Lookbook: Raul Osorio S/S 2011

Local designer Raul Osorio just released stunning images from his spring 2011 men's and women's collections, which debuted at Voltage last month. Look for selections from the collection to appear at this Friday's "April Showers Bring Bitch Flowers" event.











Designer: Raul Osorio
Photographer: Amy Miller
Stylist: Alison Hoekstra
Hair: Susanne Huber
MUA: Ashley Kilcher
Models: Tearra, Vincent Balbo, Alexandra Fee
Photo assistant: Sami Foust
Stylist assistant: Lauren Stark
Location: La Belle Vie

Just announced: April Showers Bring Bitch Flowers

The annual drag show and party put on by stylist/interior designer Richard Anderson's drag persona, Bitch Flowers, April Showers Bring Bitch Flowers is always a gay old time. Held in the decadent Varsity Theater, the show features bitchy drag queen comedy and performances from Bitch Flowers, Krystal Kleer and Camille Collins, with special guests Polly and the Hot Buttered Crackers and Esme Rodriguez with live music from Harley Wood and Wrecked Wheelhouse, and rounds out with a riotous dance party spun by DJ Shiek. In a stylish twist, this year's edition ups the glam factor with the inclusion of restyled spring lines from local designers Emma Berg (hot off a solo showing during MNfashion Week), Voltage 2011 designers Raul Osorio and Ivan Idland, and DIY-styled lingerie line Lollycopter. It should be a night of campy fun.

Raul Osorio's spring 2011 collection photos by Amy Miller

Emma Berg's spring 2011 collection runway photos by Stephen Stephens/Digital Crush

Ivan Idland's spring 2011 collection runway photo by Mordac.org

Lollycopter spring 2011 collection photos by Eric Snyder

Show details: 7:30 p.m. doors. Friday, May 27. $12 advance/$15 door. 18-plus. Varsity Theater, 1308 4th St. SE., Minneapolis, 612-604-0222.

Style diary: Sol Inspirations eco-fashion show

Last Saturday, I attended the Sol Inspirations eco-fashion show. (Read my review for Vita.mn here.) Since my old friend and longtime collaborator Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman was one of the competing designers, I found it only fitting to wear one of his designs - a one-of-a-kind runway piece from his spring 2008 collection (borrowed from the closet of Emma Berg). I paired it with a bright yellow feather neckpiece by new accessory designer KR Designs (currently available at Cliche for about $64), a beaded silk baguette given to me by friend Teri, and blue silk ankle-wrap pumps by DKNY from Opitz Outlet.

Here I am with designer Raul Osorio and l'etoile creative director and founder Beth Hammarlund.

[Photo via Art of Wore]

Here I am with former Minneapolitan Hina Khan (who does a fun style blog), in town from L.A. for the weekend in a spring 2011 Needle & Black dress by Kerry Riley; Raul; Beth; and designer Emma Berg in Raul Osorio spring 2011.

Stephanie Colgan shoots backstage at Voltage

A lot of people took photos at last weekend's Voltage: Fashion Amplified (for which I was Lead Stylist), but none are quite as striking as that of official Voltage photographer Stephanie Colgan. Most of them are backstage, which seems to be Colgan's strong suit and point of interest. She does an amazing job of capturing the fluidity, the magic, and the moments behind-the-scenes of a fashion show.

[Designer Raul Osorio]

[Desigenrs Ivan Idland and Max Lohrbach]

[Lead hairstylist Catlin Weston]
[Arzu Gokcen of Pink Mink]
[Vision model Ashlee Walker in hair and makeup for Danielle Everine]
[Vision models Elle Williams and Mary Cann in hair and makeup for Danielle Everine]
[Raul Osorio's models wait backstage]
[Kathryn V's models wait backstage]
[Max Lohrbach's models wait backstage]
[A look by Raul Osorio]
[A look by Max Lohrbach]
[A look by Sarah M. Holm]
[A look by Raul Osorio]
[Vision model Ashlee Walker in a design by Terri Martin]

Click here for the full photo set.

Raul Osorio previews Voltage 2011 collection

Local designer Raul Osorio just leaked a couple of preview images from his spring MNfashion Week showing at Voltage: Fashion Amplified next Friday, April 15. One thing's for sure: you can expect a lot of lace. The collection will be available after the show at Blacklist Vintage.



Designer: Raul Osorio
Photographer: Amy Miller
Stylist: Alison Hoekstra
Hair: Susanne Huber
MUA: Ashley Kilcher
Models: Tearra & Alexandra Fee
Photo assistant: Sami Foust
Stylist assistant: Lauren Stark
Location: La Belle Vie

Local inspiration: muses and lenses

The best in local street fashion, portrait and fashion photography from local muses and lenses, gathered via Twitter, Facebook and blog uploads from the past week.

Julia of style blog Song of the Moon Child wears a plague mask made by her sister. (Photo by A.M. Fisher. More photos at Song of the Exile.)

Stephanie Colgan captures a moody shot of fashion designer Raul Osorio.

Ignite model Kelly Streigel is keeping busy in China. (Photo: M. Lien. Click here for more.)

Dirty Hair Halo blogger Shannon Licari shows off her DIY talon earrings.

Web developer/Trnds.com blogger Corey Tenold shoots his gorgeous gal, Vision model Ashlee Walker.

Minneapolis Affair captures Fashionasty blogger Jake Thompson on the street.

Minneapolis Affair shoots Urban Tease style blogger Chloe Alf at the Guthrie Theater.

Cayla Caul Field goes to boot camp.

Ellie Schurter channels Shannyn Sossamon for lensman Brad Ogbonna.

Local designer Amanda Christine previews a F/W 2011 look from her forthcoming lookbook. (Photo: Rod Hasse.)

Naures Sager simply smolders.

Photographer Amy Gee posted this cool video she made while she was in Dallas earlier this year.

Ines Kovacevic makes a dead ringer for PJ Harvey.

The Minneapoline's Ellen Dahl Lawson shoots a fur collared look at the Vita.mn Are You Local? show at the Varsity Theater on Friday.

FairShadow Photography shoots new designs by Irregular Pearl.

Eliesa Johnson does a test shoot featuring Ignite models Gemma and Melissa. (Click here for the rest of the photo set.)

Photosynthetique shots the looks at the Blasphemina's Closet fashion show last Thursday, with jewelry by Bionic Unicorn and hats by Apatico.

Raul Osorio named one of City Pages 100 Creatives

As part of its ongoing 100 Creatives series, City Pages has named local women's and menswear designer Raul Osorio as one of the Twin Cities' most creative forces. Today they're featuring an extensive Q&A with the Honduran designer, who had quite the busy 2010 - debuting at Voltage, participating in SCENEaSOTA and his own dual show with Danielle Everine, "Pale Rider," and the Minneapolis Institute of Art's MNfashion-sponsored edition of Third Thursdays.

[Raul Osorio; Photo by Amy Gee]

An excerpt:

I'm highly emotional, so I think that has a lot to do with the drama behind my designs. I'm really excited to see my brand grow, to see an unfolding story happen chapter by chapter. I want people to continue to recognize my work and enjoy the process with me and the quality of the designs.

Last year was been a great year for me. I have learned so much from the people I've been working with and it's given me a great perspective on how I want to move forward, doing what I love.

In the meantime, I feel that people in the Twin Cities are starting to recognize my work and I'm ready to go to the next level. My goal is to eventually start my own boutique. I want people to feel on top of the world wearing my pieces.

Click here to read more.