Local fashion link roundup

[Raina Hein. Photo: Charles Lucima]

Minnesota-bred model (and America's Next Top Model runner-up) Raina Hein is looking gorgeous in a new shoot by Charles Lucima.

Check out this collection of International Klein Blue items in Mpls.St.Paul Magazine's spread inspired by the Walker's ongoing Yves Klein exhibition in its October issue.

Mpls.St.Paul also shines the spotlight on totally-awesome designer toy shop ROBOTlove.

Former Minneapolitan hairstylist Kelsy Osterman (also my business partner in stylist collective Eclecticoiffeur and longtime Voltage lead hairstylist) has been making waves since her departure to NYC to work for Cutler Salon. She just got a fab review in Beauty News NYC, and it's a great read for anyone who's ever known Kelsy.

One of my favorite Twin Cities models, Lily Adriana, is making a splash in NYC. Check her out on the runway of NYC Bridal Fashion Week.

New local fashion blog alert: local It girl and sometime model-and-stylist Ines Kovacevic's new blog Merci Mon Cheri is a whole lot of pretty.

Juleana Enright interviews Emma Berg about her upcoming showing at the MNfashion-sponsored MIA Third Thursday event for l'etoile magazine.

Ferociter F/W 2010 collection

Aimie Dukes - designer of Ferociter, one of my favorite accessories line in town - just sent me the line sheets for her long-awaited fall collection. Aimie is without a doubt my favorite accessories designer to work with (most recently on l'etoile's summer spread and on Voltage 2010) she's always highly collaborative, open to ideas, and always brings something fresh and new to the table.

Her latest mini-collection features more of the feather work she incorporated into her spring 2010 collection, which she tells me was originally requested by knitwear designer Kevin Kramp. It's carried over into her fall collection, appropriately at that, since feathers are huge for fall. She will again be collaborating with Kramp for SCENEaSOTA 2010, happening November 6 at Loft2 (above OM Restaurant).

Here is her "Carina" feather collection:
Black Ostrich Feather Necklace, $42.95

Cream Ostrich Feather Necklace, $42.95

Cream Ostrich Feather Earrings, $32.95

Camel Ostrich Feather Necklace, $42.95

Odyssey Necklace, Color (also available in Black & White), $18.95. From the Odyssey Collection: "The lovechild of Ziggy Stardust and Barbarella; Ferociter's ode to 2010."

Design Collective is carrying both collections and ROBOTlove is carrying the Odyssey necklaces. Both collections are also available through Ferociter's Etsy shop.

Lady Gaga cover story

I wrote a couple of pieces for Vita.mn's Lady Gaga cover story, out today on newstands and online.

My first couple of articles profile a couple of local Gaga superfans - actress Allison True and drag queen Nina D'Angelo.

Nina D'Angelo: When it comes to finding Gaga superfans, you need look no further than the Gay 90's, the downtown Minneapolis club that's home to nightly drag shows. After all, Gaga is a queen's wet dream come true: a dazzling array of wigs, drag-a-licious makeup and elaborate, over-the-top costumes, complete with song and dance routines. And there is one Gaga impersonator in town on the tip of everyone's tongue: Nina D'Angelo. Click here to read more. [Nina D'Angelo. Image: Brendan Sullivan/Vita.mn]

Allison True: Gaga's over-the-top, impractical outfits show her penchant for theatricality, so it's only natural that some of her biggest fans are actresses. Enter Allison True, a regular in Candy Eye Factory's "fashion-fueled" films and the indie theater circuit (Mixed Blood, Park Square and Bryant-Lake Bowl, where she can be seen in "'Miniature Horses Don't Go to Heaven' and Other Plays Inspired by Real News Headlines"). Known for playing saucy and seductive characters with a healthy dose of wacky and donning homemade costumes, True is inspired by everything from a "weird lady at work" to -- you guessed it -- Lady Gaga. Click here to read more. [Allison True. Image: Brendan Sullivan/Vita.mn]

I also did a spread on Lady Gaga-inspired accessories to get you set for the big show(s) on Monday/Tuesday. The spread features Gaga's Viva Glam! lipstick, a one-of-a-kind chandelier necklace by local designer Bionic Unicorn at ROBOTlove, and Jeremy Scott-inspired flip sunglasses.

[Images courtesy Vita.mn]

Give ROBOTlove a little Ninja Love: Grand reopening party tonight

[Originally posted at Vita.mn]

To celebrate their new location and six years of business, Kristoffer Knutson's design shop ROBOTlove is hosting a meet-and-greet with Ninjatown creator Shawnimals. The Chicago-based designer is promoting the about-to-be-released Ninjatown Microplus - and at 2.5 inches tall, the blindbox piece is affordable AND super cool.


The festivities begin at 6 p.m. and go until 9 p.m., and includes performances from circuit benders Beatrix*JAR and DJ Little Ghost, plus requisite libations. Get there at 6 p.m. and you might be one of the lucky 25 to snag a gift bag of swank goodies. While you're in the ROBOTlove/PUNY/Pink Hobo complex, check out the gallery's nifty ongoing exhibition, the techie-meets-high-design QR Code Show.

Click here for the facebook event invite. -Jahna Peloquin