Editorial: ADORNED by l'etoile magazine

Check out l'etoile magazine's summer accessories spread, which as fashion editor, I styled. It features local jewelry designs from Stephanie Lake Design, Jennifer Merchant Design, Ferociter, Tea Tree Designs, Cocoquette, local accessories by Ruby3, plus clothing by local designer Amanda Christine, from local boutique Cliche, and additional jewelry and props from Walker Shop - as modeled by Olivia from Vision, with photography by Robb Long, and hair and makeup by Kate Erickson.

Ferociter picked up in Luxembourg e-shop

Some exciting news in the world of locally-made accessories: Local designer Ferociter's "foulard collier" (aka scarf necklace) is now available at Luxembourg-based e-shop Denicheuse. The scarves are sold locally at Design Collective.

Kevin Kramp previews new lookbook

Local knitwear designer Kevin Kramp just sneaked a preview of his new lookbook on his Facebook page. The sweaters and accessories are from his spring Voltage 2010 collection.




Photo: Shuttertrip
Art Direction + Knitwear: Kevin Kramp
Accessories: Ferociter
Sandals: Zachary Pearl
Model: Abraham

SCENEaSOTA short films released

For the annual SCENEaSOTA fashion show held on November 6 at Loft2, local filmmakers Elijah Chhum and Wesley Meirick collaborated on a series of short films, which were screened in between designer segments. If you're anything like me, you were too busy chatting with your seatmates and getting drinks to fully appreciate the work that went into these films. Today Elijah released the films, which feature clothing and accessories from local designers and models from Vision, on Facebook.

The first film features models Karen O'Bryan, Elle Williams, Wesley Meirick, Elijah Chhum and Nick Patnode, clothing by Jenn Bratvold and Britta Feuerhelm, and jewelry by Carrier Pigeon and Ann Lambrecht.

C'est as nous (It is ours) from Elijah Chhum on Vimeo.

The second film features models Ashlee Williams, Jonathon Sargent and Gail Lewis, clothing by Kathryn V and Jenny Carle, and accessories by Timmilyn and Tasha Rae.

Tentation (Temptation) from Elijah Chhum on Vimeo.

The third film features menswear by Raul Osorio with Freedom from Doubt bowties and womenswear by Carmichael Claith with Bionic Unicorn jewelry, with models Alice Walker, Joe Laue, and Wesley Meirick.

Abstract- Untitled from Elijah Chhum on Vimeo.

Part four features womenswear by Frances Zerr with Ruby3 accessories, and menswear by Kevin Kramp with Ferociter accessories.

Prendre (to take) from Elijah Chhum on Vimeo.

SCENEaSOTA previews

I'm very much looking forward to SCENEaSOTA tomorrow night at Loft2. Tickets are still available at Cliché, so be sure to pick yours up today.

[A look from Kevin Kramp, photo by Amy Gee]

Here's my (original, full-length) writeup for Vita.mn:

In its third annual edition, the SCENEaSOTA fashion show is set to continue its forward momentum for another year. Bolstered by an impressive lineup and perhaps an even more impressive lookbook (helmed by Voltage art director Chris Larson), the production of this year’s show is leaps and bounds from its humble beginnings, on a makeshift runway in a tiny bar only two years ago. It comes on the heels of September’s “Pale Rider,” an MNfashion-produced runway show featuring Raul Osorio and Danielle Everine that decisively raised the bar for locally-produced fashion shows. With its mix of up-and-comers (Britta Fueerhelm, Jenn Bratvold), returning designers (Jenny Carle, Kathryn V., Carmichael Claith), and more established names (Kevin Kramp, Raul Osorio, Frances Zerr) – coupled with some noted accessory designers (Carrier Pigeon, Ferociter, Ruby3) and Vision models – it’s clear the show owes a great debt to Voltage. In this case, rock and roll is traded out for some film segments by Elijah Chhum and additional visuals by Ken Hannigan. (8 p.m. Show at 9:30 p.m. Sat. $10-15. 21-plus. Loft2 (above OM), 401 1st Av. N., Mpls. 612-870-0420.)

Here's my writeup for Secrets of the City and l'étoile magazine:

In its third year running, the show that is all about homegrown talent is back with another fresh crop of emerging local fashion designers. If the lovely lookbook (art directed by the fantastic Chris Larson) is any indication, this year's SCENEaSOTA should be a smashing success. This year, producer Maritza Ramirez is throwing in some additional multi-media elements - audio/visual design by Anthem Heart and film segments by Elijah Chhum - that are sure to be a nice match to the fashions hitting the runway. This year's designers include fresh faces (Britta Feuerhelm, Jenn Bratvold), SCENEaSOTA vets (Carmichael Claith, Jenny Carle, Kathryn V.), Voltage alumni (Raul Osorio, Frances Zerr) and established designers (Kevin Kramp), with new accessory collections from the likes of Ruby3, Carrier Pigeon, Ferociter, and Bionic Unicorn. Drop in early to schmooze with other fashionable guests, sip on a cocktail, preview the designs in a pop-up shop, and mingle with the designers before the runway event. Afterward, stay for a bumpin' afterparty with DJs and dancing. Tickets are $10 general admission or $15 seated and available in advance at Cliché. Doors open at 8pm and the event is 21+. For more info visit Facebook.

And check out the SCENEaSOTA lookbook while you're at it:

SCENEaSOTA lookbook released

I'm a little slow on this, but over the weekend producer Maritza Ramirez released the lookbook for the annual SCENEaSOTA fashion show. It was art directed by Chris Larson, with photography by Amy Gee. Runway designers including Kevin Kramp, Raul Osorio, Frances Zerr, Carmichael Claith, Jenny Carle, Britta Feuerhelm, Kathryn V., and Jenn Bratvold, plus accessories by Ruby3 (Anna Lee), Ferociter (Aimie Dukes), Carrier Pigeon (Lauren Neal), Ann Lambrecht, Freedom From Doubt (Jared Zachary), Timmilynn Johnson, Tasha Rae, and Bionic Unicorn (Kristin Berwald). Check out the facebook event invite for more details, and click through below to view the lookbook.

Open publication - Free publishing - More sceneasota

Ferociter F/W 2010 collection

Aimie Dukes - designer of Ferociter, one of my favorite accessories line in town - just sent me the line sheets for her long-awaited fall collection. Aimie is without a doubt my favorite accessories designer to work with (most recently on l'etoile's summer spread and on Voltage 2010) she's always highly collaborative, open to ideas, and always brings something fresh and new to the table.

Her latest mini-collection features more of the feather work she incorporated into her spring 2010 collection, which she tells me was originally requested by knitwear designer Kevin Kramp. It's carried over into her fall collection, appropriately at that, since feathers are huge for fall. She will again be collaborating with Kramp for SCENEaSOTA 2010, happening November 6 at Loft2 (above OM Restaurant).

Here is her "Carina" feather collection:
Black Ostrich Feather Necklace, $42.95

Cream Ostrich Feather Necklace, $42.95

Cream Ostrich Feather Earrings, $32.95

Camel Ostrich Feather Necklace, $42.95

Odyssey Necklace, Color (also available in Black & White), $18.95. From the Odyssey Collection: "The lovechild of Ziggy Stardust and Barbarella; Ferociter's ode to 2010."

Design Collective is carrying both collections and ROBOTlove is carrying the Odyssey necklaces. Both collections are also available through Ferociter's Etsy shop.

Ferociter featured in TimeOut NY e-shop

Local accessories designer Aimee Dukes gets some love from TimeOut NY this week. Her scarf necklace from her line Ferociter (a personal favorite of mine) is being featued in the magazine's e-shop. The scarves were a hit locally last year when they were sold at ROBOTlove. (I also used them to style an event for Ignite Models Inc.) It's quite the coup for the designer, whose design was apparently ripped off by Urban Outfitters last year.

TimeOut NY says: "Minneapolis artist Aimie Dukes uses vintage fabric to craft her one-of-a-kind retro unisex neck candy that even the most deficient scarf-wrappers can master."

Each scarf is one-of-a-kind so if you order, there's no telling what you'll get! The scarves retail for $32 a piece at promo.shopopensky.com.

Copyright infringement: Ferociter vs. Urban Outfitters

[A scarf-necklace by Ferociter]

Urban Outfitters appears to have ripped off local accessory designer Ferociter’s scarf-necklace (pictured above).

[l'etoile agency for Opitz Outlet / Image by Kate Iverson / Styling by Eclecticoiffeur]

l'etoile, MNfashion Week, Cliche, Calpurnia Peach, ShopFatal.com, The Minneapoline, and the East Hennepin shopping district made the METRO Top 100. Fancy! (Read about it here and here.) In it, l'etoile is called "an online magazine with the biggest Rolodex in town." In other news, l'etoile's Editor-in-Chief Kate Iverson was also named social director of the year in Minnesota Monthly.

Lookbook - Over and Over from Bo Hakala on Vimeo.

Check out this gorgeous video of one of my favorite local bands, Lookbook, by local director Bo Hakala. The band's latest album "Wild at Heart" was just released last Saturday; you can pick it up at Electric Fetus or at CDBaby; I highly suggest picking it up. Their next local show is next Wednesday, October 14 at Sauce Spirits & Soundbar, and if you live near NYC, they are embarking on a small east coast tour next weekend.

[Solid Gold-Anthem Heart collaborative tees / Image by Stacy Schwartz/kisskiss Photography]

Another fave local band, Solid Gold, just announced they have an e-shop. It will include detailed info on size, color, style of t-shirts, as well as web exclusives, limited edition t-shirts, and special closeout pricing. Digital downloads of the band's music will also be available, if you feel like giving Apple the shaft.

[A screenshot from Runway Rundown]

The newly-launched Runway Rundown shows that you don’t have to succumb to the recession blues when it comes to looking fabulous. The Minneapolis-based website shows you how to turn trends and runway looks into reality, with new outfits and styling ideas daily. You can search by season, designer, color, material, and trend. It’s already been becoming a heavily-linked-to blog nationwide, so it’s definitely worth adding to your daily blogroll.

[James Francis Ginty in Ra'mon-Lawrence]

Actor James Francis Ginty recently was spotted wearing Ra'mon-Lawrence at the premiere of "Surrogates" at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. "I wanted a re-invented Old Hollywood in the tuxedo that was
appropriate for him (Ginty)," said Ra'mon. "The look has to represent
the person as well as the designer." In other Ra'mon news, Jenna Elfman discussed Ra'mon's aufing on the Craig Ferguson Show.

[Christopher Straub's "Petals Clutch"]

In other "Project Runway" news, Minnesota's own Christopher Straub was among three "PR" contestants on the "Rachael Ray Show" last week. On the show he went head-to-head with Althea Harper and Qristyl Frazier using only raw foods, and was named the winner of the challenge by guest judge Nina Garcia. "It's tailored, it looks impeccable," Nina remarks about his dress made out of radicchio. "I love that little colored waist band that accentuates her waist; and the one-shoulder - right on trend!" (Unfortunately, I was unable to find any images of the winning design.) Straub later told me that Rachael bought one of his ruffled "Petals Clutch" bags. You can purchase the bag and Straub's other accessories as his online shop.

The last two weeks on "Project Runway" saw Christopher struggling at the bottom of the pack - this, after being one of the top designers consistently. Let's hope he recovers next week! BTW, did you know Christopher Straub has a blog? He recaps the previous challenges for us, giving us extra juicy deets!

Blogging Project Runway has an exclusive interview podcast with Ra’mon, in which reveals that there’s a third designer that shares his and Christopher Straub’s hand tattoo.

Star Tribune has a Q&A with “Project Runway” model Katie Stricksel, who grew up in Minnesota.

Locals Molly Roark and Erin Smith styled and photographed, respectively, a wedding featured in ReadyMade’s blog.

Jane Belfy (né, Magnitude) and Jenn Cress go backstage at New York Fashion Week. Here’s their article for locally-published Sotheby’s Artful Living Magazine.

The October issue of local fashion and luxury magazine Twin Cities Statement is online.

Locally-owned beauty company Aveda goes backstage at Jason Wu in this video during New York Fashion Week.

Alishops.com reports that tailored menswear store Kuhlman is making a comeback.

MNfashion Week reviews:
City Pages recaps MNfashion Week
A Tiny Machine recaps MNfashion Week.
Rob Callahan reviews "Couture Noir" for Secrets of the City.
Allison Kaplan's recap of the Joynoelle S/S '10 show.

MNfashion Week photo galleries:
9/18: Envision
9/18: Vita.mn style shots by Ellen Dahl from La Nouvelle Femme:
9/23: Charmed Life by Digital Crush
9/24: Adorn at Karma by Digital Crush
9/25: Fresh Fruits Basket Fashion Show from Schoolgirls and Mobilesuits at MCAD
9/25: Eat Street Style by Digital Crush
9/26: SCENEaSOTA by Digital Crush
9/26: Worn to be Wild: Anthem Heart Studio Sessions
City Pages Freestyle Fashion covered MNfashion Week's most stylish partygoers.
10/1: Joynoelle's "Pretty Little Houses" show by Photogen-Inc.