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Archive for the ‘Accessories’ Category
It’s no surprise that Minnesota inspires well-designed winter accessories. Hats and scarves make great gifts–even better when they come from someone who knows what it’s like to get dressed on a miserable day in January.
All Knitwear is the perfect antidote to a gray season. Designer Annie Larson hand knits each and every one of her bright, bold, patterned hats. They capture the fondest of winter memories–flying down a hill on a toboggan, skating a pristine lake, building snowmen…and returning to a warm house where Mom has extra marshmallows for the hot cocoa. Larson is a University of Minnesota grad who worked for Target before starting her own brand, now based in Brooklyn. Her hats, $52, are sold at Askov Finlayson, 200 N. First St., Mpls., 612-206-3925
St. Paul resident Semera Faroog’s design credits include stints with BCBG and Free People. Starting her own sweater/knit collection led her to Peru where she works with local artisans who hand knit her luxe sweaters and scarves using Alpaca yarns that are dyed with eco friendly colorants. The brand is Made By, and each piece is actually stamped with the name of the artisan who made it. Find the chic hats, headbands and chunky sweaters, socks and scarves–starting at $70–at Allee Metro Chic, 493 Selby Ave., St. Paul, 651-414-0274
Tags: all knitwear, Allee Metro Chic, annie larson, Askov Finlayson, knitwear, made by, semera faroog, winter accessories
Posted in Accessories, Gifts & Cool Stuff, MN fashion designers | No Comments »
Michael Kors opened Friday at Mall of America, first level, outside Bloomingdale’s. The store is shiny and sleek, but smaller than I imagined and more like Coach than I expected. The focus is on bags – and there are lots worth coveting. Clothes were relegated to the back corner, and all from the more affordable Michael Michael Kors collection. Don’t get me wrong – those are the pieces I can afford and they look great, but I’d probably shop for them first at Macy’s, where they’re likely to be on sale. I was expected a broader brand experience from MK’s first Minnesota store. The only items from the high-end Collection are a few bags. Perhaps MK is just being practical. Clearly, the company has some faith in this market – a second Michael Kors store will open at Southdale in November.
Tags: Mall of America, Michael Kors, MOA, southdale
Posted in Accessories, Mall of America, Women's Fashion, store openings | No Comments »
One step forward, another step back for Southdale.
The struggling Edina mall recently scored a victory in signing Michael Kors (opening planned for holiday time), which will also open at Mall of America in September. (Guess MK is hot on the southwest metro – it’s surprising to see a retailer open stores at MOA and Southdale back to back.) Francesca’s Collections is also coming to Southdale in early 2012 and Herberger’s is scheduled to open in early November.
Meanwhile, local retailer Marge Schwab just announced she is moving her little gem, Maria Rivolta, from Southdale to MOA (the mall started wooing her soon after she opened last year). The last day to shop the affordably priced Argentinian jewelry line – known for mixed material and color – is Tuesday, Aug. 30. The new store will open at MOA, first level, outside Bloomingdale’s, on Oct. 1.
Tags: Mall of America, maria rivolta, Michael Kors, MOA, southdale
Posted in Accessories, Twin Cities retail, store openings | No Comments »
Sale alert! J.W. Hulme is holding its semi-annual Seconds and Samples Sale this Saturday, Aug. 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its St. Paul headquarters. It’s your chance to get a great deal on slightly imperfect leather and canvas bags and accessories from this consummate American brand. Get a sneak peek of the goods here. Good chance that shelf will be mostly empty by noon. 678 W. Seventh St., St. Paul
Click here for more sale listings!
Tags: j.w. hulme, sales, sample sale, twin cities sale listings
Posted in Accessories, Events, Shopping Tips | No Comments »
Quick! Name the top three fashion accessories for summer! We fired that question at StyledLife owner Kevin Quinn without warning on live radio Saturday, and he was ready with fantastic advice. Of course you can listen to the Shop Girls interview, but here are the highlights – top down:
1. Hats. They’re not just for bad hair days anymore. The wide brimmed hat is a major statement, but think beyond thebeach. It’s okay to wear a hat indoors. It’s okay to wear a hat – period. Fedoras are fun, even if you’re not Justin Timberlake.
2. Long earrings. Don’t save them for evening. They’re sexy, flattering and instantly finish a look. Think about it – ifyou’re not wearing a necklace or earrings, it looks like you didn’t try. Pop on the earrings and voila – you’re dressed, and suddenly the bare decolletage seems intentional. Earrings need not “match” the rest of your jewelry – in fact, it’s better if they don’t.
3. Cuffs. Wrists remain the focal point for accessorizing and become the place to really show some personality. So keep stacking those bracelets. Mix colors, textures, finishes.
Still unsure? March into the store and ask for Kevin (or Tim or Allison – the expertise runs deep). Take advantage of theexperts running our local boutiques!
Tags: fashion accessories, jewelry, kevin quinn, styledlife, summer accessories
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He’s baaaack. We knew it wouldn’t be long before former Ivy owner Ini Iyamba was stirring up Twin Cities style again. Join him Friday evening at June designer resale boutique for the launch of Capsule, a curated accessories collection with many one-of-a-kind pieces Iyamba commissioned from local designers including Stephanie Lake Design (above), SBG Designs (below), and Heidi Comfort. Iyamba challenged them to stay true to their look, with a liberal dose of Ini edge, and a price point of $100 or less.
 “It’s indicative of the market right now,” says Iyamba, who has been carefully plotting next moves since closing his Uptown boutique last year. Although he’s one of the smoothest salesmen around, Iyamba says he doesn’t miss retail hours or being tied to the sales floor every day. What inspires him is the process of identifying new vendors and creating a cohesive story through product and merchandising. He came up with the idea for an accessories “capsule” while consulting for a local clothing store (all will be revealed soon). “There are so many talented artisans here,” Iyamba says. “I didn’t want to just get their goods; I wanted to challenge them to do something different.”
The Capsule launch party is 6 to 9 p.m. Friday. The collection will be available for 30 days exclusively at June, 3406 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis. But this is just the beginning. A second, more masculine Capsule is planned for the month of June at Elsworth, the downtown Minneapolis men’s store. By fall, Iyamba hopes finally to debut l a more permanent Capsule space featuring a broader group of accessories and gift designers from the Twin Cities and beyond.
Tags: Capsule, Elsworth, Heidi Comofort, ini iyamba, june, Minnesota accessories designers, Minnesota jewelry designers, SBG, Stephanie Lake, Twin Cities retail
Posted in Accessories, Events, MN fashion designers | No Comments »
I’ve learned to temper my excitement about Target’s fashion designer partnerships – the clothes rarely live up to the fantastic advertising photos, and even if they do look great for the price in person, the sizes are generally geared toward 12 year olds. Nevertheless, I can’t help but be anxious to shop Calypso St. Barth for Target, launching this Sunday, May 1. Of course, the sundresses look adorable in pictures. But I’m even more optimistic about the swim coverups, the summery fashion accessories, the clothes for little girls, and the decorative pillows, tableware and other home goods – all in Calypso’s signature turquoise and coral prints. Perfectly timed. I think this is going to be a good one. Even Target insiders, who often get jaded about their own designer collaborations sound really pleased about the limited edition collection, in stores through June 11.
 
Tags: Calypso St. Barth, Target
Posted in Accessories, Baby/Kids, Shopping Tips, Women's Fashion | No Comments »
If only I still had those red Sally Jesse Rapahel frames that took up half my face. InVision wants to see your biggest four-eyed faux pas. Upload a picture of yourself in the offending frames today through May 23 and you could win a new pair of professionally chosen (emphasis on professionally) prescription designer frames – up to a $600 value. As one who lusts after many chic frames at InVision, I know that won’t be hard to spend. Pictured above: Invision owner Anthony Bosca in what he considers bad frames. You can do worse.
InVision has stores at the Galleria in Edina, in Minnetonka and on Grand Avenue in St. Paul
Tags: Anthony Bosca, eyewear, InVision contest, InVision eyewear
Posted in Accessories, Events | No Comments »
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