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.

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]

Amanda Christine + K.Jurek debut handbag collab

Two local fashion favorites, Amanda Christine and K.Jurek by Kimberly Jurek, have joined forces this fall on a new handbag collection. The suede and leather line dubbed ACKJ includes relaxed hobos and clutches that successfully merges the two designers' aesthetics - Jurek's West Coat, bohemian sensibility and Amanda Christine's East Coast, street-smart sophisticated style. The line retails for $198 to $348 and is available exclusively at Cliché (2403 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls. 612-870-0420).

In review: K.Jurek F/W 2010 Runway Show

[Originally posted at l'etoile magazine]

by Jahna Peloquin

For her fifth anniversary, designer Kimberly Jurek - a bedrock of the current local fashion scene - celebrated with a name change (from kjurek couture to K.Jurek) and a more fully realized collection than ever before.


At first, it seemed against common sense to have a fashion show in a basement studio deep below the surface of Lyndale Avenue on a July evening. But the Arctic Studio space proved a smart choice, transporting the guest to another world - specifically, Fall 2010. The dimly-lit space felt more ultra-hip lounge than the more typical glossed-over hotel ballroom, all the more true to Jurek's laid back (yet chic) style.

The evening started off with an intriguing music-and-dance segment provided by singers and dancers of the traditional Puerto Rican "Bomba" and "Plena" style, headed up by longtime Jurek model Tearra Rosario. Rosario and her honey-voiced crew shimmied, shook and pulled their Jurek-designed skirts up over their heads as bongo drummers played along. It was a fittingly exotic start to the show.


From the first model who made her way out onto the square-shaped runway, it was clear that Jurek was making a bold move with her latest collection. Though it was still very true to Jurek's multi-cultural, relaxed vibe, the clothing was somewhat of a departure for the designer. For one, there were more separates than ever - tough, street-smart vests were layered over sheer, feminine blouses, while patterned mini skirts were given texture with brightly colored leggings, and sheer genie pants ballooned beneath wrap-style dresses. Fur trim (it was hard to tell whether it was faux or real) also added texture.


Still, there were some old Jurek favorites - a patio dress that exuberantly breezed across the runway here, a shawl-collared jacket there, and of course, Jurek's trademark kimono silhouette.


The bold African prints paired with feminine details gave the whole presentation a very Parisian-chic, urban-ready style. The intricately-wrapped headscarves and bold, anime-inspired eye makeup were particularly inspired. Kudos to Andrea Oseland (with assistance from Delayna Sundberg) on the styling of the show. Oseland also provided some of her bold, tribal jewelry from her Cocoquette line, as did Twisted Groove. The look was topped off with leather, fringed hobo bags (with real horsebit handles, as my seatmate, designer and horse expert Kerry Riley informed me) from Jurek's new line with Amanda Christine.


For the record, it should be noted that there were a few blaring construction issues on display. The seams on a teal legging were literally coming apart in various places, and some dresses and skirts would've benefited from a blind hem or wider hem.

But regardless, it was a standard-bearing show from a local, independent designer. It showed Jurek improving saleability in her garments without playing it safe, mixing bright colors and prints with staple black. And teamed with the space and the song-and-dance intro (not to mention some fab Ignite models working it on the runway), it was a truly complete event. In her most expansive collection to date, Jurek offered eclecticism at its best.

All photos by Isaias Zamarripa