MSP Fashion Week in review: Red Dress Collection

Held at Seven Ultralounge on Sunday night, the Red Dress Collection show served as something of an unofficial kickoff to Minneapolis-St. Paul Fashion Week. Modeled after the celeb-studded show that inaugurates New York Fashion Week each season benefiting heart health for women, the show featured one original red dress designed by a local designer, as modeled by a local "celeb." Our celebs in question consisted mainly of Vikings wives, though Kaela Humphries (sister to Kris) and former Fox 9 news anchor Robyne Robinson were among the more recognizable faces on the runway. As for the designs, Emma Berg's finale gown - a blooming draped organza skirt attached to a revealing bodice - was the evening's showstopper (though perhaps a little too revealing of her model's prominent décolletage). Also of note: ArielSimone's floor-length, structured dress accented with a trail of folded fabric down the back; Max Lohrbach's swingy, ruffle-accented cocktail dress; and Laura Fulk's silky gown that brought a sophistication to the designer's trademark edge. For their parts, Christopher Straub, Sarah M. Holm and Tim Navarro also showcased some well-constructed and flattering looks.

While some designers took up the task of dressing the bodies of these "real women" shapes, some faltered. Rachel Blomgren's caped dress worn by Robyne Robinson ended up looking like a dowdy liturgical vestment, Danielle Everine opted to cover up the curves of plus-size model Kaela Humphries instead of accentuating them, Thom Navarro's dress got the proportions all wrong, and Maritza Ramirez' dress shapelessly hung on her model.

Despite the somewhat cheeseball conceit of putting dresses on "local celebrities," it was exciting to see local fashion take a place among a more mainstream element of Minneapolis culture. Here's hoping some of these local designers pick up those football wives and tastemakers as future clients.

Allison Kaplan in Sarah M. Holm

Dr. Jennifer Dankle in Thom Navarro

Ann Carroll in Laura Fulk

Landyn Hutchinson by Emma Berg and necklace by Stephanie Lake Design

Sandy Simmons in ArielSimone

Laura Schara in Christopher Straub

Alexus Koch by Tim Navarro

Laura Schara in Christopher Straub, Kaela Humphries in Danielle Everine & Ann Carroll in Laura Fulk

Allison Kaplan in Sarah M. Holm, Jennifer Kline in Max Lohrbach, Robyne Robinson in Rachel Blomgren, Dr. Jennifer Dankle in Thom Navarro, Sandy Simmons in ArielSimone & Amy James in Maritza Ramirez

Red Dress Collection images Copyright © 2012 Mike Feltault Photography.com

Just announced: Minneapolis-St. Paul Fashion Week Events Calendar

MNfashion released the Minneapolis-St. Paul Fashion Week calendar today, bringing back The Shows and introducing a curated and streamlined calendar for the week, running February 18 to 25. Highlights look to include the Wednesday night designer showcase featuring Emma Berg, Kimberly Jurek and Amanda Christine; the Red Dress Collection, which features designs by Berg, Max Lohrbach, Maritza Ramirez and more; and the l'etoile-produced Emerging Designer Showcase. I'll let the press release fill you in on the rest of the details:

A look by Emma Berg from Spring 2011's The Shows; photo via The Minneapoline

In addition to the new name, MNfashion has created a schedule with no overlap so that MSPFW attendees won’t have to miss a single show or event.

All events fall under one of three categories: The Shows, satellite runway shows and retail events. The Shows, which were voted best local designer showcase by Minnesota Monthly, are making a triumphant return on Wednesday, Feb. 21 with Emma Berg, Kimberly Jurek and Amanda Christine. These designers represent the best of best in local fashion and will share their Autumn/Winter 2012 collections. Produced by MNfashion, The Shows have raised the bar for local runway shows and will continue that tradition this season.

Four satellite runway shows bring a variety of runway events. The University of Minnesota presents the 44th Annual Senior Fashion Show: Twelve, featuring the work of 12 graduating seniors. The Red Dress Collection, pairs designers with local celebrities to create - you guessed it - red dresses, in a runway show to benefit women’s heart health. The Emerging Designers Showcase features the brightest up-and-coming talent in the local design scene and power duo Tim and Thom Navarro of You and Me boutique in Uptown will present their show, Resurgent.

Retail events will bookend MSPFW starting with Style for Smiles benefitting Project Healthy Smile on Saturday, Feb. 18. On Saturday, Feb. 25, there’s something for the ladies and the gents. Parc Boutique will host their Third Annual Local Jewelry Designer Trunk Show at their Northeast boutique. The stylish minds behind the successful NorthernGRADE Men’s Market are back with SnowGRADE pop-up market, and this year they will introduce vendor workshops in addition to great menswear shopping.

Press passes are available for ticketed events by emailing Amy.Overman@mnfashion.org. Seating at The Shows is limited, so please let us know by Feb. 11 if you would like to attend. General admission tickets for these events are available at MNfashion.org.