Preview: RAW: natural born artists presents "Pulse"

Twin Cities arts, fashion and music gets the spotlight with the monthly showcase RAW: natural born artists, part of a national arts initiative with satellite shows in 21 different cities nationwide. This month’s edition features up-and-coming designer Carol M. Lee, who will be showing pieces from her fall 2011 (featured during last spring's University of Minnesota senior apparel show) and spring 2012 lines, plus Bollywood-inspired fashions by Ledah Hakim, neckwear by Jennifer Marie, and recycled accessories by VanessaRoseDesigns. (8 p.m. Thursday, $10, 21-plus, Fine Line Music Cafe, 318 1st Av. N., Minneapolis, www.rawartists.org/minneapolis)

Look by Carol M. Lee. Photo: Erin Johnson

Looks by Carol M. Lee

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.