Local designer sketches for "Envision" vitaminwater zero™ challenge

For this fall's "Envision: Artopia" fashion show vitaminwater zero™ will be hosting a Design Challenge featuring three local designers and "Envision" veterans: Christopher Straub (of Project Runway fame), Sarah M. Holm, and Jenny Carle. Similar to last year's "Flourish" vitaminwaterZERO rooftop fashion show I conceived and co-produced, each designer is creating a look based on a vitaminwater zero™ flavor that will be revealed at "Envision" on September 16 at Graves 601 Hotel. Visit envisionmpls.com for details on the show, and check out their sketches below:

Designer: Christopher Straub. Flavor: vitaminwater zero™ squeezed

Designer: Sarah M. Holm. Flavor: vitaminwater zero™ xxx

Designer: Jenny Carle. Flavor: vitaminwater zero™ drive

vitaminwater to take "Flourish" fashion show national

The high-ups at vitaminwater loved the concept I designed and executed for the vitaminwaterZERO "Flourish" fashion show in August so much that they're planning to incorporate it into additional markets throughout the U.S. next year, as well as do more fashion-oriented events in the future!

[Poster art by Caroline Royce]

Click HERE for photos from the show;

Click HERE for designer sketches from the show.

Read reviews of the show by Juleana Enright for l'etoile magazine and Mary O'Regan of METRO Magazine.

Local fashion roundup

[Envision photos by Chris McDuffie]

Check out Envision: Atopia photo sets from Chris McDuffie and City Pages.

Rhea Pappas did a photo shoot on Nicollet Mall (with one of my favorite models, Lily) to promote MNfashion Week. The models wore pieces from Christopher Straub and YQY by Vivian.

Ellen Dahl Lawson shot some stylish peeps for Vita.mn this week from the vitaminwaterZERO "Flourish" fashino show I produced/styled, including the lovely Keisha Harris and Rachel Thompson, style writer/Brown Girl Files blogger Joan Erakit, and designer Danielle Everine.

Katie Dohman at Minnesota Monthly highlights the fall cape trend with a design by native Minnesotan Anna Hovet, available at Picky Girl in St. Paul.

Local America's Next Top Model runner-up Raina Hein arrives at Macy's Glamorama in L.A. wearing Joynoelle's OfficeMax dress.

Check out model Raina in the America's Next Top Model alumni photoshoot on YouTube.

Voltage: Fashion Amplified 2011 runway designer applications are now available.

St. Paul men's boutique BlackBlue recovers from a break-in.

Recap of vitaminwaterZERO Flourish fashion show

[Photo courtesy Ray Shan]

Last month, I produced a fashion show for the first time in my career for vitaminwater's new ZERO brand. I did everything from coming up with the concept of the show (seven local designers create an avant-garde look based on one of the seven new flavors), to enlisting a graphic designer to create flyer art for the show (Caroline Royce), to finding the perfect location (the rooftop gardens of Crowne Plaza), to working with a DJ to come up with the perfect soundtrack to the evening (Jonathan Ackerman). Ray Shan captured the action on behalf of designer Laura Fulk.

Designer: Danielle Everine
Flavor: Green tea ("Rescue")

Designer: Ivan Idland
Flavor: Lemonade ("Squeezed")

Designer: Max Lorhbach
Flavor: Orange ("Rise")

Designer: Calpurnia Peach
Flavor: Peach mango ("Recoup")

Designer: Emma Berg
Flavor: Grape raspberry ("Mega-C")

Designer: Kerry Riley of Needle & Black
Flavor: Mixed berry ("Go-Go")

Designer: Laura Fulk
Flavor: Acai-blueberry-pomegranate ("XXX")

[Photo by Sohail Justin Akhavein]

As the evening's host and emcee, I wore a top and shorts by Tender Cuts by Emily Bryngelson (and vintage Hermes sandals). I chat with Laura Fulk and Calpurnia Peach's Luci Kandler about their designs:



View the full photo set here. Click here for designer sketches of their designs; here for a review from l'etoile's Juleana Enright and here for Mary O'Regan's review for METRO Magazine; and here for more on the show on Le Petit.

All photos courtesy Ray Shan with Laura Fulk unless otherwise noted.

Kerry Riley debuts Needle & Black designs

Now that Kerry Riley has re-launched her brand as Needle & Black, she's making it known with a shoot featuring her newest designs. From the looks of it, Riley's not making any grand departure from her work under the name Red Shoe Clothing Co., but with the added variety and color, it's fun to see Riley stepping outside of her comfort zone just a bit.

You'll be able to see these designs (including the above garment I commissioned from her to make for the recent vitaminwaterZERO "Flourish" fashion show), new screen-printed Needle & Black t-shirts, and jewelry by Lauren Neal's Carrier Pigeon at next Thursday's Studio Launch Party for the studio they share at Thorp Building in Northeast.

Loving the Parisian-style print of this top - and the easy-chic fit of it.

This is the dress (minus the train) Riley created for Laura Bennett of Red Pens for Voltage 2010 this past April. It's hard to see in this picture, but the bleaching is quite lovely. Riley says she plans to incorporate more of the bleached-out look in her t-shirts and future designs.

A lovely, simple little dress that is ultra-wearable. It's a silhouette Riley first debuted in January at Cliche's Avoid the Grey show, but looks so much different with this print.

This spy coat was part of Riley's "The Death of Red Shoe" show in May. The epaulet chain design is by Carrier Pigeon.

Photographer: Brian Bradshaw
Model: Kristina Lezepekova / Ignite Models.

Making-of: The flyer art for vitaminwaterZERO Flourish

Last month, commissioned rising graphic designer Caroline Royce to create flyer art for a fashion show I was producing for vitaminwater/Glaceau for the product launch of its ZERO line. She did an interesting blog on her creative process for the lovely flyer art. Here's what she had to say:

[Preliminary sketches]

I got an email from local freelance fashion writer/stylist Jahna Peloquin about a fashion show presented by Vitaminwater ZERO. They wanted a poster done, and her description was something "whimsical, elegant, like an abstract sketch of a woman from the 40's" or something. So, I that's what I literally did.

I wasn't going to be able to sketch out what I wanted to by hand. I looked up some images from google and found one. I then used my wacom tablet in photoshop to trace a rough yet elegant sketch of her. I was going for something much like Garance Doré does with her fashion sketches. Photoshop wasn't quite good enough to achieve this look. Plus, it would turn out lo-res and gross. On a whim, I decided to see what would happen if I put the .psd file into Illustrator and did a live trace. The results were surprisingly perfect. It made the lines clean, dramatic, stylish, and best yet: hand-drawn.

[The final product]

The swooping colors were based off of some vitaminwater flavors. It modernized it a bit, and also looks like my work. My boyfriend also pointed out that it looked like a runway. I was like, "oh yeah! duh!"

vitaminwater ZERO presents FLOURISH: Designer Preview

Tonight I'm very excited to present the first show I've had the pleasure of producing, vitaminwaterZERO presents FLOURISH. I was approached by vitaminwater to help produce a fashion show around their new "ZERO" no-calorie beverage line, and I thought the best - and most exciting! - way to do this was to ask 7 of my favorite local designers to create a high-fashion look based on one of each of the 7 flavors.

[Flyer design by Caroline Royce]

To preview tonight's show, I wanted to share with you the original sketches by the designers.

"Rise" (orange): Max Lohrbach

"Recoup" (peach mango): Calpurnia Peach

"Mega-C" (grape-raspberry): Emma Berg

"Go-Go" (mixed berry): Kerry Riley (Needle & Black)

"Squeezed" (lemonade): Ivan Idland

"XXX" (acai-blueberry-pomegranate): Laura Fulk

"Rescue" (green tea): Danielle Everine

Show details:
Wednesday, August 11
Doors 6:30 / Show 7:30
Crowne Plaza Hotel 8th floor rooftop Skygarden
618 2nd Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN
FREE / All Ages
Click here for the facebook invite

Local fashion link roundup: Mid-week edition

The mid-week edition of the local fashion link roundup has more Glamorama links, photos and a review from last night's vitaminwaterZERO Flourish fashion show (which I produced and styled), and more:

[Photo: Kiah Brasch]

A photo of former Project Runway contestants Chris March and Minnesota native Christopher Straub at last Friday's Glamorama surfaced on Blogging Project Runway.

Ellen Dahl Lawson captures photog Amy Gee at a recent event at June Resale for The Minneapoline. She shoots the stylist guests at Glamorama for Vita.mn.

Sara Glassman showcases the stylish guests at Glamorama for Star Tribune, including Christopher Straub.

Pioneer Press' Allison Kaplan offers her review of Glamorama.

Some photos from last night's vitaminwaterZERO flourish fashion show are up, thanks to Christian Erickson and designer Danielle Everine.

Mpls.St.Paul Magazine has video of the show, the fashion, and the after party at Glamorama.

Jane Belfry of City Pages has posted a review of the show.

Elena Mercurio finally posts her S/S 2010 Lookbook (i.e., her Voltage 2010 collection that debuted in April). Pieces should be at Cliché this week.

Designer Vivian Aronson of YQY by Vivian shows of her latest collection at last weekend's Fabulosity event at the W Hotel.

Collective Revival has posted a designer call for a fashion show to be held October 2 at Shiloh Temple.

Ignite Models welcomes new model Laura with a stunning photo shoot she shot recently in Greece.

Star Tribune gossip C.J. has exclusive details and video on Levi Johnston's appearance in Minnesota-bred pop singer Brittani Senser's video shoot in L.A., purportedly in which she's wearing a dress by local line YQY by Vivian.

Meghan McAndrew of the High Plains Thrifter blog (also a former beauty buyer) announced she'll be a new contributor to Elizabeth Dehn's Minnesota-based Beauty Bets blog, dishing on budget-friendly beauty buys every Wednesday.

Local fashion link roundup: Mid-week edition

Joynoelle posts a preview of her Spring 2011 lookbook.

She also posted a preview of the dress she made from office materials that was commissioned by OfficeMax for Glamorama on Friday. (Bonus trivia: The dress will be worn by Raina Hein of ANTM fame!)

Wall Street Journal has a story on J.W. Hulme Co., a Minnesota luggage maker that almost came unraveled during the credit crisis. It reports that the company is on the mend - with a new designer, the help of a financier, and a new deal with Barneys New York's 30 stores.

Evolution Salon was featured in the latest issue of American Salon Magazine, which sets the industry standards for hair. (via hinakhan.tumblr.com)

Local designer and fashion producer Maritza Ramirez got a cute little Q&A in thebrowngirlfiles.tumble.com. (And some adorable pictures of her wearing a Max Lohrbach cactus bra top.)

Former Minneapolis desigenr Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman is getting ready for Fall Fashion Week.

ROBOTlove is now hiring for PT counter help and a PT manager.

Watch photographer Ingrid Werthmann at work behind the scenes for the AIDS Walk campaign. She's hands-down one of the most fun photogs in town to work with.

City Pages previews the vitaminwaterZERO FLOURISH fashion show I'm producing/styling next Wednesday, August 11 at Crowne Plaza's Skygarden.

August 2010 Fashion Events

It's August and summer is still in full throttle. There are more fashion events this year than ever before. Here's a quick run-down of the ones worth marking on your calendars.

[Glamorama 2009 Image by Stephen Stephens/Digital Crush]

Friday, August 6: Macy's Glamorama
Macy Gray headlines this long-running fashion show, but the fashions are what's it really all about. From Jean Paul Gaultier to Versace for men to Sportmax to Philosophy di Alberta Ferreti, it's the biggest international fashion event that takes place in Minneapolis. New additions this year is a highly choreographed show opener by choreographer-to-the-stars Brian Friedman and costumes by former Project Runway contestant Chris March. And the after party on the eighth floor of Macy's downtown is one of the biggest, most over-the-top parties of the year.
Time: 8 p.m.
Tickets: $60-175 (After party + show tickets start at $175)
Location: Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Av., Mpls. 612-339-7007.
More info: macys.com

[Flyer design by Caroline Royce]

Wednesday, August 11: vitaminwaterZERO presents...FLOURISH Rooftop Fashion Show
7 new flavors...7 designers...7 one-of-a-kind couture designs. I'm helping to produce this fashion show based on vitaminwaterZERO's seven new flavors. With designs from Calpurnia Peach, Laura Fulk, Emma Berg, Max Lohrbach, Ivan Idland, Danielle Everine and Kerry Riley (Needle & Black), plus jewelry from ROX by Robyne Robinson and styling from yours truly and the Aveda Institute on the gorgeous Skygarden rooftop of the Crowne Hotel in downtown Minneapolis, DJ Jonathan Ackerman, and yummy vitaminwaterZERO cocktails.
Time: Doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
Location: Crowne Plaza Skygarden, 618 2nd Avenue South, Minneapolis, 612-338-2288.

More info: Facebook event invite

[Me and Emma Berg at last year's boat party with Attitude City DJs]

Saturday, August 14: Attitude City Yacht Club
Okay, so it's not an actual fashion event - but as an attendee of each of these boat parties for the past four years, it's definitely one of the biggest opportunities to dress to a theme of the year (not to mention one of the biggest parties). Attitude City's Jeff DuBuis and Karl Frankowski head up the turntables with a guest roster of some of the hottest DJs in town. Tickets go fast - they are to go on sale on Monday or Tuesday this week. Watch facebook for updates.
Time: 8:30 p.m.-1 a.m.
Tickets: $35; available soon at http://www.attitudecity.com/.
Location: Boat departs from Harriet Island, 700 Sibley St. NE., St. Paul.
More info: Facebook event invite

[Flyer art by Courtney Thomas]

Friday, August 20: Libertine Asylum Presents "The Deep: A Perilous Underwater Adventure"
The Libertine Asylum is at it again, and this time the steampunk collective is taking on an inventive new theme: Under the sea. The fashion show and event features new underwater-themed designs by steampunk designers Blasphemina's Closet, Scoundrelle's Keep, and jewelry designer Bionic Unicorn, as well as jugglers, sirens, nymphs high fashion mermaids, body painting, and an undersea fantasy photobooth.
Time: 9:30 p.m.
Tickets: $8 for 21+, $10 for 18-20.
Location: The Loft at Barfly, 711 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis
More info: Facebook event invite

Friday, August 20: "Souvenir Portrait"

Local fashion designer Max Lohrbach received a grant from the South Eastern Minnesota Arts Council and the Mantorville Art Guild. With it, he decided to do an installed illustration: a life-size, 2 and 3D illustration featuring new garments and paintings. The exhibition runs through September 19.
Time: 5-8 p.m. Opening reception
Tickets: Free
Location: Mantorville Art Guild, 508 Clay St., Mantorville, MN
More info: Facebook event invite

[Amanda Christine F/W 2010 Photo: Rod Hasse]

Thursday, August 26: Amanda Christine Pret-a-Porter F/W 2010 Fashion Show
Be sure to get this show from the prolific local fashion designer on your calendars now. Her Fall 2010 collection is inspired by the classical American beauty in a modern women's lifestyle. Soft draped silk dresses, structured ruffles, and flattering feminine pleating create a line of wearable dresses and separates for every occasion. The runway event will also feature a Cliche runway segment styled by Andrea Oseland, and the new handbag line collaboration between KJurek Couture and Amanda Christine.
Time: 7 p.m.
Tickets: $15 advance / $20 door / $25 VIP
Location: Nicollet Island Pavilion, 40 Power St., Minneapolis
More info: amandachristinedesigns.com

Monday, August 30 & Tuesday, August 31: Lady Gaga at Xcel
Lady Gaga's "Monster Ball" tour is without a doubt the most stylish concert of the year. Within the last year, Gaga’s celebrity has gotten bigger than ever, and her style has gotten more and more haute-couture. Her "little monsters" (as her fans are known) have a thing for going all-out on their outfits at her shows, so it's definitely a "what to wear?" event. It only took a matter of days for the pop cipher to sell out her first show at the Xcel (a second was quickly added).
Time: 8 p.m. both nights
Tickets: $51.50-$177
Location: Xcel Energy Center, W. 7th St. & Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, 651-265-4800.
More info: xcelenergycenter.com