(Originally posted at
Vita.mn)
Last Saturday, a sold-out crowd packed Rapson Hall to view one of the strongest student showing the Twin Cities has seen in sometime. For the 42nd year running, the 14 graduating seniors from the University of Minnesota's School of Design attempted to put their best foot forward, and they largely succeeded.
The strongest collection of the night was second to hit the runway. Emily Bryngelson, who had her runway debut only last week at Cliche's Avoid the Grey show, showed her five-piece senior collection, which she tells us was inspired by the interactions of light and British military silhouettes. A pale grey jumpsuit and color-blocked, multi-seamed one-shouldered minidress were the highlights, and the separates will likely fly off the shelves at Cliche, come summer. It was the full package - well-made, extremely wearable and strongly designed.
Judy Bender, who appeared to be in the 30-plus age range, brought a level of sophistication and fine tailoring rarely seen in a student show with her four-piece line. A plaid shirt-dress looked fresh thanks to strongly rounded sleeves and a mandarin-inspired collar, as did a bubble-sleeved frock in a gorgeous grey silk shantung.
[A look by Shirley Schlievert; image by Lauren Gantner]Though the collection from another above-30 student, Shirley Schlievert, was a bit staid and mature-looking (though one floor-length silk gown would make sense if donned by Dame Judy Dench), a couple of strong, well-executed designs hint that perhaps with age comes a sophistication and wearability that the younger students haven't yet grasped. I especially loved the dark grey silk cocktail dress with whimsical shoulder detail.
Later in the show, youth had its moment in Carmen Tseng's acid-bright collection, apparently inspired by Lady Gaga (set to the pop stars "Bad Romance," fittingly). The mix of separates and dresses incorporated a unique cross-drape effect, particularly unique and edgy on an turquoise sleeveless hoodie. Local boutiques, buy into this one now - this stuff would fly off the racks.
The finale of the shop came courtesy of Mae Rodgers, who seems to prefer couture over ready-to-wear. Whimsical dresses and jackets with a cape-like drape were rendered in a black-and-white palette, fitting for a Tim Burton film. The amount of detail and craft in her work is definitely commendable. My only complaint is that some of the pieces seemed over-designed and over-worked - for instance, the attached train to the ivory chiffon blouse looked like a bridal gown that had lost its way.
But overall, these designers - still in their infancy - seem well on their way to finding their aesthetics. It's more than likely that this isn't the last you'll be hearing from this heady group.
Cayla Caul Field strips down in the desert.
Former Minnesota model Lauren Wade (now with Ford in Chicago) poses and spins for Patrick Xiong.
Stylist Angie Hanson lets Cody Lidtke turn his lens on her.
Dirty Hair Halo blogger Shannon Licari rocks bedazzled chambray. (Click here for more outfit posts.)
Ignite model John-Mark makes a trip to Chicago and gets lost in the fog. (Photo: Bryan Whitley. Click here for more photos.)
St. Paul boutique Primp shoots some spring looks.
Cara Recine overexposes style blogger Hina Khan on a rooftop in L.A. with 35mm film.
Former local fashion designer Emily Bryngelson of Tender Cuts gets shot for Opening Ceremony's e-store. (Via Art of Wore; click here for more photos.)
Style blogger Kitty Cotten stays warm in a chic trench.
Minneapolis Affair snaps Angela Lyon on the street in a fab coat.
Julia of Song of the Exile finishes off her time in New York with a delightful spring photo post. (Click here for more photos.)
Trnds.com blogger Corey Tenold snaps a self-portrait.
