MNFashion Gets Better . . . Sort of

Voltage: Fashion Amplified: a show that lets everyone in the Twin Cities know we are ready for warmth and (somewhat) better style.

Voltage: Fashion Amplified 2011 at First Avenue was an experience to experience. If you live in Minnesota and didn’t know we have a fashion week and a MNfashion production event, now in its seventh installment, well, let’s just say you are missing out for many reasons. This runway rock show on Friday, April 15 was the perfect way to hide from the cold and snow that was blowing around downtown. It was also a perfect way to catch up on some crazy fashion.

Sipping on a cocktail, I was amazed at the number of people dressed up to witness and support local twin cities designers and artists. The people watching was spectacular, but the actual fashion show was intriguing. Some outfits really made me cringe, while others excited me and made me wish that I could shop the local boutiques instantly. The designers that wooed me did not disappoint. Tim + Thom made active wear look cool and chic, Terri Martin made me want to invest in her entire collection, and Raul Osorio made lace look sexy, hot, and clean – and believe me, I don’t usually think of lace except as something on lingerie or on people looking like they are trying too hard. Maybe it was the fact that Pink Mink set the mood, but I was really excited about the lace.

What I wasn’t excited about was the fact that I witnessed some Sailor Moon outfits, some distressed 80’s looks, and some outfits that made me think of Sophia Coppola’s version of Marie Antoinette as if she were one of Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku girls. I understand trying to re-create looks for the runway, but they just made me want to run away.

When something fails, let it fail and NOT bring it back as something new and interesting. For example, I firmly believe that crop top shirts look good – on waifs. To see the rib bones of a girl doesn’t really make me want to buy that outfit and hope I have some rib bones too. Actually, it makes me think that you got screwed on an entire shirt. It also makes me think that you are trying out for Fame or Flashdance and nobody else got the memo.

High wasted pants were also the rage and I don’t understand why. When I see them, I can never get the Saturday Night Live episode with “mom jeans” out of my head. I am not one to wake up in the morning and think, “hmm, I think I want to wear some high-waisted pants. They really make my a$$ pop!” Very few (if any) people can rock that look. The rest of us cannot and should not.

The rest of us also should not dress as if we are five years old. I saw some of that in the audience and on the runway with one of the last designs. I like pink, layers, and hearts when either of them stand alone in an ensemble. I don’t like pink, layers, and hearts on one piece of clothing accentuating the fact that you are wearing pink, layers, and hearts. Too much of too many things equals the wrong thing. It makes you look childish and confused. Or, just confused.

So, here are some things I learned about Minnesota fashion at the show:

1. Our great state is doing better in terms of local fashion and music than our neighbors.

2. We should all stay away from bad decade concepts. Some things should rest in peace.

3. Also, stay away from lots of layers and draping. Unless you want to look like a piece of birthday cake.

PHOTO SOURCES: Metromix; Mary O'Regan