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 left: Rose & Bull host a mod-inspired vintage challenge on Instagram; Glam Diggers Vintage’s prize pack up up for bidding in All Are Welcome Here’s virtual silent auction; NICE NICE ceramics is featured in a virtual art crawl this weekend.
HAPPENINGS THIS WEEK:
It’s Fashion Revolution Week! The global initiative campaigns for a clean, safe, fair, transparent and accountable fashion industry. As the world faces the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization’s ongoing #LovedClothesLast movement is especially prescient. It encourages us to use our increased days indoors to care for our clothes better, mending and making clothing, and adopting a mindset of longevity when it comes to our wardrobes—opting to invest in better-quality garments instead of fast fashion. That means mending and removing stains from your clothes, shaving your sweaters, and polishing your shoes. Here are some local resources to check out:
Repair Lair specializes in fixing outdoor clothing and camping equipment via mail. Learn more at repairlair.com
Science & Kindness, which specializes in visible denim repairs, is taking mail orders. Learn more at https://www.instagram.com/scienceandkindness/?hl=en on Instagram.
Mona Williams owner Patric Richardson, aka The Laundry Evangelist, is an incredible local resource for laundry and stain removal. He even has a new book coming out later this year! For now, you can order his laundry supplies at monawilliams.com and follow their Facebook page for upcoming virtual Laundry Camps. (Heads up: He’s currently looking for stories about stains on sentimental textiles for a new, national television series—find out more at facebook.com/monawilliams.)
Tailoring and sewing lounge RETHINK Tailoring is currently pivoting its operations to focus on making face masks for medical professionals, but keep your eyes peeled to its Instagram account @rethinktailoring, where it offers basic sewing tutorials.
Have some jewelry laying around in need of repair? Jewelry designer Stephanie Lake Design is offering new services including jewelry repair and customization for customer-owned jewelry. Inquire via DM or www.stephanielakedesign.com.
Threaded is a great resource for learning about sustainable, ethical makers and brands in Minnesota and the Midwest. (They also hosted an official Fashion Revolution Week virtual event over the weekend, Shaping Fashion.) Check them out at @wearethreaded on Instagram and wearethreaded.org.
Find out about this week’s virtual Fashion Revolution Week happenings across the U.S. at @fash_rev_midwest_usa and @fash_revusa on Instagram.
This week, All Are Welcome Here—the philanthropic small business behind the iconic “All Are Welcome Here” signs—is hosting a virtual silent auction to benefit NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Minnesota, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults with mental illnesses and their families. It features goods donated by more than 100 local makers and artists, coordinated in part by maker hub Minneapolis Craft Market. Highlights include a style session from Cake Plus-Size Resale, a summer accessories pack and gift card from Glam Diggers Vintage and a stacking ring set from Everthine Jewelry. View the auction and bid on items now through Monday, 4/27, at www.32auctions.com/alltogetherauction.
Nani Nalu Beachwear is making it easy to shop for swimwear in the comfort of your own home. The 50th & France boutique has just launched SUITCASE, a remote swimwear shopping service. How it works: Sign up to receive a suitcase of hand-selected items based on your "swim style" profile. You will have three days to try items on, then you ship back whatever you don't want—and only pay for what you keep. You will be connected with the store's fit experts the entire time for adjustment tips, color options, fit tricks and more. Learn more and sign up at naninaluswim.com/suitcase.
WEDNESDAY:
Tandem Vintage is having a story sale on Wednesday. Keep your eyes peeled to their Instagram @tandemvintage to find out when.
Ethical fashion store 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 every Wednesday for the next release.
DAILY THROUGH FRIDAY:
With its spring fashion show, “Mood for Mod,” postponed due to COVID-19, sustainable fashion duo Rose & Bull have created the #modstylechallenge. Enter for a chance to win a $25 gift card with Noisy Eye Vintage and $25 to use with On the Shelf Jewelry by taking a mod-inspired photo, tagging all three accounts on Instagram (@roseandbull, @ontheshelf_jewelry & @noisyeyevintage) and use the hashtag #modstylechallenge. Entries are due by midnight on 4/24. Winner will be announced at noon on 4/25 at @roseandbull on Instagram.
BEGINNING FRIDAY:
The art crawl goes virtual with this weekend's Virtual Art Crawl presented by Portray Clay Co and Front Avenue Pottery. Beginning Friday, the two dozen participating artists include potters, ceramicists, jewelry designers, sculptors and painters, many of which will be offering special discounts and free shipping during the event. Several artists will be doing livestreams, demos, live painting and Q&As, including one of my faves, NICE NICE ceramics, who will be throwing pots and answering questions on Saturday from 1–2pm. Daily from 4/24–5/3. Get details at https://alanahawley.com/virtual-crawl.
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. The ethical fashion store is also launching something special each day this week in partnership with Winsome Goods’s zero-waste project. Watch their Instagram story @shophazelandrose around noon every Wednesday for the next release.
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. This week, the designer's first-ever Quarantine Craft Kits for kids make their debut, and $5 from every kids' kit purchased today are going to Cookie Cart.
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!