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Posts Tagged ‘ivy’
Caught up today with the developer of The Shops at West End who has been working against odds to lease the new outdoor center at Highway 100 and 394 in St. Louis Park that broke ground just before the economy crashed. It's taken considerably longer than expected, but that's partly because they are sticking to their original upscale concept, targeting fashionable, urban women 20-55 who want the latest – as long as parking is convenient and free. The payoff will finally start to be realized in April and May with the opening of Lululemon Athletica yoga wear and Republic of Couture, a boutique-y chain offering trendy labels like William Rast and Hugo Boss for women and men. Both are new to the Twin Cities – an admirable goal of the developer's. (Anthropologie and Love Culture are currently holding down the retail front along with local fave Creative Kidstuff.) The other priority: a mix of local boutiques, and to that end: Uptown retailer Ini Iyamba has signed on to do an Ivy women and men's store and Amy Briesemeister will resurrect her Long Lake boutique Pink Champagne. Also opening this spring: Uber Baby and Hot Mama. Raze, a men's hair salon from Regis, is scheduled to open March 1, followed by Toby Keith's bar and grill the third week of March with more food concepts to come including Mexican, pizza, crepes, a wine bar and – fingers crossed – a local coffee/dessert joint that would be open late. As the action picks up this spring, don't be surprised if a few national chains flee their current Minneapolis or west metro (watch out, Ridgedale) homes to join West End.
Tags: anthropologie, creative kidstuff, Hot Mama, ivy, Love Culture, lululemon, minneapolis shopping, pink champagne, Republic of Couture, shops at west end, st. louis park, twin cities shopping, West End
Posted in Shopping Tips | No Comments »

The Uber Outlet promised bargains from some of the Twin Cities’ most exclusive shops, and it is starting to deliver. Owner Lynne Gonsior told me this morning that Galleria designer boutique Arafina and cool, contemporary clothing store Ivy (both women and men’s) are sending sale merchandise to the outlet. The first arrivals land on Tuesday, May 20. Also coming next week: premium jeans from Hudson, Serfontaine, Joe’s and True Religion. Race ya!
Tags: arafina, designer deals in minneapolis, Galleria, ivy, minneapolis shopping, twin cities outlet, twin cities shopping, uber outlet
Posted in Women & Men's Fashion | No Comments »

Next thing you know, Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda will be hawking dish washing detergent. From beauty products to workout gear to, of course, shoes, every brand wants their product associated with the "Sex and the City" movie. I’d say I’m receiving around five SATC product pitches a day – and often, the connection is as remote as, these gloves are made of leather – just like the ones Carrie wears in the movie! I’m irritated already…but still, I confess, I’m excited to see the movie. A couple of local retailers are doing their part to capitalize on the fervor. Ivy at Calhoun Square is selling SATC t-shirts with sayings like "Looking for Mr. Big" and "I’m a Carrie." (Can’t help thinking: would Carrie ever be caught in something like that?). They sell for $40 to $44. Drama at Gaviidae Common is hosting "An Evening with Sex and the City," including a screening of the film, cocktails, store gift certificates and gift bag. The event takes place Saturday, May 31. Tickets can be purchased by sending $25 via paypal to courtney@shopatdrama.com. Or call 612-338-9423 for more details. Cheers.
Tags: carrie, charlotte, drama, gaviidae common, ivy, Ivy boutique, miranda, samantha, satc, SATC in Minneapolis, SATC t-shirts, sex and the city, sex and the city merchandise, twin cities shopping
Posted in Women's Fashion | No Comments »
Lucky magazine finally figured out what we’ve known all along: the Twin Cities boasts an impressive bevy of independent boutiques. In the February issue, on newsstands Wednesday, Lucky features Minneapolis and St. Paul among "the best new cities to shop." They singled out 15 independent stores: some obvious, like Ivy, Stephanie’s, Bluebird Boutique and the Walker Shop; and a few intended to prove they really did their homework, like Salon Rouge for beauty products and Swank Interiors for vintage furnishings. (Get the full list in the St. Paul Pioneer Press.) There are some glaring omissions: StyledLife, Cherie, Corazon – but, then, there would be no way to adequately capture the entire scene on one page…that’s what AliShops.com is for.
Actually, Lucky indirectly contributed to the launch of AliShops.com. I used to provide local shopping news for the magazine’s website, until they decided a few years ago to cut Minneapolis. That’s right – they kept Denver, and axed the Twin Cities. I told them that was crazy – this is a creative, cosmopolitan city, filled with interesting, innovative retail concepts and fashionable residents. Seems they’re finally catching on. Better late than never.
Tags: best new cities to shop, bluebird, cherie, cherie wayzata, corazon, ivy, Lucky, lucky magazine, minneapolis shopping, St. Paul shopping, stephanie's, styled life, styledlife, Swank Interiors, Swank Retro, twin cities shopping, Walker Shop
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The cool crowd turned out tonight for the Collage fashion show at the Nicollet Island Pavilion (a perfect venue for the event, save for the bad acoustics). Unlike Glamorama, which is really a society benefit attracting a lot of movers and shakers, Collage is for the young, creative and purely fashionable on any budget. The overwhelmingly female crowd was dressed to impress – lots of flowy, jersey dresses and, refreshingly, a minimal amount of denim. As for the show itself, Ivy, Ivy Men’s + Design, Stephanie’s and Bluebird Boutique exhibited their sharp eye for trend-forward style. Ivy showed chunky knits, short skirts and high waisted trousers while Bluebird is still rockin’ the super skinny jean. The Ivy man is at ease in a dapper suit or jeans and a cool trench. Stephanie’s provided the big finish with her reliable crop of fab evening dresses. If you attended, or got a post card in the mail for the show, be sure to stop by the stores Friday or Saturday for your store wide discount – you’re going to want to buy.
Tags: Blue Bird, Collage, fashion event Minneapolis, fashion show in Minneapolis, ivy, Ivy Men's, minneapolis fashion, Minneapolis fashion scene Collage fashion show, stephanie's
Posted in Women & Men's Fashion | No Comments »
Looking for inspiration, or at least some great people watching? Local fashion events abound in the next couple of weeks:
Sept. 19 to 23: it’s Fall Fashion Weekend brought to us by MNfashion.org, the group behind Voltage. The festivities will include trunk shows and runway shows by local designers, a tour of collections at the Minnesota Historical Society, parties, in-store events and networking opportunities for aspiring designers and stylists.
Sept. 27: Collage fashion show at the Nicollet Island Pavilion from Stephanie’s, Ivy, Ivy Men’s + Design and Bluebird Boutique. The looks are sure to be hot, and the crowd even hotter. (Last year, I remember thinking who are these good-looking, well-dressed people and where have they been hiding? Maybe I just need to go out more.) Success does have it price, and this year, the formerly free event is charging $25 for admission. That does include a complimentary champagne and dessert bar and an after party with DJ. Tickets can be purchased at www.collagefashionshow.com.
Tags: bluebird, Collage, ivy, Ivy Men's, minneapolis fashion events, minnesota fashion events, MNFashion, stephanie's, twin cities fashion events
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