Throwback: Benjamin Fredrickson's YSL poncho

I remember this image of then-Minneapoline contributor Tyler Stevermer, by photographer Benjamin Fredrickson, now based in New York City. It appeared in the final print issue of l'étoile magazine from Spring 2008, available in full at issuu.com. But I had never heard the story behind it. Via Ben's tumblr:

Just announced: l'etoile magazine presents "Jubilee"

L'etoile magazine just announced its annual holiday bash, "Jubilee," with a batch of tantalizing promo photos starring local singer Hannah von der Hoff, who's served as the "face" of "Jubilee" for three years running, channeling Marlene Dietrich and 1940s Old Hollywood glamour. The annual event is invite-only at a secret location on December 17, but you can sign up to be on the guest list at event co-sponsor Blacklist Vintage's "Black Christmas" shopping event this Saturday, December 10; click here for the Facebook event.





Photo credits:
Photography: Stephen Stephens
Art direction: Kate Iverson
Creative Direction: Beth Hammarlund & Jahna Peloquin
Styling: Beth Hammarlund with clothing & accessories from Blacklist Vintage
Model, hair & makeup: Hannah von der Hoff

MNfashion Week Recap: l'étoile presents "Bright Society"

[Content shared with l'étoile magazine]

This past Sunday at the historic Alexander Ramsey House in St. Paul, l'étoile's MNfashion Week event, "Bright Society," was greeted with balmy October weather and an enthusiastic, stylishly retro crowd. At once paying homage to the past and looking forward to the future, the crux of the event centered upon five Victorian-era garments - some of which were worn by Ramsey family and friends - that served as points of inspiration for five of the Twin Cities' most esteemed fashion designers.

[Looks by Samantha Rei, Max Lohrbach, Laura Fulk, Russell Bourrienne & Danielle Everine. Photo: Peter Jamus]

The fashion presentation featured musical accompaniment on the house's antique 1875 Steinway piano by Matthew Curney of local Britney Spears cover band Spearz, who played a smattering of Top 40 radio renditions - tying the new to the old once again. Afterward, textile curator Linda McShannock of the co-presenting sponsor Minnesota Historical Society lent her considerable knowledge on the inspiration costumes while former local news anchor (and current arts patron and jewelry designer) Robyne Robinson led a spirited Q&A with the formidable group of designers, giving the audience a chance to hear straight from the designers about their design process.

Before and after the presentation, guests - including jeweler Stephanie Lake, painter Caitlin Karolczak, and designer/curator Emma Berg - socialized on the house grounds and adjacent carriage house, sipping old-timey cocktails courtesy of Phillips Distilling, bites from Ginger Hop, and delectable desserts, and partaking in game of croquet. It was, quite simply, a perfectly refined beginning to Fall MNfashion Week.

[Look by Danielle Everine. Photo: Peter Jamus. Model: Brittany McKee]

[Look by Laura Fulk. Photo: Peter Jamus. Model: Cate Lehman]

[Look by Russell Bourrienne. Photo: Kate Iverson. Model: Monica Ulrich]

[Look by Max Lohrbach. Photo: Peter Jamus. Model: Kouwai Potocnik]

[Look by Samantha Rei. Photo: Peter Jamus. Model: DaeTeaira Tucker]

[Inspiration garment]

[Inspiration garment]

[l'étoile Fashion Editor Jahna Peloquin, in a Max Lorbach dress, and designer Max Lohrbach. Photo: Kate Iverson]

[Dennis Brost, right, and friend, both wearing Max Lohrbach designs. Photo: Kate Iverson]

[Matthew Curney. Photo: Kate Iverson]

[Caitlin Karolczak & Beth Lorraine Bowman. Photo: Kate Iverson]

[Emma Berg in a Max Lohrbach skirt. Photo: Kate Iverson]

[Stephanie Lake, Vicki Norby Rivkin, Robyne Robinson & l'étoile Founder & Creative Director Beth Hammarlund. Photo: Kate Iverson]

View more event photos by Peter Jamus here, Kate Iverson here, and Minneapolis 2Night here.

Styling credits:
Hair: Catlin Weston of Mezzanine Salon, Mark Dolan of Evolution Hair, Claire Powers of Darting James Salon.
Makeup: Julie Swenson.
Fashion styling: Jahna Peloquin.
All jewelry provided by Rox Jewelry by Robyne Robinson, except Max Lohrbach's look provided by Bionic Unicorn.
Models: Brittany McKee, Monica Ulrich, Cate Lehman, Kouwai Potocnik, DaeTeaira Tucker.

Now online: l'etoile's Guide to Sales & Shopping

When I'm not blogging for Le Petit and writing for Vita.mn, I'm also the fashion editor over at online magazine l'étoile. Our comprehensive shopping guide is updated weekly with limited-time discounts, deals and stylish events at the Twin Cities' hippest shopping destinations, is the go-to guide for any local fashionista.

FASHION EVENTS FOR WEEK OF AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 5:

Friday: Cliché's "Crosswalk"
What: Why did the model cross the road? To show of her latest fall look, of course! That's the idea behind Cliché's semi-annual fashion show "Crosswalk," where the runway is the streets of Uptown Minneapolis. This time around, fall lines by local designers Jenny Carle, Sarah M. Holm, and Rachel Blomgren will exit the store and take a stroll at the intersection of 24th Street and Lyndale Avenue. Don’t be fashionably late - the show starts promptly at 7:15 p.m. Stick around afterward for music from DJs Cardigan (AKA Cliché co-owner Josh Sundberg) and Ben Grimes and a 20 percent off storewide discount. -Jahna Peloquin (Photo: Cody Lidtke)
When: 7-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2.
Where: Cliché, 2303 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis, 612-870-0420, www.clichempls.com

Visit l'étoile for more of the latest shopping events, sales and news.

Photo recap: "Dress Rehearsal" Boys & Girls Club Benefit

Last Friday, local designer Emma Berg showcased ten colorful, brand-new looks at the Boys and Girls Club kickoff benefit fashion show, "Dress Rehearsal," at a ballroom of a mansion in Deephaven, Minnesota. The collection was adorned with jewelry, headpieces and handbags by jewelry designer Stephanie Lake, who chaired the event. I assisted with styling, and l'etoile magazine (for which I am fashion editor) was the event's print sponsor. Here is a look at some of the designs from the runway show by Eric Melzer for l'etoile. Click here for more images. L'etoile Creative Director/Founder Beth Hammarlund reviews the show.

l'etoile magazine announces "Project Runway" screening parties

In honor of local contestant Danielle Everine, local online magazine l'etoile will be hosting a series of public viewing parties of Project Runway season nine at the Caterpillar Lounge at Thom Pham's Wondrous Azian Kitchen. The series kicks off with the season premiere this Thursday - which one-time local contestant Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman (@ramonlawrence) will be live-Tweeting for the show (@ProjectRunway). Former local contestant Christopher Straub as well as Danielle herself are expected to attend. Click here for the Facebook invite.

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.

Local fashion link roundup: 4.11-4.22

It's been a busy week for local fashion, to say the least. Reviews and photos from last week's MNfashion Week poured in; Vita.mn released its spring fashion issue (which I styled) with a behind-the-scenes video; City Pages released its Best of the Twin Cities issue, with nods to local shops and a gorgeous mid-century-styled cover shoot featuring Jake Rudh and Jessa Alt.

• Be sure to catch up on MNfashion Week coverage with my comprehensive MNfashion Week review and photo link roundup, including my review of the George Moskal/CounterCouture show and Envision: Artopia for Vita.mn, and my back-and-forth recap of Envision: Artopia with stylist Richard Anderson for l'etoile magazine.
• Also check out my Style Diary of what I wore during MNfashion Week, and the promo videos for Kevin Kramp and Emma Berg's show.
• Find out about this weekend's MNfashion Week events via my writeups in Vita.mn here and here. I also do a Q&A with Seth Aaron Henderson of Project Runway fame in anticipation of Saturday's Sol Inspirations fashion show for Vita.mn.
• Leading up to last weekend's Voltage: Fashion Amplified runway show, l'etoile magazine did a number of in-depth Q&As with some of the show's designers, including Terri Martin, Ivan Idland, Tim & Thom, Raul Osorio, Frances Zerr, Danielle Everine, and Kathryn V.
• Voltage website designers Sevnthsin reveals their Voltage 2011 lookbook ad, which cleverly marks up an ad by fellow Voltage model sponsor Vision Management Group.
• Pioneer Press style editor Nancy Ngo writes a great article on the state of Minnesota fashion, and how it compares to other markets.
• Minnesota-native photographer Benjamin Fredrickson's work was just published for the first time in New York publication Headmaster Magazine, available in Minneapolis at the Walker Art Center.

Sneak peek: l'etoile's spring local accessories shoot

We're in the midst of shooting our spring local accessories shoot for l'etoile magazine at Bastian & Skoog floral studio in the warehouse district of Minneapolis. Here's a behind-the-scenes shots of photographer Robb Long at work with model Olivia from Vision. Flower hairpins by Ruby3, necklace by Stephanie Lake, and pleather top by Amanda Christine from Cliche.

Here I am with jewelry from Jennifer Merchant:

More behind-the-scenes with l'etoile's Kate Iverson & Beth Hammarlund, Olivia, myself and hair/makeup stylist Kate Erickson:

Styling: "The Knitting Factory"

Last week, a spread I co-concepted and styled for l'etoile went online. (I also wrote the lead-in text.) It features local knitwear extraordinaires Kevin Kramp and Annie Larson, styled together with photography from my favorite local photographer, Nicholas Marshall. The layout design is by Sohail Akhavein, production by Natalie Gallagher, creative direction by Beth Hammarlund, hair and makeup by Suzy Martin, as modeled by Ines Kovacevic.

l'etoile holiday party promo images released

L'etoile magazine has just released promo images for its annual holiday party, Jubilee (which I styled).

The shoot was inspired by a 1950s ad - perfect for the party, with its 1950s, early Mad Men feel. Accordingly, three of the four models - Jessa Alt, Hannah von der Hoff and Jake Rudh - were all contestants in the official Mad Men contest last summer.




Photography: Stephen Stephens
Creative Direction: Beth Hammarlund & Kate Iverson
Art Direction: Chris Larson
Styling: Jahna Peloquin
Hair & Makeup: Hannah von der Hoff
Clothing from Blacklist Vintage (except Jake Rudh's suit, his own)
Models: Hannah von der Hoff, Jessa Alt, Jake Rudh & Danny Sigelman

Renee Larson lookbook featuring Raul Osorio

l'étoile editor-in-chief Kate Iverson shot and styled this new photo shoot for local jewelry and accessory designer Renee Larson featuring her new line of fascinators, also featuring the fall collection by local designer Raul Osorio with model Lindsay Tauer. Cute! Osorio's womenswear is to die for, and Larson's headpieces are simply darling.





All photos: Kate Iverson

MNfashion announces Holiday Bazaar

MNfashion just announced its plans to launch its first annual Holiday Bazaar at their headquarters in the Grainbelt Bottling Building. It comes after its pop-up holiday boutique at Gaviidae Common over the past couple of years - but instead of a holiday season run, it will last only one day.

They're currently looking for local boutiques and designers to be a part of it, with offerings including everything from one-of-a-kind, handmade wearables to festive gems - anything you can wear or gift over the holiday season, all by local designers and artisans.

The event, co-sponsored by l'etoile magazine, is slated for Saturday, November 13 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 79 13th Avenue Northeast in Minneapolis, where you'll be able to indulge in local treats, sip cocktails and cocoa, and enjoy personal styling services. l'etoile will have styled models and more during the event.

Applications are due to katie.mnfashion@gmail.com by October 8; visit mnfashion.org to find out how to become a vendor.

Editorial: Fall MNfashion Week by l'etoile

The l'etoile staff and I put together this spread with photographer Chris McDuffie featuring designers participating in MNfashion Week shows. Click HERE for our MNfashion Week guide, which I edited.

Behind the scenes: l'etoile's MNfashion Week preview shoot

On Saturday afternoon, I was lucky enough to spend the beautiful fall day shooting an upcoming spread for l'etoile magazine, as a preview of MNfashion Week. Here are some backstage images of the spread we shot with Chris McDuffie and model Olga Ivanova; look for the spread to appear this week at l'etoile magazine online.

We featured six local clothing designers and three accessories designers from a variety of different upcoming shows: Joynoelle by Joy Teiken (Joynoelle Spring 2011 Collection Fashion Show); Raul Osorio and Danielle Everine (Pale Rider); Tender Cuts by Emily Bryngelson (Envision, Cliche's Crosswalk); Blasphemina's Closet by Samantha Rei and Bionic Unicorn by Kristin Berwald (SGMS: Full Fashion Panic); ACKJ handbags (a joint collection by K.Jurek and Amanda Christine) and Jenny Carle (Envision); and Vintage City Classics jewelry (VCC Trunk Show & Workshop).

MNfashion Week is September 20-26; see mnfashionweek.com for more info.

Mantorville Times: A Trip to Max Lohbach

[Originally published in l'étoile magazine]
by Jahna Peloquin
Photos by Kate Iverson

Last weekend, l'étoile's own Kate Iverson and Jahna Peloquin, along with mplsart.com director Emma Berg, hopped town to visit designer and artist Max Lohrbach at the opening reception for his latest work in Mantorville, Minn. The amazingly intricate installation included painted figures in a late 1800s, Victorian-style arrangement - all wearing Max Lohrbach originals, of course. It was housed in the Mantorville Art Guild, which had awarded Lohrbach with a grant for the project. Afterward, we went to his charming old house, drank wine, tried on hats and looked at the thousands of historical trinkets scattered throughout the homestead. Fortunately, we captured all the loveliness.


Click HERE for more photos.

l'etoile hosts "M. Butterfly" at the Guthrie

This Wednesday, létoile is sponsoring a night at The Guthrie Theater. The discounted tickets for David Henry Hwang's M. Butterfly are a mere $15, and guests are welcome to attend an after party catered by Sea Change on the patio. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres will be served while the lovely DJ Matt Perkins will provide the evening's soundtrack. To take advantage of this fantastic deal, call the Guthrie Box Office at 612-377-2224 and request the létoile special discount, and visit the facebook invite for more info.

[Photo by Michal Daniel courtesy of The Guthrie Theater]

"Kiss Me, Cake" spread revealed

A shoot I styled recently for l'etoile, "Kiss Me, Cake," is now online! Featuring fashions by Blasphemina's Closet, Calpurnia Peach, Jenny Carle, Max Lohrbach, Emma Berg and Danielle Everine, with accessories from Rox jewelry by Robyne Robinson, Renee Larson jewelry, and Nelle Handbags.

Click to enlarge and view spread

My life as a hand model

The product of my short-lived stint as a hand model for the l'etoile spread "Behind Closed Doors" last weekend. The guy's hand? Brian Gioelli, l'etoile's ad manager.

[Photo by Stephen Stephens]

View the entire spread HERE.

"Behind Closed Doors" spread online

The final spread from the live photoshoot from Friday's MNfashion Week event "Imagination Mechanism" is now online. The l'etoile magazine creative team was in full force, with gorgeous layout by Chris Larson, art direction by Kate Iverson and Beth Hammarlund, photography by Stephen Stephens, hair and makeup by Kate Erickson, modeled by Vision's Karen O & Kevin, with clothing from Blacklist Vintage, Elsworth, Belle Reve, Heimie's Haberdashery, and Russell Bourrienne. Styling by yours truly, of course.

View the full spread HERE.