More "Avoid the Grey" previews

All three shows for Saturday's "Avoid the Grey" show are sold out. But if you were lucky enough to nab tickets to Cliché's annual runway show, here is a preview of what to expect:

My spotlight in today's print issue of Vita.mn.
My preview of the show's lookbook for Vita.mn online; and
The Minnesota Daily spotlights two new Cliché designers, Sarah M. Holm and ArielSimone.

"Avoid the Grey" designer Maritza Ramirez wasn't in the lookbook, but she was nice enough to share a sketch with me from her spring 2011 line - her first since last summer's "I Feel Love" show:


Also in today's Vita.mn, I spotlight Grethen House's 70% off sale and local designer Anne M. Cramer's adorable spring skirt. Read it here.

Avoid the Grey lookbook preview

Delayna Sundberg, co-owner of Cliché, just gave me the exclusive preview of next Saturday's "Avoid the Grey" fashion show at Old Arizona. The long-running annual show highlights the boutique's prolific roster of local fashion designers as well as their own well-edited selection of national lines. The lookbook features Ignite model Caitlin, hair and makeup by Kate Erickson, and photography by Josh Stokes. Click here for show details.

In review: MNfashion Week Preview

[Originally published at vita.mn]

On Tuesday evening, local designers, fashion writers, and the local fashion elite crowded into the swanky underground Honey Lounge in Northeast for a preview of the upcoming fall 2010 MNfashion Week. After an MNfashion video introduction from MNfashion director Anna Lee and designer Joy Teiken of Joynoelle, the crowd parted for a casual fashion show featuring a couple of looks from nearly every event happening during MNfashion Week.

Both Raul Osorio and Danielle Everine of the joint show "Pale Rider" (September 24 at MNfashion Atrium) showed two looks each. Osorio's black structured dress was a hit, and the styling by Molly Roark was spot on.

Danielle Everine's looks were ideal for autumn walks, and the fur stoles and riding boots were perfect additions. Her wool cream swing coat was the show-stopper of the evening.


We were surprised to find out the extremely sophisticated sage green print trapeze dress was by "Project Runway" alum Christopher Straub, who will be previewing more looks from his Spring 2011 collection at Envision: Artopia (September 17 at Graves 601 Hotel). The designer told us after the show he's been working on "cutting down on the frippery" on his designs, which seems to really be working for him.


Envision designer ArielSimone took a risk showing her edgy mini-skirt-meets-bodysuit one-shouldered look. But the construction was solid, and her point of view is clear. Designer Adrienne Yancy is making it clear she's one to watch.


A couple of looks from Cliche's "Crosswalk" show (September 23 at Cliche) included this layered look from hot up-and-comer Tender Cuts by Emily Bryngelson: a crisp, tailored jacket with a filmy, floral-print dress - perfectly on trend for fall.

A look from local line Of Venus and Gaia (September 23 at the Lab Theater) is said to be inspired by '80s dancewear - unfortunately, that was trendy about ten years ago and hasn't really come back. The mish-mashed outfits were trying to be eclectic and quirky but ended up coming off messy.


Another hiccup: the too-shiny, too bright and too-tight looks from the Sweet Life fashion show (September 26 at OM Restaurant). The look is defiantly clubwear and not exactly of-the-moment.


Overall, it was a great sampling of what's to come during MNfashion Week, running September 20-26. For more information on MNfashion Week, visit mnfashionweek.com.

All photos by Stacy Schwartz for MNfashion

ArielSimone heading to New York Fashion Week

Adrienne Yancy will be participating in one of the hallmarks of a fashion designer's career: showing at New York Fashion Week. Under her line ArielSimone, the local designer will be presenting her Spring 2011 swimwear line in a collective show that also includes Project Runway alumni Leanne Marshall (Season 5's winning designer) and Korto Momolu (a Season 5 runner-up). Though said to be inspired by the bold colors and sex appeal of Miami, the collection will get a local touch via sunglasses by Minnesota natives Coco and Breezy. The show is slated for September 12 at the Skylight West Studios in New York.