MNfashion Week in review: "Little Black Dress"

Text by Jahna Peloquin
Photos by Amy Gee with Patrick Kelley

Little black dresses don't a runway make. That is, unless they're one-of-a-kind dresses that aren't all that little or basic. Leave it to local designers like Emma Berg, George Moskal, Max Lohrbach and Danielle Everine to make the classic closet staple into statement pieces. The dozen LBDs walking the runway for the "Little Black Dress" fashion show at St. Paul's Amsterdam Bar and Hall on Thursday evening ran the gamut, from vintage-inspired (see: Moskal, Everine) to sex-on-a-stick edgy (see: Raul Osorio, Sarah M. Holm, Laura Fulk), and from cocktail-ready (Amanda Christine) to gala-ready (see: Berg, Maritza Ramirez). Though a group show at the heart, some of the evening's standout pieces included Everine's silk chiffon overdress with a beaded high collar, embedded with lace applique and paired with an underdress in a printed lace motif, as well as Berg's silk gazar bodice with a woven polka-dot ballgown skirt. It also served as a return to the runway from Fulk, obscure since her F/W 2010 collection showing in spring of that year, as well as the introduction to Nicole Larson, a young designer already showing a strong point of view. Though the additional segment showcasing a non-LBD look by each designer seemed a bit tacked-on and unnecessary, slickly-produced event as a whole (which featured stunning Vision models and styling by HAUS Salon) offered a clear, easily-accessible theme that seemed to point to a increasingly sophisticated aesthetic within MNfashion and the local fashion community in general.

Look: George Moskal. Photo: Amy Gee

Look: Nicole Larson. Photo: Amy Gee

Look: Ivan Idland. Photo: Amy Gee

Look: Raul Osorio. Photo: Amy Gee

Look: Sarah M. Holm. Photo: Amy Gee

Look: Raul Osorio. Photo: Amy Gee


Look: Laura Fulk. Photo: Amy Gee

Look: Danielle Everine. Photo: Amy Gee

Look: Amanda Christine. Photo: Amy Gee


Look: Nicole Larson. Photo: Amy Gee

Look: Jenn Bratvold. Photo: Amy Gee

Look: Ivan Idland. Photo: Amy Gee

Look: Max Lohrbach. Photo: Patrick Kelley


Look: Sarah M. Holm. Photo: Amy Gee


Look: Danielle Everine. Photo: Amy Gee

Look: Jenny Carle. Photo: Amy Gee

Look: Emma Berg. Photo: Patrick Kelley

Look: Emma Berg. Photo: Patrick Kelley

Look: Maritza Ramirez. Photo: Amy Gee

Voltage Designer Spotlight: Raul Osorio

By Juleana Enright

We held our breaths when Honduras-born designer Raul Osorio said he was bringing Grecian draping and charro suit elements into his menswear… and now we wouldn’t have them any other way. So compelling are his designs, the perfect blend of traditional masculinity and femininity, of proud, manly silhouettes and ladylike grace and delicacy. Recently named one of City Pages’ Creative 100, Osorio has had an exceptionally fruitful 2010, including a heart-stopping, ruffle-filled collection at last fall’s “Pale Rider” with Danielle Everine and an elegant take on Native American art at the MIA Third Thursday with MNfashion event. When it comes to this year’s Voltage collection, we’ve found ourselves holding our breaths again, but with eager anticipation for the romantic, haughty, and overall lacey wares he’s created. True to his roots studying structure and construction at his mother and grandmother’s sewing academy, we can expect more of Osorio’s absolutely impeccable tailoring – and the unmistakable cleverness of a true cosmopolitan.

Raul answered some of our pressing questions this week, namely why he’s been obsessing over Marilyn Monroe...

l’etoile: Your designs explore the balance between bold, masculine lines, and “feminine lightness.” As you continue to grow as a designer, has this juxtaposition taken on new, or deeper significance for you? What do you hope to highlight or achieve with your latest collection?

Raul: I started to make a deeper connection with myself and that is definitely translating into my designs. This collection is very romantic, elegant and vain. I gain the confidence to express what others might shy away from, and that's something that I would like to highlight with this collection. What you will or will not wear is very exciting to me.

Photo by Amy Miller

l’etoile: In your January interview with Citypages, you cited Marilyn Monroe as a current obsession and an inspiration for your spring collection. Deets, please! What particular elements of her style or personality are particularly compelling for you, and how are you incorporating them into your designs?

Raul: Yes! I saw an image of Marilyn Monroe at the MIA while I was working on my collection for the Third Thursday Event last November, and I totally fall in love with it. She was proud and somehow vain. She liked to be impressive and to be considered special and unique. This is who my client is.

Photo by Ingrid Werthmann

l’etoile: From delineation and conception to construction and completed collection, do you find that your design inspiration is an external process, or something more instinctive? What is your typical method for bringing a concept from inception to a blossomed full collection?

Raul: I think it’s more instinctive. Usually point A takes me to point B until I get to Z, but I'm also a very emotional individual and I love to play characters while I design. It almost turns into a movie in my head...they all belong together and they are trying to tell a story.

Photo by Amy Gee

l’etoile: Now in its seventh year, Voltage Fashion Amplified has only intensified in popularity and local talent. To what do you attribute Voltage's success and why do you think it continues to gain momentum?

Raul: A great production team, talented designers and awesome musicians – all these mixed together is Voltage. A show to celebrate rock and fashion. It's a great challenge to get into Voltage and have the opportunity to be part of the evolution of Fashion in MN.

Photo by Joe Kramm

l’etoile: If you could design a collection for any band - past or present - who would it be and why?

Raul: Oh god .. Johnny Cash with a little modern twist. He was just the most simple, but complicated man. Sophisticated and confident...

Voltage Fashion Amplified happens this Friday, April 15th at First Avenue. For tickets and more info visit www.voltagefashionamplified.com

For more info on Raul's designs visit www.raulosorio.com

MNFashion Week in Review: Pale Rider

Text by Beth Hammarlund
Photos by Stephen Stephens

Last Friday, the raw, sparse surroundings of the Grainbelt Bottling Building were transformed into MNfashion Week central, thanks to an expertly-lit, angled runway, a chic soundtrack, and Twin Cities fashion insiders as far as the eye could see. For its first official runway production, the MNfashion team presented "Pale Rider," a joint show from two of the most promising local designers, Danielle Everine and Raul Osorio. Though varied and unique in their own rights, the duo jointly explored the masculine and the feminine - and East versus West - in looks that ranged from commercially viable to aggressive high fashion.


Up first, Everine's collection boasted a wealth of separates. Though the full looks were wearable, the coats, vests, blouses, ponchos, skirts and trousers will be sure to generate consumer interest as individual items. She opened her collection with a sheer floaty shirtdress in a pale paisley - a look that was both unconventional and accessible. The dress would satisfy tomboys and girly girls alike, paired with either vintage T-strap heels or broken-in cowboy boots.

A cropped drop-crotch pant in a slim cut and a fringed side seam led the transition to a modern take on traditional western wear. In this part of the collection, fur and leather details accented flirty, feminine looks and tailored women's suiting.

The finale look, a show-stopping quilted suit with exaggerated shoulders and wide-leg trousers accessorized with a fur ushanka-style hat, echoed both Julie Christie and Katharine Hepburn. The result made the impending Minnesota winter seem positively appealing.

Everine took her bow wearing a relaxed blouse and wide-legged trousers that epitomized the tone she captures in her designs. Though her collections feature plenty of structured pieces, her greatest strength lies in easy womenswear, pieces that effortlessly cultivate a mood. Since she seems to be taking plenty of inspiration from the late '70s, it would be interesting to see what the designer would produce after repeated viewings of 9 to 5. She certainly has the ability to capture the essence of Jane, Lily and Dolly.

Raul Osorio, known for his impeccable menswear, presented an equally successful dive into womenswear. Romantic lace blouses were paired with neatly cut shorts and skirts, upholding the evening's trend of sellable separates. A clever black bolero jacket and matching high-waisted skirt would satisfy a wide range of consumers without requiring the designer to compromise his trademark aesthetic.

An antique gold lace shirtdress with cascading ruffles was one of the evening's stand-out pieces. Interestingly, instead of pairing the piece with a coordinating slipdress, the styling team layered the dress over a pair of black biker shorts. Although it wasn't immediately noticeable, the choice referenced current ambitious runway trends.

The finale piece, a high-collared pink lace gown with tiered ruffles echoed American designers such as Ralph Lauren, renowned for his ability to reference the Old West in contemporary gowns. Osorio's interpretation was stunning.

Osorio seems to possess an innate understanding of silhouette. He can take a little black dress and turn it into a statement piece without sacrificing versatility. His challenge lies in his trousers. One look which paired tight white high-waisted pants with a bustier top was particularly unforgiving. Though beautifully made, the cuts and fabrics can be difficult to wear. It would be interesting to see him play with a wider variety of cuts in the future.

The styling team was spot-on throughout, pairing clean dewy makeup with loose upsweeps and fishtail braids. Brooches, hats and gloves were in abundance, and ponyhair made its requisite autumnal appearance. The designers' well-rounded collections masterfully balanced consumable pieces and statement looks, presenting plenty of wish list items for Twin Cities shoppers.

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.