Local gift ideas from Vita.mn

Last Thursday, Vita.mn published its annual gift guide, put together by Christy DeSmith. It features all kinds of local gift ideas from Twin Cities denizens like event producer Vilay Dethluxay (who spotlights jewelry line Stephanie Lake Design, pictured below), ROX Jewelry designer Robyne Robinson, musician and writer Dessa, artist Amy Rice, and more. Check it out.

[Photo: Tom Sweeney]

MNfashion Week Recap: l'étoile presents "Bright Society"

[Content shared with l'étoile magazine]

This past Sunday at the historic Alexander Ramsey House in St. Paul, l'étoile's MNfashion Week event, "Bright Society," was greeted with balmy October weather and an enthusiastic, stylishly retro crowd. At once paying homage to the past and looking forward to the future, the crux of the event centered upon five Victorian-era garments - some of which were worn by Ramsey family and friends - that served as points of inspiration for five of the Twin Cities' most esteemed fashion designers.

[Looks by Samantha Rei, Max Lohrbach, Laura Fulk, Russell Bourrienne & Danielle Everine. Photo: Peter Jamus]

The fashion presentation featured musical accompaniment on the house's antique 1875 Steinway piano by Matthew Curney of local Britney Spears cover band Spearz, who played a smattering of Top 40 radio renditions - tying the new to the old once again. Afterward, textile curator Linda McShannock of the co-presenting sponsor Minnesota Historical Society lent her considerable knowledge on the inspiration costumes while former local news anchor (and current arts patron and jewelry designer) Robyne Robinson led a spirited Q&A with the formidable group of designers, giving the audience a chance to hear straight from the designers about their design process.

Before and after the presentation, guests - including jeweler Stephanie Lake, painter Caitlin Karolczak, and designer/curator Emma Berg - socialized on the house grounds and adjacent carriage house, sipping old-timey cocktails courtesy of Phillips Distilling, bites from Ginger Hop, and delectable desserts, and partaking in game of croquet. It was, quite simply, a perfectly refined beginning to Fall MNfashion Week.

[Look by Danielle Everine. Photo: Peter Jamus. Model: Brittany McKee]

[Look by Laura Fulk. Photo: Peter Jamus. Model: Cate Lehman]

[Look by Russell Bourrienne. Photo: Kate Iverson. Model: Monica Ulrich]

[Look by Max Lohrbach. Photo: Peter Jamus. Model: Kouwai Potocnik]

[Look by Samantha Rei. Photo: Peter Jamus. Model: DaeTeaira Tucker]

[Inspiration garment]

[Inspiration garment]

[l'étoile Fashion Editor Jahna Peloquin, in a Max Lorbach dress, and designer Max Lohrbach. Photo: Kate Iverson]

[Dennis Brost, right, and friend, both wearing Max Lohrbach designs. Photo: Kate Iverson]

[Matthew Curney. Photo: Kate Iverson]

[Caitlin Karolczak & Beth Lorraine Bowman. Photo: Kate Iverson]

[Emma Berg in a Max Lohrbach skirt. Photo: Kate Iverson]

[Stephanie Lake, Vicki Norby Rivkin, Robyne Robinson & l'étoile Founder & Creative Director Beth Hammarlund. Photo: Kate Iverson]

View more event photos by Peter Jamus here, Kate Iverson here, and Minneapolis 2Night here.

Styling credits:
Hair: Catlin Weston of Mezzanine Salon, Mark Dolan of Evolution Hair, Claire Powers of Darting James Salon.
Makeup: Julie Swenson.
Fashion styling: Jahna Peloquin.
All jewelry provided by Rox Jewelry by Robyne Robinson, except Max Lohrbach's look provided by Bionic Unicorn.
Models: Brittany McKee, Monica Ulrich, Cate Lehman, Kouwai Potocnik, DaeTeaira Tucker.

In review: Ra'mon-Lawrence & Robyne Robinson at NYFW

On Saturday evening, former Minneapolis designer (and Project Runway contestant) Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman rejoined forces with local jewelry designer Robyne Robinson of ROX for a presentation showcasing his Spring/Summer 2012 line at Happy Monkey Studio in Manhattan’s Garment District. I unfortunately was not able to make it, but Pioneer Press' Nancy Ngo was on the scene and snapped some pics. In another local twist, former Minneapolis hairstylist Kelsy Osterman (now with Cutler Salon in New York) led the hair for the presentation.

Unsurprisingly, these pieces look a lot like the last collection Ra'mon sent down a runway - his Spring 2010 line, which he showed back in fall 2009 at New York Fashion Week. They're wearable, chic, and modern, packed with color and prints, but a bit on the commercial side. It's a side of Ra'mon we didn't see during his time on Project Runway, nor in his more avante-garde looks he showed during his time in Minneapolis, particularly during his Spring 2008 "Eluded Love" collection that he showed at MNfashion Week.

Of the pieces he showed, there were a few standouts - the blue shirtdress appears to have some interesting fabric contrasts, as well as a nice detail in the patterned collar. Same goes for the white men's shirt (far right, above) - classic with a twist makes for great design. The left and center patterned dresses, though, seem like something we've seen before without bringing anything new to the table.


The blue shirtdress at a second glance is indeed quite intriguing. I wish I could have seen this in motion.

That's a great color combination and cut on the men's shirt on the left. It really encapsulates Ra'mon's menswear aesthetic - neatly-cut and European in styling, executed in a bold color and slightly exotic pattern. The slouchy silk dress (center) is pure Ra'mon - the draped shoulder detail over the cinched waist gives a sophisticated yet relaxed look, and the rich color and subtle print are just perfect. I'm not sure what's going on with the men's look pictured on the right - it looks sort of like a men's onesie, and cuts the model in half at a weird spot.

I appreciate the color combinations and mixing of prints in the above looks, but these pieces on their own look fairly basic to me. I would have liked to see more of the striped pants - they have possibilities but the styling of the blue top over it makes it look more sloppy than chic-ly relaxed. The skirt on the left is sort of ugly, to be honest - it looks like she has a curtain for her crotch.


The black and white patterned dress has an interesting neckline, and the shirring on the sides is masterfully done. A chic, flattering little dress any girl would love to wear.

I like what Ra'mon did with the placketed shirtdress - a little bit of on-trend sheerness mixed with a bold print in a demure silhouette, which is just the way to play sheer fabrics.

One other slight criticism: from these photos, it's hard to see an overall thread running throughout the collection. One one hand, you have these lovely unstructured shirtdresses with contrasting fabrics; on another, a sort of breezy, tropical feel. But overall, it's good to see Ra'mon back in the game, working toward his strengths - namely, color and pattern - and pulling some chic looks together. But as a longtime Ra'mon fan, I long for the days of the more sculptural, artful designs he was known for.

As far as the jewelry goes, this is some of Robyne's best work to date - bold, luxe and statement-making, without being overbearing or overdesigned. More new ROX designs are pictured below:



[Photos by Nancy Ngo, Amy Gee and The Style Circuit]

Click here for more photos by Amy Gee and here for a review by The Style Circuit.

Ra'mon-Lawrence and Robyne Robinson to team up again for NYFW

This fall at New York Fashion Week, local jewelry designer Robyne Robinson (of ROX) will be teaming up with Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman, a fashion designer who cut his design teeth in the Twin Cities fashion community. The two previously collaborated in fall 2009 for Ra'mon's spring 2010 collection, right after he appeared on the sixth season of Project Runway. The Spring 2012 collections will be shown September 10 at Happy Monkey Studios in New York City. She will also be previewing the line at a private event in Minneapolis this Friday at Amsun & Ash Gallery. Here are a few pieces of the forthcoming line:





And now through September 9, Robyne needs your votes to win a spot in the SCOPE Miami Art Show 2011. You can vote daily at roxjewelry.see.me through the 9th.

Robyne Robinson honored in documentary celebrating MN's African-American groundbreakers

ROX Jewelry designer Robyne Robinson has just been honored in a documentary on Minnesota's African American groundbreakers. "Firsts" is another in a continuing series of collaborative endeavors made possible thanks to the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. The Humanities Center in partnership with the Council on Black Minnesotans has developed a series of interviews with African American Minnesotans to capture what it means to be a "First."


You can see segmented 10-minute clips of all the interviews categorized by name on the Minnesota Humanities Center website. (Unfortunately, the clip is non-embeddable.) SPNN will also be airing “Firsts” on SPNN, Channel 17 in Minneapolis and Channel 19 in St. Paul beginning August 19 through August 26. TPT is also planning on airing “Firsts” some time late summer or early fall.

In review: Vita.mn Poolside Fashion Show 2011

Last Thursday, I styled the annual Vita.mn Poolside Fashion Show for the fifth time since it debuted in 2007. The event commanded a sell-out crowd and produced some pretty fantastic reviews and photos from Joan Erakit of Frank151, Mary O'Regan of METRO Magazine, the KARE-11's Metromix and Vita.mn. Here are a smattering of looks from the show:

Juicy Couture top and hat from Bloomingdale's, necklace from Primp

Tunic and jewelry from ZINQ Style, scarf from Bloomingdale's

Tunic & jewelry from ZINQ Style, scarf from Bloomingdale's

Silk romper by George Moskal, belt from ZINQ Style, Necklace by ROX, hat from Bloomingdale's
Jacket and shorts by George Moskal, necklace by ROX, swim top from Macy's

Theory suit and accessories from Macy's

Theory suit and shirt from Len Druskin, shoes from Bloomingdale's

Top, skirt and sunglasses from Bumbershute

Suit and accessories from Macy's, shoes from Bloomingdale's

Jean Paul Gaultier pants and jacket from Macy's, top & scarf from Bloomingdale's

Look from Betsey Johnson except swimsuit from Macy's

Missioni knit dress and accessories from Macy's except Kate Spade bag from Bloomingdale's

Top and pants by Emma Berg, necklace and earrings by Stephanie Lake Design, scarf from Macy's

Dress by Emma Berg, jewelry by Stephanie Lake Design, scarf from Macy's

Dress by Emma Berg, jewelry by Stephanie Lake Design

If you missed the show, Vita.mn also released a runway video produced by Visumm Media:

2011 Vita.mn Poolside Fashion Show from Vita.mn on Vimeo.

Crowd and runway photos by Stacy Schwartz for Vita.mn
Recap by Sarah Moeding for Vita.mn
Runway and crowd photos by Mary O'Regan of METRO Magazine
Joan Erakit reviews the show for Frank151 (with photos by Christina Rimstad)
Runway and crowd photos by Claire Molepske for Metromix
Photos by International publication Le'lite Magazine
Crowd photos by mjf foto

[Photos by Stacy Schwartz for Vita.mn]

Style diary: My MNfashion Week looks

Part of the fun of MNfashion Week is gussying up in looks by local designers for the slew of fashion shows that take place.

[L: Pictured with Richard Anderson, photo by Mary O'Regan. R: Amanda Christine lookbook]

For Envision: Artopia last Friday, April 7, I wore this red cotton Amanda Christine dress with puff sleeves and cutout details. She showed the same dress in blue during the show that evening. If you're interested, the dress is available for purchase in a full size run in both colors at Cliche. I paired with a stone and chain necklace by newcomer KR Dezigns, also available at Cliche, and black glitter pumps from Forever 21.

[Pictured with Robyne Robinson and Kate Iverson, photo by Mary O'Regan via Art of Wore]

[L: Photo by George Moskal. R: Photo by Nicholas Marshall, styling by Eclecticoiffeur]

For George Moskal and CounterCouture's show last Wednesday, I wore my own hot pink silk cropped top from George Moskal's fall/winter 2009 collection and a silk cocoon skirt by Katherine Gerdes I had commissioned her to make for a Nicholas Marshall shoot back in spring 2007. I paired them with Steve Madden platforms, a feather/flower clip by Ruby3 by Anna Lee and a clutch from Target.

[L: Pictured with Richard Anderson, photo by Mary O'Regan. R: METRO Magazine]

[Photo courtesy Robyne Robinson]

For Emma Berg and Kevin Kramp's show last Thursday, Emma lent me her blue draped dress she designed for a METRO Magazine commission. I felt like a goddess in the dress, which was draped entirely from one piece of fabric. I paired it with my own custom brushed gold link chain necklace with fire agates, bronzite and heishi pearls by Robyne Robinson of ROX Jewelry. (Excuse my lack of hair/makeup, it was a crazy busy day!) I'm a little bummed that I'm not taller, from some angles it looked like I was swimming in the dress.

[L: Pictured with Voltage producer Anna Lee, photo by Kristin Berwald. R: Photo by Mary O'Regan]

For Voltage, I brought out the big guns - a custom dress designed by my all-time favorite local designer, Max Lohrbach. He said that he loved this version more than the one he was showing in his collection, but what can I say, I'm selfish when it comes to Max. Here I am in my version, which I paired with custom jewelry by Bionic Unicorn (a collaboration with Max Lohrbach, who drew the kitty heads) and a purse and wedges from Opitz Outlet. I'm having a better hair day here, thanks to the amazing Julie at Smart & Chic Beauty Lounge (which offers hair and makeup styling). The jewelry will be available for purchase on Bionic Unicorn's Etsy shop later this week. Here's a closeup of a similar design:


Click here for my link roundup of this spring's MNfashion Week coverage.