2010 Envision Artopia Fashion Show Mn

For 19 seasons—nearly a decade—Ignite Models' Envision has been a fixture on the Twin Cities manner calendar every fall and spring, showcasing a wide array of seasonal looks from local designers and shops, with something for every taste. When it moved from its longtime domicile at the Graves (now Loews) hotel ballroom in 2013, it came into its own, thanks to a gorgeous new venue (Orchestra Hall), a new production partner (hip contemporary fine art gallery Public Functionary, whose VIP Room curated with live music and art is always a highlight), and a shift from boutique fashions to designs from locla established and emerging designers (apart from Uptown shop Cliché, which always brings an inspired sense of whimsy into its styling).

Envision is an elegant, increasingly well-oiled car. This twelvemonth'due south product—which officially kicked off the spring edition of Mode Week MN—moved at a brisk stride, and proved to be ane of its virtually consistent shows to date, with well-fabricated, boutique-ready looks from outset to end (set to a soundtrack past French DJ Monsieur Adi, Beyoncé's DJ for the 2014 European leg of her The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour) and energetic host John Mark. Most every collection shown demonstrated craftsmanship, precision, imagination, and interpretations of current trends—though some stood out from the pack. Considering it is such a big show—a dozen designers each showing vii looks—I've condensed this review past highlighting my v favorite collections from the night.

1. Emily Trevor

Trevor's latest collection was highly anticipated after stealing the show at Envision's spring 2015 evidence. She skipped showing a line concluding fall—but let me tell yous, information technology was worth the wait. Trevor's collection married sporty elements with elegant, pretty details, epitomized past a lace tank summit that featured a sports jersey–inspired cut and hand-sequined numbers and a baby-blueish silk rail jacket embroidered with flowers. The collection too drew from '90s club-kid civilisation, with a fuzzy fake-fur royal haversack and chubby glaze and chunky platform sandals. The concluding look of her collection, and of the show itself, was a floor-length gown of pleated floral-print silk, covered in delicate sequins, with a sporty argent sequin bustier and and snap-release belt. Trevor's hand-piece of work reportedly took countless hours—a true labor of love from Minneapolis' fastest-rising fashion star.

all images by Jay Larson

ii. Cory Allen (tie)

Cory Allen Linsmeyer is not exactly a "local" designer—he's an MFA candidate and associate lecturer at the blueprint school of the University of Wisconsin-Madison—only I'd love to claim him every bit ours anyway. For his second Envision showing later making a splash on concluding fall'south runway, the menswear designer showed a new accept on his "Horse Power" concept with "Palomino," a collection that smartly incorporated Western fashion details—such as yoking and pearl buttons—with '80s fashion references, including double belt loops, pleated shorts, and Members Only–manner jackets. (He collection the '80s point home by having the models walk out to Don Henley'due south "The Boys of Summer.") He made those references new with his innovative adaptations, as in a shirt that used silver studs to mimic the event of yoking. And if you're nevertheless not impressed, consider this: He car-knit all of the knitwear and embroidered the hats and jackets himself, and everything was so impeccable it looked manufacturing plant-fabricated. Bonus points go for ending the show on a cheeky note: with a teeny-tiny pair of briefs emblazoned with a horse impress.

ii. Russell Bourrienne (tie)

When information technology comes to tailoring, Bourrienne is a main. His menswear is always flawlessly executed. Recently, he's been mining his hobby every bit a vintage bicyclist and restorer for his fashion collections, and equally a result, he's churned out a couple of his best collections to date. This spring, he took inspiration from Indian cyclists, adding paisley fabrics and tab-collared shirts into the Savile Row–inspired British tailoring. The paisley textile was most innovatively utilized in a sporty, zip-forepart jacket and a pair of flat-front shorts. Simply Bourrienne shines brightest when it comes to his outerwear, and he smartly included a pullover raincoat that was one-half poncho, one-half trench coat. Though Bourrienne focuses his attention on custom designs, I strongly suggest he get his designs into Martin Patrick 3, a menswear shop with a clientele that is perfectly aligned to the designer's elegant tailoring and classic-with-a-twist designs.

4. Joeleen Torvick

A couple seasons after debuting on the Envision runways, Joeleen Torvick fabricated a potent impression with her artful collection. From an origami-like wrap top to a apparel and tiptop featuring intricately patchwork organic shapes, the designer created a line fit for an art gallerist's wardrobe. The lines were fluid and effortless, the fabrics luxe and lightweight, and the unusual color combinations—tan with red, orangish with white—were inspired. Many of the looks were complicated in construction, despite their simple appearance—a mark of restraint and a point of expert design. The collection volition exist available for purchase and special orders on Thursday, April 21, during a trunk show at Exhibit from 6-8 p.m.

v. Kjurek

The design duo of Kimberly Jurek and Jen Chilstrom (also the owners of local boutique Exhibit, which specializes in Minnesota-made fashions) has been an Envision fixture since the show began, and the line has only grown more sophisticated and focused over the years. For the past few seasons, the make has moved into a direction I like to depict equally "boho-Western-gothic," staying true to the brand'southward bohemian roots while adding a chicer, more high-end vibe into the mix. A leather fringe neckpiece offered ane of the collection's wow moments, every bit did a layered, tie-dyed dressed trimmed with fringe pom-poms. Best of all, the collection did a great job of evoking the verbal kind of daughter who would would habiliment these looks—Kjurek knows their customers, and knows them well. The drove will be available for purchase and special orders on Thursday, Apr 21, during a body show at Exhibit from half dozen-8 p.m.

Less than a year afterwards graduating from the University of Minnesota's apparel design program, Class over Function designer Lauren Kacher fabricated her second appearance at Envision with a collection that combined womenswear and menswear—a sort of grown-up goth/club kid vibe that demonstrated some good ideas (the seatbelt-like men's shorts, the white sheer wrap clothes), though was a bit uneven at moments, particularly when many elements went into ane await (a layered, pleated men's brim paired with a puffy jacket).

Jenny Carle, another longtime Envision designer, opened the prove with a collection that merged '90s and '70s influences—though the results were uneven. I wasn't a huge fan of the brilliant-pink print featured throughout, and the hot pink mini dress was fairly generic, just more than anything, it didn't seem like the outfits looked like they were from the same collection. However, I loved her lace-front end indigo one-piece with a scoop-back and a expect that paired a white dress with a matching sleeveless jacket—both were fresh, chic, and modernistic, and offered Carle'south twist on the jumpsuit and sleeveless jacket trends.

Hiccup past Handley is the first Envision showing for designer Handley Elizabeth Woodall, and information technology was a pretty solid debut. She inserted some whimsy into the proceedings, showing 1960s, Beach Blanket Bingo–inspired swimwear and summery separates, incorporating brightly patterned textiles into the mix. Keep your heart on this i.

Cliché brought their signature styling chops to the runway once once again, serving up a technicolor smattering of looks from their shop, with styling said to be inspired by "secret societies and pop art." It also made me think of what an all-girl version of Devo would look like.