Minneapolis-St. Paul Fashion Week kicks off

In this week's issue of Vita.mn, I spotlight this weekend's Minneapolis-St. Paul Fashion Week shows:

Black Friday local shopping roundup

I cover Black Friday shopping in this week's Vita.mn. For more Black Friday shopping, check out my weekly shopping guide for l'étoile.

My Vita.mn Q&A with Trends.com's Corey Tenold

Vita.mn kicked off a new weekly Q&A column with their relaunch last week. I did this week's interview with Trnds.com style blogger, model, photographer and web developer Corey Tenold:

In review: Christopher Straub Spring 2012 Collection

Two days after fellow Project Runway alum Danielle Everine held her own fashion show, Christopher Straub debuted his Spring 2012 collection Sunday afternoon at the Westin Galleria hotel. The show doubled as a benefit for the Child Neurology Foundation, of which Straub has been a longtime supporter, and opened with a couple of acoustic tunes from recent The Voice contestant Tim Mahoney.

Straub's 21-look line was, by all accounts, Straub's most sophisticated and focused collection to date, full of colorful prints - the designer's own designs - structured designs, and fluid silhouettes, showing the designer moving into a slightly edgier direction. Though making a few cameo appearances in his handbags, his signature "petals" were otherwise absent, replaced by a trio of spikey, black patent leather looks that seemed at odds with the rest of the otherwise cohesive collection. Straub's digital prints - though clearly influenced by Alexander McQueen's "Plato's Atlantis" from Spring 2010 - added a welcome shot of color and texture into the proceedings, most successfully in a black-and-white print tailored jacket and a floor-length gown. His draped, one-shoulder swirl-print dress offered an understated chicness, as did a flippy little dress with flounced sleeves. For the most part, he worked well with a stiff, white snakeskin print fabric, particularly in a safari-like jacket, ruffle-front top and the evening's wow moment, a full-length gown. The designer also made a small but welcome foray in knits.

At times, though, Straub struggled with proportion - a nearly gynecological ruffled skirt was paired with a barely-there one-shouldered top - and relied too heavily on the prints to hold up an otherwise basic design. Straub also tends to struggle with styling, as in his pairing of tailored jackets with leggings, brings down the sophistication level a few notches, as well as fabric selection, which too often look inexpensive. Overall, though, there was a lot to like here - some well-tailored basics-with-a-twist coupled with a few bold moments that showed Straub pushing himself forward as a designer.





















[Review originally published in Vita.mn. Images by Kevin Ophoven]

More reviews: Click here for a review by Beth Hammarlund for l'étoile with photos by Peter Holme Photography. Click here for a review and photos by Mary O'Regan of METRO Magazine.

This week in Vita.mn: Walker Jewelry Mart, Art Attack & more

In this week's issue of Vita.mn (on newstands and online today), I preview the Walker Jewelry Mart, Honeyshine boutique's grand opening weekend for the fashion page:


I also spotlight Art Attack (featuring a show by internationally renowned photographer Ulvis Alberts), and Cloudy Collection for the art page:


And be sure to check out my recaps of Monday's Solid Gold show and the Hot Roxx Halloween Hextravaganza and Friday's Buffalo Moon LP Release at Vita.mn online.

This week in Vita.mn: Theyskens' Theory, SWAG52, "Project Accessory"

This week in Vita.mn, I recap last weekend's Walker After Hours party and write about Minnesota native Nicolina Royale, a contestant on Project Runway spinoff Project Accessory (premiering tonight on Lifetime after the finale episode of Project Runway season nine).

I also spotlight the new Theyskens' Theory collection at Grethen House and the new local shopping club SWAG52:

Vita.mn is available at www.vita.mn and on newstands.

This week in Vita.mn: Danielle Everine, Annie Larson & Cliche's "Crosswalk"

In this week's back-to-school issue of Vita.mn, Jay Boller profiles five local celebs, including Project Runway season nine contestant Danielle Everine. I contributed a back-to-school shopping guide to the issue:

[Click here to read more.]

I also recap Danielle Everine's elimination from Project Runway last week:


And preview Friday's "Crosswalk" fashion show put on by local boutique Cliché:


As well as write about Annie Larson's upcoming collection for national store Madewell and next week's Fashion's Night Out local festivities.

Feature: "Miranda July's bright Future" for Vita.mn

I am very excited to share the cover story I wrote this week for Vita.mn on filmmaker, artist, performer and writer Miranda July. July was more than just your typical subject for me, as she first came into my consciousness at the age of 16, and inspired me to make films, perform monologues, and just feel okay to be weird.


Read the full story at Vita.mn online or pick up a free copy of the issue on newsstands through Wednesday.

Feature: Macy's Glamorama review in Vita.mn

I reviewed Macy's Glamorama in this week's issue of Vita.mn, online and on newsstands today.

Click here to read the rest of the print version, and here for an extended review.

Editorial: Vita.mn Swimwear Fashion Issue 2011

Last Thursday, the swimwear issue I styled for Vita.mn hit newstands and online. It was my fourth swimwear cover for Vita.mn, and I think the 19th cover I've styled for them. That being said, I think it ranks as one of my favorites to date.
In the copy I wrote introducing the spread, I discuss my inspiration for the shoot:

"This summer, take a trip to the decade of glamour, decadence and disco. The spring/summer 2011 runways paid tribute to the 1970s -- and so has this year's swimwear. For Vita.mn's swimsuit issue, we found inspiration in the muses of Yves Saint Laurent, the house of Missoni and the socialites of Studio 54. Whether you're lounging poolside or on a Lake Minnetonka yacht, these '70s-inspired swimwear looks will sail smoothly with the addition of sheer, colorful layers and of course, accessories, accessories, accessories."




Vita.mn online also has some additional images not featured in the print issue:





As well as a behind-the-scenes video, in which I discuss the inspiration for the styling of the shoot:

2011 Vita.mn Swimsuit Fashion from Vita.mn on Vimeo.

Previous Vita.mn covers I've styled:
Spring Fashion 2011: Brights of Spring
Gayngs: Let's go to the prom!
Spring Fashion '10: Stadium style
Holiday fashion 2009: Holiday drama
Fall Fashion 2009: Take it to the Street
Swimwear 2009: The beach is back
Voltage '09: Reloaded
Spring Fashion 2009: Style in bloom
Holiday Fashion 2008: Silver & bold
Fall fashion 2008: Season of change
Poolside fashion 2008: Back to the beach club
Summer Concert Fashion 2008
Hot for the holidays: Holiday fashion 2007
Fall Fashion 2007: Go gray

[All photos by Carlos Gonzalez for Vita.mn]

In today's Vita.mn: "Avoid the Grey" review, V-day shopping and more

Pick up a copy of this week's print issue of Vita.mn for my mini-review of Cliche's "Avoid the Grey" fashion show. (Longer review available exclusively on Vita.mn online.)

Here's a screencap of the online version:


While you're at it, check out my preview of Saturday's Valentine's shopping bazaar and boudoir V-day photo shoots, plus exclusive deets on next week's Vita.mn Hotness party.

My night with a Mad Man

You may have heard that I met Mad Men's Pete Campbell, Vincent Kartheiser, at Clubhouse Jager last Tuesday with my l'etoile and LOL/OMG! cohort Kate Iverson. I did a blog on it for LOL/OMG! with photos, which got reblogged by The Washington Post, Jezebel.com, and Joss Whedon fan blog Whedonesque. I'm a HUGE fan of Mad Men, which is why it was particularly exciting to be the one who spotted him.

I also did a writeup on it for Star Tribune: