Saturday shopping: NorthernGrade Men's Market

[Exclusive to Vita.mn online]

Men's fashion rarely gets the attention it deserves. But thanks to the NorthernGrade Men's Market, it's all about the guys. The annual day-long market puts the spotlight on classic, "heritage" menswear brands - all made in the U.S.A. The 25-plus vendors include a number of Minnesota-made companies: Red Wing Shoes, Pierrepont Hicks neckties (pictured), and J.W. Hulme Co. luggage, as well as local shops BlackBlue and martinpatrick3. The day of shopping also includes food and from 128 Cafe, and an opportunity to celebrate American-made goods. (Noon-8 p.m. Sat. Free. Architectural Antiques, 1330 Quincy St. NE., Mpls. northerngrade.tumblr.com)

A preview of what to expect:

Gitman Bros. Vintage woven shirt, Apolis service pant, Red Wing chukka boot from BlackBlue

Luggage by J.W. Hulme Co.

Looks from martinpatrick3

Red Wing Shoes

Pierrepont Hicks Tie Co. ties

BlackBlue showcases summer women's collections

Men's store BlackBlue has been well-loved since it opened a couple of years ago on Selby and Dale in St. Paul. As a result of female love for the store despite only carrying menswear, the store started to carry some women's clothing and shoes earlier this year. Yesterday, they posted a new shoot featuring shoppers Amy Gee (a photographer regularly featured in Le Petit's muses and lenses photo feature) and Kara Nesvig (the beauty blogger behind Vanity Project) modeling a mix of men's and women's items from the store. Visit blakblu.blogspot.com for clothing credits.

[All photos courtesy BlackBlue]

In review: Vita.mn Hotness Party & Fashion Show

I recap last night's Vita.mn Hotness Party for Vita.mn. It included a fashion show produced by Vision models, with looks from the Mall of America and BlackBlue.

[Photo by Jahna Peloquin]

Showcasing looks from Mall of America stores and impossibly chic St. Paul men's shop BlackBlue with styling by Sheila Anderson and Michael Fiandt, Vision's roster of their top talent walked the floor - including Will Defiel, the former face of Calvin Klein; Mary Cann, who has been walking the runways at New York Fashion Week; and perennial favorite Ashlee Walker - to the chic beats of Anthem Heart's Ken Hannigan.

Read more at Vita.mn.

Local fashion link roundup

[Photo: Louie Aguila]

Minnesota native model Raina Hein (of America's Next Top Model fame) is gets dreamy in this shoot by Pasadena photographer Louie Aguila.

Local photographer Eliesa Johnson shoots fall fashions from haute men's shop BlackBlue.

Ellen Dahl Lawson shoots the crowd at the Shanghaied New Year's Eve party at Graves 601 Hotel for Vita.mn.

METRO Magazine fashion editor Mary O'Regan details her favorite product photography for her blog Art of Wore.

Mary O'Regan also lists the Twin Cities' best-kept shopping secrets for METRO.

Sohail Akhavein, a frequent fixture of my weekly "muses and and lenses" feature, just announced he will be having a photography exhibition (with l'etoile and Voltage project manager and painter Natalie Gallagher) at Umber Studios on January 22.

Crooked Teeth Magazine (a new, local, crafty-cool style publication) just announced their release party on January 15 at the Coffee Shop NE.

Ellen Dahl Lawson models for BlackBlue

I've loved St. Paul menswear shop BlackBlue since it opened its doors last year - and was secretly jealous there wasn't a similar store for women. Apparently, a lot of other girls feel the same way - and shop there anyway. Apparently, owner Steve Kang is about to roll out a selection of women's clothes. The Minneapoline street style blogger Ellen Dahl Lawson recently stepped in front of the lens to model the new women's looks (paired with some men's) from the shop. Here are the photos in full. (Click here for clothing credits.)

BlackBlue is located at 614 Selby Avenue at Dale Avenue in St. Paul.











All images courtesy BlackBlue

St. Paul's BlackBlue boutique gets national press

St. Paul menswear boutique BlackBlue has been all over the news as of late, thanks to a mention in a recent New Yorker article spotlighting J. Crew CEO Mickey Drexler's trip to the Twin Cities.

Now, the store is getting attention for its selection of classic, locally-made menswear brands like Red Wing Shoes. From an October 10 article in the St. Paul Pioneer Press:

St. Paul men's store BlackBlue is at the epicenter of the heritage trend, offering the aforementioned Minnesota labels along with other classics such as Woolrich and Penguin that are suddenly hip.

"For us, it's not about fashion; it's more about style," storeowner Steve Kang said. "We're offering timeless clothing that anyone can wear."

Kang's customers range from college kids who like the retro sneakers to businessmen who are replacing their loafers with Red Wing boots to an 87-year-old man who recently bought Tretorn shoes and a Pendleton tribal-patterned cardigan.

"It's the look," Kang said, "but also the quality."

BlackBlue is located at 614 Selby Avenue in St. Paul, 651-260-5340, www.blkblu.com

METRO Magazine announces its METRO 100

METRO Magazine's October issue offers its annual METRO 100 list - the 100 coolest/best things about the Twin Cities.

LOL/OMG!, a social media gossip blog of which I'm a contributor, made the list, calling it "Page Six for cool kids."

[Annie Larson pictured in one of her own designs; photo by Annie Larson]

In the fashion realm, nods went to:

• Men's store BlackBlue, "The perfect shop for stylish guys on a budget who recoil at the sight of a bedazzled t-shirt"
  
• Knitwear designer Annie Larson, whose "bright colors and geometric shapes make (her) knit leggings, bags and sweaters impossible to resist"

[Raul Osorio design; photo by Ingrid Werthmann]


• Men's and womenswear designer Raul Osorio, of whom they say, "No one blends feminine and masculine elements quite like Raul Osorio"
  
• Rewind Vintage in Northeast
  
• Designer resale shops like Gh2 and June
  
• Andrea Oseland's bold jewelry line Cocoquette, available at Cliché
  
• Nelle Handbags designer Laura Nelli
  
• Men's shop martinpatrick3