Lookbook: Raul Osorio F/W 2011

I had the opportunity to help style the Fall/Winter 2011 capsule collection lookbook for local designer Raul Osorio this past weekend, outdoors in snowy Minnehaha Park. I styled the collection with jewelry from Stephanie Lake Design and a couple of Stephanie's own furs, as well as some bejeweled tights I stylized a while back.









Photos: Amy Gee
Clothing: Raul Osorio
Jewelry: Stephanie Lake Design
Hair/MUA: Julie Swenson
Styling: Jahna Peloquin
Model: Tearra

Preview: Raul Osorio F/W 2011 collection shoot

Love this ghostly Polaroid by Amy Gee from today's snowy outdoors shoot I styled with Stephanie Lake jewelry featuring Tearra in a dress from local designer Raul Osorio's Fall/Winter 2011 collection:

New designer spotlight: Sara Lopez

At last Saturday's University of Minnesota senior student fashion show, "Twelve," one designer in particular really stood out. Sara Lopez, a Texan-born designer who has interned in Paris and New York, stole the show with her collection of looks in silhouettes that "question the relationship between the body and the garment," according to her designer statement. "Often restricting or distorting the wearers’ movement," it continues, "she provides a different experience while wearing clothing." While the looks are indeed constricting and distorting - unwearable for most people - there's great potential here. Up close, the garments were perfectly constructed. And despite the avant-garde elements of these designs, they are exquisitely tailored and minimalistic, in the vein of Calvin Klein and Stella McCartney. These were some of the freshest, forward-thinking designs to come out of Minneapolis-St. Paul Fashion Week this season - coming from a student, no less. Look for good things to come from this bright star.






Photos by Amy Gee for l'etoile magazine

Video: "Twelve" University of Minnesota Senior Fashion Show

Check out this lovingly shot video compilation by photographer Amy Gee from Saturday's "Twelve" University of Minnesota senior fashion show, featuring 11 senior designers: Jennifer Robertus, Andrea Sittler, Stephanie Hillman, Gabby Goetz, Carol Fallabeck, Diana Zhyhar, Silvia Guttmann, Sara Lopez, Lizzie Hillmann, and Laura van Riper.

twelve from amy gee on Vimeo.

Maritza Ramirez' "Little Black Dress"

Up-and-coming Minneapolis photographer Amy Gee shoots local designer Maritza Ramirez' contribution to last fall's Little Black Dress event on friend and beauty blogger Kara Nesvig - and dare I say, the dress looks much better on her than the model in the show. The gown suits Kara's figure and old Hollywood look perfectly.






Photos: Amy Gee
Dress: Maritza Ramirez
Model: Kara Nesvig
Hair: Caitlin Dvorak (HAUS Salon)
Makeup: Heidi Melena

Local inspiration: muses and lenses

It's another round of local inspiration from Twin Cities photographers and their subjects.

Jaime Carrera gets ready to strike in this portrait by fine art photographer Xavier Tavera.

Photographer Benjamin Fredrickson masks his latest muse, Bryce.

Photographer Peter Holme kicks off his 365 day project with a self portrait.

Lottie Anderson shows off her new chopped 'do.

Stylish couple Corey Tenold and Ashlee Walker get paparazzied by Brad Ogbonna at Friday night's "Last Night Famous" party. (Click here for more photos.)

Ignite model Rikki Roath does a shoot in Hong Kong with photographer Corallin Cao.

Ruby Girl style blogger Lindsey Herzog dons a NYE ensemble of fur and patterned tights.

Minnesota-native and Martha Stewart Weddings editor Melissa Colgan is looking très chic in the Winter 2012 issue of the magazine. (Photo by Johnny Miller)

Style blogger Chloe Ahlf gets her Audrey Hepburn on.

Style blogger Kitty Cotten gets her J. Crew on.

Filmmaker Elijah Chhum gets suited up with gear from Heimie's Haberdashery, including a silk pocket square by local line Freedom From Doubt.

Davee Ek takes advantage of December's fall-like weather in chic fur and layers.

Amy Gee looks out into the cold, long winter ahead.

Review: Blacklist Vintage presents "Vintage Did It First"

[Content shared with l'étoile magazine]

Last night, hotter-than-haute retro shop Blacklist Vintage made the case that "Vintage Did It First" in an in-store runway show at the Eat Street store. Like the well-versed students of fashion - vintage and modern alike - that they are, shop owners Vanessa Messersmith and Jennifer Sapiro curated a collection of all-vintage looks that not only nod to the Fall 2011 runways, but demonstrate some striking similarities. Fall trends including '40s-inspired dress suits and capes, '60s-inspired riding pants and dress-and-jacket sets, '70s-inspired printed dresses and wide-legged jeans, and '80s motorcycle jackets clearly took note of past eras in fashion. The two well-heeled ladies - looking ever the picture of vintage style with a modern twist - cleverly paired vintage looks with images of looks from the runways of Chloe, Louis Vuitton, Lanvin, Junya Wantabe, Bottega Veneta, Prada and Azzaro - making the case that this fall, what's old is new again.

[Photo: Amy Gee]

[Vanessa Messersmith & Jennifer Sapiro. Photo: Amy Gee]

[Photo: Amy Gee]

[Photo: Amy Gee]

[Photo: Amy Gee]

[Photo: Amy Gee]

[Photo: Amy Gee]

[Photo: Amy Gee]

[Photo: Amy Gee]

[Photo: Amy Gee]

[Photo: Peter Holme]

[Photo: Peter Holme]

[Photo: Peter Holme]

[Photo: Peter Holme]

Visit l'étoile's MNfashion Week Guide for more MNfashion Week events this weekend.

Lookbook: Vanessa Zahid Jewelry + Gina Marie Vintage

Speaking of the Vanessa Zahid premiere runway show last weekend, I just stumbled upon the local jewelry designer's lovely F/W 2011 lookbook. Like the runway show, it's paired with clothing by another up-and-coming line, Gina Marie Vintage (which had its runway debut two weeks ago at "Envision: Artopia.") The gorgeous, ethereal photography and layout design were done by Amy Gee - another up-and-comer to keep your eye on.