Just announced: Vita.mn Poolside Fashion Show

Next month, Vita.mn is bringing back its annual Poolside Fashion Show to the Calhoun Beach Club. For the fifth year running, I will return to style the show featuring poolside-inspired fashions from Mall of America stores, local boutiques and local designers. Ignite models will walk the runway on the Calhoun Beach Club rooftop at dusk to tunes from DJ Jake Rudh. The show takes place on June 9 and tickets are $25-35. Visit www.Vita.mn for more info.

[Photo from Poolside 2010 by Stacy Schwartz]

Click here for a review from last year's show by l'etoile magazine.

Recap: RetroRama 2011

On Thursday, the Minnesota History Center once again hosted RetroRama. In its fifth year (and my fifth year styling it), the show also served as the final time Voltage producer and MNfashion founder Anna Lee would direct and host the show. Every year, the show presents a handful of authentic vintage looks paired with retro-inspired looks by local designers. This year's theme, underwear - presented on burlesque dancers as models - was certainly a contributing factor in the show's sellout status, and was inspired by the Minnesota History Center's new "Underwear" exhibition highlighting the history of Minnesota-born underwear brand Munsingwear. Since I was involved with the show personally, I won't attempt to review it objectively, and instead am posting photos and descriptions.

[Photo via Scoundrelle's Keep]

Heather Luca of Scoundrelle's Keep has the theme of "restriction," Munsingwear's general theme in the '50s that harkened back to Victorian corsetry. The model wore jewelry by local line Bionic Unicorn.

[Photo via Art of Wore]

Sarah White of Jagress Intimates offered a humorous take on the garter belt with her underwear set that included a gartered skirt.

[Photo via Art of Wore]

Christopher Straub (who was out of town during the event) presented a look inspired by the machinery of Munsingwear's factory with screen-printed fabric featuring an original print by Straub and an external "caged" corset and headpiece. There was some criticism that the headpiece and look in general was too similar to Seth Aaron Henderson's SolarWorld collection presented at Sol Inspirations, but metal caged masks aren't exactly anything new. (Victor & Rolf featured them in their F/W 2006 show - which Gaga infamously donned at Sir Elton John's Ball in June 2010.) Either way, it's fun seeing the designer push himself in edgier directions with his fashions, though it's hard to detect a style that is distinctly Christopher Straub.

[Photo via Scoundrelle's Keep]

Danielle Everine continued on her sheer look she presented during Voltage last month with this look inspired by Munsingwear's push for active lifestyles in some of their 1940s ads. The sheerness of the garments allows the viewer to see every seam and stitch that goes into each piece - a really intriguing concept that is quite lovely and uniquely Danielle Everine.

[Photos via Scoundrelle's Keep]

Samantha Rei of Blasphemina's Closet played with her theme of "exposure" by exposing the knickers of her models via a sweet floral print against sorbet green.

[Photo via Scoundrelle's Keep]

Here I am backstage with some of the "authentic look" models. Unfortunately I haven't come up with any better photos of them, but the necklace on the model on the left is by Bionic Unicorn, and the flower hair clip is by Anna Lee's line Ruby3.

The guests were also super stylish:

[Photo via Art of Wore]

[Photo via Art of Wore]

[Max Sparber and Coco Mault. Photo via Art of Wore]

Here I am with designers Ivan Idland and Maritza Ramirez. Maritza and I are both wearing Ivan Idland designs, Maritza's having been from 2010's RetroRama.

[Photo via Art of Wore]

See more photos from the show via Art of Wore, Scoundrelle's Keep, and the Minnesota Historical Society, and Coco Mault recaps the event for MinnPost.

l'etoile's Paper Dolls Voltage spread

Via l'etoile magazine:

We took some of our favorite looks off the runway of Voltage: Fashion Amplified and handed them over to local illustrator Lisa Luck! We've long been a fan of Lisa's whimsical, color-rich paintings: you may have seen them floating around town under the guise of gig posters for Twin Cities' bands or as promotional pieces for Yeti Records (the cute record shop that Lisa co-owns with her husband Jake). Who better to indulge our girlish fantasies of having our own book of paper dolls paired with local designer creations?

All 10 runway designers from Voltage: Fashion Amplified are represented, along with Lisa's charming illustrations. Click the flipbook below to view in magazine format, or download the spread in PFD format here to cut out and play!

Photos of clothing by Stephen Stephens / Illustrations by Lisa Luck / Styling by Jahna Peloquin

Open publication - Free publishing - More fashion

Vita.mn spring fashion issue: Brights of spring

The fashion spread I styled for Vita.mn just came out on newstands and online today. The neon makeup was done by Ashley Kilcher, provided by local makeup manufacturer The Elixery. The clothing came from a mix of places, including Macy's Oval Room, the Walker Shop, Stephanie Lake Design, Betsey Johnson, Journeys, Aldo, Nine West and vintage stores Lula's, Blacklist and B-Squad. It was one of my favorite shoots I've ever had the opportunity to style, and I was lucky to be able to work with such a great team! Here is the print spread:




Click here for more images and clothing credits.

* Art Director: Leslie Plesser
* Photographer: Carlos Gonzalez
* Stylist: Jahna Peloquin
* Video: Jerry Holt
* Hair: Leah Lubbe
* Makeup: Ashley Kilcher; makeup courtesy of the Elixery
* Styling assistant: Jake Thompson
* Model: Alexandria from Ignite Models
* Balloons courtesy of the Corner Balloon Shoppe

Video: Behind-the-scenes at the Vita.mn spring fashion shoot

I talk about the spring fashion spread I styled for Vita.mn (on stands now and online at Vita.mn) in this behind-the-scenes video by Jerry Holt. It's a great peek behind the scenes of what goes on at a fashion shoot.

Video: Time-lapse video of the Vita.mn spring fashion shoot

A full day photo shoot in 35-seconds. Here is a time-lapse video of the Vita.mn spring 2011 fashion shoot I styled, which comes out tomorrow. Can you spot me?

Vita.mn 2011 Spring Fashion preview from Vita.mn on Vimeo.

Emma Berg and Kevin Kramp release promo image

MNfashion Week just released the promo image for The MNfashion Shows presents Emma Berg (SS 11) & Kevin Kramp (AW 11), happening April 14 at the Grainbelt Building in Northeast Minneapolis. Photographed at new martinpatrick3/I.D. (inside design) space, the shoot was concepted by Emma Berg and Kevin Kramp, with photography by Robb Long and hair/makeup by Charlie Brackney and Heath Bryant of HAUS Salon. The female model is Mary Cann from Vision Management Group, INC.

Preview: Juut promo shoot featuring Emma Berg

I have recently unearthed some photos that were shot for Juut Salonspa's S/S 2010 campaign. I was enlisted by then-Juut creative director Charlie Brackney (now co-owner of HAUS Salon) to style the shoot culling pieces by local fashion designers, with airiness, lightness and pale being the key words. Though the photos were never used, I'm excited to add these images to my portfolio. Here is a preview of one of the looks, featuring a commissioned design by local designer Emma Berg:


Photo: Matthew Whitcomb
Creative Director & Hair Lead: Charlie Brackney for Juut
Dress: Emma Berg
Model: Whitney Fransway of Ignite Models

Behind the scenes: Emma Berg + Kevin Kramp promo shoot

Today, I spent the afternoon styling the promo shoot for Emma Berg and Kevin Kramp's dual MNfashion Week show. We shot at the new martinpatrick3/I.D. (inside design) space in the Warehouse District, fresh off opening its doors last Friday. Photographer Robb Long snapped each model - Emma's and Kevin's - in the parallel yet mirror opposite spaces, and he'll join the two in post-prod with his signature glossy style. I'm excited to see the final product. The images will also appear in an upcoming issue of The Journal.

[Charlie at work on Mary's hair]

Also on hand were MNfashion producer Emily Blanche, who is also producing the show on April 15; hairstylist Charlie Brackney, who just opened his own salon HAUS in South Minneapolis; and Vision model Mary Cann (back from a stint in Singapore where she nabbed a bunch of high-profile spreads).

[Emma discusses the shot with Robb and Emily]

Though the space is yet to host its grand opening (look for that to come in April), it was in impressive shape, expanding from martinpatrick3's cozier former digs a few blocks down and giving their gorgeous product room to breathe.

Annie Larson featured in Time Out New York

Local knitwear designer extraordinaire Annie Larson has just had one of her scarves featured in a Time Out New York spread, "Ski Weekend Essentials." The scarf is available in Annie's e-shop, ALL for Everyone for a cool $80.



Oh, and it's also the same scarf we used in a recent knitwear spread for l'etoile magazine that I styled:

[Photo by Nicholas Marshall]

The Minneapolis Examiner interviews Le Petit

Carla Ray Thompson of the Minneapolis Examiner did a Q&A with me recently. Check it out here:


Thanks, Carla!

Styling: Minnesota Bride shoot

Out this month on local newsstands is the spring/summer issue of Minnesota Bride, in which I styled a bridesmaid dress spread. Shot by William Clark, produced/creative directed by Mary O'Regan and modeled by Vision's Elle Williams with hair/makeup by Fatima Olive, I added in some local designs (floral hair accessories by Anna Lee's Ruby3, jewelry by Bionic Unicorn and a dress by Christopher Straub) and local accessories shop StyledLife, in addition to Neiman Marcus and various local bridal shops. This story should give hope to all those reluctant bridesmaids out there and serve as inspiration for newly engaged women. It is entirely possible to select cute, modern, re-wearable bridesmaid dresses.

Dress by Christopher Straub, earrings by Bionic Unicorn

Accessories from StyledLife

Jewelry by Bionic Unicorn, floral hair accessory by Ruby3

Styling: "The Knitting Factory"

Last week, a spread I co-concepted and styled for l'etoile went online. (I also wrote the lead-in text.) It features local knitwear extraordinaires Kevin Kramp and Annie Larson, styled together with photography from my favorite local photographer, Nicholas Marshall. The layout design is by Sohail Akhavein, production by Natalie Gallagher, creative direction by Beth Hammarlund, hair and makeup by Suzy Martin, as modeled by Ines Kovacevic.

l'etoile holiday party promo images released

L'etoile magazine has just released promo images for its annual holiday party, Jubilee (which I styled).

The shoot was inspired by a 1950s ad - perfect for the party, with its 1950s, early Mad Men feel. Accordingly, three of the four models - Jessa Alt, Hannah von der Hoff and Jake Rudh - were all contestants in the official Mad Men contest last summer.




Photography: Stephen Stephens
Creative Direction: Beth Hammarlund & Kate Iverson
Art Direction: Chris Larson
Styling: Jahna Peloquin
Hair & Makeup: Hannah von der Hoff
Clothing from Blacklist Vintage (except Jake Rudh's suit, his own)
Models: Hannah von der Hoff, Jessa Alt, Jake Rudh & Danny Sigelman

Sneak Peek: Minnesota Bride shoot

[Photo courtesy art of wore]

Yesterday I had the privilege of styling a bridesmaid shoot for Tiger Oak Publications' Minnesota Bride. Under the direction of Fashion Editor Mary O'Regan, I selected bridesmaid dresses with a chic cocktail feel versus a more traditional look, and thanks to the amazing talent of photographer William Clark, Vision model Elle Williams, and the modern design of the aloft Hotel, the shoot was definitely more editorial and high fashion than one would expect. Here's a preview shot and recap courtesy of Mary's art of wore blog, featuring a dress from Christopher Straub's Spring 2011 collection.

vitaminwater to take "Flourish" fashion show national

The high-ups at vitaminwater loved the concept I designed and executed for the vitaminwaterZERO "Flourish" fashion show in August so much that they're planning to incorporate it into additional markets throughout the U.S. next year, as well as do more fashion-oriented events in the future!

[Poster art by Caroline Royce]

Click HERE for photos from the show;

Click HERE for designer sketches from the show.

Read reviews of the show by Juleana Enright for l'etoile magazine and Mary O'Regan of METRO Magazine.

Vita.mn Halloween costume guide

I did the Halloween spread and costume guide in this week's issue of Vita.mn, online and on newstands today. Below are my costumes for vampire Queen Sophie Anne from True Blood (with items from Via's Vintage and Twin Cities Magic & Costume) and Scott Seekins (with items from Tatters, Ragstock and Twin Cities Magic & Costume). Be sure to check it out!

[Photos by Tom Wallace for Vita.mn, styling by me]

Editorial: Fall MNfashion Week by l'etoile

The l'etoile staff and I put together this spread with photographer Chris McDuffie featuring designers participating in MNfashion Week shows. Click HERE for our MNfashion Week guide, which I edited.

RetroRama at the Minnesota State Fair

[Photo by Nic Marshall]

Miss RetroRama 2010 the first time around? Or just looking for a second dose, with a State Fair twist? You're in luck! RetroRama is back and minaturized as part of the Minnesota History Center's Minnesota History Day at the Fair.

Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, for history-inspired designs by five of the Twin Cities' most talented, imaginative and skillfull fashion designers:

Ivan Idland (providing his take on the 1920s)
Joy Teiken of Joynoelle (offering 1930s Old Hollywood glamour)
George Moskal (a vision of 1940s beachwear)
Max Lohrbach (1950s prom reimagined)
Kerry Riley of Needle & Black (lingerie-meets-the-pool via the swingin' 60s)

MINGLE with other retrophiles in your vintage finest;
WATCH as the designs hit the runway, via lovely Ignite Models;
APPLAUD as the designers take their bows;
and grab a corn dog while you're at it!

The Minnesota Historical Society will also be presenting its other programs throughout the day at Carousel Park, including the Nine Nights of Music, Global Hotdish Variety Show, a Minnesota History Trivia Smackdown, and more: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=102909659768450

A presentation of Minnesota Historical Society and MNfashion.

Styled by Jahna Peloquin with additional accessories from Lula's Vintage Wear and Ignite Models Inc, hair by Catlin Weston, and makeup by Ashley Kilcher.

Sunday, September 5
2-2:45 p.m.
Minnesota State Fair Carousel Park
1265 Snelling Ave N
Saint Paul, MN

Making-of: The flyer art for vitaminwaterZERO Flourish

Last month, commissioned rising graphic designer Caroline Royce to create flyer art for a fashion show I was producing for vitaminwater/Glaceau for the product launch of its ZERO line. She did an interesting blog on her creative process for the lovely flyer art. Here's what she had to say:

[Preliminary sketches]

I got an email from local freelance fashion writer/stylist Jahna Peloquin about a fashion show presented by Vitaminwater ZERO. They wanted a poster done, and her description was something "whimsical, elegant, like an abstract sketch of a woman from the 40's" or something. So, I that's what I literally did.

I wasn't going to be able to sketch out what I wanted to by hand. I looked up some images from google and found one. I then used my wacom tablet in photoshop to trace a rough yet elegant sketch of her. I was going for something much like Garance Doré does with her fashion sketches. Photoshop wasn't quite good enough to achieve this look. Plus, it would turn out lo-res and gross. On a whim, I decided to see what would happen if I put the .psd file into Illustrator and did a live trace. The results were surprisingly perfect. It made the lines clean, dramatic, stylish, and best yet: hand-drawn.

[The final product]

The swooping colors were based off of some vitaminwater flavors. It modernized it a bit, and also looks like my work. My boyfriend also pointed out that it looked like a runway. I was like, "oh yeah! duh!"