New promo images for Charlie Brackney's salon

Some images, apparently promo images for hairstylist Charlie Brackney's new, to-be-announced salon, popped up on Facebook over the weekend. They feature Ashlee Walker and Nick Patnode of Vision Management Group, fashion styling by Jane Belfry, makeup by Andrea Holton, photography by Shelly Mosman and hair by Brackney.






Photo by Shelly Mosman
Fashion styling by Jane Belfry
Hair by Charlie Brackney
Makeup by Andrea Holton
Modeled by Nick Patnode & Ashlee Walker (Vision)

Local fashion link roundup

[Raina Hein. Photo: Charles Lucima]

Minnesota-bred model (and America's Next Top Model runner-up) Raina Hein is looking gorgeous in a new shoot by Charles Lucima.

Check out this collection of International Klein Blue items in Mpls.St.Paul Magazine's spread inspired by the Walker's ongoing Yves Klein exhibition in its October issue.

Mpls.St.Paul also shines the spotlight on totally-awesome designer toy shop ROBOTlove.

Former Minneapolitan hairstylist Kelsy Osterman (also my business partner in stylist collective Eclecticoiffeur and longtime Voltage lead hairstylist) has been making waves since her departure to NYC to work for Cutler Salon. She just got a fab review in Beauty News NYC, and it's a great read for anyone who's ever known Kelsy.

One of my favorite Twin Cities models, Lily Adriana, is making a splash in NYC. Check her out on the runway of NYC Bridal Fashion Week.

New local fashion blog alert: local It girl and sometime model-and-stylist Ines Kovacevic's new blog Merci Mon Cheri is a whole lot of pretty.

Juleana Enright interviews Emma Berg about her upcoming showing at the MNfashion-sponsored MIA Third Thursday event for l'etoile magazine.

Christopher Straub debuts additional Spring 2011 pieces

Project Runway alum Christopher Straub showed a few more pieces from his Spring 2011 collection on Wednesday at the IamMoody and 96.3-produced "Fashion Fright Night" at the Fine Line. In addition to the looks he debuted at Envision: Artopia Fall 2010, here are some looks hitting the runway for the first time:

Wow. What a stunning dress. I would have been blown away to have seen this on the Envision runway. The classic silhouette with the gorgeous sleeves and unique fabric treatment produces a sophisticated, elegant result.

A cute enough silhouette, very on trend. Nothing new though.

Maybe in a different fabric this could have worked, but it appears to be that inexpensive-looking faux leather. And are those rhinestones running down the front? The result is sort of tacky.

Click HERE for more photos from the show. Click HERE for my review of the rest of Straub's Spring 2011 collection for l'etoile magazine.

All photos by Adam Warner

Voltage 2011 designers announced

Exciting fashion news comes your way this morning via MNFashion: 2011 Voltage: Fashion Amplified, Minnesota's largest and most publicized rock fashion show, has just confirmed it's spring runway lineup. The designers are as follows:

Danielle Everine
Frances Zerr
Ivan Idland
Kathryn V
Max Lohrbach
Rachel Blomgren
Raul Osorio
Sarah M Holm
Terri Martin
Tim + Thom

Congratulations everybody!

Voltage: Fashion Amplified will be going down on Friday, April 15th 2011 at First Avenue in downtown Minneapolis as the close out of Spring MNfashion Week. In the meantime, check out this video from last year's show:

Voltage: Fashion Amplified 2010 from mn original on Vimeo.

Local fashion link roundup

[Photo: Michael Keys/Washington Blade]

The Washington Blade reviews Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman's Spring 2011 collection showing at NOVA Fashion Week.

Ellen Dahl Lawson captures last weekend's Tweed Ride riders and OPM's Fashion Rehab show guests for Vita.mn.

Sarah M Holm debuts new designs at Cliché.

Marshall Franklin Long shoots "Pale Rider," Raul Osorio and Danielle Everine's Fall 2010 show, backstage for MNfashion.

FiveTwoSix salon has photos from last weekend's Give Us Wings benefit and design challenge featuring designs from Emma Berg, PFT Couture, Kimberly Jurek and more.

A bridal design by line Joynoelle was featured on national blog Style Me Pretty.

Voltage 2011 accessory designer applications are now available.

Amanda Christine + K.Jurek debut handbag collab

Two local fashion favorites, Amanda Christine and K.Jurek by Kimberly Jurek, have joined forces this fall on a new handbag collection. The suede and leather line dubbed ACKJ includes relaxed hobos and clutches that successfully merges the two designers' aesthetics - Jurek's West Coat, bohemian sensibility and Amanda Christine's East Coast, street-smart sophisticated style. The line retails for $198 to $348 and is available exclusively at Cliché (2403 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls. 612-870-0420).

Mary Cann for Twinkle by Wenlan

Local girl Mary Cann of Vision Management Group is making her presence known in a big way since her move to NYC - that is, internationally. Here she is in the Singapore-based line Twinkle by Wenlan's S/S 2011 lookbook.

SCENEaSOTA lookbook released

I'm a little slow on this, but over the weekend producer Maritza Ramirez released the lookbook for the annual SCENEaSOTA fashion show. It was art directed by Chris Larson, with photography by Amy Gee. Runway designers including Kevin Kramp, Raul Osorio, Frances Zerr, Carmichael Claith, Jenny Carle, Britta Feuerhelm, Kathryn V., and Jenn Bratvold, plus accessories by Ruby3 (Anna Lee), Ferociter (Aimie Dukes), Carrier Pigeon (Lauren Neal), Ann Lambrecht, Freedom From Doubt (Jared Zachary), Timmilynn Johnson, Tasha Rae, and Bionic Unicorn (Kristin Berwald). Check out the facebook event invite for more details, and click through below to view the lookbook.

Open publication - Free publishing - More sceneasota

Danielle Everine - Fall 2010 Collection Lookbook Preview

Hairstylist Jen Hughes posted a couple of behind-the-scenes preview images of Danielle Everine's Fall 2010 Collection shoot. The collection debuted on the runway at Everine's joint show with Raul Osorio, "Pale Rider," last month. I'm excited to see the final images, especially with photographer Ingrid Werthmann (one of the best in town) behind the lens.



Photography: Ingrid Werthmann
Art Direction and Styling: Molly Roark & Gail Madden
Hair: Jen Hughes
Hair Assist: Larissa Wong
Makeup by Nellie Carnahan
Model: Elle from Vision Models
Horses provided by the Pegasus Riding School

Local stylists style Simon Doonan's Halloween collection for Target

Some local stylists got the opportunity of a lifetime when they were asked to style the Haunted Couture by Simon Doonan for Target runway show a few months back. Wigs were created by Jen Hughes, Christy Dylo, Santa Fe Gates, Larissa Wong, Samuel Farrand, Woody Theis; costumes by Molly Roark, Anna Aslani, Mike Head, Greta Herman, and Lisa Luck; and makeup by Janell Geason, Stephanie Domrose, Christopher Prather, and Daniela Serra. Now, you can see the full video from the show on Target's Facebook page (embedded below):

Local fashion link roundup

It's time once again for a local fashion link roundup!

[Annie Larson in her studio; photo courtesy Secrets of the City]

Secrets of the City visits (the amazing!) knitwear designer Annie Larson's adorable studio and has a great interview and slideshow from the visit.

Jay Gabler of Twin Cities Daily Planet has a new Q&A feature, "Who IS That?" Kicking it off is an interview with METRO Magazine fashion editor, the delightful Mary O'Regan.

Kerry Riley of Needle & Black has added new t-shirts and leather accessories to her e-shop.

Designer Laura Fulk has made her F/W 2010 collection available at her newly-launched e-shop. Read my review and see images of the collection at Le Petit.

City Pages' Stacey Tuthill Rammer asks leading local hairstylist Jen Hughes about the latest fall hair trends.

vitaminwater to take "Flourish" fashion show national

The high-ups at vitaminwater loved the concept I designed and executed for the vitaminwaterZERO "Flourish" fashion show in August so much that they're planning to incorporate it into additional markets throughout the U.S. next year, as well as do more fashion-oriented events in the future!

[Poster art by Caroline Royce]

Click HERE for photos from the show;

Click HERE for designer sketches from the show.

Read reviews of the show by Juleana Enright for l'etoile magazine and Mary O'Regan of METRO Magazine.

Emma Berg in METRO Magazine

Local designer Emma Berg has been quite the busy designer as of late. She designed Xcel's gift to Lady Gaga back in August, is participating in the Give Us Wings benefit and design challenge at FiveTwoSix Gallery on Saturday, and is working on a four-piece collection for an MNfashion presented Third Thursday fashion show at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts on November 18.

In October's issue of METRO Magazine, she was commissioned to create a new piece. Here is the dress, as worn by Vision model Ali.

Charlie Brackney debuts promo image for new salon

Just saw what I'm assuming to be a promo image for the new, yet-to-be-opened (or named) salon by hairstylist Charlie Brackney posted on his facebook page. Charlie recently left his position as Master Stylist, instructor and Creative Director for Juut Salonspa to start his own salon. (He's also leading hair at the SCENEaSOTA fashion show on November 6.) The fashion styling is by Jane Belfry, hair by Charlie (of course), photo by Shelly Mosman, and modeled by Ashlee Walker of Vision. A gorgeous vision of what's to come, without a doubt.


And just for fun, here's a Q&A Charlie did for Juut back in 2009.

Laura Fulk launches e-commerce site

Laura Fulk, a beloved Minneapolis designer for the past five years running, just launched her first e-commerce site. Shop.laurafulk.com features select pieces from her Fall/Winter 2010 collection, "To the Ends of the Earth," which she debuted at MNfashion Week last April. Best of all, many of the pieces are available in size runs ranging from 2 to 8 (via pre-order). Though the entire collection isn't available for purchase, there are still some great pieces available to the public for the first time. Here's some highlights:

Custom Print Silk Dress, $190. A great, easy-to-wear cocktail dress with an original print.

Custom Print Cotton Jersey Dress, $180. This one definitely brings Laura Fulk's trademark edge, and is super wearable.

Stretch Navy Silk Blouse (also available in Jade), $130. Le Fulk remakes the button-down shirt, and the silk looks ultra-luxe.


Black Ruched Panel Leggings, $95. Laura has always been great with innovating new leggings.

Cashmere Camel Coat, $595. The outerwear was hands-down my favorite part of this show. It's hard to come up with wearable coat that also offers some style and unique details, and Fulk has done it.

Charcoal Zipper Coat, $525. Again, that trademark Fulk asymmetry that happens to be perfectly on-trend right now.


Custom Print Silk Scarf, $55. Holiday gift-giving idea, anyone? I'll take one.

MIA's Third Thursday presented by MNfashion: Emma Berg, pt. 2

Designer Emma Berg has released sketches and more previews from the upcoming Third Thursday event produced by MNfashion at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts on November 18.




Click HERE for more designer previews from the upcoming show.

Ferociter F/W 2010 collection

Aimie Dukes - designer of Ferociter, one of my favorite accessories line in town - just sent me the line sheets for her long-awaited fall collection. Aimie is without a doubt my favorite accessories designer to work with (most recently on l'etoile's summer spread and on Voltage 2010) she's always highly collaborative, open to ideas, and always brings something fresh and new to the table.

Her latest mini-collection features more of the feather work she incorporated into her spring 2010 collection, which she tells me was originally requested by knitwear designer Kevin Kramp. It's carried over into her fall collection, appropriately at that, since feathers are huge for fall. She will again be collaborating with Kramp for SCENEaSOTA 2010, happening November 6 at Loft2 (above OM Restaurant).

Here is her "Carina" feather collection:
Black Ostrich Feather Necklace, $42.95

Cream Ostrich Feather Necklace, $42.95

Cream Ostrich Feather Earrings, $32.95

Camel Ostrich Feather Necklace, $42.95

Odyssey Necklace, Color (also available in Black & White), $18.95. From the Odyssey Collection: "The lovechild of Ziggy Stardust and Barbarella; Ferociter's ode to 2010."

Design Collective is carrying both collections and ROBOTlove is carrying the Odyssey necklaces. Both collections are also available through Ferociter's Etsy shop.

Freedom From Doubt Fall 2010 lookbook

Local neckwear line Freedom From Doubt has released its latest lookbook for Fall 2010. It stars the gorgeous, impeccably-jawlined Nick Patnode of Vision models. The line is available online and at W7 Collective's monthly pop-up boutique.



All photos by Jeffrey Bryce Bordenkecher

Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman does NOVA Fashion Week

[Photo by Carlos Gonzalez for Vita.mn; styling by Eclecticoiffeur]

One of my favorite fashion designers to emerge from the Twin Cities fashion scene is Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman, a Chicago native who's currently based out of Milwaukee as lead designer with Kohl's. Instead of New York Fashion Week, Ra'mon decided to show his spring 2011 collective at NOVA (Northern Virginia) Fashion Week, with plans to show at New York Fashion Week in the spring. There are a couple of new interviews in with the designer in anticipation of the show.

Some choice excepts:

-His collection is named "Give Them Grace" in honor of his inspiration for the line, Grace Jones.
-His colors will be “a little bit more bold...not muted at all but bright and vibrant,” and with a “punchy” pizzazz that he calls “pop-y” and “a hybrid of everything — from a futuristic spin forecasting a look for the year 2033, to a more ethnic look, but more abstract.”
-On why he decided to participate in NOVA Fashion Week: "I’m excited about the opportunity to share my design point of view with a new audience, one that appreciates cutting edge fashion with an artistic approach. The fact that NOVAFW is functioning as a charitable event makes it additionally compelling. Any opportunity to give back to others is something I am always interested in being a part of."

HERE and HERE.

I'll be sharing photos as soon as they're released, but here's some past work:

[A Spring 2006 look; Photo courtesy Walker Art Center]

[A Holiday 2008 look; Photo by Nic Marshall, styling by Eclecticoiffeur]

[Spring 2010 looks; photo courtesy ramonlawrence.com]

Click HERE for more Ra'mon on Le Petit.

Yves Klein retrospective ties art to fashion

The Walker Art Center "Off Center" blog has a very detailed post about the color of the moment, International Klein Blue, and its significance in the fashion industry. The Walker's next major exhibition will be a retrospective of the color's creator, Yves Klein - the first major U.S. retrospective of the painter in more than 30 years. It's a great case in point of how art influences fashion, and vice versa.


The show opens with the Walker's popular "Walker After Hours" preview party on October 22, always a must-go social gathering. Don your International Klein Blue dress - or suit - and come see this acclaimed exhibition before it opens to the public. Get details here.

[Jil Sander]

[Calvin Klein]

More Lisa Luck posters

I just can't get enough of poster art by local illustrator Lisa Luck. Here's her latest designs for the Yeti Records benefit at Turf Club on Saturday, next weekend's Yeti Records grand opening party, and the Hot Roxx Halloween Extravaganza at Hexagon.

[Above is a collab with artist Suzanne Mahone]

Amanda Christine featured in ApparelNews.net

More Amanda Christine news: a spring 2011 look from the local designer has been featured in a new fashion spread in California ApparelNews.net.

Amanda tells me she hopes to pick up more L.A. stores this spring when L.A. Market officially kicks off today.

"Cameron" silk draped dress; photo: Richard Knapp