Preview: RAW: natural born artists features local fashion talent

Tonight, another edition of the monthly arts-meets-music-meets-fashion showcase RAW: natural born artists will makes its way to the Fine Line. In addition to some local artists and musicians, local fashion designers Elena Mercurio - best known for appearing in Voltage 2010 - and recent University of Minnesota grad Hilary Hubanks, as well as accessory lines Artist Built and Lefthand Originals. Some of the designers gave me a preview of what to expect tonight.

Elena will be showing her Fall/Winter 2011 collection, "Sande" (inspired by the traditional Sande African mask), which promises to mix her structured details with African-inspired prints and textures:


Hilary Hubanks plans to show her new S/S 2012 line, which she just showed for the first time last week at "Fashion Fighting Stigma." This line was inspired by a mix of old and new, traditional braiding and weaving techniques, and modern and clean kimono-style silhouettes. Her color palette was inspired from the color of old paint and antique cream. Here are a few looks from that show:


"Geometry Class," the latest collection from local jewelry line Lefthand Originals (featured recently with Ivan Idland's line at Voltage 2011), will be showcased both on the runway paired with the designs of Hilary Hubanks and in a booth. Here's a sampling:


Laser-cut leather accessories line Artist Built will also be on display, and worn by Elena Mercurio's models. Here are some of their newest designs they'll be debuting tonight:


For more details on the show, visit www.rawartists.org/minneapolis/fusion.

U of M "Distortion" Senior Show preview

Student shows get a bad rap for, well, "student work." (You know you've heard Tim Gunn disdainfully utter that phrase more than once on Project Runway.) But student shows often provide a glimpse into the future of the local fashion industry. The University of Minnesota has the biggest apparel design program in the state, and often has some talented designers come out of it (Calpurnia Peach and Tender Cuts' Emily Bryngelson, to name a couple). Here is a glimpse of what's to come in the February 19 show:

Niki English is, by comparison, a longtime player in the local fashion community, having sold her line at Cliché and participating in its runway shows for a few years now, as well as last summer's "Calamity" group show. An adept leatherworker, she also created a handbag line for Voltage 2009 for Maritza Ramirez. She describes her aesthetic as "futuristic, dark, intense, black, textural, aggressive" and says it "plays with power, proportion and structure."

Hilary Hubanks also appears to be an up-and-comer, both aspiring to the fields of fashion design as well as visual art and design. She says her inspiration "comes from her travels to places such as England, Norway, Czech Republic, and Japan."

Elise Diebel works with hand dyed and custom printed fabrics and "classic silhouettes enhanced through the use of bright colors and unique patterns that play with the juxtaposition of geometric and organic shapes."

Kayla Frazier "focuses on creating high quality clothing for the street savvy, ardent, & ultra feminine woman."

Autumn Kirchman's "unique surface fabric designs, imaginative silhouettes, use of non-traditional materials, and small details that add a sense of dramatic personality to each garment."

Carol Lee is "inspired by modern architecture and everyday life experiences."

Amanda Matrejek's designs focus on "simplicity using strong lines, sleek silhouettes and a timeless color palette."

Alix Nettnay's work incorporates layered fine beading and silk ribbon and is inspired by the Arizona sunrise.

Tierra Oliver incorporates hand dying, screen printing and distressing techniques her trendy, wearable garments.

Leslie Randall "utilizes inspirations from past and present to create a balance between retro and modern."

Eco-conscious designer Nick Ruffalo "often draws inspiration from the natural settings around him as well as various ancient cultures," including the "dyeing of textiles using methods of Shibori and Batik."

Shannon Smith focuses on "designing apparel that is active and comfortable but also feminine and versatile."

Jessica St. George "blends the classic silhouettes that women love to wear with a fresh bohemian feel."

The lone menswear line in the show, by Kelly VerDuin, is inspired by "the rustic feel of the Scottish Highlands melded with the modern and forward-thinking young man's wardrobe."

View more designer garments, sketches and inspiration (and ticket information) at fashionshow.design.umn.edu.

[All photos: Erin Johnson]