Jahna Peloquin

by Jahna Peloquin

Cottage Grove native Ashlee Walker appears on the June/July cover of the high-end fashion magazine.

This week, Minnesota model Ashlee Walker made international waves after appearing on the June/July cover of Harper’s Bazaar Australia.

It was something of a crowning moment for the 20-year-old model, who was all over the runway of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia in April, just weeks after walking the Minneapolis runways. While not quite as high profile as the American, British or Paris versions, landing the cover of the Australian edition of the magazine is still quite the coup.

The Cottage Grove, Minn., native, who recently relocated to Charleston, S.C., is represented locally by Vision Management Group. Vision owner/founder Teqen Zea-Aida, who discovered and developed Walker, said that while she is additionally represented by DNA in New York and “a great London agency,” Vision continues to manage her overall career.

“We are looking towards Paris,” he said. “All in all, it is the beginning of a good career - just as it should be.”

By Jahna Peloquin

Hip Norwegian store Moods of Norway and J. Crew offshoot Madewell slated to open this fall.

Moods of Norway

The Mall of America annonced a smattering of new store openings today, including Norwegian heritage brand Moods of Norway and J. Crew’s hip little sister store, Madewell. Both stores’ locations are TBD and tentatively slated to open this fall, drawing speculation that they may fill up some of the 15,000 square feel that remains empty in the former Bloomingdale’s court. (Currently, 8,000 square feet of that space has been taken up by a Forever 21 superstore that opened back in December.) Any hopes that European fast fashion brands Zara or Uniqlo would occupy the space were dashed when both stores made statements in February making it clear they had no plans to come to the Midwest anytime soon. However, popular British chain Topshop may still be in the running — the store and its menswear offshoot Topman have been cautiously expanding, having recently announced openings in Miami, Washington D.C., Boston and San Francisco in addition to 50 or so other stores in undisclosed locations. 

Additional Mall of America openings announced today include Blast Blow Dry Bar (the first blowdry bar to open at the mall), multi-cultural fashion concept Foreign Exchange, aromatherapy bath and body brand SABON, a store by Original Swiss Army Knife makers Victorinox Swiss Army and affordably-priced denim brand Silver Jeans Co. 

By Jahna Peloquin

The semi-annual fashion event presented spring looks from a dozen local boutiques and designers.

[Look by Marissa Bridges]

It may not seem much like spring in Minnesota right now, but on Saturday night, semi-annual “Envision: Artopia” fashion show transported the crowd to the tropics, at least for the evening. 

Hosted at the Graves 601 hotel ballroom, the twelfth incarnation of what has become one of the hottest fashion tickets of the season presented fresh spring looks from a dozen local fashion designers and boutiques, and doubled as a showcase for producers Ignite Models Inc.’s stable of model talent.

As always, the show offered a commercially-viable mix of emerging fashion designers and wearable spring fashions from local boutiques — making it one of the more accessible local fashion shows, as far as wearability, buy-it-now appeal, and relatively affordable price points are concerned. Menswear had its moment in segments from martinpatrick3, Atmosfere and local designer Russell Bourrienne, which showcased bright separates, pattern mixing and, particularly in Bourrinenne’s case, well-cut outerwear.

An unexpected highlight was a debut collection from Lindsey DeWitt, a junior at the University of Minnesota’s apparel design program. Her spring line transported the room to Miami, with tropical-hued cropped tops and short shorts that were skin-baring without being vulgar, and edgy yet elegant. Fellow University of Minnesota student designers Khampasith Davison and Kora Gleason also showed potential with their first off-campus collections. Fellow emerging designer Marissa Bridges displayed a knack for fabric manipulation in her edgy body-con dresses, though the overall effect felt a bit two-seasons-ago. More established designers Kjurek and CounterCouture predictably stuck to their guns, offering up lines of wearable and well-made (yet otherwise unnoteworthy) spring dresses.

Judging from the crowd — a mix of “girls’ night out” groups and couples on dates, with a smattering of fashion scene insiders — “Envision” certainly reaches a broader mix of people than most fashion shows. But the commercial aspect of the show sometimes means playing it safe with the styling. If you’re going to send shop clothing down the runway, some theatricality would surely up the entertainment factor. Typically, local boutique Cliché can be counted on to provide some fun styling, but this year’s attempt (models wore helmets in a half-hearted sci-fi theme) was a bit half-hearted. The flat-ironed hair and neutral makeup didn’t help matters, literally making looks fall flat.

While it promises “an opulent evening celebrating the best in local fashion, art and music,” the show is light on the latter two elements. The art aspect, which included a RAW-curated art gallery and live painting this year, gets lost in the shuffle — literally. Party-goers crowding out of the event space in between fashion shows were more interested in sidling up to the bar than experiencing art. The only musical element was the serviceable if standard DJ set from Bryan Gerrard that accompanied the runway show. The show would be better served by nixing the art and music focus altogether, and focusing on its strength — offering up a consistently well-executed, stylish and accessible runway fashion show.

letoilemagazine:

If you’re among the lucky few who scored tickets, the question weighing on your mind all week has been: What to wear?! Fortunately, us here at l’étoile — beauty columnist Beth Hammarlund (in a separate post HERE), men’s style columnist Anthony Enright, editor-in-chief & style writer Jahna Peloquin and TV columnist Todd  O’Dowd — have you covered. We’re taking some hints from the promo images released for this season as well as period-specific looks as inspiration.

The Mad Men premiere has become one of the most fashionable events of the year. So what does one wear to keep with the mood of the times? Well, usually a pained look of rueful regret with a deep-seated suspicion that everyone is out to get you and that it’s all slipping away as you drown your sorrows and shortcomings into yet another old-fashioned wishing that things would stay just the way they are…

Oh, wait! That’s what Don is wearing at the end of last season (or, better yet, what show creator Matthew Weiner wears on his face when anyone tries to guess the plot of upcoming episodes of Mad Men. *lol*). To put together an appropriate ensemble for the party, let us see what clues we can glean, plot wise, from these tantalizing photos. From Ginsberg’s nod and wink to Dylan with his tie, to the ladies all sporting higher hairdos with lots of ringlets (Joan and several of the extras) and modified empire waist dresses with lots of shiny details (as seen on Trudy, Megan, Betty, and even Peggy) we are entering the Regency revival in ’60s fashion (as inspired by Doctor Zhivago and others). That, combined with the end of Season 5, and more tellingly with Joan’s photo surrounded by the Christmas decorations, makes us think that the first episode will be set towards the end of 1967. Which means that this season will probably be summed up in four numbers…

1968.

That’s right. It looks like the SCDP gang and its various congeries of friends, lovers, ex-lovers, and associates are all about to run smack into one of the most volatile years in American history. Think protests, assassinations, a controversial presidential election, the true rise of counter-culturalism, and some of the most revolutionary art seen in this country. How much of it will infect our gang remains to be seen.

As for what to wear to the premiere you can take one of two choices: Either adorn yourself in something high-waisted and flowing with lots of embroidered details, or go the other route and wear something revolutionary (Black Panther, Hippie Protester, Civil Rights Advocate) that will cause a scandal!

Like Mr. Dylan himself said, “The Times, They Are A’Changin’….” -Todd O’Dowd, The Idiot Box

Head to letoilemagazine.com to read more

JAHNA PELOQUIN | Updated 9:42 AM on 4/4/2013

“Poster party for bike people” goes down Saturday at the Grain Belt Bottling House.

Bicyclists stand in awe of bike-themed posters at Artcrank. 
Photo by Jonathan Chapman

SATURDAY

ARTCRANK

Over the past six years, Artcrank has managed to combine two things Minnesotans love — their bikes and limited-edition poster prints — and turn them into one of the most hotly anticipated events of the season. The homegrown event has since popped up in 13 other cities, including New York, Paris and Manchester, with posters created by local artists from each host city. This year’s Minneapolis edition features 45 artists with posters priced to sell at $40 each. Poster makers include favorites Adam Turman, Aesthetic Apparatus and Amy Jo, as well as more than 20 first-timers. A portion of the proceeds benefits Springboard for the Arts’ efforts to provide medical care to uninsured Twin Cities artists. Following the launch party at Grain Belt Studios, the show moves to One on One Bicycle Studio for an extended run from April 11 to May 4. (5-11 p.m. Sat. Free. Grain Belt Bottling House, 79 13th Av. NE., Mpls. Continues April 11-May 4. One on One Bicycle Studio, 117 Washington Av. N., Mpls. www.artcrank.com/minneapolis.) 

THURSDAY: ‘FLIGHT OF FASHION’

“Flight of Fashion”
Look by Emma Berg, mask by Jesse Draxler, Photo by Brent Hines

‘Flight of Fashion’ Fashion for a purpose is at the heart of this annual fashion show with a philanthropic bent. Produced and styled by local luminary Grant Whittaker — the force behind Ballet of the Dolls and Macy’s Glamorama — the show benefits United Way’s WINGs program, which invests in giving underprivileged women the tools to succeed personally and professionally. Emceed by Whittaker and Mpls.St.Paul magazine’s Allison Kaplan, the runway show features spring looks from local boutiques Arrow, Grethen House, Joynoelle, June, Karma and Fashion Avenue. It’s all styled alongside one-of-a-kind pieces by local designersEmma Berg, Lindsey Hopkins, Stephanie Lake Design and Joynoelle. The event also includes a raffle for prizes, including a shopping experience with Whittaker. Local makeup line the Elixery will have an exclusive WINGs lipstick for sale to benefit the organization. (5:30-8:30 p.m. April 11. $50-$85. Loring Pasta Bar, 327 14th Av. SE., Mpls. www.2013flightoffashion.eventbrite.com.) Jahna Peloquin

SUNDAY

‘MAD MEN’ SEASON 6 PREMIERE PARTY

Over the past four years, the Vita.mn- and- Jake Rudh-produced season premiere party for “Mad Men” has become the hottest ticket of the season for Twin Cities retrophiles. The evening is a wet dream for the midcentury enthusiast — it kicks off with a three-course dinner at old-school steakhouse Jax Cafe, where one can easily imagine Don Draper sidling up to the bar and ordering an Old Fashioned. Adding to the retro vibe are the partygoers themselves, who show up decked out in their 1960s best. This year’s shindig features a screening of the two-hour premiere, vintage photo sets from Spinario Design, a Rudh-spun after-party with era-appropriate tunes and the likelihood of limbo contests and conga lines breaking out. (6 p.m. Sun. Sold out. Jax Café, 1928 University Av. NE., Mpls. www.vita.mn/madmen.) J.P.

JAHNA PELOQUIN | Updated 12:37 AM on 4/4/2013

Roe Wolfe heads to the North Loop; bridal clutches go on sale.

Nelle clutch 
Provided photo

ROE WOLFE MOVING SALE

Mendota Heights boutique Roe Wolfe is relocating to Minneapolis’ North Loop. But first, they’ll unload their merchandise, slashing prices a whopping 50 percent off all clothing, accessories, fragrances and shoes, including spring arrivals. Bring a friend and receive an additional $5 off, and get 20 percent off your first purchase at the new location, which will appear in late spring. (Through April 6. 750 Main St., Mendota Heights. 651-33-4434.)

NELLE BRIDAL CLUTCHES

Nelle handbag designer Laura Nelli has carved out quite a niche in the bridal industry with her line of confectionery clutches. Crafted from silk charmeuse, her ribbon-adorned, pleated and ruched purses come in two styles — envelope clutch and box clutch — and a rainbow of colors. She’ll debut new spring styles in a trunk show at bridal salonL’Átelier Couture, most of which will be exclusive to the event (and 10 percent off). Not planning nuptials? The clutches ($95-$130) also make perfect party bags. (Tue.-Sat. Reception 6-9 p.m. Thu. L’atelier Couture, 209 N. 2nd St., No. 404, Mpls. RSVP to 612-367-8120 or info@lateliercouture-bridal.com.)

BY JAHNA PELOQUIN

Give your wardrobe a winning edge this spring with bold checkerboard prints.

BY JAHNA PELOQUIN | PHOTOS BY JOEL KOYAMA | Updated 12:27 AM on 4/4/2013

Mint, the freshest hue of the moment, covers everything from sweet crop tops to sky-high wedges.

JAHNA PELOQUIN | Updated 4/1/2013

REVIEW: The coming-of-age story by 23-year-old choreographer John-Mark hits the mark.

Often, contemporary dance in the Twin Cities is lacking on the contemporary end of things. While there is plenty of boundary-pushing stuff out there — namely at the Walker and Cowles Center — it’s safe to say that little of it is coming from the under-25 set. With “GenX,” a new work that debuted with a two-night stint at the Lab Theater over the weekend, dance by and for a new generation made a genre-defying statement about what it’s like to be in your early 20s, at the cusp of adulthood yet still full of complicated emotions, desires and the passion to party.

The six-act production by 23-year-old Twin Cities/New York-based choreographer John-Mark took the audience through a day-in-the-life via energetic dance segments mixed with live music and fashion. Pegged as a “coming of age” story about “partying hard, taking action and making a difference,” the show explored the typical progression through one’s early 20s, beginning with an inventively-choreographed piece on childish bickering, which had its dancers one-upping one another (“Age”), before going into themes of love and crushes (“Desire”), featuring an underwear-clad male dancer hilariously lip-syncing to an ‘80s pop song before being pummeled by pillows, slumber party-style. It culminated with an an energetic party scene (“Party”), complete with red plastic Solo cups as props, party-kid fashions and plenty of well-choreographed sequences that gave the appearance of chaos without getting sloppy. The latter half found itself recovering from the party (“Chill”), making connections and taking action (“Fruit”) before ending in a celebratory final act.

The incorporation of live music and fashion within the show was a novel idea, and it was fun to see dancers mixing in with the live sets by R&B singer OSO (who happens to be a model, and worked the stage accordingly wearing local designs by Emma Berg, Caroline Hayden and Max Lohrbach) and 19-year-old upstart Allan Kingdom, a promising new face to the local hip-hop scene with some seriously fresh style, both with his rap delivery and fashion sense. (He changed outfits no less than five times throughout the show.) However, the wide-open, brick-walled space was not ideal for live vocals, making them sound hollow (and all the more apparent that Kingdom’s falsetto needed some work). And the incorporation of a couple of live models to fill out the fashion end of things was a clunky addition — the show would have been better-served featuring actors or dancers more comfortable working a stage than board-stiff models.

The show’s most electrifying moments, though, came in the party-scene dance segments, particularly one set to a Sleigh Bells song. The dancers were perfectly in-tune with one another, executing complicated moves with ease and personality.

With a portion of proceeds benefiting marriage equality organization Outfront MN, John-Mark also was putting his money where his mouth was.