In review: Joynoelle's "The Caged Bird" Spring 2012 Collection

The Grand Cafe was the site of the Joynoelle fashion show on Monday night, having been transformed into a turn-of-the-century parlor, its wood floors serving as an unusual runway for the debut of the local line's Spring 2012 collection. But that's Joy Teiken for you - a bit quirky, yet timeless and sophisticated, like the charming South Minneapolis cafe itself. The longtime Twin Cities designer isn't about making a big bang or having mainstream commercial appeal, which is precisely why the show was invite-only and unticketed. This is evident in her custom, handmade ready-to-wear and bridal collections, which are all crafted in the designer's nearby studio and atelier. For her latest collection, Teiken took inspiration from "the caged bird," incorporating criss-cross shapes, stripes, feathers, and a rich palette of red, brown and cream. Each piece offered thoughtful details, delicate fabrics, and inventive fabric manipulation, staying true to the designer's confectionary, vintage-inspired aesthetic that has made the line a local treasure. Why fix what ain't broke, after all?

[Photos by Jahna Peloquin]