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Posts Tagged ‘Christopher Straub’
Grey’s Anatomy met Project Runway and I attempted to channel Nina Garcia as a judge at Saturday’s Scrubbed into Fashion, a collaboration between the University of Minnesota Medical School Student Council and FAB: Fashion and Business group to benefit Smile Network International. Six student designers were challenged to create two looks, one ready to wear, one couture, out of medical scrubs. The master of repurposing, Project Runway alum Christopher Straub hosted, and created four of his own looks for the event (pictured above). I had the difficult task of judging, along with Juut founder/owner David Wagner and another Minnesota Project Runway alum, Katherine Gerdes, now the manager of Hell’s Kitchen. I sort of thought I’d go all Simon (David announced upfront he was a hopeless Randy), but turns out I’m a little more Paula – though all I drank was Vitamin Water, swear. The designers showed real talent and creativity – and the models, all medical students, looked amazing. Maybe Grey’s Anatomy is more realistic than I gave it credit for. After much deliberation, we gave it to Jen Voth, a full time student and jewelry designer, who took inspiration for this challenge from the human heart – color, contrast, and even chamber-like cutouts. The two very wearable dresses were constructed entirely of medical scrubs. Check it out (she made her own dress out of scrubs as well). Congrats to all on a clever, well executed charitable event!
Photos by Kristen Holte, FAB creative director
Tags: Christopher Straub, David Wagner, FAB: Fashion and Business, Jen Voth, Juut, Katherine Gerdes, MNFashion, Project Runway, Scrubbed into Fashion, Smile Network International
Posted in Events, MN fashion designers | No Comments »
 Minnesota’s favorite Project Runway alum Christopher Straub is working on product design for maurices, the Duluth-based, self-described “small town” chain that outfits young women, sizes 1 to 24. Straub is kicking off his collaboration by judging maurices’ Main Street Model Search. The retailer is looking for a dozen girls nationwide to be photographed for an ad campaign in their hometowns. “Maurices contacted me because we share the same home town philosophy,” says Straub, a Shakopee resident.
Can’t wait? Get a fix April 23 at the Sol Inspirations Eco Fashion Gala. Christopher and fellow “Project Runway” contestant Ra’mon-Lawrence Coleman are among the local designers creating looks out of non-traditional, recycled and sustainable fabrics. “Project Runway” Season 7 winner Seth Aaron Henderson will headline the event at The Depot. More information here.
Tags: Christopher Straub, Maurices, Project Runway
Posted in Events, Shopping with celebs, Women's Fashion | No Comments »
Sitting through the underwhelming MNfashion Week preview show this week, I couldn’t help but think about some of the Twin Cities-based designers I’ve talked to in just the last few days, like Katherine McMillan of super cool men’s accessories line Pierrepont Hicks and Jessika Madison-Kennedy of Dadadress. Both rave about Twin Cities – it’s creativity, liveablity and support for the arts. Both are career designers whose fashions are sold internationally. Both are giving back to the local scene: McMillan helped produce tomorrow’s Northern Grade Men’s Market, a celebration of American-made men’s brands, including many local; Madison-Kennedy is running the new fashion design program at the College of Visual Arts.
Neither is involved with MNfashion, the organization that aims to support emerging designers and champion fashion as a viable industry in Minnesota. From Sept. 20 to 26, many of those young designers will participate in fashion shows throughout the Twin Cities – at least two dozen events are planned. Based on the preview, many shows will be fun, but few will be memorable, or lead to commercial placement of the clothes. And that is the goal: to sell the clothes that come down the runway. MNfashion is in danger of falling into the rut it aimed to help designers avoid: staging fashion shows just for the sake of something cool to do on a Saturday night.
In the spring, it seemed MNfashion was finally reaching beyond its core supporters – mostly artsy 20somethings with time to go to fashion shows every night of the week – and exposing itself to the rest of the city, including older women with money to buy the clothes. There were events at Galleria boutiques and designers that are working on manufacturing and distribution, like Laura Fulk and Christopher Straub participated. The only true shining star this time is Joynoelle, which will show on Sept. 23. (tickets available here.) Retailers chose Boutique Week over MNfashion Week.
MNfashion Executive Director Anna Lee continues to work passionately and tirelessly on behalf of local designers. She’s assembled an impressive troop of volunteers. She’s coordinating events with museums and working on securing grants and establishing a sewing cooperative for designers. But the group needs to look beyond its members and the endless parade of wannabes and reach out to the many designers in the Twin Cities who are already doing it – and doing it well.
Tags: Christopher Straub, college of visual arts, dadadress, Joynoelle, laura fulk, minnesota fashion, MNFashion, pierrepont hicks
Posted in Current Affairs | 1 Comment »
 More surprising than the foil as fabric, silver pants and layers of ruffles and feathers at Christopher Straub's premiere fashion show at the St. Paul Hotel Sunday was the menswear he sprinkled in. A slim leather jacket with stripes on the sleeve (shown on a female model as well), hooded sweatshirt, tailored pants and black high tops. In short, Straub's style. And it looked cool. Kudos to Straub for taking risks, hustling and making the most of the spotlight he is currently enjoying.
Tags: Christopher Straub, Men's Fashion, MNFashion
Posted in Men's Fashion | No Comments »
 Model, actress agent, reality star-who-won't-quit Janice Dickinson killed some time talking to me before Christopher Straub's show at the St. Paul Hotel Sunday. She looked better than expected up close, although nothing moves on that face. She was aloof, yet down-to-earth ("When I'm not painted and pulled, I'm a middle aged fatigued old lady.") She had never met Minnesota's "Project Runway" favorite and she called him Christian (Siriano slip?) when she introduced him. But she did sit dutifully in the front row next to her good friend, Privileged Model Management owner Craig Damon, who was involved in producing the show. She curled one of her inflated lips when asked to take pictures with fans, but did it anyway. She complimented my dress. She talked to me about beauty ("Drink TONS of water"), modeling ("They look like a factory stamped bunch of cattle"), Heidi Montag's plastic surgery, by her own doctor ("At least I was 32 – I waited until I lactated"), Dancing with the Stars ("Pam Anderson is just neat.") and volcanic ash ("It's so important for algae levels in the ocean. And did you know it's the best thing for damaged hair?") She didn't seem to care much who I work for, only that I had a notebook. I told her I'd likely write a little something for the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "Little?!!" she said. If you want an expose, I told her, you've got to give me more. "Read the books," she retorted with a shrug.
Tags: Christopher Straub, dancing with the stars, heidi montag, Janice Dickinson, MNFashion, pamela anderson, privileged model
Posted in Current Affairs | No Comments »
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.
Tags: Christopher Straub, fashion show, janice dickenson, minnesota fashion week, MNFashion, Project Runway
Posted in Current Affairs | 1 Comment »
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.
Tags: ballet of the dolls, Christopher Straub, fashion events minneapolis, kokoon, minnesota fashion week, MNFashion, nelle, picky girl, post-
Posted in Current Affairs | No Comments »
Leave it to Lisa Roberts and Annie Hendrickson, the tireless creators of The Find, based in Eden Prairie, to make the decision to open a second location – and do so within nine days. The Find at 50th & France opens in the Edina 5.0. building (you know that glass-enclosed space that has been one failed coffee shop after another?) Saturday, Nov. 7, breathing some much needed energy, disco dancing and bling into the quiet mall. The shop will be packed with the best of The Find's many brands and breadth of products, from lamps to camera bags to fashion accessories. There are sure to be a few home vignettes thrown in for good measure, but the bulk of their furniture/home design business will remain in Eden Prairie. One big attraction at the Edina store: "Project Runway" designer Christopher Straub's handbag and accessories collection, co-produced by The Find. Roberts said she expects Straub, a longtime friend,, to put in some time at the store – right after he finishes his post-show New York press junket (read about that in the St. Paul Pioneer Press). And learn more about The Find here.
Tags: 50th & France, 50th and France, Annie Hendrickson, Christopher Straub, handbag store, Lisa Roberts, Project Runway, The Find, twin cities shopping
Posted in Accessories, Shopping Tips | No Comments »
Michael Kors returns (finally) to Project Runway this week and wastes no time beating up on Minnesota's Christopher Straub. TV Guide network has the clip.
Meanwhile, fellow MN designer Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman is moving out after getting ousted last week. He joined Alexis and me on Shop Girls Saturday to talk about life after Project Runway…and bad teeth. Listen to a podcast of the interview. Plus, read about one of his unlikely upcoming projects here.
Tags: Christopher Straub, Michael Kors, Project Runway, ra'mon lawrence coleman, tv guide
Posted in Current Affairs | No Comments »
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