Just announced: "The Wardrobe of Wonder," a fashionable Art Shanty

One of the Twin Cities' great winter traditions is the annual Art Shanty Projects, a series of themed ice houses for the artistically inclined taking place during the months of January and February. After a one year hiatus, it's back and bigger than ever. One new addition will be a fashion-themed shanty helmed by local designers Danielle Everine, Rachel Blomgren, Lela Horst Baumann and others. Everine tells me that shanty guests will have the chance to try on hardy knits and coats by the designers and take a photo in a photobooth. It will all culminate at the end of the run of the shanties with a full runway show with real models. The Art Shanty Project runs January 14 through February 5, 2012. Designers interested in participating can enter via an open call until December 20. Get a submission form via theesashayshantay@gmail.com; more info is posted below. Visit www.artshantyprojects.org for more information on Art Shanty Projects.

Voltage accessory designers announced

Voltage accessory designers have been announced. They include Needle & Black, Jennifer Merchant, Bionic Unicorn, Freedom From Doubt, and Lela Horst Baumann, among others. I'm the show's lead stylist (for the fifth year running!) and had a hand in selecting and pairing these designers. Here's a sampling of their past work and proposed designs from some of my favorites:

Acrylic jewelry by Jennifer Merchant (for Frances Zerr)

Leather accessories by Needle & Black by Kerry Riley (for Raul Osorio)

Leather and burlap bow accessories by Freedom for Doubt (for Danielle Everine)

Lingerie by Jagress Intimates by Sarah White (for Danielle Everine)

Ceramic skull buttons and accessories by Lela Horst Baumann (for Rachel Blomgren)

Jewelry by Bionic Unicorn by Kristin Berwald (for Max Lohrbach)