Style diary: My MNfashion Week looks

Part of the fun of MNfashion Week is gussying up in looks by local designers for the slew of fashion shows that take place.

[L: Pictured with Richard Anderson, photo by Mary O'Regan. R: Amanda Christine lookbook]

For Envision: Artopia last Friday, April 7, I wore this red cotton Amanda Christine dress with puff sleeves and cutout details. She showed the same dress in blue during the show that evening. If you're interested, the dress is available for purchase in a full size run in both colors at Cliche. I paired with a stone and chain necklace by newcomer KR Dezigns, also available at Cliche, and black glitter pumps from Forever 21.

[Pictured with Robyne Robinson and Kate Iverson, photo by Mary O'Regan via Art of Wore]

[L: Photo by George Moskal. R: Photo by Nicholas Marshall, styling by Eclecticoiffeur]

For George Moskal and CounterCouture's show last Wednesday, I wore my own hot pink silk cropped top from George Moskal's fall/winter 2009 collection and a silk cocoon skirt by Katherine Gerdes I had commissioned her to make for a Nicholas Marshall shoot back in spring 2007. I paired them with Steve Madden platforms, a feather/flower clip by Ruby3 by Anna Lee and a clutch from Target.

[L: Pictured with Richard Anderson, photo by Mary O'Regan. R: METRO Magazine]

[Photo courtesy Robyne Robinson]

For Emma Berg and Kevin Kramp's show last Thursday, Emma lent me her blue draped dress she designed for a METRO Magazine commission. I felt like a goddess in the dress, which was draped entirely from one piece of fabric. I paired it with my own custom brushed gold link chain necklace with fire agates, bronzite and heishi pearls by Robyne Robinson of ROX Jewelry. (Excuse my lack of hair/makeup, it was a crazy busy day!) I'm a little bummed that I'm not taller, from some angles it looked like I was swimming in the dress.

[L: Pictured with Voltage producer Anna Lee, photo by Kristin Berwald. R: Photo by Mary O'Regan]

For Voltage, I brought out the big guns - a custom dress designed by my all-time favorite local designer, Max Lohrbach. He said that he loved this version more than the one he was showing in his collection, but what can I say, I'm selfish when it comes to Max. Here I am in my version, which I paired with custom jewelry by Bionic Unicorn (a collaboration with Max Lohrbach, who drew the kitty heads) and a purse and wedges from Opitz Outlet. I'm having a better hair day here, thanks to the amazing Julie at Smart & Chic Beauty Lounge (which offers hair and makeup styling). The jewelry will be available for purchase on Bionic Unicorn's Etsy shop later this week. Here's a closeup of a similar design:


Click here for my link roundup of this spring's MNfashion Week coverage.

In review: "Envision: Artopia"

This weekend, MNfashion Week fully kicked off. I review last night's "Envision: Artopia" fashion show for Vita.mn:

[A look from Cliche. Photo by Rhea Pappas for MNfashion]

Check out next weekend's issue of Vita.mn for more MNfashion Week coverage, or MNfashionWeek.com, and more reviews to come.

Recap: MNfashion Week kickoff events

Last night, MNfashion Week kicked off officially with the Amanda Christine/K.Jurek trunk show at Cliche and Smart & Chic/PK Hair's "Ma Vie en Plastique" runway show at Aloft. I recapped both for Vita.mn.

[Tearra in a K.Jurek design]

MNfashion Week kicks off

MNfashion Week officially kicks off tonight with its first event, "Ma Vie En Plastique," a show from the minds of hairstylist Pearson Knight and Smart & Chic Beauty Lounge. I preview the show as well as Envision: Artopia and the MNfashion Week-produced Shows from George Moskal, CounterCouture, Emma Berg and Kevin Kramp, in this week's issue of Vita.mn.

[A look by Emma Berg. Photo: Robb Long]

I spotlight MNfashion Week designer Kevin Kramp and talk his recent feature in Vogue Italia for Vita.mn.

I also cover the Amanda Christine and K.Jurek trunk show tonight at Cliche for Vita.mn.

Look for future issues of Vita.mn for more MNfashion Week coverage to come.

Also check out l'etoile's weekly shopping guide for more MNfashion Week coverage.

Local inspiration: 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.

Street style blog Minneapolis Affair shoots The Minneapoline/Vita.mn street style blogger Ellen Dahl Lawson.

Ahlin Sanvee shows off his swanky style at Calhoun Square. (Photo: Minneapolis Affair)

Local style blogger Kitty Cotten laughs in the face of winter and goes red.

Local knitwear designer Annie Larson gets her nails done.

Style blogger Chloe Ahlf mixes prints - and makes it work.

Caitlin Angelica, the 16-year-old editor-in-chief of local arts photographer publication Crooked Teeth Magazine, gets peachy on personal style aggregator lookbook.nu.

Keisha Harris goes mad for plaid in a promo shoot for Seattle-based e-shop Totokaelo.com. (Photo: Jill Wenger)

Vision model Elle Williams goes glam. (Photo: Jake Freeman)

Style blogger/stylist Jane Belfry glances over cat-eye liner with a leopard-covered friend.

Ignite model Whitney Fransway whips her hair. (Photo: Andi Elloway. Click here for more photos from the shoot.)

Style blogger Hina Khan saunters around her new neighborhood in L.A. (Photo: Cara Recine)

Fashion designer and painter Max Lohrbach paints a self portrait.

Despite the snow, Julia of Song of the Exile gets into the spring spirit with a trench and leopard-print kitten heels.

Amanda Christine S/S 2011 Collection

I posted earlier this week about local designers Amanda Christine and Kimberly Jurek selling their F/W 2011 collections at the POOL Tradeshow in Las Vegas, but I had yet to have seen their S/S 2011 lines until now. Helpfully, Amanda Christine has posted both this cute promo video and images of all of her looks on her website. I'll get to Kimberly Jurek's collection next.

Amanda Christine S/S 11 from Rod Hasse on Vimeo.

Love the trampoline shot at the end. Now, let's judge the collection. As with all her work, it's immaculately-sewn, with fabrics that are inexpensive but don't look it. It's basic sportswear with enough detail and edge to make them smartly-designed. Though it's nothing ground-breaking, it's clear that Amanda Christine is onto something - she's a local designer selling her line in over 30 stores across the country, and making a living doing it.

Love the color. It's a chic little sporty dress and perfectly on-trend.

The blouse is the same shape as the above dress - I approve. Not sure about the silhouette of those shorts. They seem like they would make a woman's hips look bigger.

This dress drapes on the model's body beautifully. The shoulder cut-outs are a nice touch. It's sort of basic with some nice details - a good going-out-to-the-club dress.

I'm sort of over the one-shoulder look - it's just starting to look a few seasons old by now. But print + color is always welcome.

I really don't like this sleeve silhouette. It's just not flattering on most shapes and it doesn't feel very fresh.

Strapless, short and white... it's pretty basic but the tie detail at the back is cute.

It's a pretty floral dress with just enough of an edge. The lace-up detail is a nice-touch.

Same top as the green in black. It adds an edge/masculine touch what could be a very girly skirt.

A lovely drape, but we've seen this be done a million ways since fall 2009. It just doesn't feel very fresh now.

What a chic little white dress. I could see this working for the day job and going to lunch, dressed up and dressed down.


Hm. Kind of basic. Nothing here is all that interesting besides the print and color, and it's not that fabulous of a print.

Cute racerback silk tank top. The pleated, cuffed shorts are all right. Would be a cute summer look if work with a big hat, big purse and flat sandals.

Cute enough, but don't love the print.

Cute jacket, but I like the version she showed at "Avoid the Grey" better, with pleather lapels and minus the ruched sleeves.

Cute, cute dress. Love the color, and it manages to have an edge despite the puff sleeves. In fact I am on pre-order for this to wear it at the Envision: Artopia show in April. I like the cutout at back, but I'm not thrilled about the Velcro closure.

The black color-blocking is a nice detail, but this is pretty standard.

Standard. Not in love with the print.

Pretty dress, picking up on the ballet trend for spring. But it doesn't really fit with the edgier, sportwear feel of rest of the collection.

The line is available locally at Cliche, Karma and Parc Boutique.

Photography: Rod Hasse
Model: Ali Thompson-Stucky from Vision
Hair/Makeup: Allison Jean AuBuchon
Jewelry provided by Bionic Unicorn and Cocoquette from Cliche

Amanda Christine & Kimberly Jurek at POOL Tradeshow

Local designers Amanda Christine and Kimberly Jurek of K.Jurek have been attending the POOL Tradeshow (the leading art and design driven fashion tradeshow for emerging brands) in Las Vegas for years by now - and are being carried in upwards of 30 stores a piece as a result. Here they are at this year's trade show shucking their F/W and Holiday 2011 lines to potential retailers. I'm really digging Amanda Christine's separates, in particular.

[Amanda Christine and Kimberly Jurek]

[Jurek and her line]

[A K.Jurek Holiday 2011 coat]

[A K.Jurek Holiday 2011 dress]

[Amanda Christine F/W 2011 looks]

[An Amanda Christine F/W 2011 look]

[Amanda Christine F/W 2011 looks]

Local inspiration: 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.

Dirty Hair Halo blogger Shanon Licari shows off her chipped nails and rings.

Trnds.com blogger/web developer Corey Tenold dresses the part.

Stylist/blogger Jane Belfry fades out.

The Minneapolis Affair street style bloggers are back in town from a trip to L.A. Click here for more photos from Hen-Lake.

Marketing guru/rocker Christian Erickson shows off his new camera.

Ellen Dahl Lawson shoots style at Walker After Hours for The Minneapoline. Click here for more style shots from that night at Vita.mn.


Ellen also shoots Ignite models in looks by Ivan Idland (top) and Amanda Christine (bottom) at Cliche's "Avoid the Grey" fashion show for The Minneapoline.

Louisa Marion shoots painter Torey Bonar.

Amy Gee shoots her roommate's new dog. The plaid couch is the perfect touch.