August 2010 Fashion Events

It's August and summer is still in full throttle. There are more fashion events this year than ever before. Here's a quick run-down of the ones worth marking on your calendars.

[Glamorama 2009 Image by Stephen Stephens/Digital Crush]

Friday, August 6: Macy's Glamorama
Macy Gray headlines this long-running fashion show, but the fashions are what's it really all about. From Jean Paul Gaultier to Versace for men to Sportmax to Philosophy di Alberta Ferreti, it's the biggest international fashion event that takes place in Minneapolis. New additions this year is a highly choreographed show opener by choreographer-to-the-stars Brian Friedman and costumes by former Project Runway contestant Chris March. And the after party on the eighth floor of Macy's downtown is one of the biggest, most over-the-top parties of the year.
Time: 8 p.m.
Tickets: $60-175 (After party + show tickets start at $175)
Location: Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Av., Mpls. 612-339-7007.
More info: macys.com

[Flyer design by Caroline Royce]

Wednesday, August 11: vitaminwaterZERO presents...FLOURISH Rooftop Fashion Show
7 new flavors...7 designers...7 one-of-a-kind couture designs. I'm helping to produce this fashion show based on vitaminwaterZERO's seven new flavors. With designs from Calpurnia Peach, Laura Fulk, Emma Berg, Max Lohrbach, Ivan Idland, Danielle Everine and Kerry Riley (Needle & Black), plus jewelry from ROX by Robyne Robinson and styling from yours truly and the Aveda Institute on the gorgeous Skygarden rooftop of the Crowne Hotel in downtown Minneapolis, DJ Jonathan Ackerman, and yummy vitaminwaterZERO cocktails.
Time: Doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
Location: Crowne Plaza Skygarden, 618 2nd Avenue South, Minneapolis, 612-338-2288.

More info: Facebook event invite

[Me and Emma Berg at last year's boat party with Attitude City DJs]

Saturday, August 14: Attitude City Yacht Club
Okay, so it's not an actual fashion event - but as an attendee of each of these boat parties for the past four years, it's definitely one of the biggest opportunities to dress to a theme of the year (not to mention one of the biggest parties). Attitude City's Jeff DuBuis and Karl Frankowski head up the turntables with a guest roster of some of the hottest DJs in town. Tickets go fast - they are to go on sale on Monday or Tuesday this week. Watch facebook for updates.
Time: 8:30 p.m.-1 a.m.
Tickets: $35; available soon at http://www.attitudecity.com/.
Location: Boat departs from Harriet Island, 700 Sibley St. NE., St. Paul.
More info: Facebook event invite

[Flyer art by Courtney Thomas]

Friday, August 20: Libertine Asylum Presents "The Deep: A Perilous Underwater Adventure"
The Libertine Asylum is at it again, and this time the steampunk collective is taking on an inventive new theme: Under the sea. The fashion show and event features new underwater-themed designs by steampunk designers Blasphemina's Closet, Scoundrelle's Keep, and jewelry designer Bionic Unicorn, as well as jugglers, sirens, nymphs high fashion mermaids, body painting, and an undersea fantasy photobooth.
Time: 9:30 p.m.
Tickets: $8 for 21+, $10 for 18-20.
Location: The Loft at Barfly, 711 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis
More info: Facebook event invite

Friday, August 20: "Souvenir Portrait"

Local fashion designer Max Lohrbach received a grant from the South Eastern Minnesota Arts Council and the Mantorville Art Guild. With it, he decided to do an installed illustration: a life-size, 2 and 3D illustration featuring new garments and paintings. The exhibition runs through September 19.
Time: 5-8 p.m. Opening reception
Tickets: Free
Location: Mantorville Art Guild, 508 Clay St., Mantorville, MN
More info: Facebook event invite

[Amanda Christine F/W 2010 Photo: Rod Hasse]

Thursday, August 26: Amanda Christine Pret-a-Porter F/W 2010 Fashion Show
Be sure to get this show from the prolific local fashion designer on your calendars now. Her Fall 2010 collection is inspired by the classical American beauty in a modern women's lifestyle. Soft draped silk dresses, structured ruffles, and flattering feminine pleating create a line of wearable dresses and separates for every occasion. The runway event will also feature a Cliche runway segment styled by Andrea Oseland, and the new handbag line collaboration between KJurek Couture and Amanda Christine.
Time: 7 p.m.
Tickets: $15 advance / $20 door / $25 VIP
Location: Nicollet Island Pavilion, 40 Power St., Minneapolis
More info: amandachristinedesigns.com

Monday, August 30 & Tuesday, August 31: Lady Gaga at Xcel
Lady Gaga's "Monster Ball" tour is without a doubt the most stylish concert of the year. Within the last year, Gaga’s celebrity has gotten bigger than ever, and her style has gotten more and more haute-couture. Her "little monsters" (as her fans are known) have a thing for going all-out on their outfits at her shows, so it's definitely a "what to wear?" event. It only took a matter of days for the pop cipher to sell out her first show at the Xcel (a second was quickly added).
Time: 8 p.m. both nights
Tickets: $51.50-$177
Location: Xcel Energy Center, W. 7th St. & Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, 651-265-4800.
More info: xcelenergycenter.com

New designer alert: YQY by Vivian

A new local designer has popped up on my radar, YQY by Vivian. From her bio: "The label YQY stands for Yuan Qian Yi, designer Vivian Aronson's Chinese name. YQY is a true reflection of Vivian, who grew up in Chengdu, the capital of China's Sichuan Province and moved to the Twin Cities in 2005." The designer has recently got attention for her personal style at events, and received a style profile by METRO Magazine.

Let's take a look, shall we?


Love this striped romper - what a perfect summer outfit for something like the Bastille Day block party.

The neckline is lovely. A nice but fairly safe look.

An attention-grabbing look. The shine of the fabric gives the plaid an extra edge, as does the rough-edges of the shoulder detail.

Appears to be nicely tailored, but I'm starting to sense a disconnect with Vivian's aesthetic. It goes from youthful and fresh to a bit staid and mature rather quickly, and the colors/patterns are in competition. It's worth noting these looks are not part of a singular collection, but rather a collection of the designer's early work.

Pretty and saleable though not particularly memorable. Would like to see her push it a little more.


Darling, very '60s babydoll/Valley of the Dolls.

Pretty neckline.

Great movement and very dramatic.

Overall, I see a lot of potential here and great workmanship. With a little focus and perhaps a little more unique detail, the line could really be a contender.

All Photos: Stokes Foto
Model: Lily for Ignite
Makeup: Maggie Obermaier

Oishiimomo F/W 2010 Collection Lookbook

Oishiimomo designer Mackenzie Labine has released her F/W 2010 collection, "Lovemonster," which she debuted in June at the "I Feel Love" fashion show. (Check out a review of the show by l'etoile magazine founder and creative director Beth Hammarlund.) I'm really loving the illustration on the first photo - it connects to the harajuku/FRUiTS Magazine roots of Oishiimomo. Mackenzie's screened "Love Monster" t-shirts ($30-50, with design work by Angie Hanson), one-of-a-kind skirts and dresses, hair bows, as well as Bionic Unicorn jewelry are available for a limited time at Cliché, with additional t-shirts and Bionic Unicorn jewelry also at ROBOTlove. You can scoop up Monsterlove plushies at Lauren Roberts' Etsy shop. (Mackenzie is also taking commissions for similar styles/sizes at mackenzie.labine@gmail.com.)












Hair Bows and apparel by Oishiimomo
Photos by Emily Utne
Hair and Make-up by Miyagi Salon
Models provided by Vision Management Group
Plushies by Lauren Roberts
Jewelry by Bionic Unicorn
Stlying by Jane Magnitude

Local fashion link roundup: Weekend wrap-up

[Christopher Straub S/S 2010 Photo by Jeremy Montemayor]

Local designer and Project Runway alum Christopher Straub has some photos from his Spring 2010 lookbook posted on Facebook.

Gwyneth Paltrow's GOOP e-newsletter gives locally-owned and produced skincare line Intelligent Nutrients (the latest addition to Horst Rechelbacher's empire). Scroll down to the questions about skincare.

Minnesota Monthly interviews Lula Vintage Wear owner (and vintage fashion expert) Hayley Bush on her vintage shopping tips.

Mary O'Regan reviews the K.Jurek fashion show for METRO Magazine.

Check out some more runway photos from the K.Jurek F/W 2010 show last weekend.

Gorgeously-styled ladies at the Bearded Lady Motorcycle Freakshow last weekend. (via Summer of Dresses)

After it "came out" that Target donated money that went toward a Republican-friendly commercial, City Pages offered their Top 8 Gay Target Products.

Mpls.St.Paul Magazine has a Q&A with Glamorama choreographer Brian Friedman (a So You Think You Can Dance? judge who created the routines for Britney's "Toxic" video).

Mpls.St.Paul also has a nice little writeup on the go-to men's boutique in the Twin Cities, BlackBlue.

Local clothing/knitwear designer Annie Larson shows off a pendant by Milwaukee-based jewelry designer dores, which she customized by adding pendants by local jewelry designers Crystal Quinn and Erin Smith (of SisBro).

Star Tribune reports on local labels getting national exposure, including Laura Nelli's Nelle clutch (featured on Oprah's O Magazine) and a dress from Joynoelle's spring 2011 collection (featured in WWD).

Joynoelle remade two old bridesmaid dresses for Twin Cities Live. Watch the video at twincitieslive.com. (Scroll down to "Always a Bridesmaid.")

Bejeweled sunglasses designers and Minnesota natives Coco & Breezy announced via Facebook that someone who works for Will Smith's family contacted them about getting pieces from their collection for Will's daughter, Willow.

Raina Hein (of ANTM fame) has been busy since her move to Miami. Here's her latest shoot with photog Daniel Clavero. (via Ignite Models blog)

Hot photo: Heidi Klum at PR premiere

Project Runway alum and Minnesota designer Christopher Straub snapped this photo of Heidi Klum at yesterday's invite-only premiere of the show's eighth season. (For the rest of us, it airs tonight on Lifetime.)

Local fashion link roundup: mid-week edition

Here's your mid-week edition of local fashion links.

[Image by Jim Gehrz for Star Tribune]

Art writer Gregory J. Scott's inspiring article on the Goldstein's current "Feathers and Fashion" exhibition for the Star Tribune.

Internationally-based website The Curated Object has posted a blog about Goldstein's upcoming exhibition "Mao to Now: Chinese Fashion from 1949 to the present."

Ignite Models has shots from last weekend's K.Jurek fashion show on their blog.

Local jewelry designer Tia Keobounpheng of silvercocoon has just updated her retailer page to include three new shops carrying her line: Pure Design in Corning, NY; University of Rochester Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester, NY; and the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, GA.

National blog Nonsense Society has a new Q&A with local fine art and fashion photographer Ashley Lebedev.

Joynoelle has announced her spring 2011 collection show on September 23 at International Market Square.

CounterCouture has some new tees featuring Adam Turman's art for their "OutSpoken" fashion event now available at b. resale.

Allison Kaplan covers Christopher Straub's altruistic involvement with this year's Glamorama show for Pioneer Press.

Local designer Christopher Straub is in New York this week; the jet-setter just uploaded a pic of himself at a red carpet event for Marie Claire.

Get WAMplified!

Model/fashion blogger Hina Khan posted this sweet pic of me on her blog from WAMplified! at the Weisman Art Museum on July 17. It was my birthday and it was so lovely to be surrounded by friends, art, and the music of two of my favorite local bands, Solid Gold and Lookbook. Here I am in a custom hand-printed Solid Gold tank and custom skirt by Emma Berg. It was the last in the music-and-art series until the museum comes back from reconstruction in 2011.

(via hinakhan.tumblr.com)

EXCLUSIVE: vitaminwaterZERO fashion show announcement

I'm excited to announce a show I'm helping to produce with vitaminwater on Wednesday, August 11 at Crowne Plaza's Skygarden. I will also serve as the show's stylist and host.

[Flyer design by Caroline Royce]

vitaminwaterZERO presents…FLOURISH
7 flavors. 7 designers. 7 imaginative outfits sure to FLOURISH on the runway.
Seven local designers take inspiration from the seven new flavors of vitaminwater ZERO for a rooftop fashion show. The results will flourish at dusk on Wednesday, August 11 at the Skygarden rooftop outdoor atrium atop the Crowne Plaza Northstar Hotel in downtown Minneapolis. Each design will be critiqued by a panel of esteemed judges, as each designer offers insight into their creative process. DJ Jonathan Ackerman will be spinning tracks throughout the evening as attendees sip on vitaminwater ZERO cocktails.

The prestigious group of fashion designers includes:
Laura Fulk
Kerry Riley (Needle & Black)
Calpurnia Peach
Max Lohrbach
Emma Berg
Ivan Idland
and Danielle Everine
with jewelry from ROX by Robyne Robinson
as styled by local fashion writer and stylist Jahna Peloquin.

Get there early - the first 50 people will receive a swag bag (and the best seats on the runway). The show is free and open to the public; you must be 21 years or older for admittance. Doors at 6:30 p.m.; show at 7:30 p.m.

Sponsors include, MNfashion, METRO Magazine, Aveda Institute, Vision Management Group, and vitaminwaterZERO.

Vision model Greta heads to NYC

Minneapolis model Greta Sundquist has recently made the move to New York. The Vision model is sure to come out with some great work soon, such as the striking image below created by a local team of photographer Jenn Cress, hairstylist Adam Livermore and makeup artist Romeny Chan.


You can still catch the rising model August 6 at this year's Glamorama at the Orpheum Theatre before the show heads to Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Hot photo: Coco & Breezy

Loving this hot shot of Minnesota-native sunglasses designers/it girls Coco & Breezy - minus their ubiquitous shades - via GlobalGrind.com.

[Photo by Philippe Bontemps]

The twins have been guest blogging for the site; check out their latest entry here. View more photos from the shoot over at cocoandbreezy.blogspot.com.

Just announced: "Mao to Now: Chinese Fashion from 1949 to the Present"

A new exhibition spanning Chinese fashion over the last century is coming to the Goldstein Museum of Design in October. Co-sponsored by the University's China Center, the show features the work of four well-known Chinese fashion designers - Wu Haiyan, Liu Canming, Wang Yiyang, and Zhang Da - as well photographs by high-profile Chinese journalists.

Design by Liu Canming

The show illustrates how dramatically Chinese fashion has changed throughout the twentieth century, from the pre-Maoist, dynastic period (1912-1948), to the conservative time of the ubiquitous Mao suit (1949-1977), to today's progressive trend-setters (1978-present). The exhibition traces the development of apparel in China and introduces some of the country's most influential designers.

During a three-day symposium and opening reception kicking off the exhibition, the symposium will include a series of public lectures given by visiting professors (including Dr. Hazel Clark, Dean of the School of Art and Design History and Theory at Parsons the New School for Design) and Chinese designers.

Design by Liu Canming

Adding a local twist, local designers Mark Caligiuri, Laura Fulk, and Luci Kandler and Ashley Wokasch of Calpurnia Peach will participate in a workshop.

"Mao to Now: Chinese Fashion from 1949 to the Present" at the Goldstein Museum of Design, McNeal Hall, 1985 Buford Ave., St. Paul, 612-624-7434, www.goldstein.umn.edu. Opening reception with designer meet-and-greet: 6-8 p.m. October 1. Symposium: October 1-3. Exhibition runs October 2, 2010, to January 17, 2011.

Design by Wu Haiyan

Designer Bios:

Liu Canming is Associate Professor in the Fashion Art & Design Institute at Donghua University and teaches fashion design. He is the Chief Art Director of two popular brands, ZIGE and CM∙Loose. He received his bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute at Donghua University and his master’s from the European Institute of Design (IED). He was one of China’s “Top Ten Fashion Designers” in 2007 and has shown designs at Chicago Fashion week in 2008 and 2009.

Wang Yiyang runs two fashion labels: ZUCZUG and CHA GANG. He received his bachelor’s degree in fashion design from China Textile University (now Donghua University), where he taught fashion design. Chen Yifei hired Wang Yiyang to design his new brand, Layefe, in 1997. He was very successful at Layefe and later launched his own labels in 2001 and 2004, respectively. ZUCZUG now has over forty stores in China.

Zhang Da created the women’s wear label BOUNDLESS in 2005. He received his bachelor’s degree from the North‐West Institute of Textile Science and Technology (now Xi’an Polytechnic University). His works have been exhibited at the Victoria & Albert Museum and his designs have been shown in many countries across the world.

Freedom From Doubt Promo Video

Check out this brooding promotional video by local neckwear designer Jared Zachary for the summer 2010 line for Freedom From Doubt:

Freedom From Doubt Summer 2010. Tomorrow has come. from Jared Zachary on Vimeo.

Local fashion link roundup: Weekend wrap-up

The weekend came and went, but not without plenty of activity on the local fashion front. Here's another edition of the local fashion link roundup:

[Racktacular image by Leslie Plesser]

Vita.mn Art Director Leslie Plesser has some great shots of the Art Bras from Saturday's Racktacular II benefit.

Check out party pix from Vita.mn and Jake Rudh's Mad Men Premiere Party on Sunday: Tony Nelson for City Pages, Stacy Schwartz' photobooth pix for Vita.mn, and more for Vita.mn from Jon Behm.

Ignite Models' blog has some gorgeous new shots of model Caroline by photographer Billy Root.

Model/fashion blogger Hina Khan posts some shots from her visit to Kerry Riley's Needle & Black (formerly Red Shoe Clothing Co.) studio, including a brand-new design.

Stylist/man-about-town John Sand shares some lovely inspiration images on his blog The Gay Agenda.

I don't normally publish bridal photos, but these shots of artist couple Allen Brewer and Pamela Valfer by one of my fave local photogs, Kris Drake, are too adorable. In other Kris Drake news, one of her fashion bridal shots has been published in glossy bridal mag The Knot Minnesota. Congrats!

More well-deserved national press for local knitwear designer Annie Larson - her Stripe Stripe Super Stasher duffel bag was featured in the latest back-to-school issue of ReadyMade.

Fashion intern Morgan Mercer reviews the Runway Africa and K.Jurek fashion shows for METRO Magazine.

I update l'etoile's weekly shopping guide.

Joynoelle featured in WWD

Today's issue of WWD features a Spring 2011 design by Minneapolis bridal and RTW line Joynoelle. It's a full page in a glossy insert, but here is the online image:

[Photo provided by WWD]

Read the article "Classical draping takes a new twist for spring" here (Sub. required)

Via @joynoelle.

l'étoile summer editorial 2010: A Midsummer Night's Dream

Check out l'étoile magazine's latest spread, "A Midsummer Niht's Dream," which I styled:

This month l'étoile teamed up with our theatrical friends, The Strange Capers, for a photo shoot based on their Shakespeare in the Park production of A Midsummer Night's Dream at Powderhorn Park! The Capers' reimagining of the classic comedy takes a fun, gender-bending twist, swapping in women for male characters, depicting mechanicals as park workers, and bike punks as fairies -- a concept we were especially enamored with. In this spread - shot by Stephen Stephens - creative directors Chris Larson and Beth Hammarlund collaborated on a whimsical, design-heavy concept that focused on these magical yet gritty characters, playing off of the natural elements of beautiful Powderhorn park. Costume designer Sondra Veldey lent actual garments from the production while l'etoile pulled in D.I.Y. designer and artist Bill Beekman, designer Danielle Everine and accessory guru Amiee Dukes a.k.a. Ferociter to fill in the blanks.

The Strange Capers' performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream runs Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm through August 1st at Powderhorn Park and is free and open to the public (donations gladly accepted). For more info visit http://www.thestrangecapers.com/.

Click below to check out the spread!

Local fashion roundup

Sending you off into the weekend with another round of local fashion links:

[Image courtesy Vita.mn]

Vita.mn's List of Lists issue is out, and local fashion notables topping the list include Cliche (best boutique) and Laura Fulk (best local designer).

The best of the stylish crowd at the Tekno Doll fashion show, courtesy Ellen Dahl Lawson and Vita.mn. Here's her style picks from last Sunday's Bastille Day block party at Barbette.

Check out my writeups on the Kimberly Jurek and OutSpoken fashion shows this weekend for Vita.mn. (Also check out my blurbs on MN Original's launch party at Mears Park, Red Bull Flugtag, ZubazPalooza and Bearded Lady Motorcycle Show.)

Tara Sloane interviews designer Kimberly Jurek on her upcoming K.Jurek fashion show on Saturday for l'etoile.

Sara Glassman covers the new Phenom store in Minneapolis and gets the scoop on the inspiration behind Kimberly Jurek's latest collection (debuting at Saturday's runway show) for Star Tribune.

Bionic Unicorn's arrow and agate necklace was featured in Etsy's blog, The Storque.

Calpurnia Peach Spring/Summer Collection

Local design duo Calpurnia Peach have posted some images from a recent test shoot by stylist Alisun Abbott and photographer Chris McDuffie featuring some pieces from their Spring/Summer 2010 collection.

Voltage 2010 Video #1

Hot off the blogs: MNfashion has posted the first in a series of videos from Voltage 2010. It features show opener Blue Sky Blackout (dress by BlackBlue) with fashions from Raul Osorio.

What Courtney Wore in Minneapolis

Local fashion blogger Hina Khan spotted Courtney Love's post on the rocker's new fashion blog about what she wore when she was in town for her Hole show at First Avenue on Friday night:


"What Courtney Wore last in Minneapolis. Alexander McQueen suspender dress I believe 06 a/w , Rick Owens tank, , ysl a/w 10 purse that Clc believes she’s nabbed this seasons ” it” bag ( she can be a sucker for that stuff although after Posh we think @fearnecotton has the most ” it” bags of anyone! ) I’d have saved up for a Ruhlman banquette or table or another Birkin ( Clc current furnishing crush ” it’s not furniture it’s artful sex furniture” is Vladimir Kagon) ( will feature shots of her la house soon.. It’s pretty swellegant) but , hey what do I know . Dress was a present from Lee Mcq. Rip . Fendi shoes."


Courtney at the Ivy Hotel in Minneapolis.

(via hinakhan.tumblr.com)

Fashion link roundup

Link time!

[Joy Teiken with model Caroline; Image va alishopsblog.com]

Allison Kaplan previews Joy Teiken's shoot for her Joynoelle Spring 2011 RTW collection.

The Line profiles up-and-coming local designers Laura Nelli of Nelle Handbags, Michele Henry and Wesley Uthus of Rapport accessories, and Gillian Gabriel of GiGi swimwear in.

Ignite Models Inc. are still looking for designers and boutiques to participate in Envision Fall 2010, set for September 17 at Graves 601 Hotel.

Nina Garcia may be Target's new "Fashion Expert." Perhaps we'll have a Nina sighting in downtown Minneapolis soon. (via hinakhan.tumblr.com)

Mpls.St.Paul Magazine Fashion Editor Melissa Colgan Tweets a behind-the-scenes preview of the Mpls.St.Paul fall fashion cover, starring Vision model Elle.

Here's a cool shot from Miles Schuster's latest shoot, "The Gypsy."

METRO Magazine reviews the Tekno Doll swimwear fashion show.

Jane Belfry does a Q&A with Trnds blogger Corey Tenold for City Pages.

Tenold offers his latest menswear finds on Trnds.com: Online shop Oak, shoes from Zuriick, and edgy indie line Beta Unit.

A Tiny Machine updates us on Rodarte's controversial line for M·A·C, and offers her take on Ellen von Unwerth's photos of Lindsay Lohan for German GQ.

I update l'étoile's weekly shopping blog with info on OutSpoken bike and eco-friendly fashion show featuring CounterCouture, Racktacular II breast cancer benefit and Art Bra Contest, the Mad Men premiere party, l'étoile's Madras Plaid Summer Social and more.