Weekend link roundup: 5.9-5.15

[Photo via Hina Khan]

Hina Khan does a studio visit with local designers Needle & Black and Carrier Pigeon.

Local vintage shop Tatters was recently featured on national blog Chubstr.com, which focuses on men's plus sized clothing.

Secrets of the City does a studio visit with local jewelry designer Annika Kaplan.

Frank 151 contributor Joan Erakit profiles local stylist/writer Jane Belfry for her blog, The Brown Girl Files.

Teqen Zea-Aida and Vision model Megan McNierney get shot on the streets of New York by New York street style photographer William Yan.

I recap last Thursday's RetroRama fashion event, along with Mary O'Regan for Art of Wore and Coco Mault for MinnPost.

Minnesota Monthly's Katie Dohman reports on Northeast-based Rewind Vintage's expansion to South Minneapolis.

Next weekend: The Walker's Local Artist Jewelry Mart

Just in time for Mother’s Day shopping, the Walker Shop is back with another installment of its popular Local Artist Jewelry Mart. The day-long trunk show showcases one-of-a-kind pieces by nineteen local jewelry artists and designers from the Twin Cities - most of which are not usually carried at the Shop.

I have long been a fan of Lauren Neal's Carrier Pigeon line, which is muted and minimal yet detailed and quietly bold. Each piece seems to carry a story. She does all original castings in gold and silver. I am really digging this silver ring.

Renee Larson is known for her whimsical, vintage-inspired designs.

Lefthand Originals by Larissa Loden are always fun and quirky. She designed a very cool line exclusively to go with designer Ivan Idland's collection at this year's Voltage - expect to see some of those pieces at the sale.

I hadn't yet heard of Annika Kaplan, but I really love this edgy, minimalist design.

Tia Keoubounpheng's minimalist, modern silvercocoon line is regularly carried at the Walker Shop, but expect to see some of her bolder, statement pieces in molded plastic.

Other designers featured include Brittany Foster of BMF Jewelry, Tasha Rae Tatro of Tasha Rae Jewelry, Mel Tudisco, Rebecca Wicklund, Yen Chee, Bridget Clark, Britta Kauppila of Britta Lynn Designs, Marisa Martinez of Meztiza Designs, Lauren Nicole, Liz Oie, Sarah Sitarz of Sarah Michaela Designs, Jill Smith, Molly Spilane, and Helen Wang.

Bonus: If you "like" the Walker Shop on Facebook, you can receive 20 percent off all Walker Shop purchases April 27 to May 4. Walker members always receive 10 percent off at the Walker Shop.

Details: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday, May 7, in the Walker’s Medtronic Gallery, 1750 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, 612-375-7633, shop.walkerart.com

Needle & Black x Carrier Pigeon

Local clothing and leatherworker Kerry Riley of Needle & Black commissioned jewelry designer (and her studio mate) Lauren Neal of Carrier Pigeon to create this custom pin for her. Come to think of it, it's about time those two did an actual collaboration. So cool.

Local fashion link roundup

Voltage 2011 designer Rachel Blomgren shows her design process in her new blog. This week, it's her ingenious skeletal cut-out crop top (WANT) and a new sweater pattern. She's going to be one to watch.

Ignite Models favorites Whitney Fransway, Kelly Streigel, and Kristina Lezepekova are home for the holidays.

Local knitwear designer Annie Larson has new knits, coming soon to her e-shop.

Local jewelry line Carrier Pigeon just debuted new fall designs at her NYC outpost, Old Hollywood boutique, including leather cocktail rings, hand-carved and pierced arrow earrings, and fox tail earrings. Yum.

SCENEaSOTA previews

I'm very much looking forward to SCENEaSOTA tomorrow night at Loft2. Tickets are still available at Cliché, so be sure to pick yours up today.

[A look from Kevin Kramp, photo by Amy Gee]

Here's my (original, full-length) writeup for Vita.mn:

In its third annual edition, the SCENEaSOTA fashion show is set to continue its forward momentum for another year. Bolstered by an impressive lineup and perhaps an even more impressive lookbook (helmed by Voltage art director Chris Larson), the production of this year’s show is leaps and bounds from its humble beginnings, on a makeshift runway in a tiny bar only two years ago. It comes on the heels of September’s “Pale Rider,” an MNfashion-produced runway show featuring Raul Osorio and Danielle Everine that decisively raised the bar for locally-produced fashion shows. With its mix of up-and-comers (Britta Fueerhelm, Jenn Bratvold), returning designers (Jenny Carle, Kathryn V., Carmichael Claith), and more established names (Kevin Kramp, Raul Osorio, Frances Zerr) – coupled with some noted accessory designers (Carrier Pigeon, Ferociter, Ruby3) and Vision models – it’s clear the show owes a great debt to Voltage. In this case, rock and roll is traded out for some film segments by Elijah Chhum and additional visuals by Ken Hannigan. (8 p.m. Show at 9:30 p.m. Sat. $10-15. 21-plus. Loft2 (above OM), 401 1st Av. N., Mpls. 612-870-0420.)

Here's my writeup for Secrets of the City and l'étoile magazine:

In its third year running, the show that is all about homegrown talent is back with another fresh crop of emerging local fashion designers. If the lovely lookbook (art directed by the fantastic Chris Larson) is any indication, this year's SCENEaSOTA should be a smashing success. This year, producer Maritza Ramirez is throwing in some additional multi-media elements - audio/visual design by Anthem Heart and film segments by Elijah Chhum - that are sure to be a nice match to the fashions hitting the runway. This year's designers include fresh faces (Britta Feuerhelm, Jenn Bratvold), SCENEaSOTA vets (Carmichael Claith, Jenny Carle, Kathryn V.), Voltage alumni (Raul Osorio, Frances Zerr) and established designers (Kevin Kramp), with new accessory collections from the likes of Ruby3, Carrier Pigeon, Ferociter, and Bionic Unicorn. Drop in early to schmooze with other fashionable guests, sip on a cocktail, preview the designs in a pop-up shop, and mingle with the designers before the runway event. Afterward, stay for a bumpin' afterparty with DJs and dancing. Tickets are $10 general admission or $15 seated and available in advance at Cliché. Doors open at 8pm and the event is 21+. For more info visit Facebook.

And check out the SCENEaSOTA lookbook while you're at it:

SCENEaSOTA lookbook released

I'm a little slow on this, but over the weekend producer Maritza Ramirez released the lookbook for the annual SCENEaSOTA fashion show. It was art directed by Chris Larson, with photography by Amy Gee. Runway designers including Kevin Kramp, Raul Osorio, Frances Zerr, Carmichael Claith, Jenny Carle, Britta Feuerhelm, Kathryn V., and Jenn Bratvold, plus accessories by Ruby3 (Anna Lee), Ferociter (Aimie Dukes), Carrier Pigeon (Lauren Neal), Ann Lambrecht, Freedom From Doubt (Jared Zachary), Timmilynn Johnson, Tasha Rae, and Bionic Unicorn (Kristin Berwald). Check out the facebook event invite for more details, and click through below to view the lookbook.

Open publication - Free publishing - More sceneasota

Carrier Pigeon previews Fall 2010 line

[Photo by Sarah Claire Ahlers]

At last Thursday's studio opening party with Kerry Riley's Needle & Black, local jewelry designer Lauren Neal debuted her Fall 2010 line of Carrier Pigeon jewelry to a cozy crowd. Now, you too can take in the gorgeous designs - all of which are currently for sale direct-from-designer (contact her here), with more designs to come. You can also see the collection during SCENEaSOTA on November 6.

The nature-inspired jewelry is cast via original hand-carved wax designs or fabricated and cast from organic forms, and their gritty-yet-pretty feel makes them look and feel like they already come with a history.

Her Spring 2010 designs are still available at Design Collective and at her Etsy shop.

["Coastal Redwood Cone" pendant]

["Coastal Redwood Cone" pendant]

["Shark tooth" pendant]

["Shark tooth" pendant]

["Talon" pendant in sterling silver with gold finish]

["Talon" pendant in sterling silver with gold finish]

All photos by Sarah Claire Ahlers