-zine Vaga Magazine (to be launched soon), as shot by local photographer Lauren Treece.

[All images by Lauren Treece for Vega Magazine]

Danielle had this to say on the shoot:

"I was recently contacted by Minneapolis photographer Lauren Treece on assignment for Vaga Magazine. Our mutual friend (and model/stylist for me and this shoot), Telche, suggested they pull some of my work. She requested to use some of my sculptural pieces for her "teen riot" themed fashion shoot. I was more than happy to do so, knowing that her dream like, enchanting images would capture the spirit of the pieces. Featured are my leather scalloped dress, wood collars, wood armor, feather wings, white fur vest and feather printed dress. The images are unbelievably stunning."

You can say that again!

In review: Rock the Garden

[Originally posted at Vita.mn online]

Text by Jahna Peloquin
All photos by Leslie Plesser



Despite selling out in days to MPR/89.3 The Current members, naysayers had been lamenting this year's Rock the Garden lacked a venerable headliner. Though previous years boasted The Decemberists and The New Pornographers, this year's big name was MGMT - a young band with with a hit-lacking sophomore album and a reputation for being disappointing live act. But as the day came, the anticipatory hateration somewhat dissipated, thanks to the power of the Current, gorgeous weather, and a solid lineup of live bands, rounded out by Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, OK Go, and Alan Sparhawk's Retribution Gospel Choir (the local contribution to the day). Sparhawk's rockin' three-piece kicked things off on a high energy note, though the band's loud, brooding sound didn't translate as well to the festival setting as it does to the dank, dark rock club. Indie pop band OK Go went over better with its well-worn set of hooky tunes running the course of its ten-year catalog, and explosive bursts of red-white-and-blue confetti throughout the set.



The most anticipated live act of the night, funk-soul revivalists Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, were nothing if not the full package, with two backup singers, two guitarists, a bassist and an entire horn section. Fronted by the diminutive Jones, all Tina Turnered-out in an aqua sequin-and-fringe dress, the band slinked through its setlist, highlighted by Current hit "I Learned the Hard Way," with ease.



But the big question of the night was whether MGMT would sink or swim. The band, fronted by original members Andrew Van Wyngarden and Ben Goldwasser and backed by a newly expanded band - set the tone by kicking off its set with "Pieces of What," a spaced-out ballad from its debut Oracular Spectacular, as the sun set over the stage. With its biggest hit, "Electric Feel," appearing fourth on the setlist, it was clear the band was as much about pleasing the crowd as it was about self-pleasuring extended psych-jams. But the hits are where the band came off weakest. Though "Feel" got the crowd going, the falsetto vocals - one of the things that made the song so distinctive in the first place - faltered. You know the slams on the band being a fluke hit are sort-of on point when a band can barely manage to sing its biggest hits live. The band's encore "performance" - if you could call it that - of its massive club hit "Kids" basically amounted to Van Wyngarden doing karaoke over his band's own song, with the rest of the band dropping its instruments to half-heartedly shake a tambourine or egg shaker. But songs less reliant on Bee Gees-esque vocals and electro hooks, like the more psyched-out selections from its debut and its groovy single Flash Delirium," sounded album-perfect. Thanks to the filled-out instrumentation from its surprisingly able backing band, it seemed as if MGMT could pull this live thing off after all.



Click here to view more Rock the Garden photos.

Vision's Megan McNierney does Resort 2011

Vision's Megan McNierney has really taken off during the recent Resort 2011 showings. The model is now based out of NYC. Here she is at a smattering of shows, and Vision owner Teqen Zéa Aida's commentary:

[Megan at Jason Wu; Photo: Maria Valentino / FirstView.com]

"Megan returned to Jason Wu this resort season. It was a good show and she was in a good place among the lineup. Though just the beginning of her transformation - her resort show bookings are top notch - and hopefully an indicator of good things to come."

Here is Megan in Oscar de la Renta:

[Megan at Oscar de la Renta; Photos: Don Ashby / FirstView.com]

Megan also donned two Derek Lam looks in the press presentation.

[Megan in Derek Lam; Photos courtesy WWD]

Additionally, McNierney was one of two lookbook models for the line.

[Megan in Derek Lam; Photos courtesy Derek Lam]

"Megan was featured nicely in the Vera Wang resort collection show," Zea says, wearing five looks throughout the show, including the finale look. Here is Megan in Vera Wang:

[Photos: Maria Valentino / FirstView.com]

Calpurnia Peach pillow lookbook

Local design duo Calpurnia Peach has posted new promo images for their hand-printed pillow line. The images were shot by Hillary Berg, and stars Luci Kandler and Ashley Wokasch themselves, wearing designs from their Spring 2010 collection (available at Picky Girl in St. Paul and Design Collective in Minneapolis). The pillows were also Calpurnia Peach's contribution to the Walker's CSA (Community Supported Art) program.











[All photos by Hillary Berg]