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And MNfashion Week is off...to an auspicious start. Voltage: Fashion Amplified gets better every year. Emma Berg and PFT Couture were among the most promising designers. Kevin Kramp's knitwear abilities are truly impressive, and I hope never to see one of his sweater onesies on a grown man. One of the best moments of the evening was seeing the petite MaydaLaura Fulk in a ensemble threatening to "break your stereo." Appearance can be deceiving.

 

People over 30: Put a dress on and go to a fashion show! The 20somethings who partied past midnight at the Envision show on Saturday night (which included some really fab, very wearable pieces from Bumbershute, Local Motion, OPM and others) think we're lame. Not helped by the fact that I took my 20-year-old intern as my date (you looked great, Megan!) when my friends - and babysitter - failed me. We've got to represent. I've already pointed out some highlights for MNfashion Week but after going backstage at the Ritz Theater yesterday and seeing the Ballet of the Dolls dancers prepare to strut their stuff to Mary J Blige in 8-inch platforms, it's worth suggesting again that you get tickets to Fashion Ball for April 23 or 24. This is the first time Glamorama vets Myron Johnson and Grant Whittaker have done a fashion week event and it looks like it's going to be a blast. Besides the theatrics, they'll be showing collections from Grethen House N'Etc and J. Novachis.Tickets are $30 and proceeds support Ballet of the Dolls. Also of note: Laura Fulk's April 20 show, originally invitation only, has been opened up to the public. Click here to get on the list while the gettin's good. Last year, Fulk's presentation, while entirely conceptual, really raised the bar locally for serious fashion show production. Now that she's aligned herself with business partners focused on getting her clothes into stores nationally, it will be interesting to see how all the elements come together. YOU could witness a designer in the making. And wouldn't it be refreshing to do something other than dinner and a movie?

Well, it's not Heidi Klum or even Tim Gunn, but Project Runway's Christopher Straub promised someone "big" would be coming to his premiere runway show at the St. Paul Hotel on April 25 and today he confirmed Janice Dickenson will be sitting front row. Hey, in Minnesota, that's better than a local news anchor, right?
Straub has never actually met Dickenson; both happen to work with Oryon Media, which is staging a model call earlier the same day that Dickenson will also headline. Straub said he'd love to dress the model-turned-reality star for his show, but he's not sure she'll go for all the ruffles. "She has a very specific body type."
General admission tickets are still available for $15 through Vital Culture.

Need dresses. Stat! Last night's MNfashion Week preview party set the stage for a line-up so packed, it's going to require more than a week to get to all of these events. If you've never participated before, now is the time to show your support for an energetic, ambitious community of designers who are trying to put the Twin Cities on the map. The entire calendar of events - more than 40 in all - and ticket information is at www.mnfashionweek.com. Here are just a few worth considering:

Rockin. Voltage: Fashion Amplified. The event that started it all remains the highlight of MNfashion Week. A runway rock show featuring the spring collections of 10 budding designers and performances by local bands.  $25 in advance; $30 at the door. 8 p.m. Friday, April 16; First Avenue.

Casual. Local Artist T-Shirt Mart. Shop for t-shirts (adults and kids sizes) created by local designers. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 17; Walker Art Center, Cargill Lounge.

Charitable. Style for Smiles. Kokoon teams up with Project Healthy Smile, a local non-profit dedicated to providing dental supplies and oral health education to underprivileged children around the world and donates 20 percent of sales to the cause. Enter to win a private photo shoot, enjoy complimentary mini makeovers by local make-up artist Kate Erickson, and style tips from HMStyling. Complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres served. 7 p.m. (8 p.m. show) Saturday, April 17; CW Lofts, 730 Stinson Blvd., Minneapolis.

Artsy. Clothes Off Our Backs. Blacklist Vintage hosts a fashion presentation featuring living “mannequins” on pedestals. Customers are invited to buy the clothes off their backs and have them altered on the spot. Plus refreshments and live DJ. 7 p.m. (8 p.m. show), Wednesday, April 21; 25 E. 26th St., Minneapolis

Trendy. Shop Local at Picky Girl. Preview spring collections and meet some of the boutique’s favorite local designers including Calpurnia Peach, Post ~ Luxury Accessories, and Nelle Handbags. 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 22. Picky Girl, 949 Grand Ave., St. Paul

Fabulous. Fashion Ball “Cabaret Catwalk.” The runway meets Moulin Rouge at this fashion show and Ballet of the Dolls performance, plus a pop up boutique produced by local veterans Grant Whittaker and Myron Johnson. Fashions from Grethen House n’Etc, John Novachis, Specs Optical and Ann Lambrecht Jewelry. $30. 8 p.m. Friday, April 23 and Saturday, April 24; Ritz Theater

Grassroots. Alter/Nation. Take part in the evolution of garments from clothing swap to altering to styling to runway without consuming raw materials in this first of its kind integrated event produced by new local upcycling brand CounterCouture. In addition to a clothing swap, take part in live screen printing, makeovers image consulting, fashion shows and a photo booth. $5. 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 24. MNfashion Studio, 79 13th Ave. N.E. #212, Minneapolis.

Hot. A Man’s Show. A runway show featuring men’s clothing from VState, Elsworth, Details Style Lab, and eyewear from the Spectacle Shoppe with live music. Donations will be requested following the show, and attendees will be able to “buy their discount,” meaning a $10 donation equals 10 percent off, up to a $30 donation equaling 30 percent off. All donations will go to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Twin Cities organization. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 24; Lowry Theater, 16 W. 5th St., St. Paul.

Buzzworthy. Christopher Straub Premier Collection. The Project Runway designer presents his first full collection for the hometown crowd. $15 to $50. 4 p.m. (doors) 5:30 p.m. (show) followed by reception, Sunday, April 25; St. Paul Hotel.

I've orchestrated fashion shoots at restaurants and parks, museums and zoos, but today's spring fashion shoot for the St. Paul Pioneer Press at the new Target Field has to be the coolest. Not necessarily the easiest, logistically, as we moved models and lights and cameras and the ensuing entourage from the
outfield to the dugouts and back again, but standing on the edge of that perfectly manicured grass, looking out at the stands and the skyline was awesome. Some favorite moments of the day: Being told to set up in the concession staging area, a closet without table or chairs, and ushering the entire crew - photographer, videographer, three hair and makeup people, stylist, assistant, two models, one model's dad, racks of clothing and a steamer - inside, only to find a team of concession workers in training who seemed quite confused by our unlikely presence; Wiping down a seat in the upper decks so a model could pose on it in a DVF dress; models barefoot in the dirt in front of the dugouts (shouldda been there, Mauer), eating cracker jacks by the first baseline, the president of the twins telling photographer Chris Polydoroff our models could sit on top of the dugout, but had better not stand on it; fireworks going off before one shot and dramatic orchestral music coming on during another. Salon owner Jon Charles kept gushing "Amazing, amazing," as we took in views from various sections and primped models in the sun drenched upper decks . "Do you like baseball?" I asked him. He responded, without hesitation, "Not a bit!" Today might have changed that for a few fashionistas. Now if only we could get the Twins to model...

Maplewood Mall might finally be able to make Rosedale Center a tad bit jealous: H&M plans to open at Maplewood Mall. An 18,000-square-foot store is under construction on the second level of the mall. It is scheduled to open in the fall. Maplewood is owned by Simon Properties, which also owns Southdale Center where fast fashion emporium H&M opened a two-level store last year.

Gabourey Sidibe might be new to Hollywood, but she's a quick study. She knocked it out of the park in Marchesa at the Academy Awards. And inspired real women everywhere.

Such a shame. Gorgeous Zoe Saldana got so swept up in the moment, she just couldn't settle on one dress. So she picked three. And the bottom spoiled the top.

Marc Anthony: we know you try to keep J. Lo on a short leash, but hiding under her dress? Come on, it's a bit much, even for you.
Smashing - if you could just remove that thing from her hip.

Best actress nominee Carey Mulligan is the name that kept surfacing as I talked to fashion insiders this week about who to watch on the carpet. She's already emerging as a fashionista and has gained respect for interesting and daring fashion choices throughout the awards season. I'm just waiting for the critics on tomorrow's fashion wraps to educate us on how this is High Fashion. This is genius. This is PRADA. But that won't make me like it any better. Just not so crazy about the look. I wanted her to look softer. And didn't find the shorter length in front especially flattering - certainly not on those stairs.