Saturday shopping: NorthernGrade Men's Market

[Exclusive to Vita.mn online]

Men's fashion rarely gets the attention it deserves. But thanks to the NorthernGrade Men's Market, it's all about the guys. The annual day-long market puts the spotlight on classic, "heritage" menswear brands - all made in the U.S.A. The 25-plus vendors include a number of Minnesota-made companies: Red Wing Shoes, Pierrepont Hicks neckties (pictured), and J.W. Hulme Co. luggage, as well as local shops BlackBlue and martinpatrick3. The day of shopping also includes food and from 128 Cafe, and an opportunity to celebrate American-made goods. (Noon-8 p.m. Sat. Free. Architectural Antiques, 1330 Quincy St. NE., Mpls. northerngrade.tumblr.com)

A preview of what to expect:

Gitman Bros. Vintage woven shirt, Apolis service pant, Red Wing chukka boot from BlackBlue

Luggage by J.W. Hulme Co.

Looks from martinpatrick3

Red Wing Shoes

Pierrepont Hicks Tie Co. ties

METRO Magazine's August issue features Stephanie Lake, NorthernGRADE Men's Market

The August 2011 issue of METRO Magazine is out, and it is chock-full of fashion. It has a lovely feature on local jewelry designer Stephanie Lake, who "describes her design process as “like working in an archeological site consisting of long-forgotten jewels.” Read it online here.

[Stephanie Lake. Image credit: Kelly Loverud/METRO]

Mary O'Regan of METRO Magazine covers man-made Minnesota style, courtesy of nationally recognized American “heritage brands” like St. Paul’s J.W. Hulme, Red Wing’s Red Wing Shoes and the upcoming NorthernGRADE Men's Market, plus more local companies and art scenes that thrive on old-school craftsmanship.

METRO also features new-to-Minnesota pinup model Doris Mayday, who convinced her bosses at '50s rockabilly store Bettie Page to open the new Mall of America location.

[Doris Mayday. Image credit: Marshall Franklin Long/METRO]