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Diva disappointment

As usual, DivaMN delivered more skin than anyone really needed to see (think past-his-prime, off-key drag queen in a thong swimsuit so tight, it was painful to watch) and less fashion than promised at its big annual event at International Market Square Saturday night. As far as being a fun, irreverent, let-loose party unlike any other major fundraiser in town, it's  all that - and some of the best people-watching you'll see, from shirtless women (the only reason my husband didn't bolt for the door) to boys in tiny leather shorts to fashionistas decked out in sequins and dashing men in suits. But Club Diva bills itself as more than a fashionable night - it's also a fashion show, and this year was supposed to begin a new chapter of spotlighting budding young talent in town. Unfortunately, most came off as costume-y at best and far from ready for retail. Jason Hammerberg was the exception, with his colorful and contemporary men's line, reminiscent of his days with Kuhlman. "Project Runway's" Jack Mackenroth - clad in a black t-shirt and jeans and appearing to have quite a ball socializing with everyone from Macy's execs to Diva organizers - showed around eight looks that he gathered up from his workroom:  a couple of men's looks, a few dresses. Charming as he is, it didn't make for much of a finale.
Besides, by the time the runway show started, attendees were itching to get to the bar, having sat (or worse yet, stood) through an inordinately long live auction that no one could follow even if she wanted to, due to the horrible IMS acoustics. Sigh. DivaMN is a wonderful organization, supporting AIDS/HIV programs in Minnesota, and it's always fun to have an excuse to dress up, or dress a little crazy. But if the group expects people to spend $150 or more to attend, they really need to go back to the drawing board and give this event a major makeover.

Project Runway gossip

I think Jack Mackenroth, the Project Runway contestant who had to bow out early this season due to illness, was robbed of the $10,000 fan favorite award on this week's reunion show. And I got the chance to tell him in person this morning, when we met up at Cliche in Minneapolis. Jack - who was actually born in MN - is in town to judge DivaMN's student design competition (he sees himself as more of a Michael than a Nina, fyi) and he'll be back March 8 to show his own mini-collection at the big Club Diva AIDS fundraiser at International Market Square (tix still available).
As for the fan fave, Jack agreed that he deserved the sympathy vote, but says it's out of sight, out of mind on TV and his exit happened too early to maintain the momentum. He's actually good friends with the winner of the fan favorite prize and show prodigy, Christian. As arrogant as that "fierce" young designer is, Jack says Christian is talented enough to back it up and a lot of fun to be around. On the other hand, Chris, who got to come back when Jack exited, he didn't have such nice things to say about...
I'll have a full report of our shopping trip and more PR gossip in the St. Paul Pioneer Press on Sunday, March 2.

Glamorama goes on

One of the big questions, as soon as Macy's announced its plans to close its regional headquarters in Minneapolis, was what happens to events like the holiday show and Glamorama. We got one answer today, albeit one that raises as many questions as it answers. Glamorama will go on this year, Macy's says. Mark your calendar for 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15 at the Orpheum Theatre. You'll want to be there - if for no other reason than to see how well they can pull it off without much of a local team left. Read more in the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Burberry at MOA

Burberry has opened a snazzy new shop at Mall of America. Yes, Mall of America. You'll find it across from the Gap and Rainforest Cafe. Not exactly Fifth Avenue - or even the Galleria - but then, this hot brand is apparently looking beyond the obvious luxury retail corridors. Having long since closed its doors at Gaviidae Common (remember that?), opening at MOA is an interesting move. It speaks to the tourist traffic (especially international) that has no clue there's shopping in the Twin Cities beyond MOA. And it speaks to the way this plaid brand has connected with young people. It's not just about umbrellas and coats anymore. It's high design, it's posh, it's glamorous. And the store exudes that, with bright lights, fast music and a floor to ceiling screen playing the latest Burberry runway show. Now the question is, will the typical Burberry customer step beyond Nordstrom to shop here? And will the rest of the MOA shoppers pay $550 for a black skirt? Even if it is totally adorable. Love to hear your thoughts.

Project Runway is back

Clear a spot in your viewing schedule ("Private Practice" is lame-o anyway) - Project Runway returns for a fourth season on Nov. 14. I've seen the first episode (perk of the job). The names are new, but the characters are starting to blend together - the plump and capable funny guy, the effeminate weirdo, the antisocial girl, the arrogant butch guy. Heidi Klum looks ridiculously good. Tim Gunn needs some new lines if he has even the remotest hope of escaping the caricature he's become. Michael Kors and Nina Garcia are back for more (as if they'd give up the spotlight?). Even so, the show remains totally watchable and one of the best reality series on TV, whether or not you're obsessed with fashion. Monique Lhuillier is the first guest judge and I'd tell you who is first to be booted, but Bravo would undoubtedly hunt me down and have me permanently muzzled. Wonder if they'd use cotton or silk?

The hip parade

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.

Fall fashion events

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.

In Joynoelle at Glamorama

Who cares what the models wore. Let's talk about me. So here's how my Shop Girls co-host Alexis Walsko and I looked in our Joynoelle dresses at Glamorama last night, and second picture of Minneapolis designer Joy Teiken with all of her eager subjects: Alexis, Lori & Julia and me. Tune in to Shop Girls this morning on FM107.1 from 10 to noon for the scoop on the show, the party and the fashion.

The not-so-new store you should check out

Well whaddya know - Jimmy'Z is still in business! I wrote about the store in the St. Paul Pioneer Press when it first opened at MOA (second level, north side) a couple of years ago - the plasma TVs on every fitting room were more interesting than the American Eagle-ish clothes. But I happened by today (good to veer off the usual route now and again) and was fairly impressed with the on-trend apparel - tunic tops, halter dresses - at reasonable prices. Jimmy'Z is the big sib to Aeropostale with a California vibe. For teens, it's a good alternative to Abercrombie and the like for graphic tees and jeans that look just a little bit different from everybody else's. And for grown-up girls like myself, it's worth a peek for the occasional fashion top or dress at a reasonable price. On the sale rack today were simple short sleeve, v-neck knit dresses, perfect for the office or frolicking around town - just $50, and 30 percent off. I'll have to walk this way more often.

No coupon? No problem.

"Is there a coupon offer today?" I asked the sales associate in the contemporary department at Macy's, and we both burst into laughter. Is there ever not a coupon offer? So I fished around in my bag and came up with a couple of expired 15 or 20 percent off cards . I needn't have bothered. Krista, the sales associate, had a stack of them sitting at the counter. Same thing happened to me in shoes. So don't miss out. Basically there is never a reason to pay full price at Macy's - you know, the department store that promised to be less promotional.

Interesting addendum: Krista did have an ulterior motive. She wrote her name on the bottom of my receipt and asked me to go online and say nice things about her. (Does this count?) I've been told by company officials that this employee recognition program is not new, but someone must have recently clued in the front line staff because suddenly they're all begging for accolades. No one seems to have many of them that they'll need to actually work for it.

Finally, American Apparel is coming!

Often it seems like Minneapolis is the neglected stepchild, frantically waving to national retailers. Look at us! Look at us! Chicago isn't the only city in the Midwest! We need you too! Eventually, they hear us and try to make up for lost time. And they're always amazed by how polite, well dressed and enthusiastic we really are. So I have no doubt American Apparel  will be extremely well received when it finally opens its first Twin Cities shop later this summer in Uptown. Why should you be excited? American Apparel knows how to do basics. It picked up where Gap went astray and stays true to its mission of affordable, quality cotton clothes -- t-shirts, tanks, hoodies, intimates, even casual dresses -- the sort of stuff you'll live in. So hooray! It's always nice to get noticed, even if it does seem to take an awfully long time.

Martin + Osa

It's always a good sign for the local shopping scene when national retailers pick the Twin Cities to test new store concepts. The latest to land at Mall of America is Martin + Osa. It's American Eagle's answer to everyday luxury for thirtysomethings. (I walked out empty handed, but my seventysomething father bought a khaki jacket. He's an unusually stylish grandfather.) To me, it's American Eagle meets J. Crew -- slightly preppy basics in finer fabrics with a few twists, like a nylon trench coat in pale yellow and "chino sweats," with the fit of khakis and the softness of your coziest sweats. Saw a hooded sweater I liked, but $98 seemed a bit much for it. Still, it's worth trying something on. The fitting rooms are a zen oasis in the middle of the mall.

Fashion Week, here I come!

I'm on my way to New York Fashion Week to cover the fall '07 shows (and perhaps as importantly, the celeb sightings and behind-the-scenes gossip) for the Pioneer Press. Follow along on my Savvy Shopper Goes to Fashion Week blog.

And don't feel left behind, I've got plenty of Twin Cities shopping news to bring to you in the next week as well!

Fashion shows -- mark the calendar

Macy's is hoping to get some buzz going by announcing the date for this year's Glamorama fall fashion extravaganza: Aug. 17 at the Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis. (Details and ticket information to come this spring.)

While Glamorama has long been considered the Twin Cities' biggest fashion event of the year, featuring top designers, national talent and a lavish after party, Voltage Fashion Amplified is fast becoming known as the premier showcase for local design and music. Show creator Anna Lee took last year off to regroup following the overwhelming success of her first two Voltage shows. This April 11, Voltage is back at First Avenue, and if the new Voltage website is any indication, the event promises to be even bigger and slicker than before. Participating designers include Katherine Gerdes of "Project Runway" and Kimberly Jurek of Kjurek Couture, which is about to go national. Read the designer bios on the Voltage website and you'll never again complain that Minnesotans have no sense of style.

Stay tuned for ticket information -- this show is sure to be a sell out.