This week, celebrate who made your clothes during a virtual edition of Fashion Revolution Week, watch a digital fashion show from the graduating apparel design seniors from the University of Minnesota, celebrate Earth Day with an event at Arc’s Value Village, and more.
Design by University of Minnesota student Xilin Yang, who will showcase her collection at Monday’s “Breaking Silence” virtual fashion show. (Photographer: Alyssa Justice & Tanner James; Hair & Makeup: Oohlala Beaute & Toddi Rogers; Model: Wehmann Agency)
NEW THIS WEEK:
Fashion Revolution Week
When you pull your favorite top out of your closet, do you ever ask yourself, Who made my clothes? Probably not—unless you’re aware of Fashion Revolution Week, a campaign that challenges people around the world to ask that very question, via the hashtag #whomademyclothes. The international event, which commemorates the 2013 Rana Plaza garment factory collapse in Bangladesh that resulted in the deaths of more than 1,000 workers, raises awareness of labor conditions in the fashion industry and challenges it to adopt more ethical practices. While there aren’t any local events happening IRL this year, you can join MN-based ethical/sustainable fashion guide, Threaded, is joining forces with Shaping Fashion and Threading Change on Tuesday at 9am CST to ideate and talk about conscious consumerism. Register for free at bit.ly/shapingfashiondavos.
Fashion Revolution Week runs through 4/25. Learn more about this week’s virtual events @ www.fashionrevolution.org/north-america/usa
Find a list of Minnesota-based sustainable & ethical fashion businesses and makers at www.wearethreaded.co
TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY:
Sneak Peek Series with FGI-MSP featuring Fashion Week MN
Take a sneak peek into Fashion Week MN with Fashion Group International’s Minneapolis-St. Paul chapter as they speak with designers from this spring’s season on IG Live. Hosted by FGI_MSP Membership Director, Wendy Gulbraa, learn about designers’ inspirations, preview their designs and learn about the events. Featured designers include Shae by Day and MX Apparel (Tuesday) and Scott J Lehmann (Wednesday). Each virtual event takes place at 7pm @ instagram.com/fgimsp
THURSDAY:
Earth Day Event at Arc’s Value Village
Creative Kuponya is partnering with Arc’s Value Village for an Earth Day event. The brand will be unveiling a new, eco-friendly, size-inclusive collection of tops and jackets with materials entirely sourced from Arc’s, and 100% of the profits will go to support Black, Indigenous and other people of color in need of high-quality mental health care without insurance. The event will also include green treasures from The Greenery, an Ojibwe-owned plant shop and mercantile, and tunes from DJ Digie. Friday from 3–5pm @ Arc’s Value Village Richfield location, 6528 Penn Ave S, Richfield, arcsvaluevillage.org
NUBIUltimateRunway Spring Collection
Local designer Nyamal BothDol is showcasing her spring collection for her label, Nubi Collections, this week in a solo runway show. A U.S. immigrant, Nyamal dreamed of becoming a fashion designer from a young age and in high school, she would rework her clothing to express herself. Her label was created to celebrate designers that blend contemporary fashions with ancient Nubian designs and Ankara patterns. Tickets are $34.99 via www.eventbrite.com/e/nubiultimaterunway-spring-tickets-140640793399. Thursday, doors at 7pm @ FIVE Event Center, 2917 Bryant Ave S, Minneapolis
THURSDAY & SATURDAY:
Exploring Solidarity Through Sign-Making Virtual Class
Explore the craft of sign making and examine your role in creating a social justice ecosystem during this free, virtual class presented by Curiosity Studio and sponsored by Golden Age Design and the MCAD MFA program. Kelsi Sharp of Sharp Sign Co. will guide you through the steps to recreate a message using simple tools. Note: You must provide your own supplies. Register at curiositystudioclass.com. Thursday from 5–7pm & Saturday from 10am–noon.
FRIDAY:
Larissa Loden x Davee Ek Limited-Edition Collab Release
Local jewelry designer Larissa Loden recently got together with local style queen Davee Ek to come up with four new earring styles for spring. Each features checkerboard patterns, bight pastel colors and graphic floral shapes—and when they say limited, they really mean it. These styles will go live on the brand’s site on Friday at 3pm. @ www.larissaloden.com
SATURDAY:
Mill City Farmers Market
The Mill City Farmers Market featuring over 120 local farmers, food makers and artisans on select dates through April. A combination of open-air shopping in the Train Shed and Chicago Mall as well as indoor shopping inside the historic Mill City Museum, this week’s lineup including Body Bliss natural skincare and Sally Fritz Clothing. The market will be open every. Saturday beginning May 1. Saturday from 10am–12pm @ Mill City Farmers Market, 750 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, millcityfarmersmarket.org
Modern Artisanal Private Launch Event
LAB Mpls hosts an exclusive launch event for Modern Artisanal, a new, Minnesota-based lifestyle brand with one-of-a kind luxury products curated and handmade by artisans all over the globe. The modern assortment includes home decor, handbags, jewelry and beachwear that encapsulate the spirit of travel and inspire the joy of discovery. Saturday 10am–3pm @ LAB, 1629 Hennepin Ave, Ste 300A, Minneapolis. Register for your free time slot at www.eventbrite.com/e/modern-artisanal-private-launch-event-registration-145168598185
MONDAY, 4/26:
“Breaking Silence: Design for a Changing World” Digital Showcase Reveal
Due to COVID-19, the University of Minnesota College of Design’s graduating apparel design seniors are not hosting their annual fashion show in person due to COVID. Instead, they’re hosting a digital showcase of their work. The showcase will feature designs from a diverse group of 12 senior apparel design students that challenge the perception of what we wear and how it’s made, while confronting and reflecting upon the systemic issues in the fashion industry, utilizing the power of design to meet the needs of a changing world. Monday, 4/26 at 6pm. Free registration at www.eventbrite.com/e/breaking-silence-design-for-a-changing-world-fashion-showcase-tickets-146489049691
NEW: Upcycling workshops from ReThink Tailoring
If you have a sewing project pile at home that keeps getting bigger, conquer the pile by learning some new upcycling and sewing techniques from ReThink Tailoring. Bring in a pile of your projects, and ReThink owner Kristen will help you turn your ideas into reality. The workshop is available at a two-person class (masked and socially distanced). Class includes all materials needed. Sign up & learn about more sewing workshops @ store.rethinktailoring.com/shop/classes/23
TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE:
Tickets are now on sale for select Fashion Week MN Spring 2021 events (4/28–5/1). Get tickets at fashionweekmn.com
CONTINUING:
Now open: Leo Footwear
Two neighboring Selby & Snelling shop owners have come together to found a new shoe boutique with a sustainable focus. Leo Footwear was the brainchild of Kristie Case of Teeny Bee Boutique/Peregrine Kidswear, and Jill Erickson of women’s sustainable fashion shop, Spoils of Wear. The new footwear shop is located just a couple of storefronts down from Teeny Bee and features Brooklyn-based shoemakers Stivali and the Spanish artisan–made Pons Arvacas. You can also shop the store online. Now open @ 1554 Selby Ave, St Paul, leofootwearstpaul.com. For updates and hours, follow @leofootwearstpaul on Instagram.
Now open: Bread. A Unique Pop-up Market
What began as a holiday pop-up market over the holidays is returning to Maplewood Mall as a more permanent fixture. Created by local entrepreneur Marsha Magdalene as a shared opportunity to help small businesses market and scale their businesses, Bread features a mostly BIPOC group of locally owned brands and goods from local makers, including Marsha’s son’s brand, Ice Cream Bow Ties. For Thursday’s grand reopening, the store’s brands will be joined by Maplewood Mayor Abrams, MN State Rep. John Thompson and St. Paul City Council member Nelsie Yang, and there will be raffles and refreshments. Hours: Monday–Friday from 12–7pm and Sunday from 12–6pm @ Maplewood Mall, 3001 White Bear Ave N, Maplewood, www.facebook.com/breadpopup
Now open: Community Commons at Mall of America: Last fall, the Mall of America debuted Community Commons, a new, rent-free space dedicated to businesses struggling due to the pandemic or displaced due to civil unrest over the summer. Following its first run, the store has reopened with a fresh mix of local businesses owned by people of color. New vendors include Arway Bags, clothing brand Love Disorder, Bogaballoons, Silk Road Wellness, LEVELS apparel and more. The storefront is also acting as a launching pad for some brands—Herbal Alchemy, a former Community Commons vendor, has just opened its own storefront. Community Commons is now open at Level 2, South, Mall of America, Bloomington, mallofamerica.com/directory/communitycommons
On view: Papier at American Swedish Institute
A juncture between art and fashion, Papier is an international touring exhibition showcasing artist-designer Bea Szenfeld’s striking paper couture—dresses and other sculptural fashion items made entirely from paper and worn by such pop icons as Lady Gaga and Björk—united with artist-author Stina Wirsén’s evocative and colorful illustrations. Papier has made its Midwest debut at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis (in one of only two U.S. stagings). Get a first look and read more about my visit to the exhibit on my blog HERE! On view through July 11. Hours are Thursday–Sunday, 10am–4pm; advance, timed reservations are required to visit the museum and can be made at www.ASImn.org or by calling 612-871-4907 during museum hours.
Now open: LEGACY
After designer resale shop June announced its move to 50th & France, we wondered what was coming to its former storefront near Lyndale & Lake in Uptown. The secret’s now out: The storefront is now home to LEGACY, a vintage clothing and home shop run by June owner Daune Stinson’s daughter, Ruby, who recently moved back home from NYC after over a decade working in the fashion and retail industry. June’s little sister store features a fresh, more casual mix of brands, more vintage goods, and a lower price-point than June, similar to that of most vintage stores. Now open. Hours: Wednesday–Saturday 11am–5pm @ 3406 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, 612-545-7470, instagram.com/shoplegacystore
Now open: Dugo pop-up at Nolan Mains
As the saying goes, when one door closes, another opens. At least that’s the case with Dugo, the locally owned, special-occasion retailer that had announced it would permanently close its longtime Galleria storefront. It will be setting up shop at the new Nolan Mains development at 50th & France. They’re now open within a 825-square-foot, temporary pop-up space there while their new permanent storefront is built out. According to MSP Mag, “expect a tighter, more focused selection of what Nancy knows best: dresses and evening separates and the accessories that accompany—like handbags and jewelry—plus, a special, rotating schedule of pop-ups of more casual wear and contemporary brands.” Hours: Monday–Saturday from 11am–5pm @ 3919 Market St, Edina, dressupgoout.com
Now open: June at 50th & France: A new year can often signal a time of renewal. For local designer resale store, June, that means shuttering its original Lyndale Avenue location for a new storefront at 50th and France. The upscale retail and dining destination is a fitting move for the retailer, which sells a beautifully curated mix of designer pieces, including some vintage gems. Look for an opening announcement with more details this week @juneresale on Instagram. As for their former storefront, owner Daune Stinson plans to be “continuing our commitment to resale, sustainability and our neighborhood,” adding to “watch for a new women’s resale clothing store” coming soon to their former Lyndale site. Now open @ 5027 France Ave, Minneapolis, juneresale.com
Minneapolis Craft Market Online Marketplace: As Minneapolis Craft Market’s live markets are currently on hold through at least winter 2020, you can now shop their makers online as well as live each week on virtual streaming app Popshop Live, where they’ll showcase a different maker each week. Use invite code MCMPOP to join for easy holiday shopping from the comfort of your couch. Download the free app @ bit.ly/mcmpsl & find upcoming live streaming dates and times at mplscraftmarket.com/events. You can also shop the full Minneapolis Craft Market collection from local makers online 24/7 @ mplscraftmarket.com
The List Virtual Makers’ Marketplace: One unfortunate consequence of the COVID outbreak is the dearth of makers markets, which many local makers and small businesses had relied upon for a majority of their income—especially during the upcoming holiday season. Hoping to fill that void is The List, a new, Minnesota-based online maker hub that is fully launching this week. The marketplace aims to be a one-stop shop for high-quality artisans, makers and other small businesses, just in time for holiday gift-giving season. Find a mix of fashion, home goods and skin care by 40 top local makers, including Strey Designs, Adam Turman, Essence One, FOAT Design, Hackwith Design House, ILO Design, J.Lux Jewelry, Joeleen Torvick, Julia Elise Skincare, Tiny Loud and Minny & Paul. Shop now @ www.findmeonthelist.com
Check out my new Minnesota Vintage Directory, a curated listing of vintage stores and online sellers across the state for both clothing and home.
SUBMIT your upcoming shopping news and events to jahna.peloquin@gmail.com