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.

Local designers featured in Mpls.St.Paul Magazine

Local designers become models in the April issue of Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. Danielle Everine, George Moskal and Jenny Carle are featured along with info on their upcoming shows during MNfashion Week (Danielle at Voltage on April 15, George in his own show on April 13, and Jenny Carle at Envision: Artopia on April 9). Also featured in the same article are Terri Martin (also in Voltage) and Elena Mercurio.

[Click each to enlarge]

It's an inspired idea to turn the tables on designers and it's always fantastic to see local design featured in a magazine like Mpls.St.Paul, but also sort of a curious decision to only have two of the designers (Danielle Everine and Elena Mercurio) wear her own design. Of course, George only does women's clothing, but why not have Jenny Carle or Terri Martin wear one of her their own pieces? (Note, Terri is wearing a George Moskal dress.) Purportedly the story's aim is to showcase spring trends, but isn't that what the designers are doing with their spring collections?

Recap: Breakfast with Oscar

This morning, I styled an Oscar preview for the Aegis Foundation (hosted at Thom Pham's Wondrous Azian Kitchen) in anticipation of Aegis' officially-sanctioned Oscar red carpet premiere in March. After the nominations and fashion presentation, we dined on delicious dim sum, served to us personally by Pham himself.

[L-R: Designs by Carmichael Claith, Christopher Straub, Jenny Carle & Emma Berg with jewelry by Bionic Unicorn. Photo: Barb Teed, Twin Cities Daily Planet]

Barb Teed of Twin Cities Daily Planet was there to recap the event and took some pictures:

Attendees enjoyed an Oscar-worthy couture fashion show by local designers Christopher Straub, Emma Berg, Jenny Carle, and Carmichael Claith. The menswear came from the Minneapolis store Elsworth Menswear. Models walked to Rat Pack music and wore clothes in the theme of the film Breakfast at Tiffany's. Handmade jewelry was worn by designer Bionic Unicorn of Minneapolis. Vita.mn and l'etoile magazine stylist Jahna Peloquin created the fashion show look. All the hair was fashioned by Jennifer Gullickson from The Hair-e-tic salon in Minneapolis. Click here to read more.

[Dress by Jenny Carle with jewelry by Bionic Unicorn. Photo: Barb Teed, Twin Cities Daily Planet]

[Me styling a male model in clothing from Elsworth. Photo: Barb Teed, Twin Cities Daily Planet]

[Menswear from Elsworth]

Breakfast with Oscar - and local designers

Tuesday the 25th, I'll be styling a press preview event for the Aegis Foundation's annual red carpet Official Academy Awards party. Sponsored by MNfashion and l'etoile magazine, the press-only event will be a morning breakfast happening during the live, on-air announcements of the 2011 Academy Award nominees.

[Looks by Carmichael Claith + Jenny Carle by Digital Crush]

Locally-made, red carpet-worthy designs from Emma Berg, Christopher Straub, Jenny Carle and Carmichael Claith will be donned by live models from Arquette, with jewelry by local designer Bionic Unicorn and menswear from Elsworth and Tatters.

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.

SCENEaSOTA short films released

For the annual SCENEaSOTA fashion show held on November 6 at Loft2, local filmmakers Elijah Chhum and Wesley Meirick collaborated on a series of short films, which were screened in between designer segments. If you're anything like me, you were too busy chatting with your seatmates and getting drinks to fully appreciate the work that went into these films. Today Elijah released the films, which feature clothing and accessories from local designers and models from Vision, on Facebook.

The first film features models Karen O'Bryan, Elle Williams, Wesley Meirick, Elijah Chhum and Nick Patnode, clothing by Jenn Bratvold and Britta Feuerhelm, and jewelry by Carrier Pigeon and Ann Lambrecht.

C'est as nous (It is ours) from Elijah Chhum on Vimeo.

The second film features models Ashlee Williams, Jonathon Sargent and Gail Lewis, clothing by Kathryn V and Jenny Carle, and accessories by Timmilyn and Tasha Rae.

Tentation (Temptation) from Elijah Chhum on Vimeo.

The third film features menswear by Raul Osorio with Freedom from Doubt bowties and womenswear by Carmichael Claith with Bionic Unicorn jewelry, with models Alice Walker, Joe Laue, and Wesley Meirick.

Abstract- Untitled from Elijah Chhum on Vimeo.

Part four features womenswear by Frances Zerr with Ruby3 accessories, and menswear by Kevin Kramp with Ferociter accessories.

Prendre (to take) from Elijah Chhum on Vimeo.

Local inspiration: muses and lenses

Another round of local fashion muses and fashion photography via Facebook uploads and the blogroll - a little taste of local inspiration.

Photographer Amy Gee does a dual self portrait in local designer Raul Osorio's high-waisted bow shorts from his Fall 2010 collection. Because two are better than one.

Raul Osorio photographed by Amy Gee (of course).

Sohail Justin Akhavein photographs Melanie Plucinski - and adds glitter.

Designer Kerry Riley debuted her new patent leather bow belt designs for Needle & Black at a sale on Saturday at her Thorp Building studio. The belts will be available at Cliché in red and black this week.

Kerry Riley hard at work.

Photographer Ben Fredrickson does a self portrait of himself working.

Filmmaker and Vision models associate Elijah Chhum visits India.

Stylish Swedish Max Armstrong shows an uncharacteristic display of aggression.

Jenny Carle posts this dreamy backstage shot of her holiday collection at SCENEaSOTA.

Carly Schoen posts a preview of her dapper baby clothes line that she'll be selling at the CO Exhibitions' First Annual World (craft) Fair next Saturday. This kid looks straight out of The Sartorialist.

l'etoile and mnartists.org scribe Juleana Enright shows off a (possibly black arts-induced) scrape.

Designer/curator Emma Berg shows off her Brian Lichtenstein for Blood Is the New Black t-shirt from ROBOTlove (while I look on) during an Auntie Mame movie night.

Stylist/muse Ines Kovacevic and photog assistant Cayla Caul Field get knifey for photographer Brad Ogbonna.

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

Tim Gunn critques local designers on Twin Cities Live

It was all about local fashion last week when Tim Gunn - who was in town for a book signing at the Mall of America - appeared on Twin Cities Live to critique looks by local designers.

[Tim Gunn with Tender Cuts designer Emily Bryngelson and two of her looks]

Jenny Carle showed a couple of holiday party dresses (to be featured in SCENEaSOTA on November 6) on Ignite model Tearra Rosario. Tim was very complimentary on the looks.

[Jenny Carle with two of her looks on Twin Cities Live]

Next Emily Bryngelson of Tender Cuts showed a couple of looks from her fall line, featured recently at "Envision: Artopia" and at this Thursday's "Crosswalk" show at local boutique Cliche, on models Elle Lemler and Lily Adriana of Ignite. Bryngelson described the looks as "menswear inspired with a '60s influence." Tim loved the construction details and was crazy about the prints.

[Emily Bryngelson with two of her looks on Twin Cities Live]

Then Christopher Straub made a "surprise" appearance (which he had leaked via Twitter the day before) and reunited with his former Project Runway mentor.

Watch the full video HERE.

Jenny Carle Fall 2010 lookbook

Now that Envision: Artopia is under her belt, Local designer Jenny Carle has posted her Fall 2010 collection lookbook on her website, shot by Stephanie Hynes with Ignite model Rikki and hair/makeup by Bethany Brihn. I adore how it's styled with "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" hats in matching fabrics, as well as the washed-out feel.

Preview: Jenny Carle Fall 2010

Over the past few years, it's been a treat for me to watch local designer Jenny Carle go from a fresh design school grad to a seasoned designer. She started off with a clear aesthetic - girly, vintage-inspired, sweet - but was a bit rough around the edges in execution. Today, with impeccable, I-can't-believe-it's-handmade construction and substantial, expensive-feeling fabrics, Carle has really come into her own. We used one of her new fall pieces in a recent spread for l'etoile (images coming soon), but for now feast your eyes on these lovely images previewing her fall 2010 collection, and photographed by Stephanie Hynes.

On her fall collection, Carle says, "For fall I continue to explore feminine and playful silhouettes while featuring fabrics in wool, pointelle knits and fun prints. This collection is based on an imagined photo diary, and was inspired by travelogues, vacation photos and personal family photos. My collection is for the woman who loves to combine early 1960s silhouettes with a modern twist."

You'll be able to see Carle's full collection at Envision this coming Friday at Graves 601 Hotel, with photos on her website immediately following at jennycarle.com and for purchase at Cliche.

All photos: Stephanie Hynes Photography

Just announced: SCENEaSOTA 2010 designers

Designers for the 2010 SCENEaSOTA have been announced by show producer Maritza Ramirez, and it includes a mix of designers at varying levels of experience.

[Image: Ruby3 2009 Collection Image: Stephanie Colgan]

Emilee Kuznar is a 2010 graduate from St. Kate's and Jenn Bratvold will be a senior there this year (see my review of that show for l'etoile magazine for more on them), while Britta Feuerhelm is an '09 St. Kate's grad. Kathryn V. made her debut at SCENEaSOTA last year, and Jenny Carle and Christine Carmichael (also a two-time Voltage designer) also return. Voltage 2010 designers Kevin Kramp (a seriously accomplished knitwear designer) and Raul Osorio also will show.

The show is still looking for accessories designers. (Ruby3 by Anna Lee is the one designer already confirmed.) Contact maritzampls@gmail.com if interested.

SCENEaSOTA 2010 will be held November 6, location TBD.