Fashion Week MN (FWMN) Fall 2016 Highlights
Minnesota fashion-focused pop-up shops, runway shows, open house events, gallery exhibits, and more were held throughout the Twin Cities from September 15 - September 25, 2016 as part of the third season of the Fashion Week Minnesota (FWMN) initiative. FWMN events showcase current season/special edition collections from local designers or boutiques to celebrate local creativity and inspire Minnesotans to support each other and our local businesses.
FWMN balloons outside Intelligent Nutrients for I Am Inspired.
This season was probably my busiest yet, but I am so grateful to have been immersed in so much of it. Minnesota may not be seen as a fashion capital like New York or Paris, but the creativity and community here are just as inspiring to me. Below are some highlights from each of the events I experienced. More in-depth looks to come!
#Minnstafashion
Thursday, September 15
Photo wall at Minnstafashion. Photo by E3 Photography.
Earrings by @GoldfineJewelry at #minnstafashion. 10% off tonight! #fwmn @FashionWeekMN #minnesotamade pic.twitter.com/BDigcvuYxN
— Liz (@UrbanOrchidBlog) September 16, 2016
Highlight - Threader earrings and more from Goldfine Designs and getting excited about the week to come with both old and new friends. Bonus: Meeting the namesake behind a dress I pre-ordered from Samantha Rei.
Reali Runway V2
Saturday, September 17
Highlight - Live musical performances + live runway presentations are always a win. Bonus: Seeing The Exchange completely differently (and from a much more sober point of view) than usual.
I Am Inspired
Sunday, September 18
Highlight - Throwing confetti in the Phhhoto booth. Bonus: FWMN balloons in vehicles by event sponsor Range Rover…thus getting that Chainsmokers + Halsey song stuck in my head.
Matryoshka in Japan: Danielle Everine Fashion Exhibition
Tuesday, September 20
Highlight - 3D glasses made the printed fabrics pop. Bonus: Taking a few 360-degree Virtual Reality shots of the models and the space.
FWMN Homme
Wednesday, September 21
MN4MN Blank Canvas
Friday, September 23
Clothes by Autumn's Vintage, helmet by Jesse Golfis
Highlight - The live presentation was really powerful. Bonus: Finding out the eco-fashion designer behind Foat is married to the artist behind my favorite sneaker from last year’s exhibition:
"Keep the shoes off the carpet" Aaron Brand. Photo from Tom Sadowski. #mn4mnblankcanvas @MN4MNFashion pic.twitter.com/KYcm6qCQh8
— Liz (@UrbanOrchidBlog) July 30, 2015
Envision
Saturday, September 24
Highlight - seeing the Kindred Folk collection I previewed for CityPages come to life on the runway.
Full Fashion Panic
Sunday, September 25
Highlight - Falling in love with emerging designers like Nang Mai Designs by Maria Dang and seeing the latest collection from one of the very first designers in Minnesota I ever encountered - Otherrealm by Lucie Biros. Bonus: Show director Samantha Rei Crossland’s call to action at the end - that supporting runway events showing the art of fashion is only one side of the equation, and in order to keep the events running, we need to support the businesses the artists are running and buy the clothes they make.
It seems the Minnesota fashion community is only getting stronger and its support is growing. I am so excited to be a part of it and share what’s coming up next.