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.
Last night, l'etoile and MNfashion joined forces to co-present the first-ever Emerging Designers Showcase. Guests mingled within the artified walls of CO Exhibitions as model/singer Tearra's musical collective OSO performed short sets, accompanied by Mayda on guitar and vocals. Throughout the evening, five fresh talents on the local design scene showcased looks previewing their Fall/Winter 2012 collections, accented with locally-designed accessories. YQY by Vivian showed a Year of the Dragon-inspired trio of looks featuring hand-painting and hand-dying and bold colors, featuring with jewelry from KR Designs. Nicole Larson showcased a Gaga-ian take on Edwardian silhouettes using rich brocades, paired with Victorian-inspired jewels by Lefthand Originals. Marissa Bridges offered a new twist on last fall's lace trend by hand-dying it for an ombréd effect, accented with accessories by Vanessa Zahid. Gina Marie Vintage showed a mix of breezy, classically chic silk separates in a cream and black palette with jewelry by Camba. Caroline Hayden finished up the evening with a layered silk georgette cocktail dress and stunning gown with richly-colored jewels by Via Patina.
Look by YQY by Vivian, jewelry by KR Designs
Look by YQY by Vivian, jewelry by KR Designs
Look by YQY by Vivian, jewelry by KR Designs
Looks by Nicole Larson, jewelry by Lefthand Originals
OSO featuring Mayda
Dress by Marissa Bridges, jewelry by Vanessa Zahid
Dress by Marissa Bridges, clutch by Vanessa Zahid
Dress by Marissa Bridges, jewelry by Vanessa Zahid
Look by Gina Marie Vintage, jewelry by Camba
Look by Gina Marie Vintage, jewelry by Camba
Look by Caroline Hayden, jewelry by Via Patina
Look by Caroline Hayden, jewelry by Via Patina
Hair by Amber Brenke Make-up by Julie Swenson Modeled by Elle Lemler, Sarah Mraz & Ashley Moe
Click HERE for more photos by Corey Tenold. Click HERE for Joan Erakit's review of the show for City Pages.
Move over, little black dress - in February, it's all about the little red dress. Already a fixture at New York Fashion Week, the Red Dress Collection made its way to downtown Minneapolis for the first time on Monday night with an all-local cast of designers and celebrity models. Carly Aplin of CW Twin Cities, MNfashion and the Heart Truth campaign, which promotes the little red dress to raise awareness of heart disease in women, presented a collection of 11 crimson gowns by some of the top local designers in the plush lounge of Seven. Throughout the evening, well-heeled crowd sipped on $18 Red Dress Cocktails (it's for a good cause, you guys) and perused a chic selection of items and packages for silent auction, with all proceeds from the silent auction and ticket sales going to The Women's Heart Clinic at the University of Minnesota.
Dresses were modeled by a variety of local luminaries - medical professionals, style editors, and philanthropists were paired with designers to create looks that married their personal styles with the designer's aesthetic. ROX Jewelry designer and former Fox 9 news anchor Robyne Robinson was the first to walk the runway in a layered gown by Rachel Blomgren.
Dress by Rachel Blomgren
Max Lohrbach gave one of his signature silhouettes an extra Valentine's Day punch in lipstick red. The result was sweet and flirty, and it was fun to see Lohrbach working with such a bright color.
Dress by Max Lohrbach
Sandy Simmons was poured into a floor-length gown by Adrienne Yancy of ArielSimone. Simmons was even more statuesque than usual, a testament to Yancy's tailoring ability. It fit like a sexy glove.
Dress by ArielSimone
Danielle Everine dressed Kaela Humphries (that's Kris' plus-size model sister) in a floaty red dress that could've gone a bit too conservative, but a racy thigh-high slit gave it just the right amount of sauciness. Everine hasn't done much plus-size design, but it couldn't have been much of a challenge to design for the stunning Humphries.
Dress by Danielle Everine
Landyn Hutchinson closed the show wearing the finale gown by Emma Berg. The show-stopping number was, without question, the highlight of the event. It was bold and romantic, and guests could barely take their eyes off of Hutchinson.
Dress by Emma Berg
Kudos to the organizers, designers, models, and volunteers for putting forth so much effort for a good cause. The Red Dress Collection's introduction to Minneapolis went off without a hitch, and hopefully we'll be able to attend this event again in the years to come.
Student fashion shows can be a mixed bag, but we can't help but love celebrating the potential of young designers, finding fresh inspiration from new faces, and trying to guess who'll be the next up-and-coming designer to emerge from the Twin Cities. On Saturday night, the University of Minnesota hosted their 44th annual senior apparel student fashion show at Rapson Hall on the college's Minneapolis campus. Though the show was called "Twelve," only 11 designers showcased their collections - but we say, quality over quantity. We especially loved Sara Lopez' play on proportions in her avant-garde looks, as well as Jennifer Robertus' mix of flowing sheers with preppy stripes. Here is a sampling of the evening's looks, as gorgeously captured by photographer Amy Gee.
Sara Lopez
Sara Lopez
Sara Lopez
Lizzie Hillmann
Lizzie Hillmann
Laura Van Ripe
Jennifer Robertus
Jennifer Robertus
Gabby Goetz
Gabby Goetz
Kari Kachelmacher
Diana Zhyhar
Diana Zhyhar
Carol Fallabeck
Carol Fallabeck
Andrea Sittler
Andrea Sittler
Andrea Sittler
Click here for a full gallery of photos by Amy Gee.
This Sunday, Minneapolis got to revisit an iconic era at First Avenue with a special reunion show with The Revolution. A benefit for the American Heart Associate inspired by drummer Bobby Z's near-fatal heart attack last year, the band played to a sold out crowd that included fans who had come from all corners of the world.
And while Prince WAS in the building and was even set to take the stage for "Purple Rain," he (shocker!) pulled out at the last minute. Even though our hopes to see such a historic moment occur before our eyes were unsurprisingly dashed, the band didn't miss a beat. The fans loved every minute of it regardless of the iconic band leader's non-presence, a testament to the strength and talent of the most famous "backup band" in the world.
Highlights of the night included not only hit songs like "Controversy," "Pop Life," and many more, but also great banter between the group. The instigator of the event, Bobby Z, presented the band with certificates that inducted them all into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and we even got to hear each member recite classic lines from their film roles in Purple Rain.
A historic and memorable night, most definitely. And all for a good cause to boot. For more information on how you can support the cause, visit Bobby Z's foundation "My Purple Heart" here.
@ Minneapolis Institute of Arts 2400 3rd Ave S Minneapolis
6-9 pm / Free
MIA’s Third Thursday’s warms up the winter with an unconventional intersection of sports and art. Hot Chicago electro-pop duo Pretty Good Dance Moves turn up the volume with their lush and exotic sound, full of psychedelic beats and blistering synths custom-made for the dance floor. Featured exhibition “The Sports Show” explores how the media helped the audience for sports expand into the millions through compelling, artistic images from photographers and filmmakers. Complimentary exhibit “The Sports Show Minnesota” – co-curated with local photographer Tom Arndt – features vintage photographs of roller derby, wrestling, ice hockey along with many other images capturing the rich history of professional and amateur sport in our home state. Mingle with sporty Minnesota RollerGirls while you nosh on refreshments and enjoy the show, and - if you dare - wear your favorite Minnesota sports jersey, though we’ll approve only if you promise to modify it into a jaunty fashion accessory! -Anthony Enright
@ Clubhouse Jager 923 Washington Ave N Minneapolis
9 pm /21+ / Free
Valentine’s Day may be over, but that shouldn't stop you from getting down to some downright dirty dance business this weekend. Pick your poison as DJ groups Lady Parts & Gentle Lovers duel for your affections: all-girl trifecta Lady Parts with your favorite dance jams versus real-life couple Grant Cutler and Allegra Oxborough of Gentle Lovers and their retro, sexy R&B beats. Come ready, and thirsty - drink specials are available all night long, including $5 Jameson drinks. -Stefani Arden
Take a cast of dark souls channeling '80s post-punk & EDM, throw in a band whose whiskey-soaked, raucous blues recall a Tom Waits-meets-Black Keys 'tude, add in a pinch of hauntingly psychedelic dreamcore, and some glammy gloom-pop and you have the ingredients for an all-local, all-eclectic showcase. Presented by Radio K, tonight's show features four heavily hyped, must-witness-live TC bands: The Rope, The Goondas, Fire in the Northern Firs and Hollow Boys. We suggest heading down early to practice your goth stance, rock 'n' roll swagger, shoegaze mien and dance moves. -Juleana Enright
'This Time It’s Forever: Portrait Interpretations of the Icon: Scott Seekins'
@ Gallery 13 811 LaSalle Ave. Minneapolis
7– 10 pm / Free
Seekin’ Scott Seekins! Perhaps the most visually recognizable Twin Cities artist, and one of the most head-turningly familiar presences on our fair city’s streets is none other than Mr. Scott Seekins. But he’s oh so much more than just “that guy with black curly hair who wears a white suit in the summer and black suit in winter.” Scott’s carefully curated appearance allows him to live his life as a walking narrative performance art endeavor, imbuing even the simple act of walking down the street with a frisson of artistic energy. Amidst a myriad of iconoclastic and varied skills and interests (WWII, fly fishing, and Britney Spears), Seekins has developed a unique painting style in which the figurative version of himself plays a starring role. Tonight’s opening exhibition functions as a kind of artistic tribute to - or roast of - the artist with a sprawling roster of local talents – including Erin Sayer, Claudia Danielson, Sean Smuda, Allen Brewer, Venus (of All the Pretty Horses) and Seekins himself – contributing pieces showing Scott as they see him. Get ready for a guaranteed Seekins sighting and spend the evening celebrating one of the icons of the Twin Cities art scene. -Anthony Enright
Chances are if you haven't been a) living under a rock, or b) abducted by music-hating extraterrestrials, you've heard about local band Night Moves. The band - which was recently signed to indie hitmaker Domino Records - effortlessly blends electro soul, indie pop and elements of country to create an irresistible, groove-inducing sound that's left them susceptible to twitterpated fans. Of course, it helps that the band features three charmingly cute dudes. Tonight, watch the band live up to the buzz alongside fellow country-benders We All Have Hooks for Hands and the debut of electro-pop group Enola Gay, featuring former members of Chelsea Boys. -Juleana Enright
OTR Presents VII: Nona Marie & The Choir and Hot Freaks
@ Hell’s Kitchen 80 S 9th St Minneapolis
10 pm / 18+ / $5
This Friday, you best put on your pretty pants and sashay yourself down to Hell’s Kitchen for this bi-monthly showcase thrown by Radio K’s local music show, Off the Record. Kicking off the night are Hot Freaks, an '80s-infused power-pop quintet brimming with Beach Boys harmonies, shimmering synths and surf guitars. The night ends on a moody note with the beautiful, soulful sounds of Nona Marie & The Choir, fronted by the entrancing vocalist of Dark Dark Dark. -Stefani Arden
Who could turn down a night of digital DJ distortions and mind-blowing visuals? Get down to business on this Friday at the Varsity Theater with the usual BOMP crew - the Moongoons, Jimmy 2 Times, Wzz Wnshp, and Shannon Blowtorch - and experience sounds that will rock your richters, accompanied by video delights on the big screen. Grab your boys and girls, and get ready to bust out your best moves.
For beloved local rock band Zoo Animal, tonight represents a rebirth, of sorts. Fans of the band have seen the stark and stunning instrumentation conceived by Holly Newsom traverse genres and void stereotypes with haunting live performances that stick with you for days. This season has marked both a change in players and a shift in sound, and, as a result, Departure is conceived. It may be lo-fi, but this isn't music to numb out to. All seven songs on this captivating new EP artfully meditate on that age old internal struggle with change and transformation, pushing its audience to engage, be overwhelmed and – above all – emote. The underestimated prowess and raw honesty of this band truly has the ability to sneak up behind you when you least expect it, and that is exactly the point. Joining Zoo Animal for tonight's celebration is a superb roundup of female-fronted outfits - Gospel Gossip, Gramma's Boyfriend and Is/Is. Somehow the midwinter blues just got a little more bearable. -Robyn Lewis
The Show ‘n Tell Show @ Amsterdam Bar and Hall 6 W. 6th Street St. Paul
8–11pm / 21+ / $5
Have you ever wondered exactly what a talk show would look like if instead of celebrity interviews and top ten lists, the focus was on designers, artists and other creatives - and held live in a really great bar? It sounds to us like a recipe for some awkward, entertaining hilarity! Bumbling hosts Michael Renaud and Zach Dodson have crammed the debut of the Show 'n Tell Show with graphic designers, typographers, photographers, comic book nerds, poster boys and improv comics for an evening full of lively banter, eye-popping slide shows and brilliantly clumsy hosting. Will it be the pinnacle of Twin Cities design culture live onstage, or just an evening of public embarrassment? With the talented lineup – Aesthetic Apparatus, Michael Cina, Landland, Process Type Foundry, and more – we’re counting on it to be a little bit of both. -Anthony Enright
In their ongoing Volumes series, the artist-run independent publisher Location has to date provided four powerful yet compact artistic showcases free from editorialization or commercial influence. Each Volume brings together a group of local artists and gives them opportunity to express themselves in a format that's conceptually compelling yet also affordable. Tonight's event celebrates the simultaneous release of the next two volumes in the series. For Volume Five, three artists, Aaron Anderson, Eric Carlson and Crystal Quinn - formerly members of the collective Hardland/Heartland - continue their practice of making formal, stream-of-conscious books by using the Location Volume to explore an elaborate series of playful allegories and coded symbols. For Volume Six, four photographers - John Opera, Stevie Rexroth, Adam Schreiber and Ann Woo - contribute custom work in reaction to artist Robert Irwin's famous quote, "Seeing is forgetting the name of the thing one sees." We can't wait to see these latest creations hot off the presses. -Anthony Enright
University of Minnesota Senior Fashion Show: 'Twelve'
@ Rapson Hall at University of Minnesota 89 Church Street SE Minneapolis
5:30pm & 8pm/ $10 balcony standing, $20 general seating or $25 day of show, $50 VIP seating
The University of Minnesota’s apparel department has produced a number of l’etoile favorites over the years - designing duo Calpurnia Peach (Ashley Wokasch and Luci Kandler), Niki English, Kathryn V., Tender Cuts (Emily Bryngelson), to name a few. This year’s latest crop of a dozen designers don’t look to be anything to scoff at - a pair of designers already selling their line at a local boutique, a student who already has internships in Paris and New York lined up, and a future Zandra Rhodes intern.
Click HERE for the U of M fashion show site, and HERE for our shopping guide for more weekend fashion events.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 18TH
Dre Day X @ Triple Rock 629 Cedar Ave Minneapolis
9 p.m. / 21+ / $12 adv, $15 door
The real reason we love Minneapolis in February is not a Valentine's chocolate thang or even an almost-over-winter thang, but most definitely a G thang. Oh yes, it's time again to pay tribute to the stellar discography of a doctor we could never forget – rap's stunning surgeon, Dr. Dre. For the tenth annual Dre Day celebration, Burlesque of North America's epic bash features Dre Day alumni Heiruspecs as the LBC Drama Club, performing live versions of Dre classics, plus Get Cryphy DJs Jimmy 2 Times and Plain Ole Bill spinnin' up your favorite tasty West Coast rap anthems as Heiruspecs' Felix emcees. Brand new Dre Day merch, 40s, giveaways and unmentionable surprises are all in your future as you flaunt your unwavering love for Dre. -Juleana Enright
Click HERE for the Burlesque of North America site
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 18TH
Forever Young
@ Uptown VFW 2916 Lyndale Ave Minneapolis
9pm / 21+ / $7 or $5 w/ RSVP
Uptown's monthly dance par-tay evokes everything you loved about the '90s – hammer pants, floral sweater vests, neon shades, Full House, superfluous flicks about ninjas and surfers – all in dance-worthy form. Tonight, another installments unabashedly brings you R&B ballads, hip house wonders, and "pump up the jam" house hits spun by resident DJs Snakebite and Cloud. No boy band track is safe nor Eurotrash hit too obscure. Sip down 2 dolla PBRs, enjoy mad drink specials, groove to the deepest of the deep bass beats and flaunt your pimpin'-est late '80s/early '90s wear.
Besides being the Minneapolis funk master, our darling Prince had a hand in some of the Twin Cities' most innovative musical acts of the '70s and '80s, including funk genre-melders the Revolution. Featuring a multi-racial, multi-gendered ensemble of talented musicians, the one-time Prince collaborators fused elements of metal, R&B, funk and rock to create hit-defining, Billboard-charting hits, including the uber popular singles “When Doves Cry,” “Purple Rain” and “I Would Die 4 U.” Tonight, join Revolution drummer Bobby Z and the American Heart Association for the first annual Benefit 2 Celebrate Life, a Revolution reunion show-meets-heart health benefit. Witness original Revolution members Wendy & Lisa, Brown Mark, Matt “Doctor” Fink and Bobby Z together again on the same stage where "Purple Rain" was famously shot nearly 30 years ago - plus you never know if the Purple One will grace us with his presence. -Juleana Enright Click HERE for the First Avenue site
Editor in Chief: Jahna Peloquin / Contributors: Juleana Enright, Robyn Lewis, Jahna Peloquin, Stefani Arden, Anthony Enright
To request an event listing on letoilemagazine.com, or to inquire about advertising, e-mail kate@letoilemagazine.com
To send a promo or press release for consideration through U.S. mail:
l'etoile magazine
628 4th Street NE
2nd Floor
Minneapolis Mn 55413
Posts
