[A look by PFT Couture at the MNfashion Preview by Stacy Schwartz]Last Tuesday saw the first-ever Voltage retail preview, in which Voltage’s 2010 roster of designers previewed a selection of their most retail-ready designs for Twin Cities buyers at the downtown studio of longtime model agency Vision. It was an ambitious move for Voltage, but the signature show - now in its sixth year - has never been short on ambition, becoming more professional and sophisticated every year without losing its rock ‘n roll edge. If the preview was truly a taste of what to come, including everything from avant-garde men’s knits by Kevin Kramp to more wearable but no less intriguing silk draped separates by George Moskal, Voltage 2010 should be one of the most memorable yet.
[A look by Kelson by Brianne Jones at the MNfashion Preview by Stacy Schwartz]
[A look by Danielle Everine at the MNfashion Preview by Stacy Schwartz]
[A prototype look by knitwear designer Kevin Kramp at the MNfashion Preview by Stacy Schwartz]Click here for more photos by Stacy Schwartz for MNfashion
On Wednesday, the Fine Line was the scene of the annual Commingle fashion show, which had a decidedly different mood. A live hip hop band kicked off the night, and the following fashion show featured an underground, DIY edge. It was a striking contrast to the sleek studio presentation of the Voltage preview (which had Vision owner Teqen Zéa-Aida talking about “taking the fashion show back out of the nightclub”), the show seemed to harken back to local fashion’s early days (circa 2003) that preferred the avant-garde over the wearable. Though some of the fashions were embarrassingly dated and badly-sewn, it was a treat for the eyes to see well-constructed artwear from the likes of Elizabeth Chesney and SoHo Exchange. The evening's other designers included Wone, Untitled Projects, ArielSimone, and Mary Pass.
[A look by Elizabeth Chensey at Commingle by Kevin Ophoven]
[A look by Elizabeth Chensey at Commingle by Kevin Ophoven]
[A look by SoHo Exchange at Commingle by Kevin Ophoven]
[A look by SoHo Exchange at Commingle by Kevin Ophoven]Click here to view more photos by Kevin Ophoven
The next day, Cliche’s annual Avoid the Grey show took place in the tiny black box theater of Old Arizona. Featuring a couple of designers seen in the Voltage preview earlier that week (Brianne Jones, Christine Carmichael), it appears that designers aren’t shying away from keeping a busy schedule. Though there’s always a couple of clunkers, the show was the best yet from the local boutique, featuring strong collections from longtime designers such as Red Shoe Clothing Co. while introducing us to a newcomer like Emily Bryngelson, whose wearable separates could easily be spotted at a dive bar in Minneapolis as in the pages of Nylon.
[Looks by Tender Cuts by Emily Bryngelson at Avoid the Grey by Ellen Dahl for Vita.mn]
[Avoid the Grey by Ellen Dahl for Vita.mn]
[A look by Jenny Carle at Avoid the Grey by Ellen Dahl for Vita.mn]
[Looks by Kelson by Brianne Jones at Avoid the Grey by Ellen Dahl for Vita.mn]