In review: "Call Me Ishmael" Danielle Everine Fall 2011 Capsule Collection

Text by Jahna Peloquin, l'étoile Fashion Editor

Photos by Corey Tenold, special to l'étoile

After being introduced to the world on season nine of Project Runway, local designer Danielle Everine has made it clear that she's staying true to her roots. Instead of doing a big blowout show with tons of publicity, she opted for an intimate, in-store showing last night at Cliché, where she's sold her line since she debuted on the Voltage runway in spring 2010. But Everine's fans, friends and family packed into the store nonetheless to see what the designer has been up to in the short time she's been back from taping the fashion design competition.


While she showed a mere six looks, the collection was an ambitious one nonetheless, taking inspiration from an adventurous life at sea, as evidenced by turn-of-the-century novels like Moby-Dick. Each look was equal parts soft and languid (like the sea itself) and tough and utilitarian (as life on the sea often would force one to be). Dresses contained screen-prints of custom illustrations by local artist (and Yeti Records co-owner) Lisa Luck, and leather detailed Everine's outerwear, where she excels most. The show also served to debut her own laser-etched leather handbags. By the end of the night, many one-off pieces found their way into the hands of shoppers, but the designer said she would be taking custom orders on the pieces shown (at www.danielleeverine.com) and be adding additional pieces to the collection at Cliché in the coming months.

[Christopher Straub and friend]

[Danielle Everine & l'étoile's Jahna Peloquin]

[Ignite Models Inc. owners Allison Hamzehpour and Jessica Cunningham, left and right, with Ignite model Kelly Streigel, center]

Click here for our recent interview with Danielle Everine.

Click here for more photos by Corey Tenold.

MNfashion Week in review: Cliché's Crosswalk 9/23

It may have been a dark and rainy night, but that didn't stop the stylish set at Cliché from stalking the runway last Thursday. The runway, of course, being the busy intersection of Lyndale Avenue & 24th Street. In their second incarnation of the Crosswalk fashion show, Cliché debuted a smattering of the Fall collections available at their hip Uptown boutique.

Playful separates in warm autumn colors and chic n' cozy outerwear were the name of the game as models strolled the crosswalk, vamping for onlookers and passersby wearing fall looks by Tender Cuts, Kathryn V. and Niki English. And as usual, Cliche busted out with some fun and unique styling; from gothy lace face coverings to small, ornate lanterns which captured the creepy/cool vibe of autumn perfectly while still being fresh and upbeat.

All photos by Susannah Dodge

Tender Cuts:


Kathryn V.:


See more photos by Susannah Dodge from Crosswalk here.

MNfashion Week Preview Party

by Beth Hammarlund
photos by Stacy Schwartz

Local fashion insiders were treated to a sneak peek of what to expect from the upcoming Fall 2010 MNfashion Week at a preview event at Honey Lounge in Northeast Minneapolis on Tuesday night. The event gave designers, buyers and MNfashion supporters the opportunity to rub shoulders with one another in an intimate setting - and get a glimpse of what's to come via an informal runway show. As is often the case at local fashion events, the sartorially gifted attendees practically served as their own fashion parade.

[A fall 2010 look from Danielle Everine]

A brief runway presentation served as a teaser for the upcoming events, with featured pieces ranged from delicate dresses to heavy knits and coats suited for Minnesota Novembers. Looks by Raul Osorio and Danielle Everine whet the audience’s palette for their upcoming runway show, "Pale Rider." The event is easily one of the most highly anticipated events of MNfashion Week, and Osorio's and Everine’s previewed looks didn’t disappoint. Expect beautiful tailoring and plenty of drama from their collections.

[A fall 2010 look by Raul Osorio]

[A fall 2010 look by "Envision: Artopia" designer ArielSimone]

[A Spring 2011 look by "Envision: Artopia" designer Christopher Straub]

[A fall 2010 look by Cliche "Crosswalk" designer Tender Cuts]

Though the event was brimming with eye candy, its ultimate purpose was to build excitement for the MNfashion Week Fall 2010. Considering the number of attendants seen scribbling down times and dates in their calendars, it was a definite success and a sign of good things to come.

Click here for more photos by Stacy Schwartz for MNfashion.

Let them eat cake: Marie Antoinette style at Cliché

by Jahna Peloquin
photos by Cody Litdke

Marie Antoinette: the name conjures up legends of decadence, confectionary couture, and of course, hair of astronomical heights. All of these were on display during last month's new Hair Industry Night at beloved local boutique Cliché. Three lovingly-styled models donned elaborate hair styles by three mavens of the local hair industry: Melissa Cable of Tres Jolie, Andy Doan of Audacious Styling and Melissa LaPlante of Sweeney Todd Salon. Photographer Cody Lidtke was on hand to gorgeously capture the stylized visions of Marie Antoinette and her ladies-in-waiting.


Inspired by Marie Antoinette, her dear friend the Duchesse de Polignac, her sister-in-law Marie Joséphine of Savoy, and her confidante Princess of Lamballe - the stylists coiffed the ladies according to the grandiose history of each.


After her year-long marriage at age 19, Princess of Lamballe (8 September, 1749 – Paris, 3 September, 1792) returned to court and became the confidante of Queen Marie Antoinette. Marie Louise was appointed the Superintendent of the Queens Household, the highest rank possible for a lady-in-waiting at Versailles. As a princess, she would have had the finest of food and florals. Even if not uttered by the queen herself, the quote: “let them eat cake” seemed only appropriate inspiration for this confectionary hair style. (Styled by Andy Hair of Audacious Styling with makeup by Tiini.)


Duchesse de Polignac (8 September 1749 – 9 December 1793) was a French duchess and the favorite of Marie Antoinette. The charismatic duchess was considered one of the great beauties of pre-Revolutionary high society. As Marie Antoinette always exuded a proper and orderly appearance with a confidently daring, modern approach, the duchesse would have been greatly influenced by Marie Anoinette. By combining regal and organic, nature-inspired elements, Duchesse de Polignac differentiated herself while tying herself to the Queen. (Styled by Melissa Cable of Tres Jolie with makeup by Tiini.)


Marie Joséphine of Savoy (2 September 1753 – 13 November 1810) was the wife of the future King Louis XVIII of France. A princess of Sardinia and of Piedmont by birth, she also was Marie Antoinette’s sister-in-law. Marie Anoinette in "Coiffure of Independence" has a large ship put upon her pouf. Madame Josephine, being from Sardinia, the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, would be competitive in court with a ship covered in gold in her hair. (Styled by Melissa LaPlante of Sweeny Todd Salon with makeup by Tiini.)

In review: Cliché's "Cross Walk"

Text by Jahna Peloquin
Photos by Cody Lidtke


Forgoing its usual blowout summer runway show, local boutique Cliché instead brought its customer into the store - and out of it. Entitled "Cross Walk," the event cleverly put the "street" in "streetwear" as models styled in clothing by the store's national lines as well as local designers Ivan Idland, Danielle Everine and Elena Mercurio paraded outside of the store and onto the cross walk of 24th Street and Lyndale Avenue.

The event kicked off with Cliché's showing of its national lines, styled with a streets-of-Tokyo-meets-Chinatown vibe. The bold painterly-print dresses, graphic tops and leggings were paired with fan headpieces and Japanese shopping bags for an effect perfectly suited to the Cliche customer - street-styled with a twist.


Next up was a brand-new five-piece line by history-referencing designer Ivan Idland, whose custom, one-of-a-kind pieces were his best yet. The adorable jumpers and dresses looked ready-made for a modern-day State Fair, if only the most chic of us dressed up for it - styled, of course, with cotton candy, balloons and state fair prize ribbons. Combining his penchant for folded sailor collars, contrast colors and button-front construction with a newly youthful and fresh sensibility, Idland has created some of his most wearable and saleable pieces to date.


Another designer to show a brand-new line was Danielle Everine, who's apparently been keeping herself very busy since debuting her memorable Voltage 2010 line this past April. The five-piece line served as a preview for her upcoming Fall 2010 collection, a diverse yet cohesive blend of separates highlighted by ivory lace and pastel prints. Inspired by the Wild West, the line was kitschily styled with faux mustaches, custom-made leather gun holster belts, and straw cowboy hats.


Last up was Voltage 2010 designer Elena Mercurio, showcasing her Voltage collection for a second time. Though the futuristic collection of color-blocked separates was nothing new for followers of local fashion, she added some glo-stick-infused headwear as a dramatic touch to the presentation as dusk fell over the city.

Though the show was apparently a cost-saving way to still showcase its local designers and latest offerings, Cliché made use of creative presentation and a novel concept to make for a truly memorable event.

All items available at Cliché, 2403 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis, 612-870-0420, www.clichempls.com

Visit Cliché's facebook page for more photos.

In review: Calamity! fashion show

by Jahna Peloquin

If there's any sign the local fashion industry is alive and well, it's when it becomes self-sustaining. Believe it or not, there once was a time when Voltage: Fashion Amplified was the be-all, end-all opportunity for local designers to show their lines (in addition to boutique Cliché, long a seller and supporter of locally-produced fashion). Now, with Voltage acting as a signature event under the umbrella that has expanded into non-profit organization MNfashion, more and more designers are making their own statement in the local fashion scene - from conception to execution, and from production to promotion. Not to mention sewing, sewing, sewing!

[Look by Dawson; Image by Adam Reyna]

Today, many freshly-graduated design students don’t wait wide-eyed for opportunity to come to them - they make it happen for themselves. Leading that charge is the Minneapolis Fashion Initiative, a collaboration between four enterprising local designers (Emily Bryngelson, Amanda Chaffin, Niki English and Kathryn Sterner) and a jewelry designer/stylist (Andrea Oseland) - all of which have been selling at local boutique Cliché beginning as recently as last fall. The four presented their spring/summer 2010 collections in a group show, Calamity!, at the Lab Theater last Thursday evening.

[Look from Cliché; Image by Adam Reyna]

Kicking off the show was that fashion incubator itself, Cliché, showing a selection of styled looks from the national brands lining their racks. Denim made an impact (in the form of cutoffs and a sweet mini-dress) coupled with sheer blacks and wide-brimmed straw hats - a must-have accessory of the season.

[Look by Dawson; Image by Rod Hasse]

Next up, Amanda Chaffin's line Dawson hit the runway with a perfectly-styled pastel-print romper, with super-'70s round sunglasses and wide-brimmed woven hat. The St. Kate's 2009 grad (and former intern to Amanda Christine) showed an increasingly polished and cohesive collection. Some of the pieces were a little on the basic side - after all, why buy a locally-designed top you could easily find at American Apparel for half the price? The point of local design, besides supporting locally-made items, is for the special-ness factor. But with her incorporation of some interesting design elements (the twist-tie at the top of the shorts romper, draped ivory pants with pleating going the entire way around the waistline) into wearable, sellable pieces, Chaffin shows she's moved beyond "recent grad" status to be one to watch in local design.

[Look by Dawson; Image by Adam Reyna]

Oh, and did we mention, she did swimwear? Yes, and not only swimwear (a tricky item for a designer to tackle), but statement-making swimwear featuring a lovely floral print and interesting cutout details. Love that she did cover-ups to make it a complete look.

[Look by Kathryn V; Image by Adam Reyna]

Next up we have Kathryn V by Kathryn Sterner. The designer first seen at last fall's Scene-A-Sota fashion show has come a long way - her designs are increasingly sophisticated and polished, not to mention cohesive and wearable. In her spring line, she incorporated some interesting textile prints to add some interest, and a few cute details (a faux-peplum look on the vests, and a top ruffle to an otherwise fairly basic but excellently-fitted strapless jumper). As is the case with many fresh-faced designers, Sterner's line lacked a definitive aesthetic, but we can only hope that continues to be developed.

[Look by Tender Cuts; Image by Rod Hasse]

The highlight of the night when it came to execution, uniqueness, wearability and styling, was Tender Cuts. I've been a supporter of designer Emily Brygelson since I first saw her designs show up at Cliché last fall before the designer had even graduated from design school at the U of M. (I even wore one of her designs from that collection to this show.) Her spring line further exhibited her ability to beautifully construct garments, her impressive adaptability in creating separates, and an increasingly-strengthened aesthetic that had her models styled with adorable animal ears and knee socks. The jackets were particularly impressive, something most designers hesitate to tackle until well into their design careers.

[Look by Tender Cuts; Image by Rod Hasse]

The collection was perfectly spring, in a pastel color palette with varying textures and patterns. This is exactly how I imagine dressing all spring - and summer. (Minus the animal ears, of course.)

[Look by Niki English; Image by Rod Hasse]

Ending the show with a dramatic finale was Niki English. English perhaps has the longest design history, having been carried at Cliché for some time now. The collection comprising edgy zippered jackets (a strength of English), leggings, skirts, tops and dresses in shiny, slinky fabrics. While it was easily the most dramatic collection of the night, so much black and slate gray seemed a little dark for spring. Despite their intended dramatic impact, her pointy-shoulder minidresses literally fell a little flat, points dropping in odd directions, and by now, the bold-shoulders look popular last fall felt a little dated. But dug the elastic leg pieces English made to add to the impact of the line.

[Look by Niki English; Image by Rod Hasse]

Where English shone most brightly was with looks such as her draped and pleated pants, paired with a crop top and sleeveless vest, showing the designer does indeed have her finger on the pulse of the moment. Though English clearly aimed to show less ready-to-wear pieces than the other designers, it would've been nice to see some of the more wearable pieces in her collection, such as these, that still incorporate her signature look. After the show, English told us she was heading to New York for the summer and fall to intern at Zac Posen. (We wish her luck, despite the fact that she certainly doesn't need it!)

These designers were smart to bond together - five heads are better than one when it comes to taking on such an endeavor. Calamity! presented a sure sign that the local fashion industry is alive and well.

Jahna Peloquin is the Fashion Editor for l'etoile magazine and a freelance writer and stylist based out of Minneapolis.

All photos by Rod Hasse and Adam Reyna. Click here for more images by Rod Hasse.

Envision: Artopia in review

by Jahna Peloquin

Leave it to Allison Hamzehpour and Jessica Cunningham, founders of Ignite Models Inc., to throw one of the best-produced, see-and-be-seen fashion shows going down during MNfashion Week every season: Envision. The gorgeous ladies - both former models themselves - seem to balance running a fledgling modeling agency and throwing regularly occurring events with equal aplomb.

[A look from Bumbershute / Photo by Chris McDuffie]

This spring’s Envision was decadently subtitled “Artopia," a nod to the bright colors, painterly prints and voluminous silhouettes of the season, and the show’s boutiques and designers - not to mention lead stylist Alice Sydow of I've Got Your Style - didn’t come up short in this area. After an interactive hair show that featured hair stylists live in action on the runway, the show kicked off with spring looks from some of the Twin Cities’ most-loved local boutiques. Bumbershute showcased edgy body-con and glittering drapey dresses that would be at home in a Robert Palmer video or on the dance floor of Studio 54, respectively. (It didn’t hurt that the models were chic-ly styled with slicked back hair, bold red lips and kohl-rimmed eyes.)

[A look from Drama / Photo by Chris McDuffie]

Next up, local boutique Drama offered looks that were perfectly feminine, modern and wearable in a simple black, white and grey palette - all the better when stylist Angie Hanson added a Drama-tic! touch with bold jeweled statement necklaces.

[A look from Elsworth / Photo by Chris McDuffie]

Our fave destination for sophisticated menswear, Elsworth, was up next with a segment that merged its dapper aesthetic with a geek-chic style and street sensibility. Layered looks featuring cardigans, bowties and oxfords came down to earth with denim and just a little bit of swagger. And the propping was pure Keith Dorsett and Jordin Filas (the shop’s owner and manager, respectively) - one bespectacled model sauntered down the runway with a book in hand, while a bow-tied fellow took an umbrella with him, which upon opening revealed a graffiti art design. Who knew nerds could be so hot?

[A look from Cliche / Photo by Chris McDuffie]

Local Motion, OPM and VState followed with a plethora of trends: Strong shoulders, feminine ruffles, and bold prints. But it was one of our all-time fave local boutiques, Cliche, that stole the show with denim-dominated and color-drenched looks topped with Carmen Miranda-inspired headpieces. Apparently, the fruit basket hats and headwraps were the ingenious handiwork of designer Emily Bryngelson and stylist Andrea Oseland. As a “guest judge,” I and the rest of the illustrious panel - Mary O’Regan of METRO Magazine, Allison Kaplan of Pioneer Press, Jen Boyles of City Pages, and Hollie Mae of HMStyling among others - chose Cliche as the clear winner of the boutique segment.

[A look by kjurek couture / Photo by Chris McDuffie]

After an intermission to refill our drinks and entertain ourselves by watching DJ Ken Hannigan bob his head to the beats along to a live soul singer, the second half of the show began. As usual, Kimberly Jurek’s kjurek couture was effortlessly chic, tempering her trademark bohemian flair with adorable skirts and ruffle-front dresses in a plethora of exotic, colorful prints. It was also exciting to see one of Jurek’s strongest pieces, the jacket, return to her collection.

[A look by Amanda Christine / Photo by Chris McDuffie]

Amanda Christine showcased her tailored and extremely wearable dresses, skirts and tops that - thanks to textured cottons and printed silks juxtaposed with sharp cutout details - are as perfect for the yacht as for the dance club. Another longtime Cliche designer, Arwyn Birch, showed an increasingly diversified collection of dresses, incorporating lace and ruffles into her knit and belted designs.

[A look by Russell Bourrienne / Photo by Chris McDuffie]

Esteemed local designer Russell Bourrienne yet again offered a fresh take on menswear in a collection of cropped trench coats in plaids, stripes citrus brights that had l’etoile magazine art director Chris Larson’s tongue watering. Our favorite piece had to be the hunter green-and-white plaid trench, which clearly deserves a spot in the wardrobe of Gossip Girl’s Chuck Bass.

[A look by Jenny Carle / Photo by Chris McDuffie]

Jenny Carle’s on-trend collection of denim and pastel dresses, skirts and tops exhibited the designer’s penchant for the sweet (bows, retro collars and ruffles). The designer appears to grow exponentially each season, her casual, girlish aesthetic tempered by a slightly bolder silhouette and luxurious fabrics, and increased attention to detail and fit. The whimsical woodland crowns were a nice touch.

[A look by Peloria / Photo by Chris McDuffie]

The dresses and separates by longtime Cliche line Peloria (by designer Korrin Lohmann) featured unusual cutouts,which worked in some cases, and seemed overwrought in others. Lohmann has always been known to incorporate a unique artistic perspective to her clothing, but it doesn’t always translate as wearable or flattering (or well-executed). However, the line did feature more tailored, sophisticated silhouettes than we’re used to seeing from the designer, and the juicy colors really set off the collection.

[A look by Rose White / Photo by Chris McDuffie]

The winner of the designer segment was the evening’s biggest mysteries to even those firmly entrenched in the fashion scene. The line, Rose White, came courtesy of recent St. Kate’s grad Amanda Chaffin, who once interned under Amanda Christine. The young designer came up with a au-courant collection of neutral separates that made up the most sophisticated line - and one of the most well-styled - of the evening. The drapey pants, one-shouldered tanks, gathered-waist skirts and elegant blouses didn’t exactly break the mold for originality, but it was a fresh, cohesive and well-executed statement from a designer who’s certainly one to watch. And: she did swimwear! Quite a feat, if you ask any designer. Accessorized with darling sheer white gloves and white gauzy veils, it felt classic yet perfectly now.

[A look by Sarah M. Holm / Photo by Chris McDuffie]

The show ended on a dark note with Sarah M. Holm’s nearly all-black collection. It struck us as overly derivative of Alexander McQueen and Lady Gaga, with headpieces completely enveloping the models’ faces and elongated sleeves straight out of a Tim Burton movie. But despite the darkness, the collection did cleverly play into spring via the idea of rain. The umbrella-shaped skirts and headpieces (finished with a drip-like effect) seemed a bit obvious and a little wonky, but the drip-shaped cutouts and black rubber rainboots were subtle and well-executed. Obviously, most of these looks are meant for only the fashionably brave, but, as Lee Alexander McQueen once said, “You have to push forward and realize the power of fantasy and escapism.”

All photos by Chris McDuffie.