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.

Burlesque star Tomahawk Tassels wishes everyone a happy 4th!

Trnds.com style blogger Corey Tenold gets into the American spirit.

Vision model Diane Johnson has a patriotic moment. (Photo: Jake Freeman. Hair & makeup: Amber Brenke.)

Photographer Emily Utne shows off her new red 'do Marlee Southam at HAUS Salon.

Former Minneapolitan model Lilija Umbrazunaite gets her closeup courtesy of L.A. photographer Gregory Moore.

Minneapolis ex-pat/photographer Benjamin Fredrickson poses in a dress by Theyskens' Theory and boots by Louis Vuitton.

Artist Jaime Carrera shoots fashion designer/arts curator Emma Berg wearing a ruffled skirt by Max Lohrbach.

Sam Nong captures arts writer Joan Erakit through closed doors.

Dirty Hair Halo style blogger Shannon Licari gets her Creepers on.

Ellen Dahl Lawson of The Minneapoline spots a stylish shopper outside of June resale designer boutique in Uptown.

METRO Magazine fashion editor Mary O'Regan rocks a romper from Mighty Swell Vintage.

Joan Erakit highlights the candy-colored style of Secrets Fashion Agency PR director Davee Ek.

Eliesa Johnson discovers a new muse named Michelle. (Hair & makeup: Amber Brenke.)

Photographer Amy Gee follows the light.

Dirty Hair Halo's Shannon Licari styles Ignite model Rikki Roath, sans pants. (Click here for more photos. Photo by Mark Meyer, makeup by Julie Lam, hair by Emmy Ngo.)

Fashion illustrator/stylist (and Minnesota native) Gina Schiappacasse shares a photo from an NYC shoot with Corey Hayes also featuring hair by former Minneapolitan Kelsy Osterman. (iPhone photo: Alexis Convento Headdress; model: Marla Phelan; makeup and styling: Gina Schiappacasse.)

CREEM magazine NYC launch party photos

[CREEM editor-in-chief Jenn Cress and local Vision model Greta Sundquist]

NickyDigital.com has party photos from the CREEM magazine launch in New York's Motor City on September 2. The new high-end print fashion magazine's got strong local connections - its editor-in-chief is local photog Jenn Cress, its marketing director is former Minneapolitan Dustin Helgeson, and many of its photo shoots use local talent. A local launch party is planned for September 24 in Minneapolis (location TBA). Jump the link to see more photos of notable locals who attended the party.

[CREEM cover model and local Vision model Diane Johnson]

[Mpls.St.Paul Magazine's Steve Marsh, left, and former Vita.mn events director Gretchen Williams, far left]

[MNspeak founder Rex Sorgatz]

[Model Diane Johnson, far left; Jenn Cress, center; Dustin Helgeson, second from right]

See more photos here

New NYC mag CREEM features some local talent

The newly-launched, NYC-based fashion quarterly CREEM has some local connections. Its marketing director is Dustin Helgeson, a retail/fashion veteran who recently relocated to New York, and its editor-in-chief is Jenn Cress, a Minnesota-based photographer. Cress also did the shoot for the lead-off image currently on the mag's website, which stars Vision model Diane Johnson, now based in New York, with makeup by Romeny Chan and hair by Adam Livermore.

[Image by Jenn Cress for CREEM]

The magazine launches in New York with a September 2 launch party. Stay tuned to the mag's facebook page as details emerge.

Vision Models at New York Fashion Week

Vision Models' Elijah Chhum tells me that six Vision models walked in New York Fashion Week shows last year. That includes: Megan McNierney (Alice + Olivia, Christian Cota, Rachel Roy), Will Defiel (Calvin Klein), Blake Kuchta (Calvin Klein, Perry Ellis), Nique Jenkins (Victor Glemaud, Copperwheat), Mike Elmquist (DKNY, Partik Ervell, Bess), Diane Johnson (Chris Benz, Threeasfour, Chadwick Bell). I'm also including some shots of T.J., who was once represented by Vision "back in the day." Here are the runway shots I was able to compile:

Megan McNierney
The most prolific Vision female model at the moment. She's also appeared between the pages of Elle Italy. I see big things for this one.

Megan @ Alice + Olivia

Megan @ Christian Cota

Megan @ Rachel Roy

Will Defiel
The former face of Calvin Klein still walks the runway for Calvin Klein menswear, along with fellow Vision model Vision Blake Kuchta. Vision owner Teqen-Aida Zea was in attendance at the show and says via facebook, "Though Will's campaign is now history - there is still major buzz around him - we are looking forward to his entering the arena a bit more full force."

Will @ Calvin Klein

Blake Kuchta
A new face at Vision - and on the runways of New York.

Blake @ Calvin Klein

Blake @ Calvin Klein

Blake @ Perry Ellis

Diane Johnson
This was Diane's first Fashion Week. I personally worked with her a couple of years back on a test shoot; it's amazing to see her have come so far!

Diane @ Chris Benz

Diane @ Threeasfour

Diane @ Chadwick Bell

Mike Elmquist
I love Mike's edgy, skinny Brit look. He's another one to watch.

Mike @ DKNY

Mike @ Patrik Ervell

Mike @ Bess

Nique Jenkins
Another new face to watch for.

Nique @ Victor Glemaud

Nique @ Copperwheat

T.J.
Vision owner Teqen Aida-Zea had this to say about T.J.: "T.J. returned to the New York runways with total swag. It is good to see him back, more mature, and better than ever. The look is always all American prep - but this time their was a cinematic edginess mixed into the look lineup. Regardless - it was amazing to see T.J. be a part of the final curtain (of Tommy Hilfiger) at Bryant Park."

T.J. @ Tommy Hilfiger

T.J. @ Tommy Hilfiger

I'm looking forward to getting the full report from Teqen as soon as he comes back from New York. Stay tuned!