In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, local retailers and brands are reacting with special deals and gift card incentives, and pivoting their models to online, with virtual styling services, virtual style shows and other new ways to shop. Here are this week’s top *virtual* style happenings:
Clockwise from top: Joeleen Torvick unveils her spring collection as part of Strey Collective Virtual Sale. Akinda Co. swimwear and Hemlocks Leatherworks will be featured in Threaded's Virtual Shaping Fashion: An Exploration of Sustainable and Ethical Fashion event
TUESDAY:
Every Tuesday, local jewelry brand Larissa Loden is giving back to the local community with its Do Good Tuesday series. Today, it’s donating 100% of proceeds from all purchase on its classic Bee Collection to local nonprofit Sheridan Story, which helps feed children and families with food insecurity. Shop now at larissaloden.com.
MiIle is donating a percentage of sales to a variety of different nonprofits this week through a series of online trunk shows. Place orders from the spring collections by Alex Mill and KULE, and 10% of sales will go to either RAICES or Direct Relief. Plus, $20 from the sale of each of Mille’s new tie-dyed Palm sweatshirts will go to Frontline Responders Fund. Shop now at shopmille.com.
Maker-oriented shop Golden Rule is curating gift boxes with a mix of accessories, body care, jewelry, artisan chocolates and cards from its array of small brands. Check out the offerings or request a custom option at the store’s Instagram’s stories @thegoldenrulegallery.
WEDNESDAY:
Sustainable boutique Hazel & Rose is launching something special each day this week in partnership with Winsome Goods’s zero-waste project. Watch their Instagram story @shophazelandrose around noon on Wednesday for the first release.
WEDNESDAY–THURSDAY:
Local fashion consortium, Strey Collective, is hosting a virtual event with discounts, studio tours, process videos, and more. Highlights include the unveiling of the spring collection from local designer Joeleen Torvick, plus social offers from Strey Designs, Vikse Designs, Create Laser Arts and more. The virtual event takes place live on Instagram and Facebook on Wednesday and Thursday from noon–9pm, with a new artist taking over the feed every hour. Find the maker schedule at @streycollective on Instagram or Facebook.
THURSDAY:
Has your skin been freaking out lately? It could be caused by stress. Stress causes your body to make hormones like cortisol, which tells skin glands to make more oil. Stress can also make skin more sensitive and reactive. Thankfully, 50th & France beauty and wellness clinic, The Metropolitan, is offering expert skincare advice as part of a virtual Quarantine Skin Survival event. Suzanne St. James, clinic director of The Metropolitan, will be offer skincare tips and answering questions. The clinic will also be giving away two Platinum Level HydraFacials valued at $250 each during the event, so be sure to tune in on Thursday from 6–7pm at @themonfrance on Instagram or Facebook.
THURSDAY & FRIDAY:
North Loop boutique Queen Anna is hosting a series of virtual events in the coming weeks focusing on everything from finding a better work-life balance to developing a better understanding of your personal style. This Thursday, owner Nicole Jennings and her husband, Super Bowl champ Greg Jennings, virtually open up their home for an intimate conversation on creating a flow between home, life, each other, and everything in between. (Thursday 6–7:30pm, $20.) Then on Friday, Nicole will be joined by Angelina Marie, founder of luxury accessories label TAH LIFE, for a fireside chat about their journeys as women founders in retail and a preview of TAH LIFE’s spring collection. (Friday 6–7pm. Free.) Plus, now through Sunday, get 25% off new arrivals at queenann.co. Get details and register for all events at https://www.queenanna.co/pages/events.
FRIDAY:
This Friday, Springboard for the Arts is partnering with the American Craft Council, CERFplus, and the Society of North American Goldsmiths to present “Innovation in the Face of Adversity,” a free series of webinars from artists and makers for our times. Registration is now open at eventbrite.com.
SATURDAY:
Sustainable fashion platform, Threaded, is taking its “Shaping Fashion” event virtual. Dubbed “an exploration of sustainable and ethical fashion,” the event kicks off Fashion Revolution Week with a mix of open studio tours, workshops and an ethical marketplace highlighting 30 Midwest-based sustainable and ethical fashion brands, including local favorites like Winsome Goods, Spoils of Wear, Fair Anita, Hemlocks Leatherworks and SCARFSHOP, plus up-and-coming Minneapolis-based brands Wild Isles Swim, Akinda swimwear, Sun50, Yessenya, Lev Apparel and Paradox Coalition. Check out the free event on Saturday from 10am–6pm at @wearethreaded on Instagram.
ONGOING OFFERS, DEALS & MORE:
Many local retailers are offering special incentives to encourage people to shop—and new ways to shop, like virtual personal shopping appointments. Here’s a roundup that I will continue to update as news is announced. (New additions feature a ⭐️)
1004 Designs is offering 75% off its Fall/Winter 2019 collection of hand-knit apparel and accessories with code STAYHOME at 1004designs.com, plus free shipping.
Al’s Tailoring is offering 15% off all its handmade goods at alstailoring.com with code FRANDZ
Amani’s Fashions is donating 100% of all online sales during the month of April to a local food shelf. Shop via amanisfashions.com.
A MANO Ceramics is offering free shipping on all orders over $75 at www.weshopamano.com with code SHIPPINGLOVE
Atelier957 has new markdowns from 30 to 70% off at atelier957.com. Virtual styling sessions are also available.
Atmosfere menswear is offering a gift card incentive: Get an extra $25 credit when you buy a $100 gift card, or an extra $50 when you buy a $200 gift card. Offer valid through 5/4. Plus, the store is taking phone orders Tuesdays through Fridays from noon to 5pm at 612-333-1843.
⭐️Blu Dot is offering 20% off all new pieces at bludot.com plus outlet inventory at ebay.com/str/bludotoutlet through 5/3.
Bluebird Boutique in Edina is offering 20% to 50% off everything online at bluebirdboutique.com (no code needed; discount added at checkout). It’s also running a gift card special: Get a $125 gift card for $100, $250 for $200, and $375 for $300.
Brow Chic (where I get my eyelash extensions done!) is offering 10% off gift cards for use when they reopen at browchic.com.
Cake Plus-Size Resale is updating its online shop and offering virtual style sessions at cakeplussize.com.
Covered is available for virtual shopping appointments and offering free shipping. Find them on Instagram @covereduptown.
Local brand De Nova is offering 20% off its luxe robes (great for lounging around the house) with code BETTERTOGETHER at mydenova.com.
Duke Albert is offering free shipping and free same-day local delivery on all orders at dukealbert.com
dugo is offering an extra $25 credit when you buy a $100 gift card, available on their website at dressupgoout.com/collections/gift-cards.
Minneapolis beauty company Essence One recently rushed a new hand sanitizer product into production with an alcohol content of 70%, per CDC recommendations. It also includes Aloe Vera, essential oils and Vitamin E and comes in three scents: Lavender, Morning Calm—a mint and patchouli blend, and Energy—a citrus blend. It sells for $12, or three bottles for $32, now available at essenceone.life.
The Fitting Room is offering a free $20 gift card for every $100 gift card purchase made online via thefittingroommpls.com. You can also make a virtual shopping appointment.
Flirt Boutique recently launched an online shop through Stephanie’s boutique in St. Paul, stephaniesshop.com/flirt, to make it easier to shop its luxe lingerie and loungewear. (Plus: Free shipping!)
FOAT Design and Yoga Garden are teaming up for a pair of deals for the month of April: Save 25% on a purchase of $100 or more at foatdesign.com with code FOAT25 + save 25% on a $99 monthly unlimited pass for Yoga Garden at yogagardenmpls.com with code YG25
⭐️The Foundry Home Goods is offering 20% off Skagerak Denmark outdoor and indoor furniture through May (no code needed). Plus, it’s donating 100% of profits from the sale of locally made beeswax hand and body balm by Old Mill Candles and wood serving boards by Mara Metz during the month of April to Second Harvest Heartland and UNICEF at thefoundryhomegoods.com.
From Grasse with Love—a French-crafted, locally-based fragrance label—is offering 20% off all personal-size fragrances at grassewithlove.com.
Golden Age Design is offering free shipping on all orders (excludes furniture) at goldenagedesign.com.
The Golden Pearl Vintage recently launched an online shop for its vintage goods at thegoldenpearlvintage.com.
Golden Rule is offering 25% off cards, pantry and sale items with code SPRINGCLEANING at shopgoldenrule.com. Plus, get $5 off your next purchase when you buy a print from the store’s “Wonders Never Cease” group show at shopgoldenrule.com/pages/wonders-never-cease.
Goldfine Jewelry is donating 20% of all online sales for the month of April to Loaves & Fishes to help those with food insecurity. Shop online at goldfine-jewelry.com.
Grethen House has just taken new markdowns on spring arrivals, ranging from 20 to 80% off. Plus, get an additional $25 gift card to use when stores reopen when you buy $100 in gift cards now at grethenhouse.com, virtual style sessions, curbside pickup during select hours, free same-day local delivery and online price matching (with some exclusions).
Hackwith Design House is offering a 30% off promo code for its collection of sustainable shoes for Dr. Scholl's with code HACKWITH30FS at drschollsshoes.com. Plus, get free shipping on all orders at hackwithdesignhouse.com.
⭐️HOUSER, the North Loop fair-trade jewelry brand and gift shop, is donating 15% of all purchases to Second Harvest Heartland until further notice. Shop online at shophouser.com.
Hazel & Rose is offering a free $15 gift card for every $100 spent plus free shipping on orders of $100+ at shophazelandrose.com.
Looking for something to keep your hands busy? Hemlocks Leather has launched a stitch-your-own wallet kit for a leather clutch. It comes with everything you need including a digital instructional booklet, at a discounted price of $38 via www.hemlocksleather.com.
Holistic Purity CBD is offering 20% off all CBD products from the local brand at holisticpurity.com with promo code CORONA
⭐️Idun boutique in St. Paul is offering 20% off sitewide with code HJEM plus free shipping online at shopidun.com.
Jac & Violet jewelry is offering free shipping on orders over $75 at jacandviolet.com.
Joeleen Torvick is offering 40% off her fall/winter 2019 collection at joeleentorvick.com. Discount automatically applied at checkout.
Julia Elise skincare is donating 10% of sales from her spring self-care bundles to Open Arms Minnesota. Shop at juliaelise.com.
June Resale is loading up its online store and offering free shipping online at juneresale.com with code SOCIALDISTANCE
Kisa Boutique is offering free shipping on orders over $100 via its online store kisaboutique.com with code SHOPATHOME, plus Kisa Turkish towels on sale for $25 each.
Larissa Loden Jewelry has restocked her quarantine jewelry craft kits and is offering free shipping all month at larissaloden.com. Plus, shop new limited-edition designs every Thursday, and help give back on Do Good Tuesdays.
Local Motion Boutique is offering 50 to 80% off transitional pieces at localmotionboutique.shop. Plus, get $5 flat-rate shipping and personal delivery of orders over $500.
Lula Vintage Wear is offering virtual shopping via its Etsy store.
⭐️Marion Parke, the Minneapolis-based luxury women’s shoe brand founded by a podiatric surgeon, is offering 20% off sitewide with code STAYHOME20 at marionparke.com.
MartinPatrick3 is offering 25% off on everything (including gift cards). Shop via virtual personal shopping services, phone calls or DMs at @martinpatrick3.
My Sister’s Closet recently launched an online store. Shop it at my-sister-s-closet-mpls.myshopify.com.
Neal Jewelry is offering free shipping plus 25% off ready-to-ship jewelry (excluding fine jewelry) with code BEWELL at nealjewelry.com.
Noisy Eye Vintage is offering 20% off all pieces in their Etsy store, etsy.com/shop/noisyeyevintage.
Oktober Kissed is offering 40% off all orders at oktoberkissed.com with code STAYHOME plus free shipping.
Parc is offering free shipping on all orders at parcboutique.com.
Pharmacie gift shop and menswear store is offering free shipping with code SOCIALDISTANCE via pharmaciempls.com.
⭐️Local online boutique Poppy Stella Rose is donating 20% of all purchases to the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery, whose mission is to end child abuse and neglect. Shop online at poppystellarose.com.
Proper is offering free shipping on all orders through 5/4 at proper-shops.com.
Now you can shop all of your favorite Queen Anna fashions directly from your phone. Download the Queen Anna Fashion app for iOS or Android and enjoy special savings for first-time customers, and take advantage of virtual styling services. Plus, get free shipping and free returns. Download the app here or shop online at queenanna.co.
Now might be a good time to inventory your stuff since many people are WFH. Repair Lair, a locally owned shop that fixes and consigns outdoor gear and apparel, has closed its shop and moved to accepting mail-in repairs. Send in your rain jackets, down winter parkas, wool socks and hiking boots–right in time for all those secluded outdoor excursions we’re going to be taking to get some fresh air in the coming month(s). The store will also be ramping up its online presence at www.repairlair.com. Questions? Email therepairlair@gmail.com.
Requisite North Loop is offering a progressive deal: get 10% off one item, 20% off two items, or 30% off three or more items, or get an extra 20% value on any gift card purchase. (Note, promos cannot be combined.) Plus, shop markdowns from 50 to 70% off, and get free shipping on orders over $100. Shop virtually at @requisitenorthloop on IG; DM or call/text 612-840-7339 to order.
Roe Wolfe is available for virtual shopping on social or FaceTime, and offering a special gift card promo: $10 bonus on $50 gift cards, and $25 bonus on $100 gift cards. Shop online at roewolfe.com.
Stephanie Lake Design is offering complimentary door-to-door delivery, free domestic shipping, and gift certificates in any amount, now offered at a buy one, get one 50% off discount. The jewelry designer is also offering VIP services including jewelry repair and customization for customer-owned jewelry. Shop online at www.stephanielakedesign.com.
⭐️Stephanie’s is offering 25% off spring sweaters through 4/23 with code SWEATERS25, plus get free shipping on orders over $50 with code FREESHIP at stephaniesshop.com. They’re also hosting a giveaway for a $100 gift card on their Instagram page @stephaniesshop through Saturday, 4/25.
SPF clothing brand SUN50 is offering 25% on all clothing for the month of April with promo code WECARE25 at sun50.co. Plus, Sun50 will donate 10% of all promo sales directly to its food bank partners like Second Harvest Heartland.
⭐️Local maker Tiny Loud is donating 10% of April sales to Women’s Advocates of St. Paul to help victims of domestic abuse. Shop online at tinyloud.co.
Up Six Vintage is selling curated swag bags of vintage goodies at a discounted price on its IG feed @upsixvintage, plus it’s adding new items to its new Etsy store daily at etsy.com/shop/UpSixVintage.
Local maker United Goods has dropped prices on select items, like its First Avenue candles, plus through 4/30, it’s offering free shipping with code SAFETYFIRST, and $5 off everything related to the state of Illinois with code ILLINOIS at unitedgoodsusa.com.
WAY the Label is offering an additional 25% off sitewide and free shipping with code SHOPLOCAL at waythelabel.com.
Via’s Vintage is shoppable via its Instagram feed, @viasvintage.
Here are some other ways you can support our local small fashion businesses:
Shop online + virtually. Even if they don’t have an online store, many stores offer delivery (many offering free and same-day local delivery). Many shops and makers are also hosting virtual shopping events on their Instagram story. (More on those below.)
Buy a gift card to use later. This will help stores stay on their feet now, and you can wait to shop until it’s nicer outside.
Make a social post & leave positive reviews. Show your support and spread the love any way you can!
All salons and beauty studios will be closed until May 4. Support them by purchasing a gift card, booking your next appointment, and shopping products from their e-commerce stores.
Got something to add? Email me at jahna.peloquin@gmail.com!