When the long-running Minneapolis-St. Paul Fashion Week went belly up last year, some local followers of fashion wondered if the party was over.
Slim chance. Although MNfashion, the nonprofit behind the event, is no more, it left behind an ever-growing Twin Cities area independent fashion scene. So a handful of local boosters got together to create the all-new Fashion Week Minnesota (hashtag: #FWMN), which formally kicks off on Sunday.
"We felt an obligation to the Minneapolis fashion community to help keep up its momentum," said local impresario Sarah Edwards, one of the producers of the new Fashion Week.
"You always hear 'Shop local, shop local,' but we wanted to add a little context to what that really means to the economy and boutiques," Edwards said of next week's event series. "We're really focused on not copying New York and Los Angeles, but trying to embrace Minnesota as its own thing — and that includes the weather."
Here's a rundown on the runways, designers and boutiques in store for #FWMN, which runs through Sept. 26.
Silhouette: Get a jump start on Fashion Week with this gala runway show, a benefit for community development in Haiti. Designers include Caroline Hayden and Christopher Straub (of "Project Runway" fame). Elegant attire is suggested. (7 p.m. Thu. $75-$150. Calhoun Beach Club, 2925 Dean Pkwy., Mpls.)
The Shoot: Fashion Week kicks off bright and early Sunday with a novel concept: Instead of a runway show, "The Shoot" offers a fly-on-the-wall look at the creative process of a live photo shoot, with some top apparel and accessories designers. Co-presenter Workerby represents a comeback for one who started it all locally: MNfashion founder Anna Lee, who will show off her latest Ruby3 hat line. (11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun. $20. Public Functionary, 1400 12th Av. NE., Mpls.)
#IAMinspired: Fashion Week co-producer Edwards unveils yet another in her I AM series of civic-pride events (I AM Mpls!; I AM Kindness, etc.). #IAMinspired highlights the interplay between fashion and art, beginning with an art installation by Justin James Sehorn and leading to a rooftop presentation with boutiques Arrow, Bumbershute, Cvstings and more. (5-8 p.m. Sun. $50-$80. Le Meridien Chambers, 901 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. iaminspiredmsp.com.)
