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« February 2008 | Main | April 2008 »
March 31, 2008 Fashion personality and Liz Claiborne’s chief creative officer, Tim Gunn, was in town last week for a Liz Claiborne spring fashion show at Herberger’s. I was there to ask him about personal style, fashion faux pas, and spring trends. Here are the goodies: Talking Style with Tim Gunn Spring Fashion with Tim Gunn
March 31, 2008 I am not going to pretend to know anything about sneakers or, for that matter, baseball. But I am not so in the dark that I am unaware of the fact that it is the Twins' home opener tonight (in six inches of snow, no less). I’ve never been to a Twins game, so I am not sure what I would wear (maybe a slouchy American Apparel T, blue jeans, red patent leather heels, and a pendant necklace), but if I were an in-the-style-know guy, I would definitely be all over these new Home and Away Opening Day Air Jordan 1’s.
These limited edition sneaks were released at midnight Friday at Status in Calhoun Square, but there are still a few pairs left ($100 each), and according to Liz Doyle, our editorial stylist and resident men’s fashion expert, this new collector's edition of the Air Jordan is sleek and cool even if it is in White Sox colors. Status, Calhoun Square, 612-824-3100
March 31, 2008
Make you mother (or other important female in your life) truly happy this Mother's Day with a gift set of Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker. Go to the website on the sleeve of the gift set, which is available in department stores April 1, enter your package's code, and you'll get two tickets to see the Sex and the City movie at a theater of your choice and be entered for a chance to win two tickets to the NYC premiere.
March 29, 2008
Laura Benson of Minneapolis discovered market baskets during a trip to France in 2006 and realized the potential for use back home—as grocery bags (reusable in place of paper or plastic), picnic carriers, beach totes, travel bags, etc. She began importing the baskets from Morocco in 2007 and soon after founded the Jeanne Beatrice company. The bags are hand-woven in Morocco using renewable resources, such as water reeds and palm leaves, which also means each basket is unique due to the natural variation in materials. Sturdy leather handles and a soft leather trim complete the look. Find Jeanne Beatrice baskets in three sizes at Rick Rack (La Mer style shown at right.) Prices range from an affordable $50 to $70.
March 28, 2008 Lifestyle designer Angela Adams has introduced a new rug to be sold at Design Within Reach. The traditional hand-tufted wool rug, named Ocean, is made with 100 percent New Zealand wool and celebrates the designer's love of the sea (she's from Portland, Maine, after all). The rug comes in two sizes: five-by-eight ($899) and eight-by-ten ($1,499).
The collection is available online and at the Minneapolis outpost of Design Within Reach. 2939 Hennepin Ave., 612-827-0990
March 27, 2008 This month, J.R. Watkins, the 140-year-old Winona apothecary company, will launch two new all-natural and eco-friendly lines, J.R. Watkins Natural Apothecary and J.R. Watkins Natural Home Care. They will be available at mass retailers, including Target.
All of the items in the body collection (lotions, creams, foot salves, lip balms, and body oil) are 97.5–100 percent natural and free of parabens, sulfates, glycols, and phthalates; the home cleaning line (dish soap, window cleaner, and tub and tile cleaner) is free of harsh chemicals, such as ammonia and chlorine.
Best of all, prices range between $3.99 and $8.99, much less than many other supermarket natural cleaning and apothecary brands.
March 26, 2008
Crew Cuts (J.Crew's exclusive line of children's fashion, located inside the mall's second-floor J.Crew store) and Janie and Jack (an upscale offshoot of Gymboree, situated on the south wing's first floor). I was impressed with the large store space devoted to J.Crew's new kids collection (shown at left). The back right corner in MOA's location swells with pops of sunny yellow cardigans, warm pink sweaters, crisp navy shorts, citrus-orange handbags, and other spring and summer accessories for boys and girls. I loved the preppy, country club-inspired looks—they are a perfect match to mom's and dad's warm-weather wear.
Both collections are worth a look at MOA, especially if you're updating your family's closets for summer. (The Crew Cuts line is also available inside Southdale's J.Crew location.)
March 25, 2008 My feelings toward art have always been much harder to define than my feelings toward fashion. When it comes to the latter, I can cite specific reasons for whether or not I like something—is it structural and tailored or ill fitting? A parade of candy colors or stark and minimalist? Does the fabric feel cheap or sumptuous? Are the embellishments an afterthought or an intricate necessity to the garment? Does the design take into mind the nature of a woman’s body? But with art, I’ve never been good at putting my finger on what exactly it is I like. I love eighteenth century portraiture, I love the impressionists, and I enjoy Frida, Picasso, Murakami, Damien Hirst, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, and Jan Saudek—my tastes don’t easily fall into one category, and I can’t even articulate what it is I like. It either speaks to me or it doesn’t. On Friday night, I went to the Walker After Hours opening party for Richard Prince: Spiritual America. Prince is a celebrated artist of appropriation who made a name for himself by photographing advertisements and co-opting the iconic Marlboro Man. In many ways, Prince’s work speaks to me. Not just because some of his most famous works, including his Jokes series (beginning 1986), are actually quotations referencing Americana sexuality and stand-up humor, but because of the way that he has influenced fashion. Unless you’ve been on a deserted island for the last six months, you’ve certainly heard that Marc Jacobs collaborated with the artist on his Spring 2008 collection for Louis Vuitton. Prince’s spray painting and texts were worked into LV bags, and the twelve sexy nurses in see-through plastic coats who opened the show were directly referential to Prince’s Nurse paintings.
Collaborating with an artist isn’t necessarily something new for Jacobs; he did so with his Spring 2003 collection with Takashi Murakami (those Japanese pop art-colored handbags are still some of the best selling) and for his Spring 2001 collection with graffiti artist Stephen Sprouse. And let us not forget how Jacobs visually translated the music and counter culture of different kinds of artists—Pearl Jam and Nirvana—into pattern and color with his critically panned 1992 collection for Perry Ellis. Perhaps the reason why Prince’s work has been so successful is because he, like Marc Jacobs, delicately walks the line between commercial and creative, a theme that seems increasingly important for any designer or artist if they want to make money and art. Richard Prince: Spiritual America, open now through June 15. Walker Art Center, 1750 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 612-375-7600
March 24, 2008 If you haven't already heard, style guru and host of Project Runway, Tim Gunn, will be at Rosedale this Wednesday, March 26 for a fashion show and a signing of his book, Tim Gunn, A Guide to Quality, Taste & Style.
I'll be there for an exclusive interview with Gunn about spring’s hottest trends from Liz Claiborne, personal style, and more. Check out this blog later in the week for a video of the event. And in the meantime, make sure to pick up your own copy of his book. Call 651-635-2600 to RSVP. Tim Gunn appearance, 6 p.m., Herberger's, Rosedale
March 22, 2008 If you're still searching for ways to fill up Easter baskets, stop in to upscale culinary storefront Sur La Table this weekend for unique ideas and great savings on everything Easter. All holiday merchandise is 40 percent off, including pretty pastel gardening pails; Easter Bunny-clad candle holders; egg-shaped cake pans; aprons for mom and child; and, my personal favorite, decorative dessert plates.
Sur La Table, 3901 W. 50th St., Edina, 952-656-0045
March 21, 2008 In the category of "What Will Target Think of Next," the Twin Cities-based retailer is adding a layer to its GO International program with a GO International private label. The goal is to offer fast fashion basics that will fill in the lull between Target's designer collaborations. Target's buyers and designers have worked to dissect high-fashion trends for the mass-market customer. The first collection hits stores on April 13 and includes updated wardrobe staples, such as boyfriend blazers, printed tunics, lightweight Ts, and wide-leg trousers as well as more on-trend pieces, such as a long linen vest, a painterly dress, and a satin romper. Prices range from $16.99 to $49.99, which will put this collection on par with H&M and the made over Old Navy as far as price and design goes, and it will hopefully be at least a step up in quality from Forever 21. Here are my favorites:
Color-block T-back dress in gray and pink ($34.99)
Ruffled-front blouse in blue ($26.99) and high-waist trousers in black ($34.99)
One shoulder jersey dress in blue ($34.99)
Ruffle-neck tunic in red ($22.99) and paper-bag waist skirt ($34.99)
Color-block T-back patterned dress in black and white ($34.99)
Double layer tank dress in gray and peach ($39.99)
March 21, 2008 It has been months in the making, but the 2008 ASID Showcase Home near Lake Harriet, sponsored in part by Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, opens in just eight weeks. It’s exciting because when I saw the early demolition work back in November, it seemed like such an enormously daunting project. But the crews have done an amazing job through the winter. This morning, architect Lars Peterssen with Domain Architecture & Design gave me a sneak peek at how it’s shaping up inside and out.
I’ll check back again with Lars and some of the interior designers involved as construction wraps up in a few weeks. To read more in the meantime, go to the ASID Showcase Home Tour 2008 page on our website.
March 20, 2008 If there is one take-home message from the fall 2008 fashion shows in New York, Paris, London, and Milan, it's that the accessory is becoming ever more important. It's the way that a woman, or man for that matter, can set themselves apart from the masses.
J.Crew must have received the memo—if you landed on the new J.Crew hompage during the last few days, you'd notice that accessories are at the forefront with an online accessories catalog (a physical catalog should also be dropping in mailboxes soon). The homepage collage will lead you back to J.Crew's new online accessories shop, which includes costume and fine jewelry, handbags, and shoes at prices that seem a bit steeper than the regular Crew wear but much less than designer accessories of (probably) equal quality. I haven't purchased an accessory item from J.Crew since I bought a brown leather belt in high school, but if the quality is good (the shoes are made in Italy) and the styles are on trend, the J.Crew website might become one of my must-stop accessories shops. J.Crew, four locations, including Mall of America, Bloomington, 952-814-7419
March 19, 2008
Don't worry men, there's a great deal for you during the Hip Event, too. Purchase $500 worth of merchandise from the men's contemporary department and receive a fashionable D&G Dolce & Gabbana watch. Neiman Marcus, 505 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612-339-2600 Ladies should also hurry in to upscale Galleria boutique Arafina to take advantage of the last few days of its Pre-Spring Sale. Through Saturday, save 15 percent off all dresses, gowns, suits, skirts, tops, and pants. Trend-forward lines include Nanette Lepore, M Missoni, Theory, Alice + Olivia, Trina Turk, and Vivienne Tam. Arafina, Galleria, Edina, 952-925-1565
March 19, 2008 Attention brides to be: Priscilla of Boston is opening its twelfth store in the country in Edina on May 5. The store, which originally started in Boston sixty-two years ago by Priscilla Kidder (who is best known for designing the bridesmaid's gowns for Grace Kelly's marriage to Prince Rainier of Monaco and the bridal gowns for presidential daughters Luci Johnson and Tricia Nixon), will feature four groups of dresses as well as bridesmaid and flower girl gowns and accessories.
In addition to the namesake Priscilla of Boston line ($3,500—$6,000), the boutique will also carry whimsical gowns by Melissa Sweet ($3,500—$7,000), couture-quality dresses by Platinum ($4,000-$13,000), and fashion-forward styles by moderately priced Vineyard (all gowns less than $2,900). Priscilla of Boston, 3926 W. 50th St.
March 18, 2008 You know that scene in Sex and the City when Carrie's laptop is on the fritz and she takes it to the service center wrapped in her finest cashmere pashmina? Well, my laptop toting has always been just about as careless yet not quite as stylish. I've mimicked her by wrapping mine in a pashmina, I've stuffed it into vintage bags, and I've tossed it into an old leather briefcase I snagged from my mother. While in NYC for fashion week, I actually had to force myself to buy a canvas tote (with an Andy Warhol print, no less) because the idea of walking around with it under my arm for fourteen hours a day in five inch heels was a bit ridiculous. Though I've been consciously searching for a few years, I've had the most difficult time stumbling upon a laptop bag that even teeters on acceptable, let alone stylish. That is until I pranced into Lori Cheadle's Clutch Boutique this weekend and stumbled across these laptop bags by Violet May London. In delicious colors and with sturdy silk scarves attached as straps, these laptop bags ($885 each) are the absolute most divine I've ever seen.
Now, if only Bush would mail out that rebate check tout suite! Clutch Boutique, 5005 France Ave. S., Mpls., 612-455-0606
March 15, 2008 Rick Rack co-owners Ann McCabe and Cheri Toftey scour the globe to fill their charming south Minneapolis storefront with a bevy of vintage home furnishings, one-of-a-kind antiques, handmade jewelry, fashion accessories, retro pieces, and other knickknacks. Step inside, and you're sure to find something that tickles your fancy, especially this month when Rick Rack hosts a European Flea Market. The market began Thursday and runs through Saturday, March 22, featuring fresh discoveries from the duo's latest travels, plus many French-inspired pieces.
Rick Rack, 3413 W. 44th St., Mpls., 612-746-4160
March 13, 2008
Since then, I’ve visited lots of other Crate & Barrel stores around the country, and I’m sure many of you have, too. Most are built with two or three levels now, and they carry furniture (Note: colleague Jayne Haugen Olson tells me the Nicollet Mall location used to have an upper level with more furniture, too, but it was closed off years ago). So, although it’s been sad in many ways to see the old Minneapolis stores go, it’s thrilling to finally see a big store opening at Galleria in Edina.
Skylights and windows let lots of natural light into the store. Most of the furniture is on the upper level.
I was really impressed with the building’s clean architectural lines and comfortable flow. And I’m thrilled to be able to finally sink into a sofa or touch a table right here in Edina—versus looking at a catalog or heading to a store out of town. A ribbon-cutting this morning marked the official opening, so now is the time to get your first peek at what all the fuss is about. I hope to return myself, now that some of those crowds have cleared!
March 13, 2008 I think I now know how Nick Arrojo gets his clients and people on TLC’s What Not to Wear to cut their hair off. He looks them with his puppy dog eyes and smiles. And then cuts before they can overcome the urge to really, really say no. I met Nick yesterday while he was in town to promote the opening of PureBeauty at the Mall of America (more on that later). We had a quick chat about cuts, colors, his new line of haircare products, and more. He promised a thirty-second hair consult to all that come to visit him for his autograph and check out PureBeauty Thursday (today) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. So of course I asked him for one. “How long you’ve had that?” he looks at my hair, not unkindly. But-uh-what? I just had my Beauty Metrix done at PureBeauty, and my hair was magnified almost too close for comfort—and it looked smoother and glossier (“no visible damage”) than I’d expected. I know better than to argue. I see people argue with him all the time on What Not to Wear. And always, ALWAYS I’ve thought people look better after he touches their tresses. Hair sure is the most important identifier for most women. I’ve always been a long-haired girl. Maybe it’s my own insecurities (I don’t have the daintiest features in the world), or inexperience with big change, but I’ve always shied away from the latest cuts or anything much shorter than my shoulders. Instantly, he said, “Above the shoulder.” Gordon Nelson, International Creative Director of Regis Salons (and also a Brit) said, “Yes, and less fluff at the ends. And lowlights, lowlights. Some highlights on top.” It’s interesting when you allow arbiters of style to let fly with their opinions. Well, as you can see from my blog photo, I did once do a demi-permanent all over light brown dye with some highlights on top—I sort of have been trying to shed the whole super-blond thing. It’s getting a little boring for me. But I have been so busy with life that I haven’t taken care of my hair the way I really should in the last six months. My hairstylist probably thinks I've deserted her. Which brings me to PureBeauty (which will be the first store to carry Arrojo’s namesake line outside his New York City salon). I stopped in for a preview on Tuesday, and I have to say that I came away impressed. PureBeauty will eventually take over all of the Trade Secret stores that hair junkies have come to know and love. But don’t panic! This is really a boutique experience with haircare, skincare, and cosmetics in both professional and prestige lines. Done up in apothecary style and modeled after Burlington Arcade in London, browse among products such as Arrojo’s line (“Proof is in the pudding,” he says, “We’ve road tested on clients.”), Chi, T3, BedHead, Ojon, Dermalogica, Murad, Kenra, and PureOlogy, among many more. Hair services, facials, and waxing are also available, along with the fifteen-minute GoSpa, which offers $15, 15-minute services for ladies and men on the go. And then there’s Beauty Metrix, which takes up-close-and-personal photos of your pores, scalp, hair, pigmentation, and more, to give you a good read on your hydration, sun and hair damage levels, and more. Then you get a list of products that the store sells for reference—what will work best for you—not for the person selling you the products. If you become a repeat customer you can actually track if the products are making a difference or not. (Psst, the esthetician I spoke with told me that using salon- or professional-quality hair products does make a difference in hair quality.) A Beauty Metrix consultation is free with the membership to Club PureBeauty (also free). I think I might try and take Gordon and Nick’s advice. Ten percent change each time I hit the salon. Then I’m always evolving. After the wedding. PureBeauty, Mall of America, 952-854-6496
March 12, 2008 New stores are popping up all over the Twin Cities, carrying everything from designer denim and outerwear to kids clothing and maternity wear. As spring approaches, take some time to explore all these new shopping spots. Here are a few on our radar: Covered Expands More for Moms-to-Be A Beauty Buff's Haven Just for the Kids And at Ridgedale, Half Pint for Kids debuted its trendy boutique for pint-size shoppers, stocked with plenty of pretty dresses, cute separates, footwear, gifts, and other fun items for boys and girls. Ridgedale, Minnetonka, 952-546-1244 Outerwear Outpost
March 11, 2008 During the 1920’s, Gerald and Sara Murphy were the quintessential Americans in Paris: They were granted access to Paris’ rich art world due to the French fixation on all things American while simultaneously having the freedom to explore it away from stifling New York society. Throughout the early twentieth century, the Murphys’ lifestyle captured the imagination of artists, such as Picasso, and writers, such as like Hemingway, Dos Passos, and Dorothy Parker. Famously, the couple inspired the characters of Dick and Nicole Driver in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s literary masterpiece Tender is the Night. And Mademoiselle Coco Chanel, who was a friend of the Murphys, chose the couple as her twin muses—Gerald with his resort wear and Sara with her penchant for wearing layers of pearls draped down her back. In recent interviews, designer Karl Lagerfeld credits both Fitzgerald’s book and the lives of Gerald and Sara as his inspiration for his Spring 2008 collection for Chanel. The Murphys' influence is felt all over the collection: deconstructed Americana in the form of American flags, stars, and stripes; lightweight, raw-edged tweeds; paillette-covered cardigans and shifts; bathing costumes appropriate for the French Riviera; and Lesage tennis outfits. All fiercely appropriate for sunbathing and schmoozing at Cap d’Antibes Villa America. Previously the thought of someone such as me—youngish, not wealthy, and not bourgeois—ever wearing Chanel seemed inappropriate. To me, Chanel has always been one of those brands you need to earn the right to wear—appropriate only for women of immense style, power, class, and, of course, wealth. But Lagerfeld’s spring collection seems more approachable to me, possibly because of his reference to a well-known book by a famous St. Paul native but also because the Parisian creative character of the 1920s is something that I have always been drawn to—the idea of painters, literary artists, and thinkers of all types meeting in café society and adding to the cultural thread of a city. I still don’t think I have the je ne sais quoi (or the pocketbook) to pull off Chanel, but I have a new appreciation for the creativity that goes into Lagerfeld’s spectacular designs. See select pieces of the Chanel Spring 2008 ready-to-wear collection at Nordstrom, Mall of America, 952-883-2121
March 11, 2008 Perhaps one of the most important (and expensive) purchases you or your future husband/wife/partner will ever make for each other is the engagement ring or wedding band. It has to be timeless but also in the style of the giftee; it has to fit the lifestyle; it has to fit the budget. Ideally, it’s on that finger forever. So when do you know you’ve found the right thing? For me, it took nearly a year and a half. William, my fiancé, proposed to me last December, and our wedding is now a mere seventy-seven days away. I had my stone re-set just last week. Initially, William had chosen a very, very nice white gold band, fairly wide, with a classic Tiffany setting for me. I was actually very happy with it right off the bat. But when I started looking for bands, I had trouble finding anything that looked just right with it. (I’m hardly a high-maintenance bride, but some things have to be Cinderella!) Enter a whole new search for an engagement ring and wedding band. Several weekends, many stores, conversations, try-ons, and agonizing later, I had my aha moment. I walked into Gold’n Treasures on Grand Avenue, and it was like a tractor beam pulled me to a set of stackable rings in the case. I knew it from the second I laid eyes on it. Certainly I’d seen others that were perfectly lovely but weren’t quite right. Mine is delicate and looks vintage, although it’s not. A little sparkle but nothing I’d call blingy. Best of all, it had both a matching band, or just one that coordinated nicely (I chose the coordinating, rather than the matching, band). I tried on others, in a show of keeping my mind open (and loving to try on jewelry), but my heart was set the instant the first ring went on my finger. The next week—I decided I’d better sleep on it—, I returned to put my diamond in the new ring. We also bought the coordinating band. When I went to pick up my ring, it was even more beautiful than I had imagined it would be. That sounds ridiculous coming from me. I never thought I’d say those words. But—it’s true. I’m so happy with it.
But what helped the whole big purchase—in a very important way—was the service we received each time we visited. No pressure. No sales pitches. Just knowledgeable staff that was truly interested in helping us find the right rings. The first time I went in, they took photos for me of the rings I'd tried on. Then I could take them home to stare at or take them with me shopping to compare. It sure didn't hurt that they offered me a glass of wine every time I came in or that they treated us like friends. Ask all the questions you can think up. Try on everything that looks appealing. Listen to some expert advice. Hell, gemologist and owner Todd Gimble allowed William to try his own wedding band on and walk around the store with it—and it sold William on a very similar band. Stop back often—stock shifts around frequently. I know others who have had similar experiences, and we all recommend them wholeheartedly. The staff is wonderfully friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. Most importantly, in my book, they didn’t pressure us, so we could make a reasonable decision, whatever our price point, and come away happy. Consider me ecstatic. Gold’n Treasures, 805 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, 651-227-2711, goldn-treasures.com
March 08, 2008
Girls will notice everything from feminine ruffles and polka dots, to sexy animal prints and metallics while guys see a trend toward classic suits with black shirts and cuff links. Fashion Shows Saturday, March 8: 1 and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 9: 1 and 3. p.m. In addition, Mall of America partners with Operation Glass Slipper to host a two-day dress drive. The nonprofit organization provides low-income high school girls in the Twin Cities area with all the necessities for prom. Donate new or gently used prom gowns, cocktail dresses, accessories, and shoes at this weekend's dress drive, or check out drop-off spots nearest you. Once items are collected, they are cleaned and repaired before a two-day open house in early April. Dress Drive Saturday, March 8: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 9: Noon to 3 p.m. For more information on Operation Glass Slipper, click here, or call 651-994-7989.
March 07, 2008 Last Saturday, I was out and about on Selby and Snelling, doing a little shopping to pass the time, and I stopped in Lula. I immediately spotted a fuchsia dress with a standup collar, elbow sleeves, and a train—and I fell head over heels. Tried it on. Didn’t fit. Wanted to cry. You know the feeling, when you find the perfect thing and then it’s not right on you? Pure agony. Well, Hayley, proprietress of Lula, saw the long face and immediately began bustling about, pulling dresses and hanging them outside my fitting room. In a normal store, this kind of thing drives me crazy—I know what I want, and I don’t want to be bothered. But in a vintage shop, I definitely need help. Sizes can be wonky, for one thing, and sometimes it’s hard for me to figure out what’s great and what’s junk. And sometimes I just plain don't have the patience to sort through everything. Everything Hayley pulled was great. She nailed my style from just my first fashion choice and helped to zip me in and out of several dresses. (She even got my fiancé to try on a pair of red-and-white checkered golf pants, which I honestly thought he could have rocked if they would have fit.) There were a few others I wanted to buy, too. It was truly outstanding service, and I can say, without a doubt, that it’s going to be my new favorite haunt. Here’s what I walked away with on Saturday (you’ll note I’m a huge fan of the shift and also pink). Sorry for the photo quality—the colors are actually quite consistent in real life (no fading or stains).
Here's the front of the dress Hayley found for me to replace the fuchsia one (and yes, I'm still thinking about how I could make myself fit in it, and it's probably gone.) Here is the back: It actually has a little peekaboo back, not a zipper all the way up. Great detail! And the obi-style sash. Lovin' it.
This shift is a little less vibrant than it comes across—on the tag it says "pale tangerine," which is pretty accurate although I'd maybe call it salmon. And in keeping with my train-like, here's the back: You can sort of see the two extra panels that hang out on the back. So wearable. It hangs much better on a person than on a hanger. Dress it up or down. And because I really can never have enough pink, here's a great herringbone-patterned pencil skirt. It's longer than it looks in this photo—past the knee, not above. PS: All of this cost approximately $130 total. Everything is in gorgeous shape and freshly cleaned. Just watch me indulge in my 1960s obsession! (I'm sure my mom is probably shaking her head as she looks at these.) Lula, 1587 Selby Ave., St. Paul, 651-644-4110
March 06, 2008 Last week, while checking out the latest launches at the Home & Garden Show, I was struck by the number of important national home building/remodeling brands based in our own backyard. Many green-design and problem-solving products you’ll see on our pages as well as those of the national home-design magazines are made locally. Here are some of my favorites:
By the way, if you haven’t seen it already, check out my colleague Melissa Colgan’s piece “Minnesota-Made” in the LifeStyle section of our March issue. You’ll see more furnishings (such as the $99 Real Good Chair from Blu Dot) and decorative accessories there.
March 06, 2008 My fellow fashionistas, please humor me for just a moment.
I unabashedly love fashion, adorer la mode, and liebe das damenmode. Anyway you say it, I've loved the ceremony of dressing since before I can remember. I love the idea of putting on an outfit to play or channel a character in my everyday life. I love all of the finery—tulle, lace, sequins, stitching, tailoring, leather, fur, zippers, hardware, cashmere, wool—but there is one thing about fashion that I still struggle to completely understand. Although it is true that there are still women of immense style that purchase clothes by season, en masse, I think that particular notion of purchasing is something that most busy, working women today are unfamiliar with. We rush into a store at 5:15 on a Friday afternoon in search of the perfect outfit for our party at 7:30 that evening. We want fashion fast. We buy for now. I can count the number of times on one hand that I have purchased a piece of clothing with the idea of wearing it "next season." My buying habits are completely on the contrary. I purchase piece by piece, minding my internal aesthetic of tailored bohemian while mixing cheap vintage jewelry with designer separates and trendy chain store buys. So it is maybe no surprise that I have always had an internal mini-struggle with the way the seasons in fashion work. On one hand, I totally get it. Designers must show their collections six months before the actual season in order to allow time for the national magazines to create editorial and for the buyers to get the clothing into the store. Department stores and design houses must create and shoot ad campaigns, buyers must dissect the trend and figure out how to translate them to their customers, and editors need time to put together the fabulous photo shoots that let the clothing tell its own story. But the small smidgen of practicality in my personality (minuscule, I promise) always mildly struggles with one part of this formula.
Let me paint you the picture. It is March 6 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the temperature is barely creeping up to the teens, and the wind chill has blown any hope for a good hair day right out my car window. I wobbled my way to my car in five-inch stilts, slipping on ice and sinking through snow. The only concrete visible is covered in fashion-attacking salt. Yet spring fashion is being thrust down my throat at every turn. I, myself, have been toting the mood-lifting, life-changing quality of spring fashion since before Christmas! Vogue says I need painterly dresses; Lucky recommend lightweight safari-inspired separates; W promotes reliving the psychedelic of the '70s through Balenciaga and Gaultier and sans drugs.
Yet I stand in front of my closet, looking at my spring-appropriate clothing—a painterly Cynthia Rowley shift, floral J.Crew dress, and lightweight, wide leg, über white Charles Chang Lima pants. All I can do is groan and utter, once again, "I have nothing to wear." So what is a fashion faun to do? Although it would be nice to have a climatologist in my pocket to help me navigate how to most comfortably dress for this horrid March weather, I have to rely on my fashion instincts. The Cynthia Rowley shift could work with opaque gray tights, a long sweater, and a belt; the J.Crew dress looks chic with sky-high black pumps and black Spanx; but the white Charles Chang Lima pants need to stay white and will, therefore, remain in my closet until all of the snow is gone, all of the ice is melted, and the April showers have given way to May flowers.
March 05, 2008
Now, four years after its debut, Pacifier owners Jon Wittuhn and Quyen Tran are riding the store's success by opening a second location in downtown this spring. Stocked with a slightly smaller selection than its flagship locale, the new store will be situated on the first level of the Saks Off 5th wing of Gaviidae Common. An exact opening date has yet to be set, but I'll be sure to keep you skyway shoppers informed! Until then, stop by the original location, or visit Pacifier's website to check out clearance prices on select furniture and boys' and girls' winter apparel. Pacifier, 310 E. Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 612-623-8123
March 04, 2008
Q. You got your start as a designer in the film and music industry designing for stars, such as Miles Davis and Tina Turner, and movies, such as The Way We Were and Honeymoon in Vegas. How did you make the transition to a handbag designer? A. When I was a costume designer, I used to make little handbags for friends and for myself. Everyone always encouraged me to sell them, but it was Herbie Hancock’s wife who encouraged me to go to Henri Bendel’s to show them my collection. She set up a meeting for me with Bendel’s, and they loved my collection—they bought everything on the spot. But it was the handbags that really flew off the shelf, and over time, that became my main focus. Q. Do you have a muse? A. Because I am a watercolor painter, art is my muse. Art encourages me to experiment with colors, textures, and mediums. Q. For a lady with a limited budget, what are the three handbags she needs in her wardrobe? A. All a woman really needs is a great clutch and a great tote, a combination that will allow any stylish woman to easily go from workday appointments to evening cocktails. Q. Where do you go for inspiration? A. I love nature and traveling, and both, along with art, are essential to my design process. From the beach in Greece to a market in Turkey, I love to be any place where you can see and feel colors. Q. What are the big handbag trends that will surface over the next few seasons? A. Trends always take a little while to settle, and although it has been around for a few seasons, the oversized handbag will continue to be important. Women are on the move now more than ever, and a large handbag is an extension of her home, a transportable vessel of her property. Also, mixed media bags that are collages of colors and textures will be important. The mixed media is more economical because its multiple leathers, skins, or colors allows for more use of a handbag.
Falchi's most popular clutch is the standard flat crocodile clutch ($1,445). In yellow, it is a perfect complement to spring's bright fashions.
The price and size are right on Carlos Falchi's 597 MicroFibre tote ($255). The shiny, faux-skin exterior and large size make it great for toting around all of your day's needs.
March 04, 2008 A new limited edition Viva Glam is on MAC counters starting this month. Start your engines! In case you don’t know about MAC’s Viva Glam collection, it’s a series of quasi-neutral lipsticks and lipglasses—and 100 percent of the proceeds go to the MAC AIDS Fund, which began in 1994 and supports men, women, and children living with HIV and AIDS. The money from the purchase of this lipglass in particular goes directly to the MAC AIDS Fund’s Global Youth Prevention Initiative, which funnels funds to organizations that address the growing AIDS crisis in young people. A couple things I didn't know: MAC AIDS Fund is the largest corporate non-pharmaceutical donor in the arena. There are four key areas the Fund tries to raise awareness for: prevention, the link between poverty and AIDS, access to care, and adherence to medication and treatment. So far, $100 million has been donated from the MAC AIDS Fund through the sales of Viva Glam alone.
Following on the heels of beauties and spokespeople Eve and Dita Von Teese, Fergie is the latest spokesperson for a limited edition Viva Glam IV lipglass. I have to say—I love it. I have not loved all versions of Viva Glam in the past, but this is extremely wearable. A very feminine, pretty pink without being too pink, it has the same great staying power and smooth texture as MAC’s other lipglasses. (MAC describes it as a soft pink-tinged mauve frost.) It’d look great over the Viva Glam lipstick this year, which is a pearly, terracotta-plum mix—not to mention over any dark lipstick you want to transition into spring. Or alone, with a pretty, pale pink face. (Don’t forget lots and lots of mascara.) $14. Available at MAC boutiques and counters.
March 03, 2008 No one can argue that Target has not made serious strides in the past few years to appeal to the fast-fashion, designer-hungry crowd. We all know about Tar-jay’s partnership with Isaac Mizrahi as well as designers such as Proenza Schouler, Behnaz Sarafpour, and Erin Fetherston with GO International. Yet although Target has made headway in the accessories department during the past year—through collaborations with Rafe (handbags), Devi Kroell (handbags), and Loeffler Randall (shoes and handbags)—the one place it has always lagged behind is the jewelry area. But now Target is partnering with designer Joy Gryson of Gryson for a line of practical, luxury handbags and with Subversive’s Justin Giunta (a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist, an artist, and a jewelry, interior, and industrial designer) for a collection of jewelry. Gryson’s collection will further what Target started to establish with Randall, Kroell, and Rafe—handbags with all of the embellishments and some of the finery of the higher-end styles with a much lower price tag. Gryson’s handbags are pretty and practical in patent faux leather and on-trend colors, but I am much more excited to see what Target’s first foray into a jewelry partnership will produce.
Subversive for Target is based on Giunta's ethos of more is more. A turquoise-inspired cameo necklace is given chunky wooden beads and a gold leaf interlude, a gold charm bracelet is abuzz with killer bees and red and gold beads, a five-strand necklace has clusters of faux pearls in a range of subdued colors, an antique-looking locket is opened and overflowing with cascading fringe, and resin bracelets are given antique-inspired appliqués.
As a girl who lives by the more is more ethos, the Subversive for Target collaboration means I will no longer have to run out to MOA’s For Love 21 for a quick accessories fix. Gryson for Target will be available April 6–June 21. Subversive for Target will be available March 23–July 20.
March 01, 2008 Thursday afternoon, I was speed-reading through my ELLE.com e-newsletter (the subject line read "We know what you'll be wearing next fall," so I was intrigued), when I stumbled across a fashion term I had yet to discover. Carol Han, ELLE.com's market editor, was sharing her thoughts on Paris fashion week. She wrote: We're only halfway through Paris fashion week and already I'm craving September and the kind of fashion satisfaction that only the Frenchies can give me. I can't wait to get my hands on one of Balenciaga's futuristic, hand-painted structured jackets, or Dries Van Noten's bright blue fox chubby. A chubby? It was such a funny word to appear in the same sentence as "Dries Van Noten" and "Balenciaga." So, I did what I usually do when I have a fashion question: I e-mailed my friend and colleague Melissa Colgan . . . On 2/28/08 1:09 PM, "Abby Van Ness" <avanness@mspmag.com> wrote: On 2/28/08 1:17 PM, "Melissa Colgan" <mcolgan@mspmag.com> wrote: On 2/28/08 1:22 PM, "Melissa Colgan" <mcolgan@mspmag.com> wrote: P.S. Erin [associate editor at Mpls.St.Paul] would never let me use that term.
So there you have it. A "chubby" is a short, chunky, fur (or faux fur) jacket, shown here at Dries Van Noten's show. We'd been seeing them on the runways but didn't know a term had been coined. More proof? When Cathy Horyn of The New York Times uses the word in her On the Runway blog, you know it's official. Something tells me the term might be sneaking into Mpls.St.Paul's fashion coverage . . . |
Environmentally friendly, stylish, and practical, 
There's a direct correlation between what's "in" for adults and what's "in" for our littlest fashionistas this spring. We see bright hues, metallic accents, pretty prints, graphic T's, and preppy styles across the board, especially inside Mall of America's newest options for kids: 
Minnesota's only
Janie and Jack location (shown at right) caters to a slightly younger child but features everything from preemie onesies to kids size six. Parents will find high-quality clothing inside the boutique-style storefront, including handmade sweaters, detailed dresses, adorable baby attire, and one-of-a-kind accessories, such as shoes, purses, and hats. Although it's a fresh place to shop for stylish apparel, slightly steep prices might turn off some mall goers: Girls' dresses range from approximately $40 to $50 and boys' T's from $20 to $28. 
Here’s the exterior, where new fiber cement siding from 
The back of the house represents a pretty significant three-level addition. The screen porch off the kitchen will be a great spot to relax and peek through the trees to Lake Harriet. Don’t be turned off by the chainlink fence; terraced walls and a pool by 
A sleek gas fireplace by 
Across from the fireplace is the kitchen. The island is being framed up now, and you can see the ducting that will connect to the range hood. Soon it will look similar to this kitchen (which is actually at a Minneapolis condo), with a modern kitchen by 
The Palladian window on the third level, a new unit from 
The summer I graduated from college, I purchased my first set of dining chairs from 
After much anticipation, Wednesday night it was Crate & Barrel’s time to shine, to show us it was worth the wait. C&B founder and president Gordon Segal was on hand at the new store along with an entourage of staffers from home base in Chicago as well as the Twin Cities. They waved in customers, community leaders, and members of the media who had replied to written invitations. The crowds were crazy thick. Susan Evans with Galleria told me at least 1,500 people walked through the doors over the course of the evening. Apparently it was one of the most successful grand openings in C&B’s history. Here’s what it looked like right before the doors opened.
Waiting for the escalator was a lot like standing in line at a crowded club—you had to wait for people to come down before you could head up. Jayne and others I visited with were laughing that it seemed as if this was the first time we in the Twin Cities had seen a C&B.
This glassware looks safe, but I heard one big crash of something (vases?) breaking during the evening. Not a surprise given the crowds!
Head to the Rotunda at 
The Ultimate Replacement Casement from 
More natural quartz countertop options from 
Beautiful new 400 Series and 200 Series patio doors, now available in custom sizes, from 
For thirty-seven years, Brazilian-born 
