MSP Fashion Week in review: The Shows f. Emma Berg, Amanda Christine & Kimberly Jurek

Text by Beth Hammarlund
Photos by Corey Tenold

After a successful debut in spring 2011, The Shows returned for another MNfashion Week. Held at 514studios in the Warehouse District, the show featured a trio of local favorites KJurek by Kimberly Jurek, Emma Berg, and Amanda Christine showing fall/Winter 2012 collections.

Jurek opened the show with an easy cabernet-colored dress with delicate straps and a playfully uneven hem. It didn't push any boundaries, but certainly had the elegant and tasteful quality that Jurek is known for. A black cowl neck winter cape was a standout piece, followed by a floaty dress in a green and black print that my seatmate and I simultaneously called dibs on.



Unfortunately, the majority of Jurek's capsule collection was underwhelming and lacked variety. Dresses were repeated in varying colors and lengths, giving the presentation a sense of redundency. Several plunging cowl neck dresses felt dated.


The makeup was striking, and much like some of Jurek's best looks, the hair was feminine and unfussy. Accessories by KR Designs punctuated the collection, and while the pieces were outstanding, in several cases chunky necklaces competed with the necklines of dresses.

Emma Berg's collection, entitled "Que Sera Sera," was a combination of good manners and unbridled girlishness. The clothes were feminine and fun nods to artist Frank Gaard, whose work inspired the collection and showed up on several pieces. Neon pinks, greens and blues played against pale dove grays and creamy ivories. Peter Pan collars created a youthful, almost childish, impression, while bulbous sleeves recalled the unapologetic drama of the '80s. Conservative tweeds with fluorescent details were perfectly suited for a fanciful rave.

There were several looks that worked in the context of the collection, but may not hold up on their own. A well-tailored tweed strapless dress with tangerine fur edging seemed right at home during the presentation, but may not retain that same appeal as an individual item on the rack. One of the more contraversial looks featured a model in a sheer fuchsia blouse with her breasts daintily covered by Tribble-like appliqués. Or maybe they were more like furry fried eggs. Either way, it got people talking, and I personally loved the unrestrained silliness.

Berg designs for women who want to use clothing to push their creative limits, but some of the separates in this collection were positively demure. Basic skirts were made special with unexpected gathers and hot pink stitching. A great way for a more conservative dresser to explore Berg's work.

The looks were elevated by light-hearted styling. Models walked in white tights spotted with pink hearts and neon pink plastic hoop earrings. Hair was accented with pinks, oranges, bluesm and greens, and neon eyelashes brought to mind the exaggerated doll-like style of Japan's Ageha girls.




Amanda Christine is certainly one of the most successful designers in the Twin Cities, selling her pieces at boutiques across the country. But this was her first hometown show in some time, and expectations were high. She presented a beautifully executed collection with great commercial appeal.

There was certainly an air of the '70s in her separates, and some of her sweater dresses were perfectly suited for jet-setting woman in the '60s. The palette explored shades of purple and merlot, while paisley was a major element in many of the looks. I'm personally not a huge fan of paisley prints, but the choice of print did align with the '70s working woman she seemed to be channeling.

The entire presentation was solid, but felt a bit uninspired. The palette and shapes were incredibly restrained, as if Christine had set specific limits prior to starting the collection and wouldn't consider coloring outside the lines. I'd love to see her relax her grip on the reins and see where her designs take her.

The Shows continues to be a highlight of Minneapolis-St. Paul Fashion Week, and we're already anxious to find out which designers will be involved next season.

In review: K.Jurek F/W 2010 Runway Show

by Jahna Peloquin

For her fifth anniversary, designer Kimberly Jurek - a bedrock of the current local fashion scene - celebrated with a name change (from kjurek couture to K.Jurek) and a more fully realized collection than ever before.


At first, it seemed against common sense to have a fashion show in a basement studio deep below the surface of Lyndale Avenue on a July evening. But the Arctic Studio space proved a smart choice, transporting the guest to another world - specifically, Fall 2010. The dimly-lit space felt more ultra-hip lounge than the more typical glossed-over hotel ballroom, all the more true to Jurek's laid back (yet chic) style.

The evening started off with an intriguing music-and-dance segment provided by singers and dancers of the traditional Puerto Rican "Bomba" and "Plena" style, headed up by longtime Jurek model Tearra Rosario. Rosario and her honey-voiced crew shimmied, shook and pulled their Jurek-designed skirts up over their heads as bongo drummers played along. It was a fittingly exotic start to the show.


From the first model who made her way out onto the square-shaped runway, it was clear that Jurek was making a bold move with her latest collection. Though it was still very true to Jurek's multi-cultural, relaxed vibe, the clothing was somewhat of a departure for the designer. For one, there were more separates than ever - tough, street-smart vests were layered over sheer, feminine blouses, while patterned mini skirts were given texture with brightly colored leggings, and sheer genie pants ballooned beneath wrap-style dresses. Fur trim (it was hard to tell whether it was faux or real) also added texture.


Still, there were some old Jurek favorites - a patio dress that exuberantly breezed across the runway here, a shawl-collared jacket there, and of course, Jurek's trademark kimono silhouette.


The bold African prints paired with feminine details gave the whole presentation a very Parisian-chic, urban-ready style. The intricately-wrapped headscarves and bold, anime-inspired eye makeup were particularly inspired. Kudos to Andrea Oseland (with assistance from Delayna Sundberg) on the styling of the show. Oseland also provided some of her bold, tribal jewelry from her Cocoquette line, as did Twisted Groove. The look was topped off with leather, fringed hobo bags (with real horsebit handles, as my seatmate, designer and horse expert Kerry Riley informed me) from Jurek's new line with Amanda Christine.


For the record, it should be noted that there were a few blaring construction issues on display. The seams on a teal legging were literally coming apart in various places, and some dresses and skirts would've benefited from a blind hem or wider hem.

But regardless, it was a standard-bearing show from a local, independent designer. It showed Jurek improving saleability in her garments without playing it safe, mixing bright colors and prints with staple black. And teamed with the space and the song-and-dance intro (not to mention some fab Ignite models working it on the runway), it was a truly complete event. In her most expansive collection to date, Jurek offered eclecticism at its best.

All photos by Isaias Zamarripa

Le'Talk: An interview with fashion designer Kimberly Jurek

by Tara Sloane

For the past five years, the Twin Cities have been enthralled with the chic, wearable designs of local fashion maven Kimberly Jurek – and for good reason. Found in more than 20 boutiques worldwide, from Tokyo to Los Angeles to the Twin Cities, Jurek’s designs possess a perfect balance of breezy simplicity and high-end elegance: hippie, prairie, and bohemian influences add splashes of romance and exotic appeal to your wardrobe, without making it look like you tried too hard (if at all!). Borrowing inspiration from various elements in art and nature as well as from her international travels (look for Argentine-esqe bombas and braided faja belts in her fall line), Jurek’s work is inspired by a little bit of everything, and that’s how we like it. To celebrate the 5th anniversary of her line, Kjurek Couture, the veteran designer will be presenting her fall collection this Saturday at Arctic Studios, along with the highly anticipated leather and suede handbag line created in collaboration with Amanda Christine.

We caught up with Kimberly to chat about what inspired her new line, her take on local fashion, and what she has in store for Saturday.

l'étoile: Past lines have been noted for your use of rich colors and nature/art inspired textures. What can we expect to see on Saturday?

Kimberly: The 2010 Kjurek Fall collection is full of color and prints. Expect to see a blend of carefully chosen fabrics of silk, cashmere, boucle and cotton knits in black, turquoise, fuchsia, pea green, orange and cobalt.

Who are your favorite fashion designers, worldwide or local?

It changes season to season. But right now, I heart Anna Sui's fall collection. I think the blend of color, prints and layers is brilliant. Love!

From Kjurek Couture Fall 2010 collection

You've done a fair bit of traveling. Any place that was particularly inspiring for you?

This collection was largely inspired by my last trip to Argentina. I spent the months of December and January staying in Buenos Aires (which in my opinion has some of the most fantastic fashion in the world-every girl on the street looks like she stepped straight out of a magazine), and traveling south to stay along the coast in small beachy towns and finally crossed over to San Martin de los Andes in La Pampa region. This is where my inspiration came to base the collection on the style of the gaucho (Argentine cowboy). You will see this in the Bamboocha pants, traditional faja belts, and pancho style jackets. The other two themes woven in to balance out the femininity is boho peasant and bomba. I am in love with the large full circle ruffle skirts of a traditional bomba dancer, and I am so excited to have a group performing at the show. While putting together their costumes I was so inspired, that I wanted to include the flavor in the collection. The boho chic peasant is something I can't seem to get away from, I love it so much and is best seen in the peasant style tops and pocketed apron belts.

From the "Exclusively Fall" Runway show 2009

What is your take on the local fashion industry right now? How do your designs fit in? Who do you see wearing your designs?

I think the local fashion industry is growing and its exciting to see so many great ideas. I love Minneapolis, designers have heart here. I am glad to be a part of it. I partner a lot with Amanda Christine because we both are going in the same direction and we adore each other. We share a booth at market (in Las Vegas and LA) as well as reps and the last time we were showing together we decided to collaborate on a hand bag line. Its been a lot of fun to work out all of the details and styling of them. The hand bag collection is the perfect blend of Kjurek and Amanda Christine. The are full leather and suede have amazing details like horse bit handles and suede and metal fringe. I currently have Kjurek carried at Cliche, Drama, Gallery 360, Parc Boutique (new!), Fresh Face Loftique (new!) and Karma and am happy that the line has done so well for everyone. I feel like I design clothing for women who want to feel feminine and confident and who are looking for something unique.

From the Spring 2010 collection / Photo by Loren Kollmer

How would you describe your own work and aesthetic?

I would say that I am constantly thinking about my business. I want to keep it fresh and exciting and designing a new collection two times a year does that. I love the process of picking out fabrics and traveling to come up with different inspiration for each season. Currently I am finishing up the spring-summer 2011 collection and am in love with the prints I have chosen (I have over 15 prints in the collection!). My aesthetic stays true to the boho chic and femininity. I like to make simple clothing that feel great and are easy to wear. Nothing makes me happier than being in one of my boutiques and seeing someone try one of my pieces on and loving it!


What is the best piece of fashion advice you’ve ever been given?

The best advice or inspiration was from my collections teacher in Italy. The first day of class she said that no idea is original, everything has been done and sometimes you can blend ideas and come up with a style that is fresh but you shouldn't feel like "you" were the one who created it (we are all a product of our environment). It took the mystery and scariness out of designing for me. I am constantly inspired by everything around me, and by her saying that, it allowed me to open my eyes and look for ideas that I might not have thought of.

The K.Jurek 5-Year Anniversary Show is happening this Saturday, July 24th at Arctic Studios. For more info and locations where you can pre-purchase tickets click HERE. To check out Kimberly's work online visit www.kjurekcouture.net.