"RuPaul's Drag Race" finalist making hometown appearance this weekend

Via LOL/OMG:

The fabulous, multi-talented Manila Luzon just announced on Twitter that she's making her way back to her hometown to perform at the Gay 90s this weekend. It will be the first hometown appearance by the drag queen (who sharpened her claws on the stage of the 90s) since she came in second during the last season of RuPaul's Drag Race. Heathers unite!

Editorial: Glam of 10,000 Lakes

Local photographer Miles Schuster (a regular over at METRO Magazine) just published a test shoot he did with fashion stylist Grant Whittaker (of Ballet of the Dolls and Glamorama fame) featuring a fresh face in the local modeling world named Kate Potter, represented by Wehmann Models & Talent. How perfectly Minnesotan - gothy glamour on the lakeside.







Photos: Miles Schuster
Styling: Grant Whittaker
Hair & makeup: Allison Jean AuBuchon
Model: Kate Potter

Emma Berg design featured on CBS Local

CBS Local just featured a spring/summer 2011 dress by local designer Emma Berg in an article on the best summer dresses. The gorgeous image featured is from Emma's recent lookbook shoot in collaboration with HAUS Salon, photographer Emily Utne, modeled by Elle Williams of Vision, and styling by yours truly. (Look for the full lookbook to be published soon.)


Local designer Emma Berg’s white and red halter dress showcased two of this season’s biggest trends: white color and flowy fabric. Top designers like Emilio Pucci, D&G and Alberta Ferretti floated flowy, effortless gowns down the runway. Emma Berg put her own spin on these trends, using silk crinkled chiffon and adding a splash of color with a red ribbon waist and red lace guipure back and neck detail. Pair this dramatic dress with a pair of red heels for a fashionable night out. Available at June for $320.00. (June, 3406 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55409, (612) 354-3970)

Local designer Terri Martin picked up by Arafina

Local boutique Arafina just announced that it will not only be carrying local designer George Moskal's spring/summer 2011 collection, it's also picked up yet another Twin Cities designer, Terri Martin. Terri made her local debut at Voltage 2011 this past April, and her line of innovative, sophisticated draped circle-patterned knitwear was a standout of the night. Terri graduated from the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning and interned at Calvin Klein, Martin + Osa and Coach before moving to Minneapolis to work for Target Corporation. Her spring/summer 2011 collection is available now at Arafina, located at the Galleria in Edina.

New local line preview: Hazel & Haverly

A new knitwear line by local designer Kedrin Likness (of knit accessories line Attagirl by Kedrin) is coming this fall. According to its Facebook page, Hazel & Haverly will feature "luxury crocheted goodies" in "a custom hand-dyed cashmere blend yarn." She just posted a preview of her "Birgitta" thigh-high tights from their fall 2011 collection on Vision model Ali. A full lookbook is said to be on its way.


Photo: Stephanie Hynes
Hair & makeup: Bethany Brihn

Editorial: Blasphemina's Closet goes Retro

Here's a lovely little photoset by Fairshadow Photography featuring local designer Blasphemina's Closet's looks from RetroRama 2011, as worn by local burlesque performer Loud Louisa, with jewelry by Bionic Unicorn.







Click here for more. [All photos: Fairshadow Photography]

Trnds.com gets a stylish revamp

Local men's style blog Trnds.com has gotten a revamp. As opposed to the earlier blog format, the blog's founder Corey Tenold tells me "It's more of a style board with a faster click-to-buy path that hopefully users will like. I've been getting more search traffic and, well, more traffic in general since the revamp." The result is a site that is more shoppable, and the design and layout gives the impression of a curated thoughtfulness.


Check it out at trnds.com. (Previous posts are currently archived at blog.trnds.com.)

Christopher Straub launches underwear line

As was originally announced back in April, local designer Christopher Straub has launched a new line harkening back to the product for which he first became known: underwear. The return to his roots, however, does not include the charming incorporation of vintage t-shirts as he did originally, though it must be said those were prone to stretching out. So far, there are two styles available, retailing for $15 each at christopherstraub.com.

Kevin Kramp featured in German publication WeAre Magazine

International attention just keeps on coming for local men's knitwear designer Kevin Kramp. He was recently featured in German-based publication WeAr Magazine, which is printed in eight languages and distributed globally.

Weekend wrap up: Local fashion links

[Photo by Allison Kaplan]

Mpls.St.Paul's Allison Kaplan has a review of Thursday's Nordstrom Designer Preview show at the Mall of America. Minneapolis is one of just five nationwide to be treated to this super slick show, featuring 11 collections including Chanel, Gucci, Marc Jacobs and Givenchy.

Mezzanine Salon posts photos and video from last month's "Art of Hair" Third Thursday event at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.

Mary O'Regan goes to Rock the Garden and captures some crowd style.

Noted platinum blonde Kara Nesvig gives her tips on maintaining a platinum blonde 'do.

Check out l'etoile's Guide to Sales and Shopping for more shopping events this weekend.

Local beauty line By Elizabeth Dehn was featured in Style.com's Summer Beauty Guide.

Lucky Magazine's July 2011 issue features top local shops.

Local designer Elise Diebel was featured in a locally-produced music video for French pop singer Yelle.

Vision model Nic LaFrance models in Milan Men's Fashion Week for John Varvatos.

I do a product review of local makeup line The Elixery.

Local Ignite model Kristina was featured in a video for Nylon Magazine.

Lookbook: Jenny Carle Spring/Summer 2011

After debuting earlier this spring at Envision: Artopia, local designer Jenny Carle has featured the collection in a new lookbook, with jewelry by local line Tea Tree Designs. Back in April, I called the collection "sweet (though slightly uneven) collection of full skirts and bustier tops in florals and stripes." However, the full collection displayed in the new lookbook is stronger and more cohesive than what hit the runway back in April. I've said it before and I'll say it again: it's clear why Carle is one of Cliche's strongest sellers. Look for the designs now at Cliche.









Credits:
Clothing Designer: Jenny Carle
Jewelry Designer: Erika Backberg/Tea Tree Designs
Photography: Stephanie Hynes
Wardrobe/Stylist: Stephanie Powers
Hair/MUA: Megan McNamara
Model: Zoe Flood
Photo Assistant: Jared Powell

Weekend pretty: Ashlee Walker goes to Florida

I'm leaving you off this weekend with a little pretty. Vision star model Ashlee Walker has been in Florida with her BF, web developer/Trnds.com founder Corey Tenold, who also happens to be an an aspiring photographer. Here is his resulting photo set.









[All photos by Corey Tenold]

By Elizabeth Dehn featured in Style.com's Summer Beauty Guide

New, locally-made beauty line By Elizabeth Dehn has just been featured in Style.com's Summer Beauty Guide. Created by Beauty Bets editor (and former Minnesota Monthly style editor) Elizabeth Dehn, the three-piece product line of shea cream, face spray and serum is 100% natural, nontoxic and wildcraft-harvested. The set retails for $28 to $54 each, or $120 for the set at elizabethdehn.com.

Product review: locally-made lipstick by The Elixery

By now, we're used to skincare, food and even clothing being eco-friendly. But with this spring's launch of The Elixery, Minnesota's first line of cosmetics boasting eco-friendly ingredients, being green has never been so pretty. Owner and Principal Alchemist Carolyn Wells has managed to craft a collection of lipstick, eye shadow and shimmer powder that's vegan and "cruelty-free," yet strongly, brightly pigmented.


I was lucky enough to get to sample some of The Elixery's opaque lipsticks, which I found to all consistently go on matte with just a hint of shine, yet not chalky or bad-tasting. Their consistency is not overly creamy, but this just adds to the precision of application, and the length of wear.

I was excited to get to try an orange lipstick, "Hazardous," which is the hot lip color this spring. The tangerine, almost neon, orange can hardly be beat by a more expensive brand (these tubes sell for a reasonable $18 a pop). And best of all, its ingredients are words I actually recognize, and sound natural: vanilla, castor seed oil, avocado, wax, aloe extract.


Bonus: according to the packaging, this color was made especially for the Voltage 2011 fashion show, and The Elixery has also been featured in the St. Kate's student fashion show and on the cover of Vita.mn's spring fashion issue:

A candy pink lip color is always a go-to for spring, and The Elixery delivers with "Twee Pop," a perfect pink fit for Barbie.


A darker magenta pink called "Lakshmi" is more of a going-out-to-the-clubs, Manic Panic kind of pink. I really like how it sets off my pale skin and blonde hair in a very '80s Blondie way, but it would look great on someone with a more olive or chocolate-toned complexion and darker hair, too.


"Love Potion" is the early '90s goth girl of the bunch. The super-dark violet shade doesn't seem like a likely pick for spring and summer, but I am all about the summer goth look, so I say why not?


The Elixery is available at The Hive Salon, June, i like you, Eye of Horus, and www.elixery.com

Local inspiration: muses and lenses

The best in local street fashion, portrait and fashion photography from local muses and lenses, gathered via Twitter, Facebook and blog uploads from the past week.

Local photographer Miles Schuster snaps the stunning Racquel Garry.

Model/fashion designer Eli Nyamal poses for JDStyle Group.

Dirty Hair Halo's Shannon Licari wears short sequin shorts.

New York-based photographer Chandler Easley snaps Polaroids of Ignite model Kristina Lezepekova.

The Minneapoline's Ellen Dahl Lawson captures some fresh spring style at Art-A-Whirl.

Minnesota native model Lauren Wade (now with Ford in Chicago) gets cozy. (Photo: Meredith Morton)

Hairdresser/singer Laura Boland (now in NYC) is sitting pretty.

Amy Gee tries out the maxi skirt trend.