Designer has always been feet first

While you might own or have tried on a pair of Donald J Pliner shoes, you may not have known there is an actual man behind the label.

Pliner has been in the shoe business for 43 years and is best known for creating a comfortable elastic shoe. He'll be at Nordstrom from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, signing shoe purchases and helping customers find the perfect pair.

Q Why shoes?

A Instead of a spoon, I was born with a silver shoehorn. My father owned a shoe store and I worked at various shoe stores. I opened Pappagalo in 1967. It was like a Manolo Blahnik at the time. It's on the same block that my flagship is today. I started my own line again in 1989.

Q What are you known for?

A High-fashion comfort. My shoes took off because when you buy a pair, you keep buying them. I take a shoe and I fold it, I make it flex, you tell your mother, you tell your lover, you tell your boyfriend, you tell your husband. There's always elastic somewhere in my shoes. So when you're walking it takes away the pressure point. The biggest problem with my shoes is that they last too long. I wish they didn't last so long because people would buy more.

Q What's hot for fall 2010?

A There's a lot of Western influences translated into city dressing, which we're known for, and over-the knee boots and open toes. Look for lace, calf-hair leopard. Platform sandals are doing unbelievable.

Q What's on your feet right now?

A I'm getting back from running, so sneakers now. I only wear Nike -- and my shoes.

Q Do you have advice for buying shoes?

A The first thing you have to do is put both shoes on. Then walk and make sure to walk on the hard floor, too. If there are stairs, walk up the stairs and down the stairs. Try different sizes. Wiggle your toes -- if they don't wiggle properly, the shoe doesn't hit in the right place.

Top five from MNfashion Week

Now that the New York shows are over, it's time for local designers to take to the runways for MNfashion Week. There are dozens of fashion-related events (for the full schedule, see www.mnfashionweek.com.), but our best bets are:

The Big Chill Fashion Show and Benefit: Watch a show with designs by Laine Sou Weinberg of KOKOON, Barb Heinrich of the Uptown boutique Local Motion, and Robyne Robinson of Rox Jewelry, and then shop from straight from runway.

7 p.m. Monday: Kokoon Design Studio, 2508 24th Av. S., Mpls., free. VIP tickets, $20 each, include $10 off of purchases and two free raffle tickets.

Vintage City Classics Jewelry Workshop: The local designers will supply the materials so that you can learn how to make your own pair of one-of-a-kind earrings.

6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday: Vintage City Classics Studio, 314 Clifton Av. S., Mpls. $15. Reserve your spot at vintagecityclassics@gmail.com.

Joynoëlle Collection: The popular Minneapolis designer will show off her spring 2011 collection. Look for pretty, feminine designs.

6 and 8 p.m, Sept. 23, International Market Square Lofts, 290 Market St., ninth-floor penthouse, Mpls., $50 to $75 tickets available on iammoody.com.

Pale Rider: Check out the new fall collections by Voltage designers Danielle Everine and Raul Osorio.

7 p.m. Sept. 24, MNFashion Atrium, 79 13th Av. NE., Mpls., $30 VIP seats, $15 general admission seats and $10 standing.

The Sweet Life: Back from her New York Fashion Week debut, Adrienne Yancy of ArielSimone will be part of a group show that also features work by Ayah Ahmed, J&K Concepts Design , THE YANG and JEANTRIX Clothing Co.

Event starts at 7:30 p.m., show at 9 p.m., Sept. 26, OM Restaurant, 401 1st Av. N., Mpls., $15 general admission and $40 VIP tickets, www.sweetlifefashion show.com.

Now open: BBY pop-up shop

There's a new concept coming to the Twin Cities this weekend: BBY.

Barbara Dovolis of Edina, a 26-year veteran of the retail industry, saw how popular "fast-fashion" stores such as H&M and Forever21 were and decided to do something similar for adults. She created a collection of trendy, easy pieces that retail for $16 (tanks and tees) to $38 (dresses and cardigans) in sizes extra small to extra large. Her line will be sold in temporary pop-up shops once a month throughout the Twin Cities, starting at Southdale. "My goal is to keep the price point friendly and simple," she said.

BBY, Southdale, 2nd floor near Macy's, Edina, Wednesday 6 p.m. through Sunday 6 p.m. (during mall hours). For notices about future sales, sign up at www.bbystyle.com.

Uptown Boutique Crawl: Take 15 percent off at participating boutiques and enjoy cocktails and designer meet-and-greets. Receive a swag bag when you visit all five shops.

5 to 9 p.m., Atmosfere, 1426 W. Lake St.; Covered, 1201 Lagoon Av.; Drama, 1203 Lagoon Av.; Local Motion, 2813 Hennepin Av. S.; VState, 3001 Hennepin Av. S.

Galen Labs Apothecary Seminar: An informational seminar on the locally made natural skin care line with wine and music and fall men's fashions.

4 to 7 p.m., Elsworth Menswear, 811 LaSalle Av. (skyway), Mpls.

Style Derby: Fashions for cyclists by local companies Twin Six and Angry Catfish and designers Danielle Everine, Tim+Thom and Carly Schoen.

7:30 to 11 p.m., show starts at 9 p.m., Grain Belt Bottling House Atrium, 79 13th Av. NE., Mpls., $10.

Oleana sweater trunk show: Designed by Solveig Hisdal and made in Norway. Handmade jewelry by Kuzuri also will be featured.

1 to 6 p.m. Fri. and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat., Iverson's Imports, 5101 Excelsior Blvd., St Louis Park, 952-545-6051.

Passion for Fashion show and benefit for kids: The fundraiser show will feature new work by local custom designer Keiona L. Cook. You'll see everything from jeans to eveningwear to bridal. Most of the proceeds will be donated to Qe'Bella and the leadership program Northside YMCA.

6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Capri Theater, $15 general admission and $35 VIP in advance and $20 general admission or $50 VIP at the door, 612-384-1971.

Hugo Boss opening: To celebrate the new store, there will be a performance by the cast of "The Scottsboro Boys." Also, 20 percent of the day's sales will be donated to the organization Broadway in South Africa.

September 20, BOSS Store, Mall of America (first floor South), Bloomington, www.hugoboss.com. Performances will be at 5 and 7 p.m. in the rotunda.

Nigel Barker book signing: The photographer and judge from "America's Next Top Model" will sign copies of his new tome, "Nigel Barker's Beauty Equation: Revealing a Better and More Beautiful You."

6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 22, Mall of America rotunda, Bloomington.

Wixon Jewelers' annual September Sale: Save up to 50 percent on fine jewelry, including color gemstones, bridal settings, bracelets and necklaces.

Through Sat., 9955 Lyndale Av. S., Bloomington, 952-881-8862.

Sara Glassman • 612-673-7177 sglassman@startribune.com