Maritza Ramirez's "Avoid the Grey" mini-collection

Local designer Maritza Ramirez just posted some images of her mini-collection she created for last weekend's "Avoid the Grey" fashion show. Maritza notably created these looks out of upholstery fabric, and the result is overall wearable and chic. The images were shot at Spinario Design vintage interior shop. Notably, the hair was done by HAUS salon owner and former Juut creative director Charlie Brackney, photography by Amy Gee, and fashion styling by Jane Belfry. Let's take a look, shall we?

Fantastic shot. Perfect dress on the perfect girl, lovingly lit. Love how the light reflects on the fabric of the dress. And the hair is perfectly whimsical - the bow was a nice touch.

Nice shot, nice lighting, model looks good. I have to take issue with the skirt though - the weird pinching at the sides just looks, well, weird. I would have preferred a perfectly executed pencil skirt. I know Maritza was going for detail here, but it just doesn't work for me. The little top is cute though - here the scrunching on the shoulders works.

Kind of a flat shot, dontchathink? And why is the framing so narrow? It almost clips the cape at the shoulders. I would've preferred they show the cape in a more dynamic way. But the skirt shows some detail and yet is perfect in its simplicity. Love the shoes.

Designs: Maritza Ramirez
Photography: Amy Gee
Styling: Jane Belfry
Makeup: Kirsten Solie
Hair: Charlie Brackney
Model: Alison Bengston (Vision)

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.

Local inspiration: muses and lenses

Here is a new feature I'd like to introduce - local fashion muses and fashion photography via Facebook uploads. A little taste of local inspiration.


This appears to be an outtake from Maritza Ramirez's fall 2010 lookbook shoot, featuring Vision model Elle Williams (a muse herself). Clothing by, Maritza Ramirez, photography by Amy Gee, styling by Jane Belfry, hair by Charlie Brackney, makeup by Amber Brenke.


Here's another muse of mine, Ben Fredrickson - recently relocated to New York. He's also a mean photographer. This one is subtitled "Trying to get clean in a dirty bathtub with the help of a Pentax SMC P 67 - Soft focus lens - 120 mm - f/3.5."


This hot shot is of musette Miss Cayla Caul Field; photo by Dominic Taylor.


Now based out of New York, Minneapolis native (and my former partner in my Eclecticoiffeur styling collective) Kelsy Osterman uploaded some new men's hairstyle images to her portfolio. (Click here for more.)


Photography Amy Gee uploaded some photos of local fashion muse Sohail Akhavein wearing Raul Osorio garments from the MNfashion-produced Third Thursday show at MIA. (Click here for one more.)


Love this chic shot of Vision Management Group owner/founder Teqen Zéa Aida.


Fashion photographer Vanessa Meade shoots her longtime muse, Tiffany.

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

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.

Maritza Ramirez Fall 2010 Lookbook

Local designer Maritza Ramirez just posted her Fall 2010 Lookbook, the designs of which were recently showcased at the "I Feel Love" fashion show. Here is a sampling from the Parisian-inspired shoot:










Clothing: Maritza Ramirez
Photography: Amy Gee
Model: Elle (Vision)
Styling: Jane Belfry
Hair: Charlie Brackney
Makeup: Amber Brenke
Bowties: Freedom From Doubt
Accessories: June