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

Local fashion link roundup: 4.11-4.22

It's been a busy week for local fashion, to say the least. Reviews and photos from last week's MNfashion Week poured in; Vita.mn released its spring fashion issue (which I styled) with a behind-the-scenes video; City Pages released its Best of the Twin Cities issue, with nods to local shops and a gorgeous mid-century-styled cover shoot featuring Jake Rudh and Jessa Alt.

• Be sure to catch up on MNfashion Week coverage with my comprehensive MNfashion Week review and photo link roundup, including my review of the George Moskal/CounterCouture show and Envision: Artopia for Vita.mn, and my back-and-forth recap of Envision: Artopia with stylist Richard Anderson for l'etoile magazine.
• Also check out my Style Diary of what I wore during MNfashion Week, and the promo videos for Kevin Kramp and Emma Berg's show.
• Find out about this weekend's MNfashion Week events via my writeups in Vita.mn here and here. I also do a Q&A with Seth Aaron Henderson of Project Runway fame in anticipation of Saturday's Sol Inspirations fashion show for Vita.mn.
• Leading up to last weekend's Voltage: Fashion Amplified runway show, l'etoile magazine did a number of in-depth Q&As with some of the show's designers, including Terri Martin, Ivan Idland, Tim & Thom, Raul Osorio, Frances Zerr, Danielle Everine, and Kathryn V.
• Voltage website designers Sevnthsin reveals their Voltage 2011 lookbook ad, which cleverly marks up an ad by fellow Voltage model sponsor Vision Management Group.
• Pioneer Press style editor Nancy Ngo writes a great article on the state of Minnesota fashion, and how it compares to other markets.
• Minnesota-native photographer Benjamin Fredrickson's work was just published for the first time in New York publication Headmaster Magazine, available in Minneapolis at the Walker Art Center.

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.

Style shots: Ellen Dahl Lawson shoots the crowd at Voltage

Ellen Dahl Lawson of The Minneapoline shoots the crowd's most stylish at last weekend's Voltage: Fashion Amplified for Vita.mn.


Click here for more.

Local fashion link roundup: MNfashion Week edition

I was Lead Stylist for Voltage: Fashion Amplified and the Emma Berg/Kevin Kramp show, which means I didn't have much time (not to mention the objectivity) to covering the shows. Fortunately, the local fashion contingency has devoted more coverage than ever for MNfashion Week. It's a sure sign of the continued growth of the Minnesota fashion industry. Here's a roundup of reviews, photos, video and more:

[A Max Lohrbach look from Voltage; photo by Mary O'Regan via Art of Wore]

"Ma Vie en Plastique" and Amanda Christine/K.Jurek Trunk Show, 4/7:
-I recap the "Ma Vie en Plastique" and the Amanda Christine/K.Jurek trunk show for Vita.mn.
-Señorita Susan reviews "Ma Vie en Plastique."
-Rhea Pappas shoots "Ma Vie en Plastique" for MNfashion.
-Cody Lidtke shoots the Amanda Christine/K.Jurek trunk show at Cliché for City Pages.

Envision: Artopia, 4/8:
-I review "Envision" for Vita.mn.
-I chat about the show with stylist/interior designer Richard Anderson for l'étoile magazine, with photos by Stephen Stephens of Digital Crush.
-METRO Magazine fashion editor Mary O'Regan recaps Envision: Artopia,
-Mpls.St.Paul Magazine's Allison Kaplan recaps her Envision favorites.
-City Pages has runway looks at "Envision" by Stacy Schwartz and crowd shots by Denis Jeong Plaster.
-Stephen Stephens of Digital Crush shoots the show for l'etoile magazine.
-Joan Erakit reviews Envision: Artopia for national blog Frank151, with photos by Rhea Pappas.
-Style blogger Kitty Cotten does a photo recap and review of Envision: Artopia.
-Minneapolis 2night has crowd and runway photos from the show.
-Photographer Rod Hasse posted a fun behind-the-scenes video of Envision: Artopia and the models of Ignite.
-Ignite Models has behind-the-scenes shots at Envision by Chris McDuffie.

The MNfashion Shows: CounterCouture & George Moskal, 4/13:
-I review the show for Vita.mn.
-L'étoile creative director Beth Hammarlund reviews the show for l'étoile magazine, with photos by Stephen Stephens.
-METRO Magazine fashion editor Mary O'Regan recaps CounterCouture and George Moskal's show with some great photography.
-METRO Magazine has runway photos by Cody Lidtke.
-Katie Dohman of Minnesota Monthly reviews the show.
-Joan Erakit reviews the George Moskal/CounterCouture show for Frank151.
-Metromix has crowd and runway photos at the CounterCouture/George Moskal show by Claire Molepske and a video recap.
-Rhea Pappas shoots the show for MNfashion.
-Jules Christman Photography shoots the show.
-Señorita Susan reviews the show with photos by Rhea Pappas.
-Tricia Khutoretsky reviews the show for basic-space.com.
-South of Canada reviews The Shows.

The MNfashion Shows: Emma Berg and Kevin Kramp, 4/14:
-L'étoile creative director Beth Hammarlund reviews the show for l'étoile magazine, with photos by Stephen Stephens.
-METRO Magazine fashion editor Mary O'Regan recaps and shoots fashion shows by Kevin Kramp and Emma Berg and also shoots the crowd.
-METRO Magazine has photos from the Kevin Kramp/Emma Berg show by Cody Lidtke.
-Mpls.St.Paul Magazine's Allison Kaplan does an excellent review of the Emma Berg/Kevin Kramp show.
-Katie Dohman of Minnesota Monthly reviews the Emma Berg/Kevin Kramp show.
-City Pages has an behind-the-scenes image slideshow of the video shoots for Emma Berg and Kevin Kramp's show, plus photos from the show by Stacy Schwartz.
-Metromix has crowd and runway photos from the Emma Berg/Kevin Kramp show by Claire Molepske.
-Joan Erakit reviews the Emma Berg/Kevin Kramp show for national blog Frank151, with photos by Christina "C-Rocka" Rimstad.
-Tricia Khutoretsky reviews the show for basic-space.com.
-Style blogger and Voltage stylist Kitty Cotten reviews and shoots the Emma Berg and Kevin Kramp runway shows.
-Stephen Stephens of Digital Crush shoots the show for l'etoile magazine.
-Ellen Dahl Lawson snaps a couple of gorgeous pix at Emma Berg's show for The Minneapoline.
-Downtown Journal highlights the MNfashion Week shows, including a Q&A with Kevin Kramp.
-MNfashion has a photo set from the show.
-South of Canada reviews The Shows.
-MNfashion has a photo set from the show.

StevenBe Knitwear Runway Rockshow, 4/14:
-Rhea Pappas shoots the show here and here for MNfashion.

Voltage: Fashion Amplified, 4/15:
-L'étoile creative director Beth Hammarlund reviews Voltage for l'étoile magazine, with photos by Stephen Stephens of Digital Crush.
-Vita.mn editor Simon Peter Groebner reviews the show and offers a poignant look back at the show's seven years.
-Cake in 15 has the most detailed, extensive review of the show out there, with photos by Stacy Schwartz and words by Carl Atiya Swanson.
-Star Tribune has a slideshow of photos from Voltage, as well as an exclusive look at the lookbook photos from Voltage by Stephanie Colgan.
-METRO Magazine fashion editor Mary O'Regan reviews Voltage with some artful photography and reviews and recaps the stylish crowdgoers.
-Metromix has runway and crowd photos plus a review from Voltage.
-Check out MPLS.TV's Voltage edition of "What the F**k Are You Wearing?", with video by Dan Huiting.
-City Pages reviews Voltage. Click here for their Voltage photobooth shots by Cody Lidtke, here for runway photos by Stacy Schwartz and here for behind-the-scenes shots by Stacy Schwartz.
-Official Voltage photographer Stephanie Colgan shoots an amazing photo set from Voltage.
-Stephen Stephens of Digital Crush shoots the show for l'etoile magazine.
-Sarah Heuer reviews the show for Twin Cities Daily Planet, with photos by Jay Gabler.
-Ellen Dahl Lawson of The Minneapoline shoots the crowd's most stylish for Vita.mn.
-Joan Erakit does a studio visit with Voltage designer Terri Martin. Look for a review and photos to come at frank151.com.
-Tricia Khutoretsky recaps the show for her blog, Basic Space.
-Kevin Walker has a set of behind-the-scenes photos.
-HowWasTheShow.com has a video clip of Pink Mink's Voltage performance and a Voltage photo set.
-Style blogger and Voltage stylist Kitty Cotten offers some behind-the-scenes shots from Voltage (for which she styled lines by Kathryn V and Max Lohrbach).
-Mordac.org has a photo set from the show.
-Joan Erakit recaps the show for national blog Frank 151.
-Jules Christman Photography shoots the show.
-Style blogger Señorita Susan reviews the show.
-Matt Porath shoots the show here and here.
-Minneapolis 2night has crowd and runway photos from the show.
-Kevin Walker shoots backstage photos at the show.
-Secrets of the City does a studio visit with Voltage designer Danielle Everine.

Ballet of the Dolls' Fashion Ball, 4/15 & 4/16:
-Mpls.St.Paul Magazine's Allison Kaplan recaps Saturday's Fashion Ball.
-Ed Neaton shoots the event for City Pages.
-Style blogger Señorita Susan reviews the show.
-Rhea Pappas shoots the show for MNfashion here and here.

Scrubbed Into Fashion, 4/16:
-Mpls.St.Paul Magazine's Allison Kaplan recaps the Scrubbed Into Fashion show (featuring Christopher Straub).
-The Minnesota Daily recaps the show.
-Minneapolis 2night has a review and photos from the event.

Jagress Intimates Runway Show, 4/16:
-I recap the show for l'étoile magazine, with photography by Stephen Stephens of Digital Crush.
-Stephen Stephens of Digital Crush shoots the show.
-Photographer Rod Hasse posts a photo set.

The Secret Garden Fashion Show, 4/16:
-Tara Sloane reviews and shoots the show for l'étoile magazine.

Styles for Smiles, 4/17:
-Rhea Pappas shoots the show for MNfashion.

Of Venus And Gaia Spring Celebration, 4/17:
-Rhea Pappas shoots the show for MNfashion.

Follow @mnfashion on Twitter for more MNfashion Week recaps.

Style diary: My MNfashion Week looks

Part of the fun of MNfashion Week is gussying up in looks by local designers for the slew of fashion shows that take place.

[L: Pictured with Richard Anderson, photo by Mary O'Regan. R: Amanda Christine lookbook]

For Envision: Artopia last Friday, April 7, I wore this red cotton Amanda Christine dress with puff sleeves and cutout details. She showed the same dress in blue during the show that evening. If you're interested, the dress is available for purchase in a full size run in both colors at Cliche. I paired with a stone and chain necklace by newcomer KR Dezigns, also available at Cliche, and black glitter pumps from Forever 21.

[Pictured with Robyne Robinson and Kate Iverson, photo by Mary O'Regan via Art of Wore]

[L: Photo by George Moskal. R: Photo by Nicholas Marshall, styling by Eclecticoiffeur]

For George Moskal and CounterCouture's show last Wednesday, I wore my own hot pink silk cropped top from George Moskal's fall/winter 2009 collection and a silk cocoon skirt by Katherine Gerdes I had commissioned her to make for a Nicholas Marshall shoot back in spring 2007. I paired them with Steve Madden platforms, a feather/flower clip by Ruby3 by Anna Lee and a clutch from Target.

[L: Pictured with Richard Anderson, photo by Mary O'Regan. R: METRO Magazine]

[Photo courtesy Robyne Robinson]

For Emma Berg and Kevin Kramp's show last Thursday, Emma lent me her blue draped dress she designed for a METRO Magazine commission. I felt like a goddess in the dress, which was draped entirely from one piece of fabric. I paired it with my own custom brushed gold link chain necklace with fire agates, bronzite and heishi pearls by Robyne Robinson of ROX Jewelry. (Excuse my lack of hair/makeup, it was a crazy busy day!) I'm a little bummed that I'm not taller, from some angles it looked like I was swimming in the dress.

[L: Pictured with Voltage producer Anna Lee, photo by Kristin Berwald. R: Photo by Mary O'Regan]

For Voltage, I brought out the big guns - a custom dress designed by my all-time favorite local designer, Max Lohrbach. He said that he loved this version more than the one he was showing in his collection, but what can I say, I'm selfish when it comes to Max. Here I am in my version, which I paired with custom jewelry by Bionic Unicorn (a collaboration with Max Lohrbach, who drew the kitty heads) and a purse and wedges from Opitz Outlet. I'm having a better hair day here, thanks to the amazing Julie at Smart & Chic Beauty Lounge (which offers hair and makeup styling). The jewelry will be available for purchase on Bionic Unicorn's Etsy shop later this week. Here's a closeup of a similar design:


Click here for my link roundup of this spring's MNfashion Week coverage.

Voltage behind-the-scenes videos

Voltage: Fashion Amplified has slowly begun unveiling a series of behind-the-scenes videos on MNfashion's YouTube channel.

The first video, narrated by show producer Anna Lee, shows footage of the the initial designer selection meetings (where you can spot me modeling a Max Lohrbach coat for the panel) and the buyer preview event in February.



The second video offers a preview of the bands playing Voltage '11, plus some behind-the-scenes footage from the Voltage lookbook shoot at First Avenue.



Watch the MNfashion YouTube channel for more videos to come.

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

The Minneapoline shoots behind-the-scenes at the Voltage lookbook shoot

Ellen Dahl Lawson of The Minneapoline took some great behind-the-scenes shots at last weekend's Voltage 2011 lookbook shoot. I'm Lead Stylist for the shoot and show, and this will be my fifth and final year doing the show. The show is set for April 15 during MNfashion Week at First Avenue; get tickets here.

Voltage 2011 tickets on sale now

It's here! Voltage: Fashion Amplified 2011 tickets are now for sale. The show is scheduled for April 15, 2011 at First Avenue.

Sweet art direction by Chris Larson

Local fashion link roundup

[Designs by Sarah M. Holm, Terri Martin, Kathryn V., Rachel Blomgren, and Tim & Thom. Photos: Sara Glassman]

• Sara Glassman previews new designers joining Voltage's ranks this year for Star Tribune.
• City Pages previews Voltage 2011 and chats with show producer Anna Lee. They also preview other MNfashion Week shows.
• Mary O'Regan previews METRO Magazine's spring men's fashion shoot, which will be shot by Eliesa Johnson and looks to feature some looks from local menswear shop BlackBlue.
• In addition to her recent interview and photo montage on the Urban Outfitters blog, local knitwear designer Annie Larson got to select 15 of her favorite new items on the UO site.
• Local stylist/blogger Jane Belfry does a lovely post on her new blog Couture et Cuisine highlighting stylish women of a certain age.
• Coco & Breezy hang out with tranny pop star Jeffree Star and French designer Charles De Castelbajac.
• METRO Magazine's Mary O'Regan recaps Cliche's "Avoid the Grey" fashion show for her blog Art of Wore.
• Stacy Schwartz shoots "Avoid the Grey" for City Pages here and here.
• Minneapolis 2night and Metromix also have photos from "Avoid the Grey."
• "Avoid the Grey" jewelry designer Kristin Berwald of Bionic Unicorn and clothing designer Amanda Christine recap the show from a designer's perspective.

Voltage 2011 band designers announced

This came out a few days ago, but I decided to post it anyway for posterity. Voltage 2011 band designers have been announced, and here's the rundown:

Carly Schoen designing for Fort Wilson Riot; Blacklist Vintage designing for Communist Daughter; Renalie Bailey designing for Me and My Arrow; b. (a resale shop) designing for Phantom Tails; Molly Roark, Danielle Morris, Greta Herman and Jen Hughes designing for Pink Mink

Carly Schoen also posted her proposal on her blog:

MNfashion Week Buyer Event Recap

My latest entry in Vita.mn's ongoing review series, "Last Night," recaps last night's MNfashion Week Buyer Event:

[Look by Emma Berg, photo by Jahna Peloquin]

Last night I headed to MNfashion's Northeast studio for the MNfashion Week buyer event. Open to retail buyers and press exclusively, the event gathered all the runway and accessories designers from Voltage 2011 as well as other designers from spring 2011 MNfashion Week events - Emma Berg, Kevin Kramp, George Moskal, and CounterCouture - as they attempted to get their most retail-ready pieces into local shops. Click here to read more.

More recaps and photos from Thursday's MNfashion Week Buyer Event:

Sara Glassman for PopFizz Daily
Metromix
Stacey Tuthill Rammer with photos by Emily Utne for City Pages
Examiner

Just announced: Avoid the Grey, L'école de la mode, Sol Inspirations

[Originally posted at Vita.mn]

It may still be December, but spring fashion shows are already being announced.

[Inspiration image for "Avoid the Grey"]

On January 29, local boutique Cliché will bring back its annual late-winter show, "Avoid the Grey." It gives local designers the chance to debut their spring lines early, but also expect some designs that should get Minnesotans through the chilly coming months in style. This year's theme is "jailhouse rock," with retro mugshots serving as styling inspiration. The 40-plus clothing and accessory designers featured include Maritza Ramirez, Needle & Black by Kerry Riley, Ivan Idland and Jenny Carle. (Time & ticket cost TBA. Old Arizona Theater, 2821 Nicollet Ave., Mpls. More info at clichempls.blogspot.com.)

[Blasphemina's Closet; Photo courtesy Minneapolis Institute of Arts]

Minnesota-based neo-Victorian line Blasphemina's Closet has gotten national attention for its exquisitely-crafted, ruffled confections. On March 3, designer Samantha Rei will be presenting her first solo show, "L'école de la mode," featuring her full spring 2011 collection. The runway show will be presented to a soundtrack by local folk-goth rock duo Skittish. Blasphemina's Closet look books will be for sale, with proceeds going to the Civil Society. (9 p.m. $10. 18-plus. Hell's Kitchen, 80 9th St S., Mpls. More info at Facebook)

[Sol Inspirations Promo Photo Courtesy Ignite Models]

On April 23, MNfashion Week gets extended with the Sol Inspirations Eco Fashion Gala & Fundraiser. The highlight of the show from the minds of Ignite Models Inc. should be the eco-friendly fashion design competition, with a $5,000 grand prize. Designers can enter now by visiting sol-inspirations.org (with a February 1 deadline). It will also include a silent auction, green vendors, live music and an eco-fashion show debuting the finalists of the competition. Proceeds benefit the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society and The Grameen Foundation. (Doors at 7 p.m. $35 general admission, $75 VIP (reserved seating). The Depot, 225 3rd Ave. S., Minneapolis. sol-inspirations.org)

Voltage: Fashion Amplified was announced a couple of months ago, taking place April 15 at First Avenue. Runway designers include Raul Osorio, Danielle Everine, Max Lohrbach, Ivan Idland, Frances Zerr, Terri Martin, Kathryn V., Sarah M. Holm, Rachel Blomgren, and Tim & Thom, with bands including Phantom Tails, Me and My Arrow, Fort Wilson Riot, Communist Daughter, and Pink Mink. Spring 2011 MNfashion Week will officially take place April 10-16, though events throughout the month of April should be expected. Details have yet to be announced, but watch mnfashion.org for updates.

Voltage accessory designers announced

Voltage accessory designers have been announced. They include Needle & Black, Jennifer Merchant, Bionic Unicorn, Freedom From Doubt, and Lela Horst Baumann, among others. I'm the show's lead stylist (for the fifth year running!) and had a hand in selecting and pairing these designers. Here's a sampling of their past work and proposed designs from some of my favorites:

Acrylic jewelry by Jennifer Merchant (for Frances Zerr)

Leather accessories by Needle & Black by Kerry Riley (for Raul Osorio)

Leather and burlap bow accessories by Freedom for Doubt (for Danielle Everine)

Lingerie by Jagress Intimates by Sarah White (for Danielle Everine)

Ceramic skull buttons and accessories by Lela Horst Baumann (for Rachel Blomgren)

Jewelry by Bionic Unicorn by Kristin Berwald (for Max Lohrbach)

Voltage 2011 designers announced

Exciting fashion news comes your way this morning via MNFashion: 2011 Voltage: Fashion Amplified, Minnesota's largest and most publicized rock fashion show, has just confirmed it's spring runway lineup. The designers are as follows:

Danielle Everine
Frances Zerr
Ivan Idland
Kathryn V
Max Lohrbach
Rachel Blomgren
Raul Osorio
Sarah M Holm
Terri Martin
Tim + Thom

Congratulations everybody!

Voltage: Fashion Amplified will be going down on Friday, April 15th 2011 at First Avenue in downtown Minneapolis as the close out of Spring MNfashion Week. In the meantime, check out this video from last year's show:

Voltage: Fashion Amplified 2010 from mn original on Vimeo.

Ivan Idland releases new sketches

Designer Ivan Idland just leaked a couple of scans of his sketches, which are more than possibly part of his Voltage 2011 application. Let's take a look.

These are definitely some new shapes for Ivan, who typically favors drop-waist, 1940s-inspired silhouettes. We're still seeing some of his trademark sailor collar necklines. The second-to-right look reminds me a little of his look for the vitaminwaterZERO "Flourish" fashion show I produced back in August. The little bloomers are adorable. I'm not so sure of the proportions on the far look left, nor the tiered skirt effect on the second-to-left and middle looks. However, Ivan's been known to impress on execution over his sketches.

These looks are definitely more signature Ivan - the second-to-left look in particular is adorable and youthful but still retro-inspired. A look of the success of these looks will depend on fabric - hopefully a lot of silks and flowy fabrics over more heavy-handed knits.

The colors are potentially a little drab, but I do love when he offers unexpected color combinations (as seen in his spring 2010 showing at the Cliché Crosswalk show).

Here are a couple of pieces from that show, which was some of the best work I've seen him do. Let's hope these sketches translate into this softer, more youthful feel of Ivan's work.

[Photos by Cody Litdke]