Even though MNFashion has declared September 12 - 19, 2014 as the official Twin Cities fashion week, fashion related events are popping up throughout September and into October.

The Cut might have a listing of all the shows going on at New York Fashion Week as well as the dates for upcoming shows in London, Milan, and Paris, but I’m more excited to take part in what’s going on right here in Minnesota.

I’ve got a round-up of events, and even though I can’t make it to all of them, I’ll definitely be front row at some of them! Many of these events are not only an exciting showcase of local talent, style, and businesses, but also serve as fundraisers for different causes.

Thursday September 11

Fashionopolis

This now sold out event features trends out of MSP Magazine’s September issue featuring local boutiques.

More information:

http://mspmag.com/Contests-And-Promotions/Fashionopolis/

Friday September 12

Envision

My favorite so far, Envision is put on twice a year by Ignite Models and includes two runway shows featuring a dozen different designers, live music, and an auction benefitting local arts. Check out my recap of

Fall 2013

and

Spring 2014

, definitely can’t miss this!

More information:

http://envisionmpls.com/

Friday September 12 - Saturday September 13

North Loop Fall Crawl

A number of the North Loop Neighborhood Independent Business members will hold sales, raffles (including a $500 Grand Prize Giveaway), and other special promotions as a way to introduce people to the North Loop.

More information:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1437873409827264/

Saturday September 13

Avant Garden

This annual benefit for the Walker Art Center takes place in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.

More information:

http://www.walkerart.org/calendar/2014/avant-garden-2014

Wednesday September 17

Brides Against Breast Cancer Celebrity Bartending “Fashionista” Edition

This networking/fundraising event will be held at one of my favorite downtown Minneapolis spots, SEVEN Steakhouse, and proceeds will “benefit those impacted by cancer"

More information:

http://www.bridesagainstbreastcancer.org/upcoming-fundraising-events/celebrity-networking-minneapolis-mn-september-2014/

Thursday September 18

Angels & Divas

The 8th annual benefit for Emergency Financial Assistance and Facing Cancer Together includes a runway show featuring models who are cancer survivors as well as a the ability to shop looks from a variety of boutiques and retailers, including looks right off the runway.

More information:

http://www.mnangel.org/events/item/112

Friday September 19 - Saturday September 20

MN4MN Fashion Weekend

I am extremely excited for this weekend-long event at The Shops At West End in St. Louis Park. MN4MN focuses on businesses and designers not only based out of Minnesota, but many that produce in Minnesota as well (

Duluth Pack

included!). There will be two runway shows, one on Friday and one on Saturday. In addition, there will be an all day market on Saturday where these designers and businesses (and food trucks) will be available to talk and showcase their wares.

More information:

http://mn4mn.com/

Thursday September 25

Mercedes Benz & Fashion: A Perfect Combination

Fashion Group International & Mercedes Benz of Maplewood present a “delightful evening of luxury, fashion & style”. Men’s and women’s styles will be presented as well as luxury vehicles.

More information:

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/fgi-mercedes-benz-of-maplewood-present-mercedes-benz-fashion-a-perfect-combination-tickets-12043752187

Saturday September 27

Woman’s Club of Minneapolis Fall Fashion Show: Step up-Step out, Retro Glam

The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis puts on an annual luncheon fashion show.

More information:

http://www.womansclub.org/club/scripts/calendar/view_club_calendaritem.asp?CID=2083830&GRP=12277&NS=PE&src=w

MCAD Full Fashion Panic

The Minneapolis College of Art and Design SGMS (Schoolgirls and Mobilesuits: Culture and Creation in Manga and Anime) group hosts an annual academic conference dedicated to the understanding of manga and anime, a highlight of which is a manga and anime inspired fashion show.

More information:

https://www.facebook.com/events/680587628692486/

Nite of Fall Fashions

Corset Styling & Fashion Boutique in Edina hosts a catered fashion show including styles for both men and women.

More information:

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/nite-of-fall-fashions-tickets-12452364357

Sunday September 28

RAFA 2014

The Rocco Altobelli Fashion Awards are held yearly and include a runway show and awards for salon of the year, a beauty school student competition, and other fashion and beauty industry awards.

More information:

http://roccoaltobellisalons.com/index.php/rafa

Friday October 3

IIDA Fusion + Fashion

A few friends and acquaintances I have met through work have a team together for this show. The Northland Chapter of the International Interior Design Association puts on an annual fashion event in which each team creates a look inspired by a building and created out of non-traditional materials. This year’s theme is “Get Amplified” and each look is to be inspired by a different amphitheater/concert hall. Fittingly, it will be held at Orchestra Hall. Part of the proceeds go to the Northland Chapter Education Fund - a not-for-profit philanthropic organization whose primary mission is to advance Interior Design through education, research, and knowledge to benefit IIDA and the Interior Design profession.

More information:

http://www.iida-northland.org/events/fusion.html

Saturday October 4

Twin Cities Fashion Expo

The fashion expo will be held at Joule Event Center and "bring the Twin Cities fashion industry together to combine a mixture of different exhibitors, retailers, designers, fashion experts and the hottest fashion show into one area.” Also, since October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the expo presenters hope to raise raise awareness and hope to encourage people to break the silence and take a stand against domestic violence.

More information:

http://www.twincitiesfashionexpo.com/

1st Annual Rumble on the Runway/Minnesota Fashion Awards

I don’t yet have my ticket for this but you bet I am working on it. This first-of-it’s-kind black tie awards ceremony for the Minnesota fashion industry will also include a design competition showcasing not only clothing design, but hair, makeup, styling, and more to be judged by a panel of local fashion industry members and the audience.

You can vote now for your favorites and see them awarded in October. Voting ends September 15:

http://rumblemn.com/voting/

More information:

http://rumblemn.com/

And I know I’m super behind on my redesign as well as catching up with posts on Sasha Howell’s Spectacle and Cult Collective’s ICONS. All of those items are in the works, but here are some teaser photos until they go live:

Sasha Howell's fashion show was indeed a spectacle.

Love that Duluth is growing it's fashion community.

http://instagram.com/p/oYyyj0FMB3/

Designer inspiration sketches from ICONS: Film. Fashion. Rock N' Roll.

http://instagram.com/p/rh_tqdFMMT/

Last month, I had the exciting opportunity to attend Magic Market Week in Las Vegas, NV thanks to Indigenous. Actually comprised of 9 different apparel trade shows spread over two different locations, my day at MAGIC was really exhausting!

http://instagram.com/p/V9h5cQFMJ3/

I want to give a big thank you to Indigenous, who I worked with on their #worthwearing styling campaign, for inviting me to attend a panel they were hosting at WWDMagic about eco-branding and for extending a way for me to attend the show. I learned a lot and had an interesting experience taking part in the panel - a story for another post.

Each show brought a different focus of the apparel industry to light so I really wanted to hit them all, and glad I was able to spend at least a little time exploring each one. If I had more notice, I would have taken time off work to experience more.

WWD Magic was at the heart of the Las Vegas Convention Center and I loved seeing new collections from favorite brands as well as checking out up and coming designers. The day was filled with panels, fashion shows, and seminars hosted by bloggers and brand representatives as well as trend forecasters and stylists.

Kiara (Tobruck Ave), Stephanie (Honey & Silk), Tiara (The Dope Girl), and moderator Audrey talking about social media platforms and blogging.

Part of the WWD Magic floor

Super smart idea to have a universal charging station.

Sourcing at MAGIC was all about the supply chain in the fashion industry. Really interesting to see all the fabrics and findings behind favorite brands. The floor was organized by country and there was also a lot of trend forecasting - posters boasting color palettes and inspirations for 2014 were all over the place!

Me at Sourcing...and yes, that is water.

FN (Footwear News) Platform is a huge shoe show and definitely had me drooling. There had to have been millions of beautiful shoes! Expect a lot of beautiful bronze items from Elliott Lucca coming up in the fall - they definitely caught my attention. Really excited for the fun sandals from dv dolce vita - especially if there's going to be a summer hit like last year's Archer.

Also really loved the iridescent jewel tones from Rebecca Minkoff!

Kristin Cavallari stopped by to talk about her line with Chinese Laundry.

The other part of the show was held at the Mandalay Convention Center and included PROJECT, PROJECT Menswear, PROJECT MVMNT, POOLTRADESHOW, Tents at PROJECT, and ENK Vegas.

I wish I could have grabbed more photos at PROJECT MVMNT! The show featured urban culture brands and was really interactive and energetic. I really appreciated how they incorporated art into fashion and each brand was almost like a lifestyle rather than just a business. If I get a chance to go again, I'd love to spend more time there.

#ekocycle

Interesting concept I saw at PROJECT - #ekocycle brought together by Will.I.Am and Coca Cola. #ekocycle is an initiative to use recycled materials in products. They showed phone cases and snapbacks made from recycled plastics and fibers.

Phone cases made with recycled material from casemate/#ekocycle

Didn't see a whole lot of PROJECT Menswear but definitely eye opening to see how many different aspects to the apparel industry are. A lot of buyers, exhibitors, trend forecasters, consumer behavior analysts, media, marketers, business owners…so many people with different interests and focuses come together to make the fashion industry happen and it is really mind blowing.

Tents @ PROJECT featured what seemed to me as being higher end independent brands like Ben Minkoff, J Brand, Billy Reid, Edun, and Vince. ENK Vegas had a lot of popular, youthful brands like Wilfox, Unif, Nicole Miller, Splendid, CC Skye, and Rebecca Minkoff.

Inside the ENK Vegas tent

POOLTRADESHOW was really interesting too - a completely different vibe than the rest of the show featuring a lot of trendy boutique brands like Motel and Jeffrey Campbell. They also had a cash & carry area and I wish I had more time to check out the vendors.

Trying out sunglasses by Proof Eyewear made from recycled skateboards at POOLTRADESHOW.

Took time after the show to check out the WWDMagic reception at the Wynn. The food by Chef James Benson was really good - loved the sweet and spicy goat cheese stuffed peppers and the dessert! The cheesecake macaroons were way better than any other macaron I've ever had.