Time Out Chicago gives props to local boutiques

Local boutiques Blacklist Vintage, Design Collective, and Cliché were written up in this month's issue of Time Out Chicago magazine for their big Minneapolis cover story. Here's an excerpt:

"Cliché, featuring a well-curated mix of local and national designers. Prices seem reasonable by Chicago standards, with dresses running between $50 and $150. Minneapolis’s vintage scene is worth a look, too. Recently opened Blacklist Vintage houses a remarkable selection of mint-condition mod and retro outfits. For 100 percent Minnesota-made goods, we hit Design Collective, a trove of clever Minneapolis-themed T-shirts and jewelry, plus locally designed clothing and accessories."


Congrats guys! (via City Pages' Blotter)

Tender Cuts S/S 10 Lookbook Preview

Check out these just-leaked photos from Tender Cuts' upcoming spring/summer 2010 lookbook:














Designer Emily Bryngelson is promising a website to be launched soon. The line, recently featured in the Calamity! fashion show, is currently available at Cliche (2403 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis). Select pieces will be shown at next week's Vita.mn Poolside Fashion Show.

Photography: studio kh
Models: Ashley Moe, Melissa Bownik
Hair/makeup: Brittany Rendler

Amanda Christine F/W10 Lookbook Preview

Just got my hot little hands on these preview images from Amanda Christine's F/W 2010 lookbook. I've had the opportunity to preview the entire lookbook (which she wants to keep under wraps for now) - in fact, I'm lucky enough to own a dress from the collection. I got the busy designer to give me a little update on what she's been up to.


Come fall, she'll be carried at close to 30 stores; she's also working on finding a showroom in LA and NYC, and planning to head to the Vegas trade shows again in August to debut her S/S 2011 collection. And most excitingly, she told me she's working on her first-ever solo fashion show, set for August 26 at the Nicollet Island Pavilion!







Photography: Rod Hasse
Fashion Styling: I've Got Your Style
Hair & Makeup: Andy NinJuh Doan
Models: Lily and Kelly, Ignite

Coco & Breezy launch new commercial

Day-um, girl! Make that girls, plural. Our favorite ex-Minnesotan modeling, sunglasses-designing identical twins Coco & Breezy have released their first commercial for their self-named, bedazzled sunglasses line. It's sure to make the likes of Beyonce and Gaga raise their eyebrows.

Coco & Breezy "20/20" Collection from Corey Davis on Vimeo.

Six Questions with Trnds.com's Corey Tenold

[Originally published exclusively online at Vita.mn]

The world of men's fashion is always a bit neglected in the Twin Cities, but a new locally-based blog gives menswear some fresh exposure. We highlight menswear blog Trnds.com in this week's issue, and in this online exclusive, asked founder Corey Tenold a few questions about his inspiration, his style, and three things every guy needs in his closet.

[Corey Tenold; image provided]
What inspired you to start your own fashion blog?
I've always loved fashion. I grew up an only son with three older sisters. We all grew up in the '90s era, and it showed. They loved to be outlandish. They were really into fashion, and in turn, I became a fiend. I am a web developer at an agency in Minneapolis. I'm always starting new projects just to test my technical abilities. I've always contemplated starting a blog but wasn't sure what I wanted to continuously write about. Fashion always came to mind first.

What's your background in fashion?
I've always tried to have my own unique personal style. I always seem to get the "Where did you get those shoes?" or "Where did you get that dope shirt?" in school and around town, and I would always say "Uhh, ahhh. I got it as a gift." I didn't want people copping my style, but I didn't want to be rude. I love to be on the cutting edge. Starting a blog was a stray away from the mindset of others not having my threads. But it's worth it, I like to keep people informed.

While the blog does cover fashion on a national scope, it's clear you pay attention to what's happening in local fashion. What's your take on the local fashion industry right now, particularly when it comes to men's fashion?
I've only been in Minnesota for about four years now. I'm learning more and more each day when it comes to local fashion. I think the first local designer I ever met was Raul Osorio. He has an awesome eye for fashion. His new line out is incredible. High fashion at it's best. I think Minneapolis has a lot of talent. Huge talent. I feel a ton of people are lurking out there in the cities undiscovered as we speak. Some people move away to make it big in other metros, like Coco & Breezy and Pierrepont Hicks to NYC. I think part of the task of Trnds is to help discover those undiscovered talents. Minnesota knows style, that's for sure.

What blogs do you follow on a regular basis?
I find myself on lookbook.nu quite a bit, there are always people showing off their own styles and own clothing for that matter. Hypebeast, High Snobiety. I was also recently introduced to Street Etiquette.com out of Brooklyn, and love what they are doing. Another FFFFound-esque clothing bookmark site I love is Svpply.

What's your favorite trend in menswear at the moment?
There's a lot of stuff I dig right now. Retro shoes, plaid shirts, tight, dark jeans when it comes to everyday, taking a stroll in the city looks. For the office, I'm kinda liking the shorts suits look. H&M have already put some out in their stores. It's going to be popular in the office this year. Suspenders with anything, plims, wing tips.

What are three things every guy needs in his wardrobe?
Only three? Wow, that's hard! Every guy needs a nice, slim tailored suit. Dark 'skinny' jeans. Plims. Done and done.

Fashion link roundup: Weekend edition

I Feel Love Fashion Show June 12th Minneapolis from Time Squid on Vimeo.

• Check out this teaser video by Hal Lovemelt, Anthem Heart AV Club ( Ken Hannigan and David Hannigan), Art Directed by Angie Hanson. Oishiimomo and Maritza Ramirez fashions modeled by Mary (Vision), styled by Jane Belfry, hair +makeup by Miyagi. Click here for a preview of the screen-printed show posters by Anthem Heart.
• Coco & Breezy's spread in In Tandem Magazine is up. Check it out at their facebook page or intandemmagazine.com. Click here for the related video.
• Jane Belfry posts some stunning images of Vision-represented model Megan McNierney in the Fall 2010 lookbook for Hollywood-based womenswear designer Minden Chan.
• Ellen Dahl shoots the stylish crowd at the Calamity! fashion show for Vita.mn.
  
• Jay Gabler at Twin Cities Daily Planet writes an in-depth piece on design shop ROBOTlove's new digs.
  
• Check out some gorgeous new shots of Vision model Mary by Jenn Cress here and here.
  
• Local designer Jenny Carle's newly updated website is now up at www.jennycarle.com.
  
• Mary O'Regan of METRO Magazine covers one of spring's fashion trends, neutrals, with photography by Marshall Franklin Long and Ignite models Alex and Sarah M.
  

Jenny Carle S/S10 Lookbook

Local designer Jenny Carle's S/S10 lookbook is out, and my gosh is it adorable. The line is currently available at Cliche, and was featured in the Envision 2010 spring show during MNfashion Week. Look for select pieces to appear in next week's Vita.mn Poolside Fashion Show.






Model: Sarah L (Ignite)
Photographer: Stephanie Hynes
Hair and makeup: Bethany Brihn
Styling: Hollie Mae Schultz