Thursday, June 25, 2009

Style tribute: Michael Jackson + Farah Fawcett

Two icons died today, and both were known as style icons of their generations. As a tribute to both, let's take a look at their respective styles throughout the years.

Farah Fawcett was pretty much the poster girl for the '70s - big, bouncy curls, all-American looks, not to mention that bod that every boy dreamed about. The Charlie's Angels star could look just as hot in high-waisted bell bottoms and sneaks.

The ubiquitous poster that was on every boy's wall.


Another pin-up-y look - oh yeah, and cut-out swimsuits are back, did you hear?

Farah looking as American as apple pie.

Farah looking just as hot in jeans and sneaks as in nearly nothing.

And of course, where would she be without an Andy Warhol Polaroid portrait?


And then there was Michael.

That red jacket from "Beat It" that later inspired Rihanna to rock one last year on her tour with Kanye - that fingerless glove worn on one hand - the black loafers worn with high-water pants and white socks. The King of Pop was obviously better known for his music, but his style has inspired many.

Of course, it all started with the Jackson 5, when Michael was just a groovy kid in bell bottoms.


MJ really broke out on his own in a white suit on the cover of "Off the Wall." It was sharp, in a very Studio 54 kind of way. And what better accessory is there than a tiger cub?

With MJ's first aired performance on the TV special "Motown 25" in 1983, we were first exposed to MJ's one-of-a-kind dance moves, the toe stands, the crotch grabs, and especially the Moonwalk. Check the sequinned jacket and military-striped pants he wore for the performance, and of course the single silver sequin glove.
An icon isn't an icon in the '60s & '70s without an Andy Warhol portrait.

Here's MJ in the classic early-'80s gear for "Beat It" and "Thriller": Red jacket, black loafers, and white socks. 'Nuff said.

For the 1991 Grammy awards, Madonna took him as her date. Could there have been a more provocative pair at the time? He's dripping in almost as many diamonds as she is.

MJ during his early '90s "Bad" period: Studded motorcycle jackets, like the one Karen O has been wearing on her most recent tour.

For another early '90s track "Smooth Criminal" (aka the song where he does the moonwalk and the cool lean thing), he went back to the slick white suit, this time with a gangster-inspired fedora.

Later on he glammed it up in a military-inspired jacket - which are now all the rage, a la Balmain.

RIP, MJ + FF

Shopping & style news for 6.25.09-6.28.09

Check out my style writing for this weekend:

Check out my interview with Lauren Conrad from when she was at the Mall of America last weekend:
OMG, LC @ MOA!"
[Photo by Tony Nelson for MOA]

FRIDAY-SATURDAY: MNfashion Designer Garage Sale
Garage sales are typically hit-or-miss affairs, but this one organized by local non-profit fashion organization MNfashion shouldn’t disappoint. A step above your run-of-the-mill garage sale, the Designer Garage Sale will offer great deals...
Read more at Vita.mn


[A look from Abracadabra Vintage]

SATURDAY: Abracadabra Vintage Lawn Party
Why buy new when you can buy the real deal for less? That’s the premise of Abracadabra Vintage, a locally-run online vintage shop run by sisters Alisun and Ashlee Abbott. Read more at Vita.mn

[Image of BothDol Fashion modeled by its designer Nyamol Both]

SUNDAY: BothDol Fashion Release Party
The best fashion designers have a way of making the old feel new, and merge tradition with modern needs. Ethiopian-born 21-year-old designer Nyamol Both seems to have that ability, having spent her youth in Africa and the past 13 years in Minneapolis.
Read more at Vita.mn

FRIDAY: Purple Rain Sing-along & Costume Contest
This summer marks the 25th anniversary of the iconic prince flick "Purple Rain," so it's a given that first avenue would host a party in its honor. After all, the nightclub is practically a supporting character in the film.
Read more at Vita.mn

My St. Paul STAYcation blog on
St. Paul Shopping & Sales for 6.23-6.30 includes info on closing sales this weekend at REfind Vintage and Evoke Gallery, as well as the Midwest Vintage Clothing, Jewelry and Textile Sale at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.

More stylish events to check out:

SUNDAY: "Bitch with Brunch" at Seven rooftop
Drag queen Bitch Flowers hosts this rooftop fashion show at Seven Ultralounge. Stylist Richard Anderson (AKA Bitch Flowers in a suit) is doing all the floral arrangements and says the fashion show will be "very Miami." It will feature underwear and bathing suits by L.A.-based designer and current contestant on Bravo's The Fashion Show, Andrew Christian. Oh, and they're the best seats in the house to watch the Gay Pride Parade.
Check out the facebook invite for details.

SATURDAY: Celebrity hairstylist Chaz Dean at MOA
The creator of WEN hair and body products - and celeb hairstylist to Nicollette Sheriden, Christina Applegate and Marcia Cross - will be introducing the line and giving demos. The collection is made up of WEN Cleansing Conditions, non-lathering cleansers that eliminate need for shampoo. Attendance open to public by RSVP at
qvcatthemall.com. (10 a.m., at QVC@TheMall on the First Level, Mall of America.)

SATURDAY: Joynoƫlle Boutique and Atelier is having a 10-80% off sample sale on dresses, coats, and handbags as well as jewelry by Penny Larsen and stationery by Apiary Design. (10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. 312 W. 42nd St., Mpls., 612-209-7822.)

Check out these
style shots from the Vita.mn Poolside Fashion Show via CityPages.com by photog Emily Utne and writer (and Poolside assisting hair stylist) Stacey Tuthill. It's part of their new weekly street style segment - these girls definitely have their finger on the pulse of chic!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

MNfashion Designer Garage Sale this weekend

[Sketches for Fall 2009 designs by George Moskal]

MNfashion - the organization behind Voltage: Fashion Amplified and MNfashion Week in the spring and fall - is hosting the first annual MNfashion Designer Garage Sale this weekend. MNfashion founder Anna Lee just announced a preview of what will be available at the sale:

"We have a fun and stylish mix of clothes and accessories, housewares and books, sewing supplies (including a dress form), beauty products and a few surprises!"

The hottest items should be the ones up for silent auction at the preview event on Friday. Items include Guthrie tickets, items from local designers such as
George Moskal, Ruby3 and Frances Zerr, photo sessions, and a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes. The preview event will also have wine, small bites, and a chance to get your hands on the sale items first for a suggested donation of $10. It all goes to a good cause - MNfashion programming, including Voltage, MNfashion Week, and other programs throughout the year.

They're still accepting donations for the sale and silent auction; if you're interested in donating, contact annalee@mnfashion.org.

Preview sale and silent auction: Friday, June 26, 6-10 p.m.
Designer Garage Sale: Saturday, June 27, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location: Shelter Studios 2112 Broadway Street NE-Suite 150 Minneapolis, MN 55413

Personally, I'm looking to get my hands on whatever is being auctioned off by George Moskal - one of my longtime local designer faves who recently returned to the Twin Cities after being on the west coast for the past few years. His collection for Voltage 2007 was the highlight of the night.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Tonight: Twin Cities Supper Club at Clubhouse Jager


I typically visit Clubhouse Jager a few times a week - Tuesday nights for JagerCon, Wednesdays for Jake Rudh's Transmission, and an occasional Saturday nights when Attitude City plays. The atmosphere is great, the backyard patio is huge, and the bartenders are awesome. But believe it or not, I have barely partaken in its most recent addition: A food menu. That's right: The bar recently added a menu of small eats, like six-inch pizzas with a wide variety of toppings, sandwiches, soups, and more - that, until now, I haven't had the chance to try.

Well tonight's my night: Twin Cities Supper Club is hosting its monthly food sampling event at none other than Clubhouse Jager tonight. I'll get back with a full report tomorrow. Tickets ($25) for tonight's event are still available; check the
facebook event invite for all the details.

Peep tonight's sampling menu if you need more motivation:

*Decadent Crab Dip
*Pesto Pasta Salad with Roasted Red Peppers and Fresh Mozzarella
*Jager Snack - Veggie Apps (with Black Bean Dip, Roasted Red Pepper Hummus and Olives)
*Spinach Salad with Candied Walnuts, Craisins and Blue Cheese in a House Made Vinaigrette
* Wild West Pizza (Spanish Chorizo, Chipotles, Red Onions, Corn, Black Beans and Chihuahua Cheese on a Cilantro-Tomatillo sauce
* Garden Delight Pizza (Mozzarella, Marinated Portabellas, Artichoke Hearts, Olives, Roasted Red Peppers, Red Onions, Fresh Basil on House Made Red Sauce
*Old Standard Pizza (Pepperoni, Fresh Basil and Mozzarella on House Made Red Sauce)
*One drink - beer, wine or cocktail

Clubhouse Jager's kitchen hours are 5-10 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, and 5-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. (There's also happy hour drink specials Tuesdays through Fridays from 4-8 p.m. and 2-4-1's all night on Tuesdays.) Jager is located at 923 Washington Ave. N., Mpls. in the North Loop.

Monday, June 22, 2009

The week in local fashion: 6.20.09-6.25.09

Sound Unseen presents Voltaic: The Volta Tour Live in Paris and Reykjavik 6/24 at Trylon Screening Room
This one-night screening of the new Bjork tour documentary, put on by the folks behind the annual music and film festival
Sound Unseen, shows us the Icelandic singer as we’ve never quite seen her before. The concert film Voltaic: The Volta Tour Live in Paris and Reykjavik compiles footage from concerts centering around her 2007 album Voltage. Unsurprisingly, her live shows are as complicated and textured as her recordings; her band includes a 10-piece horn section, ridiculous staging, and stage costumes created by Danish avant-garde fashion designer Henrik Vibskov. She never comes here on tour, so it's our only chance to see Bjork in all her crazy-costumed glory. –J. Peloquin (9:30 p.m. Wed. $8. 3258 Minnehaha Ave., Mpls.)

[Bjork in a Henrik Vibskov tour costume]


Remake/Revamp Art Lab with Calpurnia Peach 6/25 at Walker Art Center
When fashion design duo Calpurnia Peach showcased their first collection at Voltage 2008, it was the original screen prints they incorporated into their designs that really caught people’s attention. The pair are letting you in on the tricks of their trade at this art lab, part of the Walker’s Free Thursday Nights summer edition. Peach designers Luci Kandler and Ashley Wokasch will show you how to screen-print on your own garments, and they’ll be offering up their original prints for your use. It’s like getting your very own limited-edition Calpurnia Peach garment Check
my previous blog on Le Petit for more. (6-9 p.m. Thu. Free. 1750 Hennepin Av., Mpls. 612-375-7622.)

Gothic Beach Party 6/25 at Chamber @ The Bolt Underground
Local Neo-Victorian designer Samantha Rei of Blasphemina’s Closet will be showing Victorian-inspired beachwear, and wear your spookiest/retro beach attire. It's only $3 if you come in swimwear.
Check the facebook invite for more.

More Local Fashion News
Local designers/models/identical twins Coco & Breezy just posted a video launching their new sunglasses line. It's pretty hot.




Local men's fashion photographer Ingrid Werthmann just posted some new shots featuring model Kevin Walker of Vision and make-up artist Di Medlock (who happens to be in my stylist collective Eclecticoiffeur). They're very Miami Vice-in-the-future. (Bonus: A link to some photos from a Marc Jacobs-inspired shoot I did with Ingrid a while back starring the gorgeous Christo Collins.)

[Image by Ingrid Werthmann, make-up by Di Medlock]

A few of my fave local designers, Laura Fulk, Ivan Idland, Amanda Christine, and Kimberly Jurek, were featured in a City Pages local fashion spread last week. I especially loved Ivan's girl-boy look, inspired by Varsity high school team uniforms.

[Image of Ivan Idland's looks by Nick Vlcek for City Pages]

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Lauren Conrad @ MOA preview

I totally interviewed Lauren Conrad today at the MOA for the signing of her first novel, L.A. Candy. I'm doing a story on it for this Thursday's edition of Vita.mn. We also chatted about her working with Ra'mon on her line for Kohl's; you'll see more of that in a couple of months. I will say this much: She was super sweet and seemed very down to earth. The girl even complimented me on my shorts.

She looked gorgeous in a cute blouse, black cuffed shorts and black Louboutins. I can't believe I forgot to ask her who designed them (though the Louboutins were obvious).

Here are some quick shots I took with my terrible camera. Fortunately Tony Nelson was there taking shots for the MOA, which you will definitely see more of this week.



Totally blurry, but I kind of like it that way.

Friday, June 19, 2009

In Review: Vita.mn Poolside Fashion Show 6/18

[Image by Emily Utne for City Pages]

The third annual Vita.mn Poolside Fashion Show happened last night (with beautiful weather despite numerous reports of supposed thunderstorms, hail and tornadoes) at the Calhoun Beach Club, and it was an overall success. I was the lead stylist for the event, having put together over 55 looks from 15 different retailers including some of my fave MOA stores (Benetton, Burberry, American Apparel, Martin + Osa and Club Monaco), two local boutiques (Belle Reve and Bumbershute) and two local designers (Max Lohrbach and Emily Weich). Max in particular created four looks exclusively for the show inspired by the theme "English Garden Party." (The first theme was Americana/Yacht/Kentucky Derby-inspired, the last a bit more '70s Saint-Tropez.) He embroidered little houses onto some of the dresses, his inspiration being that now-infamous Anna Wintour quote about "Minnesotans" being "like little houses." Ingenius!

So far only City Pages has posted photos. Here's a preview:




[Above dress by Emily Weich. All images by Emily Utne for City Pages]

Click here for more photos from the night by City Pages' event photog Emily Utne.

The amazing Charlie Brackney was lead hair stylist and the immaculate Romeny Chan was lead make-up artist. Thanks to Xavi, Kara, Lindsey, and Keisha for being amazing wardrobe assistants backstage. Thanks to the great MOA staff for helping truck everything to the site. Most of all, thanks to Christian for producer best Vita.mn Poolside Fashion Show yet! What an amazing team!

[Charlie doing model Angelah's hair backstage]