The weekend in local fashion for 6.18.09-6.21.09

There's a ton of great shopping events and shows happening this weekend at locally-owned boutiques. Check out my top picks, as seen in this week's issue of Vita.mn:

[Image of Red Shoe Clothing Co. patent leather holster by Nic Marshall]

Les Fleurs du Mal 6/19 at Bedlam Theater (via Vita.mn)
It seems like the Twin Cities has reached its limit in punk/goth fashion shows, but the surprising addition of local line Red Shoe Clothing Co. to this recurring event adds a twist. Red Shoe designer Kerry Riley is known for her tailored, wearable silhouettes and for her groundbreaking leatherwork. For this show, Riley merges her specialties with a darker edge in a collection of all-new mesh bodysuits and black patent leather holsters. Riley admits Les Fleurs du Mal is an unusual venue for her line, but concedes, "It's a no-brainer for the leatherwork." The show also showcases lines from Seamstrix, Golgotha and Greta Herman, and music from All the Pretty Horses, Stella Vector, the No-Nos and DJ Mach Fox. (9 p.m. Fri., $10. 18 & older. Bedlam Theater). -Jahna Peloquin

Ruby3 Summer Trunk Show 6/18 at MIA (via Vita.mn)
Designer Anna Lee is launching her summer collection of floral and feathered hats, headdresses and headbands. Lee took inspiration from the Pre-Raphaelite art movement, which is the theme of this month's Third Thursday at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. (6-9 p.m. Thu., free.) -Jahna Peloquin

[Image of Ruby3 headband & wings by Stephanie Colgan]

Kelson Trunk Show 6/19 at Cliche (via Vita.mn)
You may have wondered what happened to local designer Brianne Jones after she showed her line Belle at Voltage in 2008, never to be heard from again. Turns out she was busy finishing up her apparel design program at the University of Minnesota. Her latest line, Kelson, which debuted last week at the Cliché fashion show, features Jones' trademark strong lines and feminine detailing. (7-10 p.m. Fri., free. Cliché.) -Jahna Peloquin

[Image of a Kelson look by Ryan Cloutier]

More fashion events & sales (via Vita.mn)
New yoga studio Sigh Yoga + Boutique showcases the latest yoga wear collection by locally made Foat Design, along with a free introductory yoga class by designer and Sigh Yoga instructor Kaja Foat. (6:30-9 p.m. Fri., 612 W. 54th St., Mpls., 612-382-8736.) Also this weekend, designer Alison Voelz launches her new line Vacker, made up of sweaters, tops and dresses "up-cycled" from thrift-store throwaways. (6-8 p.m. Sat.) -Jahna Peloquin

Northeast boutique Parc is celebrating its one-year anniversary with an in-store picnic. They’ll be offering 25% off every purchase and free wardrobe advice from stylist (and Vita.mn Hotness winner) Alice Sydow. (10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat. 328 E. Hennepin Av., Mpls. 612-353-4966.)

Urban Junket recently joined forces with local stationary company Red Stamp in a new showroom; they’ll be offering 20-75% off retail prices at this sample sale. (Noon-7 p.m. Fri. & Noon to 5 p.m. Sat. 4850 W. 35th St., St. Louis Park. 612-746-1510.)

Indian-styled boutique Mehera Shaw is hosting their annual Solstice Fete and Sale on Saturday with a wine reception; a storewide sale of 30% off runs through Wednesday. (2-7 p.m. Sat. Free. 2004 Hennepin Av., Mpls. 612-874-9115.)

Peter Cohen Trunk Show + Personal Appearance 6/19-20 at Grethen House
High-end boutique Grethen House will be hosting Peter Cohen for a trunk show of his fall 2009 line. The designer, who's been making a stamp on the national design scene for his sophisticated, structured and impeccably tailored looks since the early '90s, will be there in the flesh. (10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Fri. & 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.)

[Image of a Peter Cohen look via Grethen House]

For more stylish things to do this weekend, check out l'etoile's Weekend What's What blog, for which I'm a contributor.

Weekend music for 6.18.09-6.24.09

Check out this weekend's edition of Vita.mn for all the music and nightlife to-dos. Here's a preview of my contributions:


Lookbook, Nyteowl, FoodTeam + Solid Gold DJs FRIDAY 6/19 at Hexagon

A sort of showcase of the hottest up-and-coming local electronic acts in town, this show is all but guaranteed to be the night’s hot local music ticket. It was put together by DJ and producer Nyteowl (AKA Jeremiah Conlon) with a trio of his favorite acts: Lookbook, FoodTeam, and Solid Gold. Lookbook is one of the hottest up-and-coming bands, getting regular play on 89.3 The Current as of late, and FoodTeam is the solo act of Mystery Palace’s Ryan Olcott (who happens to have also produced Solid Gold’s debut LP Bodies of Water). Before they play the sold-out Rock the Garden on Saturday, uber-popular band Solid Gold will be doing a DJ set. Bonus: Nyteowl recently remixed Solid Gold and Lookbook songs, along with some international DJs for his label Nytetraxx, so expect a preview of the as-yet-unreleased tracks.
Preview Nyteowl's "Bootythumper" remix of Solid Gold's "Biblethumper" here

Deastro THURSDAY 6/18 at 7th Street Entry
Ever wondered what it would sound like to travel through space in the ‘80s? Randolph Chabot’s solo project Deastro has your answer. The 22-year-old's solo project has been likened to glistening shoegaze, it’s more akin to his own description: “Space symphonies.” Layered with swirling synths, urgently youthful vocals, and soaring indie-pop melodies, the description by the Michigan native is apt. His one-man-band is sure to have nerd appeal: The lyrics center around mythical kingdoms, kings, and a mythical “moondagger.” Lazer Forever and Telepathos opens.

Krave: Rock Star FRIDAY 6/19 at Karma
Pride isn’t until next week, but you can start partying early at popular GLBT club night KRAVE. This month is headlined by Atlanta DJ David Knapp and the Twin Cities’ own DJ Shiek and DJ Red Richard, with gay icon Wanda Wisdom, dancers, models, giveaways, and more. Most importantly for any KRAVE night is the theme, this month’s being “ROCKSTAR.” So channel your inner Adam Lambert and put on your tightest jeans, leather jacket, ripped t-shirt, and of course, guyliner. (Costumes are encouraged but not required.) If you need a hand, stylists from Rocco Altobelli will be on hand to give free rock star makeovers.

Red Pens CD Release Show SATURDAY 6/20 at 7th Street Entry
It’s highly possible two-piece experimental nu-gazers Red Pens could be one of the more promising psychedelic bands to have popped up in the Twin Cities as of late. The particular version of lo-fi no-wave found on the its debut album Reasons should resonate with fans of the uber-hyped Wavves, but the romantic melodies buried in tracks such as “Cave Something” should fill your My Bloody Valentine cravings. Sharp Teeth, The Vignettes, and Total Babe open.

On Saturday I'll be at the sold-out Rock the Garden, primarily to see Yeasayer and of course, Solid Gold. Look to Vita.mn on Monday for my review of the show.

Bachelorette SUNDAY 6/21 at 7th Street Entry
New Zealand has been making a name for itself as of late with the seemingly unstoppable flow of quirky pop-rock it’s unleashed on the world. Kiwi one-lady-band Bachelorette (aka Annabel Alpers) seems to be New Zealand’s answer to Sweden’s Robyn, all synth-infused swirling pop and sass. On her debut album Isolation Loops, she takes on the world of technology and our reliance on it while incorporating that very technology into her songs’ recordings. The micro vs. macro theme brings the loop-heavy album close to the concept album category, but she inserts enough warmth and romanticism to make it an easy listen. Pikelet and Ultrachorus open.

Pansy Division with Dirty Diamonds SUNDAY 6/21 at Triple Rock
This rare, highly-anticipated show from punk rock icons Pansy Division is a can’t-miss for any punk rock fan. One of the founding bands of the Queercore genre, San Francisco’s Pansy Division just put out its first album in five years. Composed primarily of gay musicians and focusing on mostly gay-centric topics, the band defied gay stereotypes back in the early ‘90s with their brand of in-your-face, sexuality-rife punk rock. The Dirty Diamonds open.

The Germs, Krum Bums and Virgin Whores MONDAY 6/22 at Triple Rock
One of L.A.’s most influential punk bands of all time, The Germs are on their first world tour after being disbanded for over 20 years. The suicide of frontman Darby Crash caused the band to break up back in 1980, and founding guitarist Pat Smear went on to play in Nirvana and Foo Fighters in the ‘90s. After casting Shane West as Crash in the band’s biographical film What We Do Is Secret in 2005, the band reformed with West as frontman. Opening is Austin hardcore punk band The Krum Bums.

Mika Miko and Strange Boys TUESDAY 6/23 at 7th Street Entry
L.A. five-piece Mika Miko doesn’t mess around with the classic pop-punk equation: Take three chords, add drums, bass, and girl-punk vocals; blend for two minutes and serve. It seems to have worked for them – they’re currently riding a wave of hype including stints at PAPER magazine’s Beautiful People Party in April and the Levi’s Fader showcase at SXSW. The band actually boasts a rather large discography, having been together since 2003, but Mika Miko’s best-known for its high-energy live show. Strange Boys and Gay Beast open.

Vita.mn + STAYcation + l'etoile for 6.11.09-6.17.09

The big swimwear spread I styled and wrote for Vita.mn is out today, along with a behind-the-scenes video for which I talked about all the looks and swimwear trends for this summer. Peep it below:

[Photo by Carlos Gonzalez / Styling by Jahna Peloquin / Hair by Charlie Brackney / Make-up by Ashley Kilcher / Modeled by Ashley VO of Vision]

VITA.MN

Watch the behind-the-scenes of the photo shoot video at Vita.mn, StarTribune.com, or on Channel 23 (the local CW network) at 10:30 p.m. on the CW Twin Cities Beat show. (Yep, I'm officially going to be on TV!) Local designers Calpurnia Peach and Red Shoe Clothing Co. are featured as well as Benetton and Everything But Water from the MOA, Belle Reve, Opitz Outlet and Lula's Vintage Wear with parasols by local designer Rebecca Sullivan.

Also check out my t-shirt - it's by Brian Lichtenberg for Blood is the New Black from ROBOTlove.

View the full spread and story online at here. It's also featured on the front page of StarTribune.com today.

More swimwear trends - and how to wear them.

Fashion: 5ive Years of Love: Cliche 5 Year Anniversary Show 6/11 at Plaza Verde

[Dress by Cliche designer Brianne Jones for Kelson/Image by Ryan Cloutier]

Crawl: A Steampunk Pub Crawl 6/13 in Northeast Mpls

Crawl: E&G Boutique Outlet opens + Jewelry by Blasphemina's Closet

[Headpiece by Blasphemina's Closet]

Music: Hip Hop Against Homophobia6/13 at Bedlam Theater

Performance: the SCREEN/the THING and RadioBrain 6/11-6/14 at Southern Theater

ST. PAUL STAYCATION

Nightlife: "We're on a boat!" (a review of the Moon Goons boat party and other boat party options)

Music: Jazz, St. Paul style: Jay Epstein Trio CD Release + Hot Summer Jazz preview 6/11 at the Artists' Quarter

L'ETOILE

Check out the Weekend What's What for 6/11.

Also be sure to check out the local premiere of Valentino: The Last Emperor, opening Friday at Oak Street Cinema and the Theatres at Mall of America. The new film documenting the life and career of legendary Italian fashion designer Valentino very nearly didn’t make it to Minneapolis. Fortunately, the film lovers behind the Oak Street decided to take matters into their own hands and were able to secure a two-week stint. The feature-length film was made in the wake of his 2008 retirement from the company he founded more than 45 years ago, and shows all the goings-on behind the scenes as the designer prepares to send his final couture collection down the runway. The film is only coming to a handful of U.S. cities, so consider yourself lucky.

Remake/Revamp with Calpurnia Peach at the Walker

[Image of Calpurnia Peach courtesy Walker Art Center]

Ever wanted to learn just how Voltage faves Calpurnia Peach execute their screenprinting process? Peach designers Luci Kandler and Ashley Wokasch teach you how to do it and let you take the results home with you when they instruct a workshop tomorrow at the Walker Art Center. It's part of the Walker's Remake/Revamp series, a Free Thursdays program running throughout the summer.

Check out an interview with the girls posted on the Walker's blog here and more about the other designers participating in the program (including longtime designer Rebecca Yaker, queen of the Sock Monkey) here. If you can't make it tomorrow, Calpurnia Peach has a follow-up class on June 25.

Preview: Cliché's summer fashion show

[Cothing by Jenny Carle / Image by Stephanie Hynes]

Local boutique Cliché's fashion show are always worth noting on your social planner, but its annual summer fashion show is its biggest of the year. It will be held this Thursday, June 11 at Plaza Verde, an old dance hall that turns out to be a surprisingly ideal setting for such an event. Fifteen of the shop's top-notch roster of up-and-coming, hard-working local designers will show summer and fall 2009 collections, paired with accessories from Cliché's local accessory designers. Below is a preview of what you can expect.

Jenny Carle

Recent Fashion Feud contestant Jenny Carle is really stepping it up with her summer collection. The gorgeous shoot the '08 St. Kate's grad did with photographer Stephanie Hynes shows Carle's newly-focused aesthetic. Her summer collection is a girlish take on country living, and incorporates her love for vintage fabrics and feminine silhouettes.

[Clothing by Jenny Carle / Images by Stephanie Hynes / Modeled by Raina Hein & Kara Knutson for Ignite]

Renate Adjei

Ghanaian-born designer has flown under the radar for some time, but her designs are typically one of the high points of the various nightclub shows she's participated in over the past two years. The St. Kate's 2008 grad is known for a feminine yet structured silhouette full of flounces, pleats and ruffles. Her summer line mixes flower prints and solids in airy fabrics.

[Dress by Renate Adjei / Image by Stephanie Hynes / Modeled by Greta Sundquist for Ignite]

Carmichael Claith by Christine Carmichael

Voltage '09 designer Christine Carmichael takes inspiration from the Scottish Highlands and historical English sporting attire. She says her summer collection is based off the French art and interior designer style of the 18th century Rococo period.

[Jacket by Carmichael Claith]

kjurek couture by Kimberly Jurek

One of the few Cliché designers carried by other local boutiques, longtime local designer Kimberly Jurek is creating a small, exclusive collection for the anniversary show. It includes "romantic drapey cowl necklines with saucy hoods in dresses and tunics" as wella s European-style skirts and shorts.

[Coat dress by kjurek couture / Image by Loren Kollmar / Modeled by Nikki Miller for Ignite]

Emily Weich

After her Voltage 2009 collection made a big impression on local fashion writers, we're all looking to Emily Weich's follow-up with big expectations. Her feminine, easy-to-wear clothing will take inspiration this summer from the English countryside. She tells me that she hand-dyed all of the silks for the garments with natural dyes from spinach, saffron, turmeric, paprika, and raspberries.

[Sketches by Emily Weich]

Amanda Christine

One of my favorite local designers is Amanda Christine, not only for her insanely-perfect attention to detail, but the fact that she's so great to work with. (I've worn her designs this past spring at Voltage and Envision fashion shows.) She'll be previewing her fall 2009 line, which I helped style for her lookbook shoot. Here is a sample of the images, where you can see an increasingly edgy yet still wearable silhouette and unified vision.

[Clothing by Amanda Christine / Images by Nic Marshall / Styling by Eclecticoiffeur / Modeled by Lauren Wade for Wehmann]

Kelson by Brianne Jones

Brianne Jones seemed to have gone off the radar for some time; after her promising line Belle was shown at Voltage 2008, she all but disappeared from the racks of Cliche. It turns out she was busy graduating from the University of Minnesota's apparel design program. I caught her senior line showing earlier this year and it truly stood out among the many other designers showcased. Now she's back with a new line, Kelson - still modern, structured, and discretely feminine. She says the line is inspired by "the iconic female magician's assistant and her captivating stage presence." (She'll be hosting a Kelson trunk show next Friday, June 19 at Cliche.)

[Dress by Kelson / Image by Ryan Cloutier]

Rose White by Amanda Chaffin

I wasn't able to get any images from brand-new Cliché designer Amanda Chaffin, who is launching her line Rose White. I review the recent St. Kate grad's senior line here. She says her summer line "is all about fun, easy summer pieces with unexpected pops of color." It includes high-waisted shorts in stretch lace, knit tops, off-the-shoulder silhouettes and racerback tanks.

Check the flyer for more info:

[Flyer design by Will Work for Clothes]

Liam Gallagher's clothing line launches, disappoints

[Image courtesy PrettyGreen.com]

I was just as big of an Oasis fan as the rest of you, though not as much as I was of mightier Britpop bands Blur and Pulp. "Definitely Maybe" is probably one of my top 20 favorite albums of all time. But Liam Gallagher's clothing line, just released yesterday, has dropped Oasis' cool points down quite a few notches. The infamous Oasis frontman's label Pretty Green harkens back to the Britpop boom of the early '90s; it basically consists of every article of clothing you can vaguely remember the band wearing. (Think long military-style hoodless parkas, porkpie hats.)

Despite the fact that the designs are average and overpriced (cotton scarf for $90, anyone?), the line has already sold out. But here's a tip: You could just as easily find a military-issued parka for about a third of the price.

Vita.mn, l'etoile + STAYcation for 6.4.09-6.10.09

Check out my writing this weekend in Vita.mn, l'etoile, and St. Paul STAYcation.

[Image of PJ Harvey + John Parish]

Vita.mn: Summer Guide '09:
PJ Harvey + John Parish 6/13 at Minnesota Zoo
Macy's Glamorama 2009: Fusion 8/14 at Orpheum Theater
Uptown Air Fair 2009: A Fusion of Art, Flavor and Flair 8/7-8/9
Beyonce + Solange 7/16 at Target Center

Crawl: Where are all the good men? One Man Minneapolis announces finalists

Fashion: Brian Lichtenberg for Blood is the New Black at ROBOTlove + ShopFatal deal
L.A. designer Brian Lichtenberg is known for his impossibly offbeat designs, and his designs for the limited-edition T-shirt line Blood Is the New Black are no different.

[Image of Blood is the New Black "Pearls" shirt, available at ROBOTlove]

Art: Minneapolis MOSAIC Photography Commission 6/6 downtown Mpls
For the sixth annual Minneapolis MOSAIC Photography Commission, local photographer Sean Smuda created a portrait series that would speak to the diversity that MOSAIC is all about. The 20 portraits, entitled “Hopes and Dreams,” were shot around the Midtown Exchange to show its microcosm of the diversity of Minneapolis. For the series, Smuda says he asked the participants what their own hopes and dreams were, and their connection to the changes from Martin Luther King, Jr., and Barack Obama. The responses, ranging from writing, drawing, and other sourced material, were incorporated into the final portraits, which will be unveiled by Mayor R.T. Rybak. (City Center will subsequently have a complete set hanging in their halls through 2010.) The MOSAIC Festival also showcases over 40 live entertainment acts, including Latina hip hop band Maria Isa. (5:30-10 p.m. Sat. Free. Hennepin Av. between 7th & 9th Streets, Mpls. www.minneapolismosaic.com)

Art: Red Hot Art Festival 2009 6/6-6/7 at Stevens Square Park
Art: Data Art Show 6/10 at Pink Hobo Gallery

Music:
US Air Guitar Championships 6/5 at Varsity Theater
Pachyderm Electronic Music Festival 6/6-6/7 at Pachyderm Studios

Lovelee Buttons presents Lookbook, Dearling Physique + To Kill a Petty Bourgeoisie 6/6 at Intermedia Arts (print edition only)
By no means will this show by creative co-op Lovelee Buttons be your typical rock show. Held at the long-vacant Intermedia Arts’ black box-style theater, the show will be more akin to a performance art piece. Incorporating a variety of artistic mediums including visual art, video projections, theater, dance, and live music, the show will explore the interactions between independently-created works of art. Artwork and video by Lovelee Buttons collaborators Jesse Draxler and Casey Opstad will accompany music by electronic two-piece Lookbook, experimental act Dearling Physique, and conceptual one-man-band To Kill a Petty Bourgeoisie. (8 p.m. All ages. $8-10)

[Illustration of Lookbook by Isaac Gale]

l'etoile:
I submitted a few contributions to this week's edition: Lookbook @ Walker Art Center and Miller, Roby & Ullandson at Sellout Art Gallery (both today), Red Hot Art and Idle Hands CD Release on Saturday, and Grand Old Day on Sunday. Check it!

St. Paul STAYcation:
Music: Music in Mears kicks off
Style: Check out my Grand Avenue shopping guide, in honor of Grand Old Day!

Also be sure to check this show out next Thursday:
Fashion: 5 Years of Love: Cliche 5 Year Anniversary Show 6/11 at Plaza Verde
Local boutique Cliché has long been the premier retailer for up-and-coming local clothing designers, but things were very different when it opened its doors five years ago. Read more in next week's issue - but you can grab your tickets now at Cliche. I'll be doing a preview of some of the designer sketches in Le Petit early next week.