Madame Butterfy-inspired fashions at Minnesota Opera kickoff

For most, the opera conjures ideas of old, white-haired rich folks tottering around with noses in air, and performers singing in Italian for hours about who-knows-what. Not exactly the most glamorous, exciting to-do in the world. But with last night's splashy fashion and art-infused kickoff event for the Minnesota Opera's upcoming eight-night run of Madame Butterfly hosted by the opera's young patrons membership group Tempo, held downtown Minneapolis at Seven Sushi Ultralounge, it was clear that this wasn't your grandma's opera. Puccini's classic tragedy clearly offered a depth of inspiration for local designers, who crafted impressively constructed looks in rich, sumptuous fabrics in a runway show impeccably styled by Grant Whittaker, who himself is known for a penchant for the theatrical. (His credits include costuming Ballet of the Dolls and styling fresh-from-New-York-Fashion-Week looks at the annual Macy's Glamorama blowout). As guests sipped on complimentary TEMPO-tinis, singers from the upcoming production previewed songs from the opera. Perfectly poised models provided by Vision Management Group walked in looks by Emma Berg, Russell Bourrienne, Samantha Rei Crossland (Blasphemina's Closet), Anna Lee (Ruby3), Kerry Riley (Needle & Black), and Jared Zachary (Freedom from Doubt), alongside newcomers Caroline Hayden, Tony Eliason, Lauren Mayhew, Sina Yi, and Hitomi K. It was an incredibly well-executed and realized showcase, only marred by the difficulty in seeing the looks as they whipped past at eye level. (At one point, I mistakenly thought the opera singers were a recording.) An elevated runway, or seating, could have helped. But the event was a beautifully executed one that made the point clear - that the opera could be not only stylish, but - dare we say - sexy.

Look by Emma Berg

Look by Anna Lee

Look by Jared Zachary

Look by Kerry Riley
Look by Samantha Rei Crossland

Look by Sina YiLook by Sina Yi

For tickets to the upcoming run of Madame Butterfly, visit the Minnesota Opera's site.

[Originally posted at Vita.mn.

Lookbook: Freedom From Doubt F/W 2011 neckwear

Earlier this week, I featured local neckwear designer Jared Zachary's one-of-a-kind collection of bowties for e-retailer One-Offs Yippee! By doing so, I came across the lookbook for the line's Fall/Winter 2011 namesake collection, starring the James Dean-channeling Vision model Joe Laue. See the complete collection below, available online at freedomfromdoubt.com or in store at Heimie's Haberdashery, Elsworth, Atmosfere and martinpatrick3.

[Ready-tied bowties, top to bottom, left to right: Charcoal Micro-diamond Wool; Dark Green Wool; Golden Brown Wool; Chocolate Plaid Wool; Wool-blend Speckled Grey Herringbone, all $58 each]

[Self-tie bowties, left to right: Chocolate Textured Wool; Green Micro-houndstooth Wool; Jet Black Cashmere; Navy Speckled Wool; Sand Textured Wool, all $58 each]

[Four-in-hand neckties, left to right: Deep Burgundy Wool; Grey Herringbone Wool; Jet Black Cashmere, Navy Herringbone Wool; Navy with Green Diamonds Wool, all $68 each]

[Pocket squares, top to bottom, left to right: Ivory Floral Silk; Decco Print Silk; Blue Floral Silk; Black Floral Silk; Chocolate Floral Silk, all $28 each]

[All photos by Bryce Bordenkecher]

Freedom From Doubt launches on One-Offs Yippee

Local fashion e-retailer One-Offs Yippee! offers a legion of locally-designed goods - all of which are one of a kind. The latest designer to join the ranks, hot on the heels of Danielle Everine, is neckwear line Freedom From Doubt. The handiwork of Jared Zachary, the line of bowties are statement-making to say the least. Best of all, each in this series are entirely unique. Pictured below, the ties are $60 a pop and available now at one-offsyippee.com.


While you're at it, check out the designer's Fall/Winter 2011 collection of bowties, neckties, and pocket squares at freedomfromdoubt.com.