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]

City Pages names George Moskal one of its 100 Creatives

City Pages' continuing 100 Creatives series has just included local fashion and textile designer George Moskal on its list. George has been a fixture of the local fashion community since he first showed at Voltage in 2007. Jessica Armbruster's illuminating interview offers some great George tidbits, like that his textile designs have shown up as wallpaper in a gallery show and on beauty products and cases for Estee Lauder.

[Photo by Stephanie Hynes]

Some choice quotes:

On the challenges of being an independent fashion designer: "I think doing everything myself has been a big challenge. I am kind of at a crossroad where I want to move my brand forward, but I need help with production, business, PR, and finance to really grow. I was using this last show as a test to see if I am going to continue. It's been a lot of work and there have been some highlights, but I feel like I take two steps forward and then stand still. I cannot imagine not designing, so I just have to figure out if I should be selling my work or just creating pieces for shows."

On the increasingly casual culture we live in: "I wish sweat pants and especially pajamas in public would go away. I dress fairly casual, but would not even check my mail in sweats or pajamas."

Read the rest of the interview here.

Cliche announces Local Jewelry Bazaar this Sunday

Local boutique Cliché just announced its first-ever Local Jewelry Bazaar. Taking place this Sunday in conjunction with the Minneapolis Open Streets Event, the store will be hosting a broadened selection of handmade jewelry from over 20 designers based in the Twin Cities, Chicago, Iowa, Los Angeles, and Brussels. Meet the designers and see new work for Summer 2011 displayed inside and outside of the store, and snag 20 percent off everything during the opening. Click here for details. Here's a preview:

NUNU Collection, Chicago


Play by Marly, Minneapolis

Cocoquette by Andrea Oseland, Minneapolis

KR Designs, Minneapolis

Local shops listed in Lucky's store directory

It's always nice to see Minneapolis fashion get national attention. Such is the case this week as Lucky Magazine has just launched a new online shopping directory for Minneapolis. It includes some familiar names: Blacklist Vintage, Design Collective, Finn Style, Grethen House, Hunt & Gather Antiques, I Like You, June, Parc Boutique, and Room & Board Outlet. Congrats to those who were listed!

[A Marimekko look from FinnStyle]

muses and lenses

The best in local street fashion, portrait and fashion photography from local muses and lenses, gathered via Twitter, Facebook and blog uploads from the past week.

Fashion designer Emily Bryngelson and her boyfriend model for New York label In God We Trust.

Photographer/writer couple Stacy Schwartz & Carl Atiya Swanson get an old-timey photobooth shot at a friend's wedding.

METRO Magazine fashion editor Mary O'Regan rocks a hot pink jumpsuit from Mighty Swell Vintage.

Style blogger Kitty Cotten DIYs her own Alexander McQueen-inspired butterfly sandals.

Style blogger Chloe Ahlf reminds us to enjoy Coca-Cola, and gets interviewed by an Indonesian fashion blog.

Dirty Hair Halo's Shannon Licari dons a harness by Zana Bayne on the railroad tracks.

Sarah Sauser captures Ignite model Alyssa Larson, with hair and makeup by Wendy Zarate and earrings by local line SBG Designs.

Ellen Dahl Lawson of The Minneapoline snaps beauty blogger Kara Nesvig in hot pink lipstick.

Eyewear designers Coco & Breezy find their younger "siblings.".

Trnds.com style blogger Corey Tenold takes a lovely set of photos of his muse (and ladyfriend), Vision model Ashlee Walker.

Shannon Licari of style blog Dirty Hair Halo goes behind the scenes of a test shoot she styled with Ignite model Rikki Roath, photographer Mark Meyer, makeup artist Julie Lam and hair stylist Emmy Ngo.

Street style blog Minneapolis Affair catches the stylish Arta on the street.

Sean Hartman of Moonstone is via Minneapolis Affair).

Minneapolis Affair street style photographer Wynona Grey isn't too bad herself.

Photographer Brad Ogbonna snaps model Greta Sundquist in New York.

Stylist/style writer Jane Belfry discovers her perfect pink lipstick for summer.

Photographer Amy Gee turns around in this self portrait.

Photographer Ben Fredrickson gets a happy accident in this print thanks to the Walgreens' photo specialist.

Vision models welcomes back veteran model Brianne to its roster.

Weekend link roundup

Charlie Brackney's new salon HAUS has announced their grand opening for June 11, which will double as an opening featuring new work by local artist Drew Peterson.

Smart and Chic Bride just announced a new merger with Spalon Montage. The integration includes expansion of on-site bridal services to Duluth, Brainerd, St. Cloud, the Twin Cities, Eastern Wisconsin, Rochester, and Northern Iowa.

Mary O'Regan takes you behind the scenes of her latest bridal shoot.

Kara Nesvig gives a glowing review to Stormsisters' new shhh bar.

Anthem Heart is hosting a screenprinting party as part of Q.arma Building's First Friday this weekend, offering a new "Twin Cities" design for $15 to $20 a pop (or bring your own shirt for a $5 print).

In this week's issue of Vita.mn, Ellen Dahl Lawson snaps stylish folks at Art-A-Whirl, including Carrier Pigeon jewelry designer Lauren Neal, and I preview the Blu Dot warehouse sale and Who Made Who's $5 poster sale.

Local designer Anne M. Cramer debuts her F/W 2011 lookbook.

Local arts and fashion magazine Crooked Teeth previews its third issue.

Preview: Crooked Teeth Magazine, issue 3

Locally-published magazine Crooked Teeth is releasing its third issue next week, and they're previewing the cover image by editor-in-chief Caitlin Angelica, with Ignite models John-Mark and Alexandria, clothing from Rewind Vintage styled by Caitlin Angelica and Shannon Licari of local style blog Dirty Hair Halo, and hair and makeup by Kristin Olson and Julie Lam from Faces, Inc.



Here are some behind-the-scenes shots taken by Shannon Licari:




Click here for more behind-the-scenes images by Shannon Licari.